I vac my radiator and then spray it thoroughly with vinegar and leave it to soak for an hour. Then more vinegar and a rinse and wash with car wash wax. I recently replaced it with a new one which I got for a good price. The mechanic called me and asked if I really wanted to replace it because the original one was very clean and totally unblocked. That's after almost 60,000 miles. I said replace it anyway and I will keep it as a spare. I always spray it with Scotoiler 365 after any wash. I am not an obsessive bike washer by the way.

Managed to get one for my K1200 R Sport for £485. I will get it fitted at my next service (valves etc) and clean up the original and keep it as a spare.

I am on the original rad at 55,000 miles on my K1200 R Sport. Once or twice a year I take off the plastics around the rad, vacuum clean it then spray it with vinegar and leave it to soak for an hour or so. Then it gets rinsed and washed. After all bike washes it gets sprayed with Scotoiler 365. No overheating issues in 10 years. I don't ride when the salt is on the road. I bought the bike with 13,000 miles on it in 2013 so I don't know if it was salted in that time. The 365 does a good job.

I have the K1200 R Sport with double bubble screen and Ohlins front and rear. As I can only have one, this fits the bill. In all forms though, the combination of engine, chassis, brakes, ergonomics, practicality and economy is a complete package.

Personally I wouldn't have a powerful bike without wind protection. Without it you would struggle to maintain decent motorway speeds on longer runs. An average family car will do it better unless you have arms and a neck like King Kong. It becomes a test of endurance. I did despatch riding in the early 90s on a CX500 and also went to Frankfurt and back over a bank holiday weekend on an SRX 600 and that made me realise the importance of wind and weather protection. Each to their own though, I would rather have a powerful naked bike than no bike.

I have found bamboo socks to be not very hard wearing. less so than cotton. Base layers should have an much easier life and wear better.

Good photos