BT014s and pealing the bark off dead twigs

Following a successful sub 30 minute training run for my 5K in a couple
of months I nipped down to http://www.motorcycletyresuk.com/ for some
fresh rubber. Nice people, great little workshop and free coffee. 25
minutes and 204 quid later the blade is sorted with a pair of
Bridgestone BT014s.

To be honest I don't think I'm a good enough rider to be able to tell
the difference between any of the major performance tyres when brand
new but I'm not going to let little things like knowledge or experience
stop me from gobbing off.

I had the morning to myself to scrub them in, hopefully without doing a
'Champ' on the second bend. I took the A12 to the M25 and the M11 north
before slipping into the nicer, twistier bits of Essex. Although I ride
all year I ride less in the winter and today was the first decent sunny
day where I felt I could 'play' a little. Probably just as well really
as this made me a little careful at first.

I love new tyres. They're so round. When you tip the bike into a corner
it goes over easier than a choir boy on the promise of a Kit-Kat. The
014s were no exception. Although single compound they are quick to warm
and very responsive. This gives you the confidence to commit fully to a
manoeuvre without that nagging doubt in the back of your mind that you
could loose it at any moment. I know Neal, I'm not trying hard enough
;-)

I'm yet to try them in the wet but if they're anything like their
predecessors I'll not be disappointed.

Oh, pealing the bark off dead twigs?

That's what I did for an hour as I sat on the verge of the M11 waiting
for Heather to turn up with petrol. I'd like to thank all the bikers
who passed and nodded at me. It's so reassuring to know that they all
have necks if not brains. A special thank you to the fella on the K75
who actually stopped to see if he could help rather than nod at me.

Thankfully Heather turned up before the janitors and I was able to get
home safely. Now I've got the tyres sorted I can get the MOT done on
Tuesday and the TAX on Wednesday cos getting caught on a SORNed bike is
the sort of thing only a twat would do!

 

snip>

You twat.

 

Damn, I'm rumbled...

 

Sub *30* minutes - you unfit bastard. ;-)

Of course, you're comparing them with worn squared off tyres, so no wonder
they're great. Still, as you say, they're a decent tyre and I find them
fine. That reminds me, I need a new rear soon.

Were most of them in lane 3 tearing past at a rate of knots? They probably
couldn't give a ****.

No, it's **** like behaviour, make no mistake.

 

Just curious... did you put your helmet on the ground on the road side
of the bike?

I've been told that this is a signal that you need assistance and I
wonder if it works (or in this case, didn't).

All the best,
Tom

 

Did you know this before you were told? No? So would you have stopped
had you seens a helmet placed so specifically?

I work on the basis that if I have time to stop and it's safe to do so,
I will. Numerous times I've fetched someone fuel, many times I've been
unable to help with an elecmech problem. Occasionally I've just
interupted someone who stopped to make a phonecall.


--
Dnc

B1200 - +30bhp ~|~ ZZR1100 - faster when upright
V2300 - flat cap and rug ~|~ A6 2.5TDi V6 Quattro Sport

MIB#26 two#54(soiled) UKRMMA#26 BOTAFOT#153 X-FOT#003

 

It wasn't actually Tom, never heard of that.

I'll try it next time.

 

heh, I'm new to running. What time would you do it in, just to give me
an idea of where I am?

I usually stop, I must admit.

Oh do **** off, like you've never been naughty in your life.

 

Should have called me, I could have made you feel better by being slower cos
I'm ercovering from injury. Might be nice to run with someone

Good price, but a bit far compared to the littel shop in town

Bastard. You really *could* have called me you know.

See? If you'd called me you wouldn't have had that problem.



--
Catman MIB#14 SKoGA#6 TEAR#4 BOTAFOF#38 Apostle#21 COSOC#3
Tyger, Tyger Burning Bright (Remove rust to reply)
Alfa 116 Giulietta 3.0l (Really) Sprint 1.7 75 TS 156 TS S2
Triumph Speed Triple: Black with extra black bits
www.cuore-sportivo.co.uk

 

The trouble I've always had is stopping in time. Twice I've gone to the
next roundabout gone round and back again to another roundabout and back to
the scene. Once (on the bike) found they were just waiting for a mate, the
other time (in the car, round trip of about 6 miles) The guy was out of
petrol, so I took him to a station and back to the bike. He was the *MOST*
miserable, boring fucker I've ever had in the car. Put me right off.
--
Catman MIB#14 SKoGA#6 TEAR#4 BOTAFOF#38 Apostle#21 COSOC#3
Tyger, Tyger Burning Bright (Remove rust to reply)
Alfa 116 Giulietta 3.0l (Really) Sprint 1.7 75 TS 156 TS S2
Triumph Speed Triple: Black with extra black bits
www.cuore-sportivo.co.uk

 

So basically, I should've called you.

 

Erm, if it's any consolation *I* can do 5k in 30 mins, or could in March


--
Catman MIB#14 SKoGA#6 TEAR#4 BOTAFOF#38 Apostle#21 COSOC#3
Tyger, Tyger Burning Bright (Remove rust to reply)
Alfa 116 Giulietta 3.0l (Really) Sprint 1.7 75 TS 156 TS S2
Triumph Speed Triple: Black with extra black bits
www.cuore-sportivo.co.uk

 

WTF is it with you and running out of petrol? I could forgive you
when it happened on the CCM but the 'Blade!

Repeat the following five times...

Esso
Mobil
Shell
Tesco
Sainsbury
Texaco
Asda

See, that wasn't so hard )

 

Yes, thinking about it, I fell affronted that you didn't. I shall make a
point of chasing you next time we meet in Sainsburys.......
--
Catman MIB#14 SKoGA#6 TEAR#4 BOTAFOF#38 Apostle#21 COSOC#3
Tyger, Tyger Burning Bright (Remove rust to reply)
Alfa 116 Giulietta 3.0l (Really) Sprint 1.7 75 TS 156 TS S2
Triumph Speed Triple: Black with extra black bits
www.cuore-sportivo.co.uk

 

I know, and as it died I could just make out the 1st sign for my
junction in the distance. At least know a more acurate tank range

 

When I'm wearing those tights?

 

Oh, you know how to turn a man's head....
--
Catman MIB#14 SKoGA#6 TEAR#4 BOTAFOF#38 Apostle#21 COSOC#3
Tyger, Tyger Burning Bright (Remove rust to reply)
Alfa 116 Giulietta 3.0l (Really) Sprint 1.7 75 TS 156 TS S2
Triumph Speed Triple: Black with extra black bits
www.cuore-sportivo.co.uk

 

Big Tony... and I already have one :-/

 

Pull the ears?

 

Tom Warner said...

I broke down on Monday, on a long straight stretch of the A120 dual
carriageway, near Stansted Airport in Essex. Of the 18 bikes that passed
me - 7 of which came down the slip-road I was at the bottom of - none of
them stopped to see if I needed assistance despite the bike being very
obviously partially dismantled. Only 3 of them nodded and none gave the
thumbs up/down signal I've seen before to see if you require help. I can
only conclude from this that Essex motorcyclists are uncaring cunts.