hello from Bristol, UK

[kaleb]

Hi

Bought this, my first bike, a couple months ago having just passed my direct access course.

£1100 with 60k on the clock, full history, bmw tragkorbs and givi box.

So far so good. This forum has already been a valuable resource so thought I'd best introduce myself, especially as I've some touring planned for Spring and will need to check some things over before then...

Cheers!

Kaleb

[K1300S]

Maybe I am biased, but nice color!

Welcome!

[drut]

Hello & welcome!

[Tuco]

Stop by if you're out this way!

[84K100RT]

Nice K there and welcome.....very nice colour too.

A word of warning. The lovely cover over the fuel injectors on the left, under the petrol tank, despite the location, is NOT resistant to petrol and will dissolve before your very eyes if you spill any on it.

Those covers and the radiator surround panel are like hen's teeth.

When you get some touring plans sorted see about heading over this way too. We have a regular visitor from a little south of Bristol, comes over a few time a year for camping trips. Even bought another K here on his second last trip. His last trip was to collect it!.

[kaleb]

Thanks for the advice, and the welcome!

I've cycle toured in Ireland before and had a wonderful time.

I am planning some brick-touring now, but the first trip will be the other way. I've a month off work starting late April, and a ferry to France.... I wonder about reaching Istanbul and back in that time... we'll see!

Take it easy

K

ps - bit pricey for what it is, but available! http://www.motorworks.co.uk/vlive/Shop/Parts.php?T=5&NU=15&M=40&Ct=FA&SbCt=BA_15_40_FA_75

[84K100RT]

That's not a bad price for the injector cover, but the bodywork panel around the radiator is scarce due to demand from those who convert RT/LT models to naked bikes.

Istanbul is achievable in my book but remember you are on a naked bike and anything over 60mph is not so comfortable.

I was in company of a rider on a naked K75 last June from Roscoff down to the Perigord. We loaned him the bike. He wasn't well equipped in that he had poor bike gear with the result that he was cold wet and miserable and his limit was 150 miles a day. The K75 did have a screen and I would regard that as essential for your trip.

I also did a lot of cycling around Ireland and you know what the weather can doooo......

For your trip I would use textile bike gear with armour in. A one piece over suit in my opinion is the only way to go on a naked bike and on your trip. Keeps rain and draughts out......Really important to keep warm, weather can be variable but more likely to be cool for the earlier part but warm enough by the time you get to Turkey. Previous year for last week of May in France I had thermal lining in and it was too warm. 2015 I left it out and made sure I had a fleece jacket that doubles as a jacket off the bike. Rain over gloves are cheap, cheerful and great but on my advice a friend got a set of Oxford handlebar muffs for a November trip in France and said they were awesome. Not sure you would need then but if you plan on going through the Alps you will.....Rain over boot protectors are in my book also essential and extremely light. With that lot on no matter what you will be warm and comfortable.

For these trips I have a separate mesh jacket with armour. I use this and remove the armour from the bike jacket. Allows me the option of its very hot of leaving the jacket off to stay cool but on long trips means I still have full protection. I also use Kevlar jeans and armour which is interchangeable with the bike gear.

Worth getting a K tank bag. Its adjustable, comes with a rainproof cover and has a very neat top section for a map and to keep a wallet while on the move. eBay is your friend.