bmart

16 hours ago, Terry said:

That is our classic "chip-seal" and as you say it is grippy as hell but also pretty abrasive; that, and my carefree approach to cornering, are probably why I never get very good mileage out of my tyres.

That is nothing like the chip/seal we get here in NC. It was so hard to trust that it wasn't gravel. This was back in 2005. 

And that tire? You have a serious throttle problem. lol!

3 hours ago, Captain 80s said:

 

I have no idea which way they lean, didn't even bother to look.   Can we please not start this? 

 

Every disintegration / near-disintegration of a motorcycle forum starts right here. 

 

I thought this topic was weather, motorcycles and riding motorcycles in weather.  Have we learned nothing?

 

I'll be working on motorcycles so I can talk about working on motorcycles, until I can ride motorcycles again, and then talk about that.

Absolutely. Not trying to start anything! I loved my time there and tried to move there, but things changed and I'm glad that I didn't. I was also only on the South Island. No people. Beautiful scenery. Strange road surface! Most places looked like loose gravel, but it was stuck down and grippy! It also let the water drain away, which was excellent!

I sure miss NZ, but not their politics. 

Winter...I've heard about that. Seems to get in the way of riding for a lot of folks. 

You meet the rudest people on a Honda. 🙂

I can't believe that I'm typing this out loud, but a quality chain clean/lube product will solve most of this. I've been using Maxima and it is truly magic. 

https://www.amazon.com/Maxima-75920-Clean-Up-Chain-Cleaner/dp/B000WKATCM

https://www.amazon.com/Maxima-74920-Chain-Wax-Aerosol/dp/B0012TZ1RU

You get days off?

18 hours ago, Sweeper said:

The beauty of my life is that I don't have to track or budget anything. It may not always be that way but for now it is. I did do my first track day back in October at Polecat Training Center. It was an awesome day. Will do again.

I hear ya. I like to track stuff. It puts me at peace...and I hate spending time hunting down little details one at a time! 🙂

Ping me if you want to do some track time. I coach for a few orgs in the south east...until I age out!

Blasphemy! You don't track? That's like not tracking track day expenses!

3 minutes ago, St. Stephen said:

400 effing miles in 2023!! That's pathetic.

There's no doubt that you're doing it wrong. 😛

I'm not being mean, but some of this may be in your head, trying to match a memory that may not be at all accurate. It happens. 

Brands vary. Tire models vary. Even sizes in the same model vary. Here's the same Dunlop rear in three sizes. One steers like a truck, one has less grip at lean, one is sublime. All are completely usable and feel "normal." 

Then there's tire pressure, surface material, temperature, and more. Maybe have someone else ride it and provided feedback, or ride another if the dealer has one?

Bike geometry, which is nearly always wrong from the factory. Suspension. What you're feeling through the seat and bars and pegs. How tight you're holding on and even the stiffness in your arms will all have huge effects on how the bike "feels." Is your a$$ on the seat or is some weight on your legs? 

I think that you're looking for a tire solution for a tire non-problem. $.02 worth...certainly worth less. 

A few more fun ones:

And don't even get me going about brake pads. lol It is oil...all over again. 

I would ask...why? 

I run only Dunlops, so I can't help you. I never found any of them heavy to steer. Maybe you need a geometry adjustment? Are they worn in an unusual way? Most are, if they came used. 

Nice! I refrained from posting the same when I thought the same!

Great minds think alike...and so do ours. 

"Real men!"

I have it on my calendar every december, but we're still pretty far behind. 

On 12/27/2023 at 2:32 PM, LiamT said:

I am changing the brake pads on a 1998 VFR800. How can I get the pistons to retract easily? Can I do without a special tool. Any help appreciated

If the brake system is working properly, you should be able to push them with your fingers. Monitor the others while doing it! Note that if you're master is high, you'll want to either suck some fluid out, or as I prefer, crack the nipple on the caliper and run a hose to get it out from there. I would refrain from pushing crap fluid and contaminants back through the system. 

As has been mentioned, clean those pistons while you're in there. It is nearly always the cause of crap feeling brakes. I use simple green and a toothbrush then rinse with water. That's from an world class mechanic's advice to me!

You're right on all of that. The Dragon is worse than it has even been. Road condition out there is bad too. RT28 use dto be like a pool table, but now is pretty dreadful. Cherohala is similar. There are less bikes, more money in them, and certainly less skill. We were lucky to ride a lot during the peak. 🙂

Good luck with the surgery and happy holidays. 

Make note, never follow Dutchy. 

It may also be useful to weigh the bike with a scale under the front wheel and another under the back. It'll give you an idea if you're near 50/50. 

That rear case is hanging WAY off there! Wheelies must be easy...

One is a rottweiler and the other is a...?

Hi bmart,

Thank you for your donation of 25.00 USD. We look forward to improving the forums with your donation.

Thanks VFRDiscussion

Looks like corrosion, grime...and maybe test the battery and charging system fully and properly. 

I use Erie and love them.