Any Motörbike riders here?

Dominic

New tyres are a nerve wracking experience ......I always rub them down with coarse sandpaper and a degreasent 
........just in case my knees aren't warmed-up enough first time out !

BenSirAmos

Haych said:

Went out for a bit of a blip this afternoon.  The first proper ride since I changed the front wheel bearings and the first ride since I change the tyres last weekend.  I've also rerouted some electrics and tidied things up under the seat as it was a bit of a rat's nest!

I was a bit nervous, as I always am after doing work on the bike, in case I got something very wrong, especially with the tyres since it was my first time changing them myself, and fully expected them to either fall off the rims or be so catastrophically out of balance as to make the bike unrideable.

I shouldn't be so hard on myself, everything was fine.

The tyres though, what a difference!

When I bought the bike it had Metzeler Z8s on which I changed as a matter of course because I didn't know their history.  I put on a set of Metzeler Roadtec 01SE, which at the time were apparently about the best tyre available.  I can't say I noticed a difference at all although I felt better knowing I had brand new rubber connecting me to the road.

Perhaps it's unfair to compare a worn out set to a brand new set of tyres, but as I said before, when I switched from Z8s to the 01SEs I couldn't tell.

So, when I put on the Michelin Road 6s I didn't think a Heath Robinson-esq Luddite like me would notice any difference at all - it's not like I'm pushing the limits of grip or anything with my riding style.

But immediately I noticed a huge difference.  Initially the bike felt quite twitchy which was unnerving at first but once I had a few miles under the tyres I quickly became used to that.  I can't say I've noticed a massive difference in grip - like I say, my riding style wouldn't ever factor grip as a significant attribute needed from one tyre over another in this sector or price bracket.

But, I did notice a huge difference in how quickly the bike changes direction and how easily the bike now tips into a corner, it's like the bike is doing all the work for me!  Given the fact that I'm still scrubbing in the new rubber I wasn't expecting to be on the limit, so to speak, but even from straight out of the mould these tyres lend the rider a lot of confidence in their feel and ability. 

On the way home I popped in to see a mate of mine who has just bought a Kawasaki Z650 from 1977.  It's gorgeous, and fairly mint!

Now I have a hankering for something a bit older too, maybe another older BMW airhead.  If I had a garage to keep one I'd probably already be looking.

Twitchy? I've found that the Road 6s are very very sensitive to over inflation - even by a tiny bit. I tend towards under-inflation so the twitchy-ness of the tyres doesn't translate to twitchyness of my arse. 

cruxiform

I’ll be having a set of PR6s fitted in the next couple of weeks for my upcoming trip to Spain. I’ve had PR4/5s and they were excellent. This weekend I packed the panniers for my bike so it’ll just be the paperwork and essential stuff to put in my tank bag before I go.

Had a think and have decided to ride down to Barcelona through France. Not a motorway dash but a 5 day meander. It’ll be dependent on weather but I’d like to head for the Route de Grand Alps and then across to Carcassonne before heading to the MotoGP at Catalunya. After that a few days in Spain then slowly make my way back to Calais through the Pyrenees and via Millau. 

I’ve been closely watching the weather and Europe has had it as bad as us, it’s still snowing on higher ground but I’m hoping that in the next 3 weeks it’ll warm up. 

Haych

BenSirAmos said:

Twitchy? I've found that the Road 6s are very very sensitive to over inflation - even by a tiny bit. I tend towards under-inflation so the twitchy-ness of the tyres doesn't translate to twitchyness of my arse. 

When I say twitchy I probably mean much more sensitive to directional input. To be fair that’s probably to be expected when comparing a brand new set of tyres to a nearly worn out set. 

Inflation is a bit of a contentious issue. BMW state that correct inflation is 32/36 f/r but on later years of the same bike they state 36/42 f/r. 

I tend to go for about 34/39 which seems to work for me. 

TheBigDipper

Haych said:

<snip>

But, I did notice a huge difference in how quickly the bike changes direction and how easily the bike now tips into a corner, it's like the bike is doing all the work for me!  Given the fact that I'm still scrubbing in the new rubber I wasn't expecting to be on the limit, so to speak, but even from straight out of the mould these tyres lend the rider a lot of confidence in their feel and ability. 
<snip>

If you ride on the road rather than the track, it doesn't take long for a new tyre to square off a little, no matter how much you try and stay on the twisties. It'll be a little harder to tip in again before you know it! :-) 

New tyres are lovely. 

AK99

Haych said:

BenSirAmos said:

Twitchy? I've found that the Road 6s are very very sensitive to over inflation - even by a tiny bit. I tend towards under-inflation so the twitchy-ness of the tyres doesn't translate to twitchyness of my arse. 

When I say twitchy I probably mean much more sensitive to directional input. To be fair that’s probably to be expected when comparing a brand new set of tyres to a nearly worn out set. 

Inflation is a bit of a contentious issue. BMW state that correct inflation is 32/36 f/r but on later years of the same bike they state 36/42 f/r. 

I tend to go for about 34/39 which seems to work for me. 

Underinflation (within reason) will give you slightly more grip.

The guy who runs the track days at out local circuit was/is a decent racer, and a pro who has done a lot of tyre testing (predominantly for BMW for some odd reason). Barring specialist racing slicks and compounds, he advises running everything else in the range of 32psi-36psi (hot) - says that's the normal design operating range for road tyres. Running at the lower end of the range will maximise the grip (at some cost to the life) - the higher end of the range you'll trade off some grip in return for longer road life. Less than the recommended I think the carcass tends to roll and flex more, which isn't great for stability, and going too far upwards decreases the tyre-footprint on the road so the grip starts to tail off.

I generally run mine about 32psi cold front and rear on the Triumph on the road , and find in normal riding they come up to about 34 rear / 36 front. Was surprised that the front heats up more esp with all the drive going through the back, but maybe the fact that it's a smaller carcass and all of the braking is through it makes the difference.(No idea what pressures are in the Hawg..it gets a shot of air at the local garage once a month or so if/when I remember )

Haych

TheBigDipper said:

Haych said:

<snip>

But, I did notice a huge difference in how quickly the bike changes direction and how easily the bike now tips into a corner, it's like the bike is doing all the work for me!  Given the fact that I'm still scrubbing in the new rubber I wasn't expecting to be on the limit, so to speak, but even from straight out of the mould these tyres lend the rider a lot of confidence in their feel and ability. 
<snip>

If you ride on the road rather than the track, it doesn't take long for a new tyre to square off a little, no matter how much you try and stay on the twisties. It'll be a little harder to tip in again before you know it! :-) 

New tyres are lovely. 

Yep, I totally get that tyres will square off.  To be fair the Metzelers kept their shape remarkably well, although I'm sure if I compared them to a new set they would look quite square.

I'm still surprised I didn't notice the same difference in feel over the Z8s when I put the 01SEs on, mind.

The Michelins feel quite a lot more compliant as well - probably due to having more rubber on the carcass, but I noticed a definite softer ride for the same pressures.

Hopefully they won't square off too badly before I hit the Spanish mountains in mid June!  So looking forward to that, if only to feel some feckin' sun on my back for a bit!  Watch, it'll rain like buggery over there now!  

The girl who lives across the road (she's from just south of the Pyrenees) reckons I won't see a drop of rain and will be basking in 20+ degree warmth, but last time I took the bike abroad it snowed, so I'm expecting the worst but hoping for the best!

AK99

I was in Girona last weekend - 22 degrees at 5:30pm. You could still see snow on the high peaks tho'.

I've also driven through Andorra (proper sh*thole of a place) in June btw, in the middle of a blizzard. Might be worth taking a few layers, just in case

thebreeze

How much more air do you put in the tyres if you are taking a pillion (wife, approx 9 stone)?  On my own I tend to ride 36/42 psi which is what the manual recommends.  I can't see any recommended tyre pressure for with a pillion other than you should adjust.

Whilst we're on pillions, if we were looking to do tours (possibly going along the north coast of Africa at some stage) what bikes would you recommend?  My wife wants to do it but is also nervous (by nature) so comfort and stability would be a bonus although something that could handle different roads/terrain would also be a consideration too I guess?

BenSirAmos

thebreeze said:

How much more air do you put in the tyres if you are taking a pillion (wife, approx 9 stone)?  On my own I tend to ride 36/42 psi which is what the manual recommends.  I can't see any recommended tyre pressure for with a pillion other than you should adjust.

Whilst we're on pillions, if we were looking to do tours (possibly going along the north coast of Africa at some stage) what bikes would you recommend?  My wife wants to do it but is also nervous (by nature) so comfort and stability would be a bonus although something that could handle different roads/terrain would also be a consideration too I guess?

I don't add anything extra for a pillion. But I'm more careful when they get off after a long ride. All of a sudden, you've lost rear grip.

Haych

thebreeze said:

How much more air do you put in the tyres if you are taking a pillion (wife, approx 9 stone)?  On my own I tend to ride 36/42 psi which is what the manual recommends.  I can't see any recommended tyre pressure for with a pillion other than you should adjust.

The manual for my bike states 32/36 solo, 36/42 with pillion and/or luggage.

Later models of the same bike state 36/42 for all conditions, so solo, with pillion or with pillion and luggage.

I haven't seen a MC tyre yet that has a maximum safe pressure above 42psi, so I'd check what your tyres state on the sidewall and inflate to something around that.

In theory you could work it out mathematically using the load index and max pressure for the tyres and calculating the combined weight of the bike, yourself, your pillion and any luggage, then do a percentage difference of the max weight/pressure permitted for the tyre and adjust accordingly.

Personally, I think you should be ok at 36/42 unless you start loading it like a Delhi taxi.

thebreeze

Okay cool, that sounds easy then.  Just need to get to grips with the suspension adjustments now!

BenSirAmos

thebreeze said:

Okay cool, that sounds easy then.  Just need to get to grips with the suspension adjustments now!

As I've got a Bandit which weighs as much as a small moon and was quite heavy to steer when I first got it, after recommendations I paid £100 to BN Race Science to set it up for me with me and a pillion. It did make quite a difference and I'm not sure I could have done it as well myself. 

thefez

AK99 said:

I was in Girona last weekend - 22 degrees at 5:30pm. You could still see snow on the high peaks tho'.

I've also driven through Andorra (proper sh*thole of a place) in June btw, in the middle of a blizzard. Might be worth taking a few layers, just in case

What's wrong with Andorra? Was thinking about going there in the summer while driving along the French Spanish border

AK99

Think ugly Soviet era apartment blocks with duty-free hypermarkets on the ground floor - crappy overpriced food-outlets staffed with bored / unfriendly minimum wage (or illegal immigrant workers) and little else. Lots of Russians there too back in the day (of the heavily built, overly tattooed type - and that was just the females ) although that's probably less of a thing post Ukraine, Also the French authorities have a particularly strong dislike of the duty-free regime there, and seem to take great pleasure throwing up arbitrary customs roadblocks creating hours-long queues for those trying to get back from Andorra to France. 

Couldn't get out of the place quick enough, but of course YMMV

Dominic

Agree,I rode through Andorra once ....it was unpleasant......I'd far rather go further South and come into Spain via Perpignan (beautiful ) and Argeles (not so nice ) ......you can then head into Figueras and spend a great few hours at the Salvador Dali Museum

Haych

Bugger!  (Possibly/probably)
I took my bike in for an inspection service this morning.  I used to have it fettled by Stroud Motorcycle Company, they were a very highly regarded outfit, but have shut up shop in the last few months.
The service manager lives round the corner from me and is still doing a bit of work from a place in the Forest of Dean, so I've taken the bike up to him this morning to give it the once over before I take it to Spain in about six weeks.
One thing I wanted checked as a slight knock I have when the rear wheel is turned - if I'm moving the bike with the engine off I can just about hear it, for example.  To call it a knock is an exaggeration but there's a definite mechanical noise there somewhere, albeit not overly prominent.
The bike rides fine and I can't claim any real issue at all, I was hoping the noise was just a worn UJ on the driveshaft or something.
Mike (the service guy) heard it and seemed quite worried by it, he's never heard anything like it before but reckons it's coming from the gearbox!
So, potentially looking at a replacement gearbox.  Mike stated it might be nothing or it might be sign that it's about to fail catastrophically.
Problem is, on this bike it's a big job - the bike has to be split in half, and while you have the bike in two pieces it makes no sense to not take care of everything else while it's apart, so things like the clutch and rear main seals etc.
Probably looking at a big invoice!
Again, bugger!

Edit: move along nothing to see here.

Talk about blind panic over nothing, ended up being nothing more than a slightly dry UJ on the driveshaft - apparently it's an aftermarket rebuildable shaft.  All greased up and it's good to go, plus with rider weight on the shaft it runs straight and so doesn't bother the UJs as much.

Total bill, £50.00!

cruxiform

I saw your earlier post and thought ‘oh dear’! 

Glad to hear it’s a cheap fix.

Kittyfrisk

Phew! Nice to have reasonably priced, good automotive news for a change  

Haych

Thanks chaps. Just me that needs a service now. Told the missus earlier and she just rolled her eyes. 

I think booking a slot before I leave might be pushing things a bit.