I put my car off the road for the summer in April 2017 In September 2017 I went to France and while I was there ended up adding a K1100LT to my bikes..... Somehow I did not put the car back on the road for the 6 months of the winter.....its now October 2023 and I still haven't put it back on the roa...

I have various model K bikes, from 83 K100RS to 97 K1100LT. Looking at shocks, I have a range of them, RAM, Koni [not Ikon], Hagon, YSS, YSS budget and of course original BMW. I have done lots of travelling on them, loaded up too and even pulling a trailer. So good comparisons. Of all of them the KO...

beany wrote: ↑Sun Aug 27, 2023 9:02 am sailing from plymouth on the 6th.

I think that puts you into Santander? I am heading to Bilbao on 6th. Ah well.

Ex army drawstring waterproof bags (in green) are excellent for gear in panniers--but I agree--Lidl bags are very robust to. On the strap front BMW do provide straps on both the inner and lid just for that purpose. They are elasticated but could be a little more robust--and could be replaced if I h...

I love practical solutions like this. Maybe an old t-shirt can be sewn up to make similar bag. Put loops put on the t-shirt and hooks inside the cases to keep them steady. Putting lots of stuff in all that storage space can lead to a lot of weight far back on a lightweight bike. Care must be taken ...

beany wrote: ↑Thu Aug 24, 2023 8:18 pm Sailing on the 6th September down to bardenas then 3 nights in sort from the 9th.

Where are you travelling from?

As Catcitrus knows I ride old BMW K bikes.....they made pannier inner bags for those and I have a few sets of them for mine. The panniers come with retaining elastics to hold them in. I agree 100% about stuff falling out, bag or liner is absolutely essential espcailly for the left side ones. On a we...

Sounds like you are on Armourique into Cork on the Wednesday morning. I am not sure of my holiday movements yet but I usually go to France in May but not booked this year yet as I had to wait for the date for my sons conferring. If I go I am likely to be on that ferry, if not might grab you for a c...

Cheers Flinty - looks like I´ll be doing some of that route on my way there (riding up through France as I haven´t done that for a while - then ferry into Cork - but the timings give me a few days to play with). Its been a while since I racked up over 1,000 miles heading somewhere. Plenty to do and...

Going to France for many years and never been stopped/checked etc. I always have spare bulbs in the car or bike. I use a Richa Hiviz over jacket and that solves it.

But you will get done if you dont wear gloves! You can wear crocs, shorts, you name it. But you must have gloves.