Forum

[Rattlebattle]

Forgot to mention that if you're planning on riding lengthy stretches of motorway then I recommend you buy a Throttle Rocker. It's a kind of poor man's cruise control that allows you to hold the throttle open by resting your wrist or thumb on the device. I find it useful onbikes with heavy throttles and/or high levels of vibration, where gripping the throttle in a largely fixed position begins to hurt the hand or wrist. They don't cost much and can be switched frombike to bike in seconds, though the positioning needs a bit of fine tuning to get just right. Used mine for years now.

[nigelphoto]

Throttle rocker, best £5 investment ever . . . . almost worth buying 2 and sending one to Rattlebattle as a spare for him for that piece of advice!!

[2cvandy]

a mate of mine has those throttle rocker thingies on both his bikes, he's positively evangelical about them. So much so that he insisted on swapping one over onto my bike one day for me to try. IMHO, an irritating distraction. I tried it for a whole afternoon, in various positions, such a relief to take the damn thing off and give it back. It might just be me that's odd (no real surprise there, tbh) but I think they may be a "Marmite" thing. Still, it'll only cost you a fiver to find out.

Good luck with the trip though, sounds like fun.

For what it's worth, I gave up camping a while back, too much gear to carry, and my achy knees need a bit of comfort at the end of the day. I gave up booking accommodation in advance too, once I realised just how easy it is to find a hotel or b&b on spec. Mainly because it makes the whole trip more flexible, long days in the saddle when the mood takes you, and shorter days if needed. I've never had to resort to sleeping on a park bench,,,,,,,,,,,,, yet!

[PeteF]

I use a throttle rocker thingy and I don't like it either. Trouble is my poor old arthriticy wrist hurts like a bastard after an hour or so without it.

[Bertie the Bullet]

There is a gentleman that sells seat covers made with medical grade gel that promise to be very comfortable, he has also travelled around the world on his Bullet and has written books about it, he always attends the Vintage club classic show at the Friars in Kent every August and i am sure he attends other shows as well selling his wares, I don't know his name but i am sure someone on here must ??

[Bertie the Bullet]

Almost forgot, as for other sensible upgrades, a sheep skin rug (i bought mine in Brick lane for about £20) made into a seat cover will give your backside a huge relief from a days hard riding, LED bulbs are less likely to blow and we ease the strain on the generator, and lastly always use BP ultimate petrol, i have tried all sorts and found this to be by far the best.

[Bertie the Bullet]

Almost forgot, as for other sensible upgrades, a sheep skin rug (i bought mine in Brick lane for about £20) made into a seat cover will give your backside a huge relief from a days hard riding, LED bulbs are less likely to blow and we ease the strain on the generator, and lastly always use BP ultimate petrol, i have tried all sorts and found this to be by far the best.

[Adam]

I know a few people who have been to Auschwitz and they all prepared their bikes/cars well but forgot about preparing themselves. Tissues, take lots of tissues. Adam

[mustaphapint]

You may be thinking of Gordon May. He's done some epic rides including riding a Redditch Bullet overland to the Chennai factory. He's at many of the big shows selling his books and a few other things such as his gel seat covers. Google Gordon May if you want to know more.
There's also a seat cover with an Airhawk name. This is partially filled with air and also works quite well. My wife uses one of these when she goes pillion.

We rode to Auschwitz a couple of years ago. If you have anything like the weather we had you should be in for a good trip. Auschwitz itself though will have quite an effect on you.

[dave p]

As Adam says, prepare yourself! Auschwitz was the most disturbing experience I've ever had. I'll never go again.
Having said that,everyone should go once.