Thanks for that, because I very rarely post images I never remember, I thought the forum code was the one but it didn't work, will try preview next time (if I remember, at my age things tend to slip my mind)
Anyway this is my self portrait for my new safety campaign, don't read and ride

[IMG=http://img851.imageshack.us/img851/44/mereading.jpg][/IMG]

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For good roads look at www.bestbikingroads.com
IF you're going thru Switzerland look for a route that doesn't use motorways, you need a special permit and you'll be spending so little time on the Mway there it's not worth it.
Don't be too ambitious about mileage, if you try to do too much day after day it'll become a chore.
Why bother camping, Formula 1 hotels and similar budget chains are so cheap it isn't worth the trouble of lugging all your camping gear round, it'll ruin the handling of the bike and take up time packing and setting up each day. If you have a satnav the chain hotels will already be in it so finding them is easy. Book ahead on the web so there's no worries if you are running a bit late.
Don't assume all roads in Europe are better than ours, I suggest planning your route rather than making it up as you go along. Once into Europe go for 250/300 miles tops each day, your average speed for each day will probably only work out at about 30mph including all stops etc so that's a full day at 300 miles.
Pack as lightly as you can, a heavy bike is a tiring bike.
I've got several 3000 mile week long trips to France on Garmin, PM me if you want a couple sending to you, they use some of the best roads in France and you're welcome to have copies (of course you'll need a Garmin or Garmin software to look at them)
So far I've organised and run something like 15 dealer trips to Europe, got another one going this year for a Triumph dealership, if there's anything I can help you with PM me.

And of course something nobody has mentioned yet, there's no overall speed limit. Follow a cop car through a 30mph limit, pass the black and white and zap him, great feeling.

I'll have a blonde haired bitch like this one[/URL]%20%20Uploaded%20with%20ImageShack.us[/img]

Sold, thanks for looking

On my last FZ I went through several sets of Maxxis Sports, did track days, mad races round France (3000 miles in a week), toured 2 up with the wife and found them to be excellent although because they're so soft they don't last very long, price you pay for grip, and they do really grip. Nice feel too, predictable, turn in nicely without that falling off the edge feel you get from some tyres.
Lots of people knock Maxxis but they've never tried them. Current FZ (just bought 2010 reg with 2400 miles on) has Bridgestones, suspect when they're worn out there'll be some more Maxxis going on.

So Manx Fairy, I know it's nothing to do with lowering your seat but where on the Island are you from?
I'm from Castletown originally and my wife is from Laxey, we left to go to university and never went back to live although we visit family there regularly.

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S2 cat is not the same as original, which is why I left the decat pipe on when I just traded up to a 2010 FZ last week. Took the screen, rack, power commander, alloy footrests,adjustable  levers, carbon fibre tax disc holder and crash bungs off though.
As I understand it the silencer is interchangeable but not the decat pipe.