Just my thrupence worth, tkc are hard in the very cold a brilliant tyre but in the snow and on ice they are very hard and the block pattern is no good at all on ice that is my experience and i have used them a lot, go for the k60 - as for riding in snow its not to me like sand it has far less grip, sand is heavy and in its own way has friction snow doesnt on snow you speed up as you try to ride and its got as much grip as wet mud. I like many have ridden all year round in all weather and often in arctic areas I am sure you can manage but be very aware of the tiredness and hypothermia effects of the cold, I am sure you know the stuff and I dont want to tell you how to suck eggs - you will lose fine control of your reactions quickly then lose feeling in your hands feet etc, First stop after two hours then every hour, take your time and get lots of soup and hot stuff in your body every stop not just a coffee. I am sure you will be fine. Take care but dont push your limits on this last leg the party in London will only be good if your not injured getting there I am sure that everyone would be happy to wait a few extra days if you need it. Best of luck. Tchus jake. Just a footnote would it not cut off a lot of miles to go from Rotterdam to Harwich by ferry

that's exactly what I would suggest very warmly... "Hook van Holland to Harwich" is way less to ride, will save you about 250km and lot's of spaghetti junctions in Gent, and Antwerp, as well as the wind blowing boring motorway of the Normandy, The direct way from Wuppertal to Hook van Holland is quite exact 270 Km compare to 500km to Calais... the ferry from HvH to Harwich takes about 4 1/2 hours has cinema and the lot, very quiet sailing regarding it's size. the last step from Harwich to London it will be a straight ride no more than 100mils... the downside... the HvH/Harwich ferry only goes twice the day.. about 10:00am and 16:00 but it's roll on roll off as well. Did this journey on a regularly base and is in perfect distance from where I live, using all the daylight without hassle. a single ticket is around 60,-Euros in winter for man and bike.
Yeah I know it's not the classic way of invading the UK... more like sneaking in to it's back door...
Well I agree Calais/Dover is demanding if you want to see the white cliffs of Dover on a sunny morning ones in your live time...

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The trouble is that he was talking in philosophy, but they were listening in gibberish.

Go for it mate . If you are stopping when you feel cold you've got your head round it. If you can "aquire" some used 5/10 litre plastic bottles you can cut and use to extend your hand guards or make foot guards. The shelter from the wind on hands and feet can help.

Another vote here for the K60's and the longer ferry. Four hours for a fry up (and maybe a hot shower if you can get a cabin or talk your way into the truckers bit) is a useful break in my experience. You come off the boat ready for another few hours ride where as 40 minutes on the Dover Ferry (or worse 35 holding the bike vertical on the train) is just another drinks break.

Andy

well depending on how you look at it... at least on the KKH they don't expect you to stick to the traffic rules that strict...

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The trouble is that he was talking in philosophy, but they were listening in gibberish.

All sorts of interesting comments, listen to what Jake (adventure 950) says, and have a look at Hans Petter Strifelds website.
For My tuppence worth, full on knobblies are too agressive for icy roads, there is rarely anything worthwhile to bite into. Something with lots of small knobbles would be much more effective, look at car snow tyres and admire the sipes..... Never having used K60's, they look ok for the job tho.
Heated kit is great whilst it works, but good protective clothing is safer, and on that subject, plenty of lighting on the back of the bike.
When riding on the icy stuff, the colder it is, the safer, get below -20, and ice becomes white & dry and relatively grippy. the dangerous stuff is the black stuff between -10 and 0c. Visors for me are the biggest problem, the wet salty stuff thrown up from the road in the uk winter is a nightmare to see through, but down to -18c the shoei pinlock system works well. Truoble is below -20, the ice builds up on the inside, and it's visor up time, unless you have a fancy heated visor.
personally I love winter riding, but can understand that it's not for everyone. Prepare well, and take great care.

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Harley Davidsons,
The most effective way of turning petrol into noise without the side-effect of horsepower

Lots of great comments here, I am taking notes.

Funnily enough the hardest part so far has been finding tires - noone in Berlin or surrounds seems to have any TKCs or K60s in stock so I won't be leaving on 18 Dec as planned.

I might get some for Tuesday but deliveries are uncertain - ironically because of the weather.

I'll keep you informed!

If you try looking up the following ; uk pneus online Tyre MOTO HEIDENAU K60 SNOW - 90/90 -21 54 T RF: sale of tyres MOTO HEIDENAU on Pneus Online have the K60 in stock maybe they can help - worth a try./ maybe they can ship them. Also mytyres Reifen online @ ReifenDirekt.de: Winterreifen, Sommerreifen, Pkw-Reifen und Reifenhandel have them in stock and they certainly have German centres as I have bought from them in Germany before. mottoradreifenDirekt.de rings a bell. Like you say its getting them to you but they may have a centre nearby that has them in stock.

good luck. cheers.

How's things?

Last post was a week ago.

There's been more than a lot of weather since..................

Hi guys,

I got my tires but given the weather, might not have needed them. I plan to leave Berlin tomorrow and it looks like I have a pretty warm, if not particularly dry, run across Europe from Berlin to London. I am planning to go via Paris and take the longer traditional route from Calais to Dover.

Rehan

Nice one. Looks like the worst you'll see is the odd patch of frozen slush this side of the channel. Still, plan for the worst and anything less seems easy. Have a good trip.

Andy

Now it's warmer weather and the snow has more or less melted are you going back to Berlin to fetch your bike or have you already organised the freight back to Oz?

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TurboCharger + Francois (our BMW R1200gs) '07
www.riding2up.net, blog.riding2up.net

Rehan,

I'm not be able to give you a bed, bud if you bring your own sleeping bag you can crash in the place i'm staying. It's not my own but you are welcome.

Cheers

Richard (atgxt660)

p.s. I sent you a sms, soo you have my mobile .

I live in Harwich you can doss down here for a few nights if you want I have made it clear b4, join the community's, (left hand section) you can get more info and local advice

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We are the Pilgrims, Master, we shall go Always a little further: it may be beyond that last blue mountain barred with snow, Across that angry or that glimmering sea.

Hi everyone,

Well it seems that it was a good idea to delay until the new year. I left Berlin on 10 Jan when the side roads were quite bad (snow melt + below zero = ice) but the main roads were clear. A few slippery moments but the K60s are a nice tire. They seem to vibrate less than the TKC80 and have better mud and snow grip as well. I don't think there is really anything other than studs for ice and as you can't transition easily onto asphalt, they aren't much use unless you know you'll be off-asphalt for most of your time. I was kindly hosted by spooky in Wuppertal and another friend in Ghent. Those roads are spaghetti-esque as warned. The weather was, as I was told, "typically Belgian" and I stopped in Arras. The D1014 (?) road heading into Paris alongside the A1 is a great road for bikers, confirmed by the number that were out the next day. The sun came out and the asphalt dried, making for a perfect run into the city.

So here I am. Blue skies, nice temperature, my own bike and Paris - what could be better?

Nice one, glad you enjoyed the ride.

Andy