clarke

I see plenty of new HDs with them on. Not legal, but they use them.

You could, but you don't want it to roll over too easily otherwise you could knock it back down by mistake. I stapled some old carpet to it as well to reduce chances scratches. When I jacked up my xvs1300 on one of those jacks tasks pictured, the bugger started to rotate sideways. Make sure you tie the bike down!

It was simple to make, big block of wood, drill a hole then use a long metal pipe as a lever. I had a pipe lying around and got an off cut block of wood from the local timber merchant for about £10

Nice one!!

Good luck with the recovery, hope it continues to go well

I thought the XVS125 numberplate wasn't too bad looking as it is mounted at the bottom of the fender The 1300 is ugly as it sticks up from the fender.

Looks good

I made one of these for next to nothing http://vstar1300.pbworks.com/w/page/5760709/Motorcycle%20Lifts Though I have a lift like the one Tasky posted for wheel removal. If you get one that lifts 300kg that'll lift a 650 easily

Crazy...

The breathalyser has been abandoned in France. http://www.theaa.com/motoring_advice/overseas/driving-abroad-whats-new-2012.html Ride magazine says bikes are exempt from having to carry spare bulbs, warning triangles (and I think hi-viz??). They also say the stickers on helmet aren't generally enforced however if your caught for another offence e.g. Speed then they'll fine you for the lack of stickers too

I just came here to post this - good to see we're already on the ball

MacD have free WiFi too... Ride magazine have a load of downloadable Satnav maps on their website, even if you're not using a Satnav I think you can view the routes to make some plans: http://www.ride.co.uk/Routes/ E.g. June 2012... https://maps.google.com/maps?saddr=Calais,+France&daddr=48.65884,3.69587+to:48.04072,3.03327+to:47.8801,2.38532+to:47.41879,2.27745+to:46.327003,1.4845941+to:46.07326,1.68988+to:45.71774,1.72627+to:45.56539,1.75375+to:45.57951,1.77056+to:45.5239976,1.7395819+to:45.44014,1.61428+to:44.836167,0.529577+to:44.60114,0.60826+to:43.6235,-0.62784+to:43.02084,-1.32508+to:N-135+to:42.7523842,-1.3727399+to:42.557,-0.70211+to:42.61673,-0.21008+to:42.47921,0.55958+to:42.50988,1.54811+to:42.6992011,1.8344845+to:42.97658,2.26317+to:D118&hl=en&ll=43.115019,2.237091&spn=0.21854,0.432243&sll=43.462887,2.26593&sspn=0.869176,1.728973&geocode=FXp0CQMdflwcAClj4_HXdT_cRzH0edKM4Nm-rA%3BFZh55gId_mQ4ACnzc4vYstLuRzFxEKequV8KEw%3BFRAL3QIdtkguACmXjpHmhnXvRzFk9qwu5f-l1g%3BFaSX2gIdqGUkAClbrrUZRm3lRzFORAkviReD4A%3BFaaN0wIdSsAiACmTJP1tMcv6RzFlA3nvNJLvXg%3BFdvkwgIdMqcWAClT2IB0vOX7RzHAm1FRktMFEw%3BFawFvwIdGMkZACkLtXGVsWX5RzGlwt5pAD8GMQ%3BFeyYuQIdPlcaAClJyEypRwX5RzETdM6xj8Fc0A%3BFc5FtwIdlsIaAClvf1Chof34RzHR3u1QktMFEw%3BFfZ8twIdQAQbACkD2ZAtjf34RzH47YiJ0CWovw%3BFR2ktgIdPYsaACkHC2fxjvz4RzEh2EtVktMFEw%3BFYxctQIdyKEYACmhq_TeAub4RzGhttZQktMFEw%3BFUclrAIdqRQIACntl86-9tmqEjGQZiE8F2UGEw%3BFTSPqAIdBEgJACkbPw2IjB2rEjGhC-o3F2UGEw%3BFUykmQIdgGv2_ylbUBYFcohWDTFezJvtTkTlBg%3BFShykAId6Mfr_ylFZSPTS9BQDTHAl80IZYwBEw%3BFfYFjgIdxvzn_w%3BFYBZjAIdvQ3r_ynhz_M1cbpQDTFgn_kHZYwBEw%3BFUheiQIdYkn1_ykPNya3j31XDTFxDn4JZYwBEw%3BFZpHigIdYMv8_ymja4-uqPZXDTEQDekPZYwBEw%3BFWouiAId3IkIACkDjPZpbtSnEjHAuiYJZYwBEw%3BFTimiAIdTp8XAClDpGcP5YqlEjGx_Aj2bZQAEw%3BFcGJiwId9P0bACmfPpp-Vp2vEjGQxgwlnPYGEw%3BFUTFjwIdgogiACmvhu6_oMWvEjFTwuFWJoV3Yw%3BFSkFkwIdj0sjAA&doflg=ptm&mra=dme&mrsp=24&sz=10&via=1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13,14,15,17,18,19,20,21,22,23&t=m&z=12

Glad you got sorted with the seats etc. I have to say I'd always consider importing from the US against buying here, as much as I'd love to support UK companies it can be much much cheaper to import. As for the Breakaway, I've not used one but I know many XVS1300 riders love them. If you buy one here are some excellent instructions on how to install (inc pics): http://www.1300tourer.com/node/1437

Boiled water inside a washing up glove works better than a hair dryer. In this weather just leave it in the sun for a few hours, it'll probably just peel off!!

My XVS 1300 was brilliant, fantastic bike and wish I never traded it. It'll hit 70 in 2nd, is a bit slow in the bends (I hear changing away from stock tyres improves this) and will do between 130-150 miles on a tank. One downside is it takes a lot of polishing to keep it looking good compared to tourer type bikes, but is worth the effort!

It does help in strong winds at speed and when it's cold to keep the chill off you. Probably don't need it in this heat.

Welcome, fan bike - am sure you'll enjoy it

Leeds council free bike parking spaces can be found here http://www.leeds.gov.uk/residents/Pages/Parking-in-Leeds.aspx click downloads at the bottom.

Here's the beginning of last year's ride out http://m.youtube.com/#/watch?v=90m_0qNQ-wc&desktop_uri=%2Fwatch%3Fv%3D90m_0qNQ-wc I'm 4:29 on my good old red XVS1300 (the one with the trunk).

22nd September - Squires Cafe to Catterick Garrison. Great day out. Info here: http://www.rideofhonour.com/

Not sure for lockables aside from OEM. You can get loads from the US if you're willing to pay... Some lockable ones here... http://www.metriccruisers.co.uk/acatalog/saddlebags.html

I also use vented jacket and trousers but it's still hot. At least the Strom doesn't put out the heat the XVS1300 did... Feck me, that bugger nearly cooked me alive stuck in a traffic-jam in Germany a few years ago!

I use ear plugs all the time, still can hear scala rider, engine, music and traffic however it cuts the wind noise down loads.

This is COMPLETELY the fault of the twats on the bikes period. I have no idea why any one thinks different??? I hope the little girl makes a full recovery and those on the bikes get the book thrown at them.