MaxSwell

While at a Vintage/Antique mc show I met a machinist who may be willing to reproduce Radar's sliders. I intend to start a thread to guage interest. He said he'd examine the parts I have of Radar's sliders. He may modify or not. If there is sufficient interest he'd make them in batches.

I've gone through several sets of Radar's sliders (blush). In every case I have judged that damage would have been worse w/o the sliders. The ultimate result will vary with the situation. They have broken off, bent, or just worn down but served their purpose well. And I've been down at some scary speeds. I went through both right and left sliders at T-mac. (double blush).

what you gonna do now that Radar's no longer available?

I saved his bobbins for locating the hole in the fairing. If I do the RG mod they'd still be very useful.

I was a little disapointed I could only get a Pirelli Diablo when I needed a replacement on tour. Man, that tire has been fabulous. Seems very well planted in all situations (at least when I'm under control). The few times I've felt is slide it gave lots of warning, was very progressive in it's slide and was easy to recover traction. And it worked better than the RoadSmart front it replaced and works very well with the new PR2 I put on the rear just before T-mac. It looks only half used up after approx 5,000 mi.

Disclaimer: I'm no tire expert and I'm usually rather conservative in my riding. Experience includes Metzler M1 s (12,000 mi), Metzler M3 s (worn to the cords at 5,000), Dunlop RoadSmarts (several sets - let loose too easily but 12,000 mi avg. life) and the Pirelli Diablo with RoadSmart rear and then PR2 rear. Diablo / PR2 best for touring; Metzler M3 best for Dragon slaying. Relative to the tires I've experienced.

I've gone through several sets of Radar's sliders (blush). In every case I have judged that damage would have been worse w/o the sliders. The ultimate result will vary with the situation. They have broken off, bent, or just worn down but served their purpose well. And I've been down at some scary speeds. I went through both right and left sliders at T-mac. (double blush).

what you gonna do now that Radar's no longer available?

That was one of my first questions to myself after my crash.

At first I figured I'd just have to stay upright. Now, with this thread, it's upright and these sliders. Ya know - just in case! ;-)

I've gone through several sets of Radar's sliders (blush). In every case I have judged that damage would have been worse w/o the sliders. The ultimate result will vary with the situation. They have broken off, bent, or just worn down but served their purpose well. And I've been down at some scary speeds. I went through both right and left sliders at T-mac. (double blush).

So I'm giving a happy shout out to Perelli Diablo s at least in front.

Which diablo, theres' about a 1/2 dosen types, if running the track type, naturally it will offer more traction than a Sport tour?

The tire just says diablo. I needed a tire while on tour, and this was the only suitable one they had. I was told it was a sport-touring tire. And with several thousand miles on it, it is not very worn so it could not be a track tire.

My guess is that Most slips are "Crap on the road surface" issues vs the tire grip problem when running any decent tire.

That could very well be. And I probably lightened the front end with premature accelleration. Thanks.

I went out on one of my 5th gens yesterday which has PR2 s front and back. They have been great in the several hundred miles I've owned the bike. However, yesterday, applying power a little early, out of a turn, maybe a little agressively, the front tire started sliding (understeer). Suprised me and took away a little confidence in the tire. On another of my 5th gens I have a PR2 rear and a Perlli Diablo in front. That Perelli has NEVER let loose in similar situations. Reinforces for me the recomendation someone put out (BR, HS?) about the PR front. So the questions becomes: what's the difference in life of the PR and the Diable. The Diablo has been great, has over 5,000 mi. and looks like it is only half worn out.

So I'm giving a happy shout out to Perelli Diablo s at least in front.

I've had a couple of sets of roadsmarts on my 100,000 mile 5th gen. , Although they occasionally slipped I thought it was due to cold tires. I thought they were the bees knees, lasting around 12,000 miles; that's why I loved them. I've since acquired two additional 5th gens (I know it's excessive). They both came with PR2 s. And they are MUCH better feeling that the Roadsmarts. They have never slipped. I will see how long they last but if they are at all close to 12,000 they are clearly superior imho.

So when the 100,000 mi. machine needed a new rear, it was a PR2. It has been a great improvement. (I had to replace the front tire last year on a road trip and the only available tire that fit was a Pirelli Diablo. (Good grip, good feel, no slipping). The combination has been great.

On the 100,000 bike I've had:

- two sets Metzler M1 - (12,000 mi) seemed good, but I was a rookie

- one set of Metzler M3 - (6,000 mi) fabulous on the dragon, extremely grippy wet and dry

- two sets of Roadsmarts (12,000+ mi) I thought were fine until the PR2 (the most recent front wore out early - hence the Diablo)

- currently Diablo front PR2 rear

(I have owned the two most recent 5th gens for only a few thousand mi - no replacements yet)

Whiz-bang is what we're all about.

Buy them. $140 is not much for peace of mind. They make as much sense as many of the non-performance farkles I read about. Overkill? It's all overkill. Just check out the supercharger thread. And, who knows, there may be a performance improvement.

When we spend $ on motorcycles, Since when does it have to make any Sense how we spent our Cents?

I really like those hoops. Good find.

I've used Radar's sliders to rest my calves on to extend my leg forward. Another option for leg extension is to lay your chest on the tank and extend one leg backwards, then the other. Works for me.

I bought a Sargent (lightly used) from a VFRD member and I like it. It has a faux carbon look. I do not know what material it is but it is slippery under my Aerostich. Works great with leather.

I never had a problem with the stock seat. Repeated 500+ days and no sigh of sore-butt. I bought a Sargent from a VFRDer just because everyone liked them. No real difference to my butt.

I am not famous for my memory, but I have a strong recollection of discussing this with my local dealers service tech because my wrists are bent when addressing the levers. I was told that my 5th gen levers are not adjustable in that direction. There is a notch which locates them and is not adjustable.

If I am wrong I'd love to hear that! My wrists would love to lower the levers.

I've been down several times, once woke up in the hospital, no recollection of anything from about .25 seconds before the ground apparently attacked me. I was not able to ride the rest of that year (needed to save up to repair her). When I got it rebuilt the next spring, I got back on with no loss of nerve. I cannot say why it seemed to have no effect (other than a large pain in my wallet) on my desire to ride. I suspect a lack of memory helped.

A famous formula 1 driver once said "It takes a certain lack of imagination to do this sort of thing".

All the advice given in this thread is valid. Take the advice, get your head straight, then try to forget fearful part of the experience.

You lived through the experience; focus on that positive!

A MSC basic rider course presented the philosophy: "One starts out with an empty bucket of skill and a full bucket of luck. Your goal is to fill up the experience bucket before the luck bucket is empty.'

The only way to get the experience bucket full is to get back on the machine.

Sending all a wish for a huge bucket of luck.

Here is another pov. My college prof for power mechanics (1974) felt that engine warmup was faster if gently driven off after a short (30 sec.) idle rather than if allowed to idle up to operating temps. Any comments on this?

2thdr, baileyrock: Thanks for the enlightenment. I was naive about Honda quality. And I could always find a use for the money saved.

If our paths cross (Tmac, SumSum) I'd be happy to buy you both a beer (coffee/whiskey/milk whatever) with the $ I'll save next year. I'm not famous for my memory so if I forget (not likely) feel free to remind me.

One) At the risk of repetition, I was taught that viscosity is the resistance to flow. Higher numbers: more resistance to flow. That made it easier for me to understand the basics.

Two) What is the logic against using OEM oil filters and Honda motorcycle oil? Seems like a no-brainer.

Three) I have a new consideration afterpurchasing Lobsters Y2K. Full sync has been used; he suggested that that means I should continue to use same. Any opinions on that?

13k miles? That is something. I get far less than that from my sport touring bikes/tire combos. I'm not getting anywhere near 50MPG on my '99 either. One of us is doing something wrong. lol

Once these Michelins that came on the bike wear out, I'm likely to go with Q2 or RoadSmarts.

Best motorcycle oil, 'eh? Thems is fightin' words! lol

After buying a second 5th gen (Lobsters '00) with PP2CT's I've come to the conclusion that thePP2CTs on the '00 handle significantly better than the RoadSmarts. The PP2CTs practically turn themselves. Much less effort. I am voting for the PP2CTs now instead of the Roadies.

I do have some insight into my high mileage numbers. First, I am 5'8" and 145 pounds. I present a lower frontal area being a small person. Weight also is a factor. Second, I have an aftermarket Givi windscreen that is 2" taller than stock. At first I thought it would decrease mileage, but I found the opposite. And, this is a big one, I spend a good portion the time at speed tucked behind the windscreen. When I go from upright sitting position to a tucked position, speed increases by at least 5 mph. I figure this represents a significant reduction in drag. I can cut back the throttle and maintain the same speed; this must result in increased mileage. And my neck muscles are now a big as a TV wrestler's. Seriously, to does require some conditioning in the spring (read: sore neck).

Just my 2 cents worth.

I have just finished using up my second pair of Dunlop RoadSmarts dual compound tires. Each set lasted 13,000 + miles. I am consider myself a moderately aggressive rider and do a lot of long distance riding. They have met all my needs and have never let me down. They do take a while to warn up (I live in Minnesota and do a lot of cold weather and rain riding. I have an '01 and typically get 50+ mpg.

I do love them. However I am very interested in the Michelin Pilot Road 3 for it's particularly wet traction. They will probably be my next replacement tire. Anyone have long-term experience with them?

I hear they go well with the best motorcycle oil.