In reply to Hans: I'm into bikes as well, can use the car but can't take it away for the weekend because the Mrs needs it, its her only form of transport.
Rucksack's strapped together over the back seat work well as panniers if you don't want to shell out for proper one's. Or have a look at the plastic work cases on cpc farnel if you don't mind being creative they're dirt cheap.
A top box is extremely useful I couldn't be without mine anywhere.
Also when you get to the car park if you take your chain and you've brought a decent length one you can feed it through an arm of the jacket, a leg in the trousers and through the chin guard on the helmet and hey presto they're all secure.
You can ride in walking boots but if it rains you'll be walking in wet boots, I spend most of the winter in karrimor snow boots .
The CG is a brilliant bike and most will run forever and trust me motorways aren't fun on motorcycles, I tend to make a weekend from a days walking or climbing and travel there on the Friday and home on the Sunday.
It's a brilliant world to be involved in and 9 times out of 10 if you've got a problem someone who rides bikes will be along to help regardless of if they know you or not.
