Off to Germany in July with my beautiful K100LT, still a baby at 117000 miles, any tips/tricks i need to be aware of? Just ordered my full service kit and spare throttle and clutch cable and bulb kit, tyres can wait till payday! Just any advice will be welcomed, never ridden abroad before but done over 40,000miles in the UK with him and fancy a change!

Drove to Budapest 2 years ago, across top of France and through Germany and Austria. Just back from a trip to France on the K with 88KE.


No real issues except for petrol management. Lots of card only operated pumps that don't work with our cards. I had encountered this before and its still not great. France is worse than Germany for this. Might be worth getting a prepay credit card but the pumps also block off €119 when you get petrol, it takes a few days fro this to clear so 4 fuel stops in 2 days could leave your card minus almost €500 of your credit for €100 of petrol. Distances between stations is getting greater all the time as more and more close. I know that the number has dropped to about 30% of what it was a few years ago and that's fine with diesel cars having a range or 500-600 miles, but the K at motorway speeds will easily drop to 8 miles per litre so you are looking for petrol at 120 miles if you enjoy some spirited riding with all your gear. Rural areas can be bad too, so keep an eye on it. I would not dismiss the idea of an emergency fuel container with maybe 2 litres.
 
Not a lot to suggest on maintenance, you know the bike well.

If you are using the Channel tunnel than you park at an angle with front wheel against a kerb in the floor and use the side stand. If a ferry then the bike is strapped down and a little advice here. I would only use the main stand, not the side stand. Check your main stand, they are known to break by corrosion from inside. I brought my own straps for the ferry, strapped it down myself. You need a carpet across the seat. On main stand I used a strap through the front wheel and the cross brace on the stand to make sure it couldn't roll off, plus a chock under the front wheel and a strap to keep the front brake on. The perfect strap is one you use for putting bicycles on roof cycle carries, where you strap the wheel rim to the rack channel.

If you are doing a little high speed riding you might use a drop of oil. I kept a 500ml coke bottle of oil in the fairing pocket- when I drove to Budapest I spotted a 1 litre container of oil at a services. €39.

There are a lot of stories of BMW panniers either opening or falling off. 88KE has straps on his which went through the handles and around the carriers. I changed mine for Krauser K2 panniers a week before the trip and 88KE has also now procured the K2s. I had a set on my LT and they are streets ahead of the BMW ones for ease of use, locking and space.

TacKler here has just spent a few weeks travelling around on a K75 and we can ask him about his petrol experiences.

If you go through Belgium be prepared to stump up a €20 note before they will turn on the pump, a strange thing to do but it's how they do it in a lot of places. Other than that there is a lot of E10 in France which I rightly or wrongly avoided like the plague and went with 98 RON Super instead.. Germany itself has no issues, just a great place to ride. And drink afterwards  

The biggest problem I find is coming back to all the potholes, junctions, traffic lights and roundabouts the UK has to offer. It's horrible by comparison!

Snod Blatter wrote:If you go through Belgium be prepared to stump up a €20 note before they will turn on the pump, a strange thing to do but it's how they do it in a lot of places. Other than that there is a lot of E10 in France which I rightly or wrongly avoided like the plague and went with 98 RON Super instead.. Germany itself has no issues, just a great place to ride. And drink afterwards  

The biggest problem I find is coming back to all the potholes, junctions, traffic lights and roundabouts the UK has to offer. It's horrible by comparison!

Well mentioned. I forgot about the petrol. A lot of pumps only had the 95+E10 and when I put it in all seemed fine until it came through to the injectors and there was an immediate drop in performance but it went fine. Ks don't like it and we were warned off it. I used the 98 wherever I could in preference to 95+E10 but some pumps only had diesel [gazole] and 95+E10. Don't use E85 either.

The E10 is everywhere, but in France there is also 95 and 98 at most pumps. Choose 95 as that is the octane needed, put 98 into it and it will cost you more for no benefit at all.

Thanks for all the help guys, i also got told that just because its got a green handle on the pump it dosnt necessarily mean its petrol, was he just winding me up? Also would it be worth carrying something like redex just incase i do have to put the dodgy fuel in?

Black is for diesel. All the others are green so he wasn't winding you up.

95 octane is just fine. As Bikerboy said 98 octane is fine but a waste of money. The other two, 95+E10 should preferably be avoided and E85 should not be used. On our travels 88KE and myself me quite a few stations with only diesel and 95+E10. The problem is ethanol content so I don't think you need the Redex. K engines after a certain number are ok on unleaded. Pop up your VIN number and you will get an answer but I think you are ok on this one. In a few places we faced a choice between 95+E10 or 98 so we opted for 98. I don't actually know if the K will run on the E85 stuff- bikerboy will put you right on it

E10 contains 10% ethanol. Ethanol has a lower calorific value than petrol so you will lose power when you use it, but that is nothing really. The problem is that ethanol very quickly degrades many types of rubber and plastic that have been used in fuel systems for the last 100+ years in both motor vehicles and piston engined aircraft. Basically everything gums up quite quickly.
I would guess than any vehicle made in the last 8 years will have the correct seals and tubes in the fuel system to be safe with it.
Do not go near any pump that reads E85 as that is 85% ethanol!
Don't bother with redex in a K engine as it just makes a hotter burn and its purpose is to stop carbon build up - something that seems to have gone since the demise of the Morris Minor.

Bikerboy

That's an excellent clear post.

But Becky won't know what a "Morris Minor" is. . . .

92KK K100LT 193214 wrote:Bikerboy

That's an excellent clear post.

But Becky won't know what a "Morris Minor" is. . . .

How would you know that? Everyone who rides "older" bikes will know what a Moggy is, a car that won't last long on unleaded petrol!

In Ireland we refer to them as a Galloping Maggot.

Becky doesn't do secondhand parts so its only a partly older bike! Having done 40,000 miles on the LT and using two sets of tyres a year I suspect she goes right over them.

I smile because in school in the early 70s one of the girls had a Honda Benly [for you Becky: 4 stroke twin] and she had rebuilt the engine and restored the bike. She was 18. But people like that are rare.

Becky's LT seems to be same age as herself. Funny, my son bought a bike same age as himself. Maybe Paul might sell one of us his Vincent....an unlikely event I think.

bikerboy wrote: "older" bikes will know what a Moggy is, a car that won't last long on unleaded petrol!

Always thought a moggy was a cat of no fixed pedigree.

Ha ha, my bike is actually 2 years older than me! I'm 23 this year, hes 25! Officially a classic now will make sure i avoid all the e fuel, do i need to adjust the headlight or anything before i go? Also do you have to take a warning triangle and high vis? Had contradicting advice....

The warning triangle is only for cars, thankfully they saw sense and realised bikes don't have the room for it. High Vis is required for the motorways, but the locals don't seem to bother. I have never adjusted my headlight or put a sticker on it, not been flashed yet.

You do need a bulb kit, all your documents (passport/V5/MOT/insurance certificate/paper license counterpart) and spare glasses if you wear them. I think that's it?

Nope, no glasses, my eyes are perfect still waiting on passport at the moment....anything else? Essential German phrases?

Learning 1-10 is useful for saying which fuel pump you want to pay for. And, errr.. "Ein grosser bier"! Otherwise it's easy enough to muddle through, either with pointing or what must be hilariously bad pronunciation - I've raised a few wry smiles from waitresses so far.

Snod Blatter wrote:The warning triangle is only for cars, thankfully they saw sense and realised bikes don't have the room for it. High Vis is required for the motorways, but the locals don't seem to bother. I have never adjusted my headlight or put a sticker on it, not been flashed yet.

You do need a bulb kit, all your documents (passport/V5/MOT/insurance certificate/paper license counterpart) and spare glasses if you wear them. I think that's it?

Not sure about Germany, I may have spent most of my life there, but that was ages ago. In France no Hi Vis needed, nor is a bulb kit or a breathalyser kit despite what the ferry companies will try to sell you.  If you just use the adjuster for dipping your headlight down and ride during daylight then no one will stop you. You must ride with headlight on at all times in France.
As said, you should have all your documents, but I never bother with mine as you will only need them if you are stopped and that is very rare here.

Just noticed your location Becks. I spent a couple of years exploring the delights of Blackpool entertainment at the Queens expense a while ago. I used to visit BAE Warton for weeks at a time and the hotels in Blackpool were nearer the entertainment than anywhere else.

Ugh Blackpool is awful! Never go if i can help it, i live a few miles out of it in a place called poulton-le-fylde (not half as posh as it sounds!) some nice roads if you go up to the lakes or just head east into Yorkshire dales, some really beautiful places. Escaping as much as i can at the moment, had to move back in with my dad when i split with my x and so so desperate to get my own space back! Until then make do with being out on the bike every night

Are you planning on visiting the plant in Berlin, and see where your bike was born?

I've only been driving some small day trips in the northern part of Germany, and there is no problems up there, but Germany is rather large, so where do you intend to go?

A lot of bikers visit Hartzen, here are some "silly" danes driving there MCeventyr in Hartzen
 or around Küffhauzer Kyffhäuzer  More info WIKI

we are doing quite a lot of it! black forest highway, berlin, he wants to go to the dams (friend im going with) we were going to do the factory tour (hes on a R, think its a GS, its a squinty eyed one) but not on on the days we will be there.

As I said, I lived in the north for all of my childhood and then did a around 6 years based there in the Royal Air Force. The dams are great, but the north German plane is a bit boring. The Eifel and the Mosel down the western borders are great, you can lose many days looking around the area. It is easier for me as I speak fluent German, but you will find the Germans very helpful with some of them speaking English.

Peter_Skov wrote:Are you planning on visiting the plant in Berlin, and see where your bike was born?

I've only been driving some small day trips in the northern part of Germany, and there is no problems up there, but Germany is rather large, so where do you intend to go?

A lot of bikers visit Hartzen, here are some "silly" danes driving there MCeventyr in Hartzen
 or around Küffhauzer Kyffhäuzer  More info WIKI

ahh , the kyffhauzer , i just came back from 5 days in harzen ,and of course visited Kyffhäuzer a couple of times         ,
this is where you find out just how far a K can be leaned over before the footpegs srapes the tarmac     


this is also where you will discover that most riders with supersport and replica racers , are far from able to use their full potential, 

anyways, i can recommend a visit to the harz mountains, it is a beutifull place , and the roads are mostly in good conditions.

have a nice trip.

k-rider

Becky wrote:Nope, no glasses, my eyes are perfect still waiting on passport at the moment....anything else? Essential German phrases?

'Ein Heineken, schnell' is as much as you need. 'Danke' if you like the look of it when you get it put in front of you!!!

On a more serious note basic words like please and thank you, open, closed and counting and the days of the week are always useful.

Scenic places are being mentioned, I have to say this forum is great for good advice. A lot of the guys come across as knowing a lot. That's because they do. 88KE and myself had a fantastic time down bikerboy's way. He is a true historian living in a wonderful place and if you get a chance I would recommend a trip down that way. I think you would like his wife Jude. And her 800FST! You will hear it coming a mile away.

92KK K100LT 193214 wrote: I think you would like his wife Jude. And her 800FST! You will hear it coming a mile away.

Are you calling her bike loud? That end can was a present from me and I never hear it as she is behind me! At least she doesn't burn oil. I was getting grief over the intercom when you pulled out in front of her at Cadouin and displayed the standard K burn after being on the side stand. It took her 3 hours to clean the oil spots off her bike afterwards. Only joking there, when are you coming back?

Here she is following me:

When we got separated on the way back Jude rode in front of me. . . Maybe you need to try that.

Yes I do like sound of the end can but I couldn't help noticing that yours has a female end and hers has a male end. . . . . A matching pair?

Coming back is not soon enough. Definitely will be back even if I do it on my own. €140 for the ferry and €6.50 for camping on the way down. Confit de Canard at Brunos. I even brought some back home!!!

Ha ha so looking forward to it! Know some basic German, forced into it at gcse! Is that video with a helmet cam? Can anyone recommend a good one?

Camera is a GoPro Hero 3 Black set at 1080 HD. There is a mount on my helmet, but only use that one for certain vids. There is also a mount on the front screen and this one on the bottom of the rack at the back. The camera is set to film upside down. I like these videos filmed from the back as they are different from the norm. I also have mounts all over my 125 monkey bike, the car and the microlight.
As Olaf says, anyone from the forum is welcome down here, the few who have visited seem to have enjoyed it.

Sounds really good, may have someone on an R with me though, hes a disappointment! Talked him into getting a BMW but i meant a k not an r!

Becky wrote:Sounds really good, may have someone on an R with me though, hes a disappointment! Talked him into getting a BMW but i meant a k not an r!

We moved to France with a pair of R1100S's loved them. Before that I had the K1200GT in my avatar and Jude had a Honda Blackbird. When I refused to touch the chain thing on her bike and she noticed that I had a heated seat, heated grips and an electric screen, she saw the light. The UK BMW owners club will not talk to people with the 1100S because they say that BMW do not make sports bikes with under seat exhausts - their loss.

Ha ha dont bother with the proper owners club, seen too many turn up on their shiny new BMWs and look down their nose at mine! there's a meet near me and its really hilly, mine is usually the oldest bike there, dont think any of the others can make it! Occasionally see a gold lt about but hes had it resprayed and it makes me jealous...

Ha 88KE has a gold L T. . . As for buddies, we talk to anyone, but they don't all talk to us. Met a guy 2 days ago, seemed to think a 30 year old K wouldn't make it to the ferryport never mind France. I didn't bother putting him out of his misery. After all, you meet the nicest people on a K.

Only one solution. Cancel the trip to Germany and head south to Le Roc de St Christophe and sample the Confit de Canard and the crepes!!!

Ha ha cant do that! Its all planned now :p not by me, im just going where im told! Maybe next year though, might have talked my friend into a k by then, especially when mine keeps going and his breaks

Hi

Highly recommend a set of ADAC Motorradtouren maps as they give all the twisty scenic options. They can be down loaded for free from 

http://fim-europe.com/index.php/touring/european-maps

I bought the complete 16 pack set £32.49 from 

http://www.mapsman.com/store/product.php?id=766

and have never regretted it.

Tips from my experience
- Northern parts are flat and boring
- 100/120 kph speed is very relaxing and gives 200 miles between fill ups and gets you there almost as quickly as going faster.
- French Vosges mountains are twisty and scenic and fit into trip to Southern Germany on way there or back
- Linderhof & Neuschwanstein are worth a detour (as well as mountain roads) if you are in that direction.

Enjoy the trip

A woman with red hair and on a K and who does what she is told???? Expect about 5 million marriage offers by evening. I think you need to come over here in September and make sure you travel to Lisdoonvarna in the Burren!!! Have a google.

Ha ha i do what I'm told most of the time when i dont you know you are in trouble! :p thanks for the maps link, will have a look after work, anyone fancy kidnapping me and we can go out on the bikes instead? :p

remember to book the factory tour in advance, I don't think that you will be able just to shop up and get invited in.
There are some booking om BMW homepage.
I'm jealous, I would like to see the factory. Bu I hope to get around to it later.

German course comics

We tried to book it but they only do the tours once a month and thats while we are not over there always next year i guess! or maybe a trip to ireland and visit you lot!

If you get the chance, visit Rob and Mia at Vetus Tempus, if not for a stay, a visit is also good.
Rob loves motorbikes (has some of his own, get surprised) and they speak Dutch English, German and French.

http://www.motorcamping.eu/duitsland/eifel/biker-pension-vetus-tempus.html

https://maps.google.de/maps?q=Dorfstra%C3%9Fe+16,+54597,+Neuendorf&hl=nl&ie=UTF8&sll=50.278014,6&sspn=0.00458,0.013078&hnear=Dorfstra%C3%9Fe+16,+54597+Neuendorf,+Rheinland-Pfalz&t=m&z=16

Seems your route is mostly in the North.  Too bad because some of the most wonderful parts of Germany (IMHO) is in the South along the Romantische Strasse route.  This part of the country was mostly overlooked by Allied bombing during WWII and still has all the classic architecture intact.   Schloss Neuschwanstein is utterly amazing, as is Rothenburg ob der Tauber.  The roads are fabulous for biking.  If not this trip, consider it for another year.  And head towards Strasbourg while you're there.

We are doing some of the south i think, black forest and that kind of way. Going with a friend and he has us on a very tight schedule where as id much rather just take two weeks off work and see where i end up! (although probably not a great idea given my geography knowledge) will get the route more in detail from him and post it up in a week or so, see if anyone can suggest a better route or places to see on the way.