Going to the Dark Side

[garyahouse]

Keep us posted.

 

[Big-D]

I was riding along the freeway and came upon an area that was being repaved. The lane next me had an edge that seemed to be about 2-3 inches high with a sharp transition edge. I considered changing lanes and riding up the edge like I would normally do with a motorcycle tire that would generally just ride up and over that ridge. However, with the CT being squared off, I was worried it would not want to climb the ridge and possibly turn me sideways.

Question: Has anyone come upon same or similar situation? And if so, what was your reaction and what did you experience?

This is one situation where the CT made me feel a little uncomfortable and non-trusting of its capability.

D

 

[user 213]

I can understand your hesitation. If you're prepared for it to give you some bar input, it's no big deal. Usually what I do is treat it like wet RR tracks, and swing out some into my lane, then back into the step at a sharper angle. Zips right up that way w/o as much feedback. I have changed lanes at night w/o realizing there was a 2" step between the pitch black lanes of fresh pavement and it wasn't a huge issue, just sort of a "whoa nellie" moment that I easily recovered from. sort of like hitting that pot hole you didn't see. Over and corrected for before you fully realize what happened.

 

[wfooshee]

I always swing wide enough for those to hit them with at least 30 degrees angle, preferably 45. Ride over it, don't climb it sideways.

When I-10 was being widened through Tallahassee there were several of these, and they seemed to move around from one hour to the next as the crews did their "work."

 

[RadioHowie]

I just ride over them normally, so when the transition throws my bike into a sideways lurch, I'm reminded of how my Kaw Z1R Turbo handled. :blum:

 

[garyahouse]

When I hit them, I enjoy a lurch-ride. I turn the handlebars the WRONG way, the bike lurches and I slide to a stop on one side or the other.. Gives my sliders a workout and makes a real man out of me.

Gary

slidesider#44

 

[Spook]

Motorcycle tires are built for specific reasons. You know that m/c tires have evolved the way they have for a REASON! I'M NOT GOING TO YOUR FUNERAL. YOU ARE THE REASON WHY INSURANCE PRICES ARE SO HIGH. please listen to reason put m/c tires back on your MOTORCYCLE! At least try to prolong your stay on earth. Good luck...god bless you.

The are made to make the mc tire makers a lot of money by wearing out too soon

 

[doctorJ]

I got back from the IBA get together in Jacksonville recently. While there on my FJR, I met John Ryan who set a "record" on an FJR from Prudhoe Bay to Key West. He was oogling my Michelin Exalto at a MTF RTE, and I let him ride the bike for a trial. Guess what, he liked it a lot. He recently had a rear tire go from new to cords in about 6-7000 mi. and definitely likes the idea of longer rear mileage. We'll see.

doctorj

 

[garyahouse]

Motorcycle tires are built for specific reasons. You know that m/c tires have evolved the way they have for a REASON! I'M NOT GOING TO YOUR FUNERAL. YOU ARE THE REASON WHY INSURANCE PRICES ARE SO HIGH. please listen to reason put m/c tires back on your MOTORCYCLE! At least try to prolong your stay on earth. Good luck...god bless you.

The are made to make the mc tire makers a lot of money by wearing out too soon

Spook, after reading the elegant simplicity of this post, I am declaring you to be a certified genius.

Gary

darksider #44

 

[Bustanut joker]

Spook, after reading the elegant simplicity of this post, I am declaring you to be a certified genius.

Gary

darksider #44

Oh My Gawd!!!! You must think Howie is the smartest person who ever lived them... :blink:

I'm certain my CT saved my rim when I blasted that pothole last fall.. Minor dent in rim but trashed tire.

I've seen enough pictures here of severely damaged rims and ruined tires to convince me of this.

 

[doug5551]

OK,

Check it out if you are interested...

Darkside VFR:

https://www.vfrdiscussion.com/forum/index.php/topic/65323-rear-wheel-conversion-car-wheel/

 

[RadioHowie]

Howie is the smartest person who ever lived.

Why..(sniff-sniff)..thank you, my friend!

 

[beemerdons]

Howie is the smartest person who ever lived.

Why..(sniff-sniff)..thank you, my friend!

Barry Mi Amigo, you are going straight to Hell for a bald faced lie like this whopper is! God is not even going to let you tap the brakes as you roll past Purgatory, you are Hell Bound for certain with this doozy! jes' sayin'

 

[RaYzerman19]

OK,

Check it out if you are interested...

Darkside VFR:

https://www.vfrdiscussion.com/forum/index.php/topic/65323-rear-wheel-conversion-car-wheel/

This looks like they used a car wheel so they could put an oversize bike tire on, Dunlop Roadsmart 200-50 x17. If going for a car tire, and to this much trouble, I would have searched out a 16" wheel to get more choices of narrower car tires.

 

[RaYzerman19]

Gents, I am trying to help out some of my old friends with ST1300's, who are interested in going dark side. This is a relatively new thing over there and not much info is available. So far, the difficulty is finding out which tire fits and we have one report that a Michelin Exalto rubs the swingarm on one side. We need to find tires that have a narrower profile. E.g., my Exalto measures 8" wide at the fattest part of the sidewall, with a long straightedge held on one side against front and rear sidewall sections, while I measure with a tape measure or scale while eyeballing the sidewall lineup on the other side. The official specs say 8.4" but perhaps they mean in the loose state, or not mounted on a narrow rim.

I'd like to help my pals out by providing them with measurements of various tires used on our machines, as we seem to have a variety of brands. Obviously anything less than 8" is required. One possibility is a Hankook tire, alledgedly "thinner" than the Exalto. So, if some of you gentlemen could be so kind as to take a quick measurement and post here (or PM me), it would be greatly appreciated.

 

[mattster31]

I have had my Exalto mounted for just over 10000Km and I love it. When I stripped the bike down this past winter I noted a rub mark on the inside of the right fairing (to the point were I could peel plastic from the bottom edge) and the rubber jacket on my Powerlet on the left side had been rubbed through. Anyone else experience this? I think the tire is flexing quite a bit at extreme angles.

Mattster

 

[user 213]

Gents, I am trying to help out some of my old friends with ST1300's, who are interested in going dark side.

<snip>

I'd like to help my pals out by providing them with measurements of various tires used on our machines, as we seem to have a variety of brands.

No need. They need to do what I did in the beginning, go on Tire Rack and look at the specs for the tires. That will tell them rated section width and tread width for most tires. No two tires are exactly the same, but it's a start. After that you guess and try something. Or start modifying things to eliminate the clearance issues. Some BMW guys have offset the wheel to eliminate rubbing. We had to change the brake arm. Every bike has it's challenges. Remember, there really are no narrow tires in 17", thus the original conundrum with my search and testing.

I wish them the best of luck. If they are not running the same size rim as we are, our data would not necessarily help them.

 

[user 213]

I have had my Exalto mounted for just over 10000Km and I love it. When I stripped the bike down this past winter I noted a rub mark on the inside of the right fairing (to the point were I could peel plastic from the bottom edge) and the rubber jacket on my Powerlet on the left side had been rubbed through. Anyone else experience this? I think the tire is flexing quite a bit at extreme angles.

Mattster

I'm trying to understand where you are rubbing. There is no fairing anywhere near the rear tire. There is a plastic inner fender. You have rear mounted powerlet(s) on the passenger footpeg mount? Do you use them, (it)? Mmmm, what for? Got pics?

 

[mattster31]

I have had my Exalto mounted for just over 10000Km and I love it. When I stripped the bike down this past winter I noted a rub mark on the inside of the right fairing (to the point were I could peel plastic from the bottom edge) and the rubber jacket on my Powerlet on the left side had been rubbed through. Anyone else experience this? I think the tire is flexing quite a bit at extreme angles.

Mattster

I'm trying to understand where you are rubbing. There is no fairing anywhere near the rear tire. There is a plastic inner fender. You have rear mounted powerlet(s) on the passenger footpeg mount? Do you use them, (it)? Mmmm, what for? Got pics?

Yes you are correct. I meant the inner fender. As I said, the right side had a definite rub mark and the bottom edge had that plastic burring that could be snapped off with your fingers. The left Powerlet rubber cover was rubbed right through to the point it had rubbed off a bit of the wire insulation. it was mounted to the inside of the sub frame which put it closer to the tire, but there was lots of clearance. I did not notice any rubber residue on my modified (Brodie style) brake arm, nor to the swing arm and center stand. When I examined the tire it had a slight shine to the upper outer edge, as if it had been rubbing on something. I have a feeling the tire is flexing slightly in the opposite direction (or the same, I'm not sure) during excessive lean angles (I have touched a peg once or twice but it's not a regular thing). The important thing here is that the tire IS making contact with my inner fender ( I will move my Powerlet as it's only there to power my compressor should I flat). I will post up a few photo's soon. Anyone else notice this??

 

[Bustanut joker]

Could be a result of your recent promotion to Dufus status

:blum: