Pie man

Summers over......Pfft.... weathers been sweltering oop norf Bikes had a good coating with ACF50... carry on riding

Still commuting here.. been commuting on the bikes for the last two years, Only done a couple of days in the car, and I couldn't stand it. I can't abide sitting in queuing traffic anymore. Both bikes have been booked in for the All Year Biker treatment next week, ready for winter.

I like the idea of the Monimoto tracker, a good alternative and only €3 a month for sim, or install your own sim. change from bike to bike - no wiring involved.

Thought about heated gloves, however bike has heated grips, not great, but they do help to keep hands warm. The best investment I have made is the Keis heated gilet for those cold days

Commuting I use the Kriega R30 rucksack, I carry a laptop and other items, fully waterproof, its expensive but well worth it to me. My rucksack is my mobile office. For luggage the Aldi Krane dry bag (£9.99)

Ah yes, its all getting a bit 'Bon Jovi' out there (Slippery when wet) Shiny smooth surfaces are not our friend, I pass several large farms, and the sh1te the farm vehicles & tractors leave on the road is deadly slippery. I also hate the large roundabouts on my commute, just off the motorway, there's often diesel on the road, along with the fatal when wet white lines and don't forget the manhole covers. Don't know why I bother (I don't mind riding in the rain really)

Hello I use the Drift X. I have it set to loop recording, I have been commuting to and from work for the last 2 years in all weathers and for the year I have owned it, it has worked fine. I think the casing is for taking the camera underwater. I used to look at the footage each week, surprising how many people I filmed either on their phone or going through traffic lights on red. I don't bother looking anymore, sadly It's all become the norm these days.

Glad your OK, however not all injuries are broken bones, you may also have the emotional pain and anxiety of getting back on the bike, worrying what will happen at every junction, emotional stress, just like your comment above. I seriously hope this does not affect your ability to ride. A visit to a GP is not a bad thing if anxiety creeps in, you know for the record! I was once a trauma patient after being hit head on by a speeding driver who lost control of their car. Dont rush for a claim and don't necessarily go with your insurers claims people/solicitors. However I hope your back up and out again on two wheels soon enough

Each to our own on security, lugging around a big old chain and padlock is not for me. Bike cover and disc-lock usually, and if there are a few of us, sometimes we take a 12mm x 180cm wire strop that gets lashed through the wheels of all the bikes (well at least 4) other than that we usually try to find Hotels with secure parking

They look very similar in the picture, however the AT looks like its been to the gym and is all toned up, the GS looks like twiggy from the Royal Family and cant be arsed going to the gym. I'm probably going to try the little MT07 for touring next year (that's if a don't trade in the GS and succumb to the AT-DCT next year), anyhow Yamaha reckon 207 miles from a tank full, I have only managed about 160 so far However my rest stops will become fuel stops and vise versa, it might end up being a fill up at every opportunity

Thank you for the info and insight. I was wondering what other folk do/take when they are off on their biking trip. I'm cutting down what I take all the time. Luggage wise, 30l is plentiful for me now.

God to hear folk had a good time and got home safe. Can Someone tell me what mix of bikes went on the trip.

I don't like group riding, in fact I refuse to join any club that would have me as a member.

Have a good un peeps. Safe riding

I use a 3 way pivot mount, £15 off Amazon, using the sticky pads to mount either the flat or curved mount as close to the chin as possible then adjust the pivot points to get as close to the chin area as possible, however there are plenty of various chin mounts out there, prices ranging from £9.99 - £30.00.

And make a note of the frame and engine numbers to each bike

However like I say "Not all one reads upon the internet has truth in it" ....William Shakespeare

So I take it dont need to apply for a totally useless for touring Revolut card no doubt it has its uses

You don't half spout some crap though! Halifax do a zero charge card for using abroad (I think it's called Clarity). Eyup, Keep up

A little research has lead me to believe that since the introduction of chip and pin card it has become easier, however not all French petrol stations (back in the day) were quick on the uptake to upgrade their machines. However I am now lead to believe there shouldn't be a problem However "Not all one reads upon the internet has truth in it" ....William Shakespeare

Ah yes the "Route Des Grande Alpes" a popular motorcycle route from Thonon-les-Bains to Menton. It was a while since I was last there, I recall when using UK cards it was a hit and miss affair, I see there are plenty of fuel stations, however many are automated due to the locations. I suppose many of the larger towns will have the usual, more popular branded and manned stations, however the distance between those towns might stretch my fuel economy riding capabilities, especially over the Col's.

I last rode the RDGA back in 2006, and back then I took my CBR600. However I can't remember how frequent the manned fuel stations were, there must have been enough . I'm planning to go back in 2020 on the MT07, now the RDGA is approx 420mls so I will need to fill up at least twice, I'm sure petrol stations will be a plenty, but will they most probably be automated/unmanned. I'm unsure if the UK credit or switch card would work, anyone been and had the pleasure recently

I would doff my cap if you could do it for nowt, and your business can afford it, ..well why not. Too many greedy b@stards about today. If you couldn't carry on going to them, could they not come to you

I think timing would be a critical factor when travelling on UK motorways. Dartford crossing is only £2.50 I think, my van is classed as an MPV and runs on dual fuel. I'm getting roughly the same MPG as I would on the bike, LPG is even more widely available in France than in the UK, or so it seems. I think it would have to be daft O'clock departure from the Northwest (Lancashire) and try to avoid dartford at busy times (if such a thing is possible) or even go M25 anti-clockwise, a disadvantage of the van - I have to use the boat with having LPG, its a no no for the train.

yeah I get that.. I'm thinking less fatigue if travelling in the van, hopefully having the ability to travel further in comfort, thus saving time staying overnight somewhere. Over many years of driving abroad I have found the biggest problem to be here in the UK. I don't see anything to enjoy riding the M6/M25 etc