Hi Mike and Melie.
Thanks for your kind words and encouragement. I am glad that Melie's bike has worked out so well. I know you were considering it as a "starter" bike for her but were reconsidering while you were here. I have always been a fan of small bikes so it was no "leap of faith" for me to go down that road. So far Melie's is the only long distance bike under 600cc that has graced our garage, and I had even mis-remembered it and talked of it as a DR230.
As to your advice; I will head it well and have now changed my plans for Kitty's bike. Soft panniers for her to start with and if they turn out well, I will make some for mine too. I have seen some fine stainless steel soft bag security protectors that might be the go with them too. I will also head your advice about bike security too. Some good cable locks will be included in the budget. Being small I hope we can put them under cover or inside hotels more often which will also help. But fuel economy is still a worry. As the bikes are now more run in and I ride at about 80km/h the milage has dropped to around 24km/l. I can see some customing of fuel tanks in my future.
I had come to the same conclusion about a snorkel for the exhaust as even the number plate is splattered now.
I have also got an email from some interesting sounding chaps who is doing some serious miles on two TF125 Suzukis. 25,000km with no problems so far, in Africa and Asia. May the faith spread! *grin*

Regards

Nigel in NZ

--"How can I be lost if I don't care where I am?"--

__________________
The mouth of a perfectly contented man is filled with . -- 2200 BC Egyptian inscription