What did you all learn from your trips this year???

[gspod]

Travel towels - it's a posh duster for removing polish, back to ye old towels for me (thumbs)[/quote

+1 beach towels are the best (thumbs)

[gspod]

After 22 years of motorbike holidays with my wife we have got everything off to a fine art and consequently a lot of the humour has been lost. So I say to those just starting out, don't ask for advice and don't aim to get it perfect. Go with the flow and make plenty of mistakes because they will keep you laughing for years to come.

One thing I did learn this year - I visit my mum a few times a year and it's normally a boring 250 mile motorway ride but last week I took an extra day off, mapped a scenic route into my sat nav and had a brilliant days ride (thumbs)

[bowber]

Things I learnt this year:

This is the first year I've been away on the bike and stayed in one place for a week, its not really for me. I prefer mounting up each morning and moving on.

I like riding without a sat nav.

Stopping for a quick dip in a lake is my new hobby.

I love a challenge, visiting lots of castles, that sort of thing.

Like minded bikers are a pleasure to ride with off road. On the road I prefer solo.

I was just thinking the opposite! We tend to move each day but it makes a holiday into a bit of a rush, we were just thinking it'd be better spending a few nights in each place instead to give us time to explore a bit.

Steve

[sprintster]

Things I learnt this year:

This is the first year I've been away on the bike and stayed in one place for a week, its not really for me. I prefer mounting up each morning and moving on.

I like riding without a sat nav.

Stopping for a quick dip in a lake is my new hobby.

I love a challenge, visiting lots of castles, that sort of thing.

Like minded bikers are a pleasure to ride with off road. On the road I prefer solo.

I was just thinking the opposite! We tend to move each day but it makes a holiday into a bit of a rush, we were just thinking it'd be better spending a few nights in each place instead to give us time to explore a bit.

Steve

I prefer to base myself and explore for a few days and it's nice to not be living out of panniers all the time.

[moto al]

For you guys living in northern parts ,go via Ireland ,to Europe ,save on miles & the grid lock . Also save on ure dosh .

[micksea]

Things I learnt this year:

This is the first year I've been away on the bike and stayed in one place for a week, its not really for me. I prefer mounting up each morning and moving on.

I like riding without a sat nav.

Stopping for a quick dip in a lake is my new hobby.

I love a challenge, visiting lots of castles, that sort of thing.

Like minded bikers are a pleasure to ride with off road. On the road I prefer solo.

I was just thinking the opposite! We tend to move each day but it makes a holiday into a bit of a rush, we were just thinking it'd be better spending a few nights in each place instead to give us time to explore a bit.

Steve

I prefer to base myself and explore for a few days and it's nice to not be living out of panniers all the time.

tagging onto a HISS event would suit you lot,always loads of good roads,good craic and meet lots of forum members (thumbs)

[Erogenous Jones]

Easy one....... 3 weeks before we set off our bikes were serviced - one (out of warranty) at an independent dealer and the other (in warranty) at the main dealer.

Check oil levels after servicing. The independent dealer was spot on and the main dealer (stratstone wolverhampton) charged for a full oil and filter changes, but funnily enough forgot to put any oil in..... and I discovered this the week I returned home and it took 2.5 ltres. Guess what, a "full inspection" showed no engine damage.

Having purchased 5 HDs from Stratstone in the last 3 years plus a BMW and Landrover, I doubt if I ever buy anything ever again from that outfit.

So check the oil.... then the brakes. After that, luck on punctures and other mechanical failure.... electrics (?) well, hand signals and planning will sort that out, but oil and brakes are the only things to check. So the thing I learned is to trust your LOCAL mechanic and not a shiny and synthetic dealership (unless you negotiate a heavy deal)

[Kebabmonster]

I learnt that the KLV isn't unbreakable cos the rear brake line failed.

I also learnt that you don't need a back brake for road riding, and after 3 tours of Scotland, and 1 9 day Europe jaunt, with only that problem, I doubt I'll ever get rid of the KLV cos I rate it so highly. Fantastic bike.

Andy