STUBBS
undead
aa recovery card 
What checks before a weeks touring, 12GS
- Thread starter Dermot.B
- Start date
Dahoum said:Thats three of the old model (11**) bike owners that have bitten so far
MATKAT
Registered user
under seat??
Yes, and what a wonderful machine they areFanum said:Spare key in a waterproof box taped under the seat and a decent tool kit.
How do you get at the spare key taped under the seat if you havent got the key to remove the seat with
Ah..it's a 1200 isn' it
Fitzy
Registered user
Essentials
Make sure you have petrol in the tank and are wearing your motorcycle gear.Dermot.B said:
Just back from 2000 miles to Switzerland. Only problem was an aftermarket relay shorting out and flattening the battery overnight.
Check tyre pressures, two clicks up on the rear to compensate for luggage, check all bolts (I do that anyway, on every bike I have ever had) Spare bulbs (unless you have gone the LED route), basic toolkit, puncture repair kit, half a litre of oil (mine still uses some), passport, toothbrush, cash, credit card, clean underwear, fags, lighter, mobile, camera, I-pod (for motorways)
All the above I would call necessary, I then fill the remaining pannier space up with clothes, all individually packed in freezer bags.
Don't worry about the horror stories, they will either happen to you, or they won't. Enjoy it, and remember to drive on the right!
Mark
Check tyre pressures, two clicks up on the rear to compensate for luggage, check all bolts (I do that anyway, on every bike I have ever had) Spare bulbs (unless you have gone the LED route), basic toolkit, puncture repair kit, half a litre of oil (mine still uses some), passport, toothbrush, cash, credit card, clean underwear, fags, lighter, mobile, camera, I-pod (for motorways)
All the above I would call necessary, I then fill the remaining pannier space up with clothes, all individually packed in freezer bags.
Don't worry about the horror stories, they will either happen to you, or they won't. Enjoy it, and remember to drive on the right!
Mark
Remember to face forwards when mounting your steed.
It will save an embarrasing call to the AA about faulty handlebars.
Dont pack everything onto your bike round your back garden, and then remember that the bike does not fit down the passage with the panniers on.
Check that you have YOUR passport and not your wifes.
It will save an embarrasing call to the AA about faulty handlebars.
Dont pack everything onto your bike round your back garden, and then remember that the bike does not fit down the passage with the panniers on.
Check that you have YOUR passport and not your wifes.
All of what Earthmover said, plus your insurance docs and V5 ownership certificate if travelling on the continent. Obviously never leave these with the bike, keep them on your person instead. Saves problems with foreign plod if the worst happens like accident or bike theft (god forbid).
Carry a credit card and a breakdown cover contact number and everything else is just extra really. Let someone here know a basic plan of your intinerary (places & dates) in case you go missing, and ensure your mobile phone service provider has set you tup for international roaming BEFORE you go on the trip.
If you intend doing big miles every day, take wet wipes, both to clean your visor and to soothe your sore ring, especially if visiting a foreign toilet stop with no loo roll !!
Enjoy the trip, takes lots of pics, make sure you post some here for us to see.
All the best
Adam
Carry a credit card and a breakdown cover contact number and everything else is just extra really. Let someone here know a basic plan of your intinerary (places & dates) in case you go missing, and ensure your mobile phone service provider has set you tup for international roaming BEFORE you go on the trip.
If you intend doing big miles every day, take wet wipes, both to clean your visor and to soothe your sore ring, especially if visiting a foreign toilet stop with no loo roll !!
Enjoy the trip, takes lots of pics, make sure you post some here for us to see.
All the best
Adam
Fanum
Toubab
ampthill said:Am I missing something here?
Wouldn't you need a key to release the seat to get to the other key?
Peter
No, but it would be difficult enough to get to the hidden spare to deter a casual thief.
Take your seat off and have a look at the mechanism...you'll soon see how it's done.
On a lot of 11xx bikes, there was a small indentation that effectively became a compartment behind in between the number plate and its mounting bracket...that's another good place to hide a spare key, but I don't know if there's a similar place on the 1200.
I now carry a metal one without the plastic bloble on the end..it's small enough to just live in my wallet all the time but I know it's there if I lose the main key
