Slowlycatchymonkey

Lol They are good, where d’u find those, on google images? Craven will make you whatever you want and aren’t the ridiculous prices of some. Fortunately never worn a waxed jockstrap (is that a real thing ) or smoked a pipe and had to look up ‘lxion’ (went to a paupers school, they just about managed to teach tieing shoelaces) so might have another glance at the panniers when the pain/joy of buying the damn things over! Fish n chip wise I’m good, got some right baggy waterproofs that I could it LOADS in

Appreciate the (quote correct) concern. Some tentative conversations sugggest yes they could do something to suit. TBH I don’t care what they are so long as I can remove them and enjoy the bikes aesthetics on the usual riding days. In reality I’ll likely make a couple of uncomfortable long trips and when it’s all uncomfortable enough start looking at the adventure tourer line but for now

Geek away my friend, I look forward to hearing more.

Go for it. You’re currently in the land of the food sluts, you won’t get away with it here

Oh [mention]Speedy23[/mention] and [mention]Gerontious[/mention] in some (a lot) of ways it’s so not the right bike and I know this but I’ll never own a toy if I take the practical route now. Childish hearts desire first then practicality sets in and adventure/tourer next. A single key for all luggage that’s brilliant A bit like dealers setting the override key code (for ‘keyless’ bikes) the same. 80% that come back in for service have not changed the code so if you’re in an area you bought the bike from it’s likely thieves will know the code- oops. I’ve done a bit of research and these guys do some lovely stuff including customs (goodness knows the price of those) so I think I’ll give them a bell. https://www.craven-equipment.co.uk ps my better half is a pack mule!

Earache my eye. Cheech and Chong

Maple bacon doughnut..... just nooooooooo

Surely there must be pannier options for the R nine T? Yep but the ones the dealers showed me are small and narrow. I’m gonna explore other options, larger, easy to remove and maybe metal is what I’m thinking.

Congrats. It’s a satisfying thing to pass.

DONT you want me baby. Human League

Only fools and horses John Sullivan

This is a stinker of a song- Everything I do I do it for you. Bryan Adams https://youtu.be/vFD2gu007dc I couldn’t make it passed 15 seconds.

Oh [mention]SometimesSansEngine[/mention] that sucks, though well recovered . Tell me the rest of your ride was good?!

Agreed - someone I know who failed his mod 2 a few times there said "they're all up their own arse" and pretty much told me I was in for a hard time trying to pass. But he's... well... opinionated and quite often up HIS own arse so I think it's safe to say be polite to them and they'll be polite back. lol well that’s what they have to deal with! The oldest instructor there said in 25yrs instructing they were the best examiners he’d come accross. Not that they’ll cut you any slack on your mod one or two and I suspect the hyper criticism you’ll impose on yourself will likely be savage but they are professional without being mean. Watched one guy tumble off his bike during test (from my training school) and the examiner tried to let him compose himself but he couldn’t get it together and the examiner got hold of his arm and reassured him. Very kind.

Cold turkey- John Lennon What wierd world do Apple spell check people live in where John needs changing to Jhonnie?!

Sweet dreams are made of this - Eurythmics

Sweet child of mine- Guns n Roses.

Message in a bottle- The police

The two examiners in Bristol are both really nice guys. You feel like they’d like you pass and it’s down to you to mess it up. Which when I did mess up my first attempt at mod one I found the examiner so pleasant about it I really didn’t mind so much. [mention]Lanceautoman[/mention] Good luck.

[mention]Throttled[/mention] and [mention]Bender[/mention] thanks for the tips. Will be buying the bag after the tent and the tent after the bikes width plus panniers is known. The width of the bike including the mirrors is 890mm (2’ 11” in old money) so I could in theory go that wide but I wouldn’t want to, the smaller the better and the 60cm or less mark does seem sensible. I also have the circulation of a stick and need heated gear and a snowmobile suit over the top of my usual motorcycle gear before getting on the bike in the winter so the warmest possible sleeping bag known to man (on top of the snowmobile suit ) will probably just about do. Like the sound of the finned pans. Thinking one pan and one plate or the like will do. Hate bad cutlery so might avoid camping cutlery and raid the kitchen drawer. Don’t know what to do about the panniers. The majority of the bikes I see have hard panniers. I kinda want a solution that I can take off- until such time as common sense and practicality overwhelms and I get a tourer! ️

Re pics- Is that the cat that got the cream? I love that tank too. Surprised there’s so much difference between the two bikes. I wouldn’t have expected that. Looks great. If I could have a collection of bikes I’d put that on the list.

Ta. Not keen on compromise gear. Would rather spend once wisely than waste doing a respend. Those cocoon shaped sleeping bags look a bit restrictive but they seem to be popular and they must be smaller n lighter. Any experience?

sargeant peppers lonely hearts club band - Beatles

[mention]Westbeef[/mention] thanks for the link, looks a bit like the £55 one I bought for this trip which is surprisingly good. [mention]Liveware Problem[/mention] that is an absolute bargain! [mention]goat[/mention] thanks for all of the tips. Have looked at a lot of the tents but not the sleeping bags or other kit yet. Have a couple of wool base layers from cycling, they’re definitely superior. Love the look of the tipi tent, watched the video review, it looks excellent but it’s not for me cos my other half is lovely but robust and clumsy, it would be mere moments before that central pole was wiped out and even if it stays in situ I’d be permanently waiting for the tents collapse. You’re likely right that I’ll end up with a lot of gear! [mention]griptwister[/mention] I’ll have a look into the two sleeping bag thing, in the winter when standing on the side of a freezing rugby pitch with the wind and rain beating down wearing two coats works really well! They are bulky but worth it. Don’t think anyone makes gluten free cupasoups though apart from Heinz tomato and that ones not a good one, perhaps hot chocolate will do the trick! [mention]Gerontious[/mention] thankyou again for the detailed information. Will wait for the full wintery discounts to kick in. Robens and vaude looks good, the large porch area is very appealing and the attached lining plus fast up and down is great. Like the layout. I have the recommended tarp which is still in one piece folded under the current tent. Would it be possible to sit in a small low chair inside it? Or is that not possible for a 6+ footer!? [mention]Rodders[/mention] thankyou for all of that info, that’s given me a few options! I wouldn’t consider carrying it though, if it’s possible to have an allergy to carrying stuff I have it! Sorry if I missed anyone, all the advice is appreciated. Packing up and heading home this morning, I’m guessing the unpacking the other end is going to be the worse bit!

Only You- Yazoo