Gerontious

More Brenda than Benda.

60 days. Or 8 weeks on Saturday. Still time for these pesky little problems to be sorted. Let’s see what they do about the amber list, first. If that doesn’t change then it’s over regardless.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-57730092 so….. I’m now waiting for the details to be published on the German embassy website. .

That is definitely NOT a proper breakfast. where's the bacon. where are the sausages. a slice of black pudding and an egg. half the plate covered in bread? no. This: .

There are plenty of campsites, especially in France that rent semi/permanent structures as an alternative to camping. Best for more than a few days though as there is always a final charge that includes cleaning the place for the next guest. I’ve seen teepees. Yurts. Gypsey caravans. Mini chalets. Even what can only be described as an oversized barrel. These are never at municipal sites. Always private owned. In Germany there is less of it as they’re camping and caravan mad. You do find small chalets in Austria are common. Might be best to decide on an area then search within that area on what’s available then book direct. The bikers campsite we stayed at in the vercors, France was particularly well set up for this type of holiday.

All fuel tanks get water in them, regardless of fuel. this is why the outlet is never at the tanks lowest point. My habit for years has been to run the tank well into reserve and then fill up with a dose of Wynns dry fuel added, I tend to do this once a year at the start of winter. This homogenises any water into the fuel where it is burnt off and during the winter water is less likely to condense out as its a tad to cold for that to happen. water condenses out during the warmer months overnight as the tank and its contents cool down.

so much paranoia from owners of new bikes is extraordinary. E10 is hardly new, in most of France its the only fuel you can buy... though i suppose you armchair chemists know more about it than companies like Shell. Mobil and so on. if there are any downsides to E10 aside from those already well publicised for older vehicles, I think its probably safe to assume that the oil companies will have already, long ago addressed these with the additive package that is present in all fuels. There have been studies on this very subject. the amount of water that E10 can absorb in perfect conditions.. ie when water is directly added to the fuel rather than absorbed from the atmosphere is 0.41% less than half of 1% of the total fuel in the tank. obviously this is the end of the world as we know it and we are all doomed. Im in such a panic i think i might just be forced to lie down in a darkened room (for all of a minute) .

your mother must be so proud.

I think you are worrying unnecessarily. the fact it has minimal wear doesn't surprise me. its on the one hand due to improved manufacturing and on the other, a testament to your maintenance regime. A heavy duty chain thats well looked after should last 20,000 + Especially as its on what is by modern standards a modestly powerful bike.

Washed it this morning and then this afternoon a quick bimble round the (20 mile) block.. didn't stop, except for some petrol. so no highly unlikely views.

The European Commission announced it had waived this requirement amongst other concessions designed to defuse tension around the implementation of the Northern Ireland protocol. Since leaving the bloc drivers of UK-registered vehicles, including those from Northern Ireland, have been required to carry a green card when visiting another EU country, including the Republic of Ireland. not a big deal. But one less thing to worry about carrying. .

Me too. It’s a constant struggle.

How awful for you.

well.. thats definitely not what I was thinking of. https://www.zircotec.com/exhaust-coatings/ .

Well.. ceramic protective coating means taking the downpipes off and sending them away. isn't that what you were on about?

I did consider that for the Africa Twin.. but the idea of buying a brand new bike and then not being able to ride it for a few weeks was just a tad off putting.

They’re not quite “just foam” they’re neoprene, the same material used in wet suits. I find they need to be replaced every few years as they do tend to degrade somewhat. But they’re hardly expensive.

Chinese copies.

I don’t see why it’s complicated. I just go onto one of the comparison sites. (Confused.com) enter my details and choose the cheapest that has the package I require with the lowest excess. Last year that was devitt this year it was onecall. Next year it will be someone else, I’m sure. The new business discount counts for a lot, there is zero benefit to brand loyalty 99% of the time. I just treat it as a necessary expense like road tax.

Rather this year than next year. I'm just glad this has happened when we were set to go to the Eifel, as we have been loads of times and its become almost banal. (though never boring) Rather the Eifel is cancelled than our much bigger holiday that is set to take place next year. Black Forest, German Allgau, Austria, Italian Alps and Dolomites. A glorious loop. I did a fair bit of reconnoitring for that last September, visiting places and deciding on whether they were worth a return to, some most definitely are, but some really aren't. For example, one campsite looked perfect but turned out to be pretty awful from my perspective even though its highly rated. (I will point it out as we pass by en route to (or from) a transit over the Timmelsjoch pass) Or if the goal is the Alps, is it worth pushing the envelope and getting there as quickly as possible, rather than dawdling vis the Black Forest. I think it is.. and then riding the B500 south to north as part of a more lazy return. Also, I really want Jack to come. Not possible for him this year.. but next? I think he will bite my hand off when I tell him about it. Same goes for Matt. So.. no Eifel this year. And now its just a matter of waiting to see what happens about France. If we can travel without fear of a quarantine on return then that's fine. If France is subsequently put back on the Q list then we will beat a hasty retreat to return before that takes effect. Though im not worried about that. (I cannot afford to quarantine either) As far as I can tell we cannot enter Germany for any reason aside from a "transit" and so that rules out a day in the Black Forest, unfortunately. Im not prepared to risk a run-in with the Polizei. So.. if France does come to pass, Im thinking of the Auvergne. as plan B to the Vosges. Lets hope we have a clearer idea by the start of August. .

Me neither.

I’ve written off the Eiffel and am poised to cancel the Schloss. I know the Krufts are expecting me to, despite the fact our staying there is fine so long as we are double vaccinated and are prepared for one (free) test during our stay. But this bar is federal and has severe legal implications. France is currently fine once the 10 day quarantine is relaxed, but it’s very iffy at the mo. I’m setting a cut-off for the end of the first week in August. No change by then and that’s it till next year.

Go for the new one. Its rare, very rare indeed for BMWs to suffer electrical problems nowadays.. and for years. The only valid reason for going for the original part is a full, showroom restoration where every part is original. There will be a reason the part you mention has changed. I wouldn't suggest running to a forum. My suggestion would be a phone call to Motorworks who will give you a speedy answer. Ive always found them to be very fair with answers not clouded by any profit motive.

So there!!

I was thinking of trading in my bike for the new 1100. really just for the quite amazing fuel economy. But... its a speed monster and I think, perhaps a bit of a waste in these times. err... .