I rode to work this morning

Maybe you saw me -- I'm on the "Playskool Ducati: My First Superbike,"
thanks to Munroe Motors, who loaned me a white-and-yellow tail fairing
for my new monoposto subframe on the 749 -- the rest of the bike is red
and carbon. I'm a bit embarrassed about it, and am waiting for the
carbon fiber tail section.

I had to try my new favorite tires (Michelin Pilot Power) in the rain.
They don't have much in the way of grooves (< %12), but the compound
has unbelievable wet grip.

I am not going to test the claimed wet grip lean angle on San Francisco
streets, however. ;-)

When did they put all that slippery metal in the road?

 

Nah, I drove the Saturn Vue cage today. I weenied out.
I'll ride next week to compensate.
Paul E

 

I chickened out today and took the trolley to the jobsite. speaking of
which, I can't get out of my place without riding over the stinking
tracks. Those buggers are slick in the wet.

--
Mike

SV650
UKRMMA#22
Skype: muddycat

 

Yep, slipperier than a wet manhole cover. I don't know if this
is an approved technique, but I grab the clutch as the rear wheel
rolls over -- we're taught that throttle control is what stabilizes
the bike, but ass end moving sideways makes me nervous. Straight
line, zero lean angle, coasting over the slippery bits is what
works best for me.

BTW, this is an unsolicited plug for the Pilot Powers. I disliked
the Pilot Sports a lot, they have a defective tread design in the
front tire that causes the contact patch to get smaller with
wear. The Pilot Power requires more concentration for straight line
stability at street speeds, but flicks over really fast and is rock
solid in turns. No stickers on the bike unless they pay me, though. ;-)

 

I like to spin the rear up when I cross them over in a straight line,
otherwise I tip toe over them.

I have the BT020s now which do pretty good. I'm going to have a set of
Avons next.

--
Mike

SV650
UKRMMA#22
Skype: muddycat

 

I only saw one bike other than mine on 85 today, a Honda ST with a rider
in an all yellow rainsuit. He must have been too busy to wave.

Ken

 

Just curious like, which way do you go in the morning? I'm on 85 north
between 8h15 to 8h45. Blue SV w/topbox.

--
Mike

SV650
UKRMMA#22
Skype: muddycat

 

May I suggest either the Bridgestone 014 0 012ss? They make you feel like
Nicky Hayden ,,,,and Larry L says that Mezelers Rennsports are a real
man's/woman's tires, for whatever that's worth. He does know some stuff
though, so I listen.
My experience on VTwins/Tires is this.
the Metz Z series tires suck.
Michelins are good but suck later, and cost more than less sucky tires
Metz Sportecs are good, but suck when they get worn , which is fast
Dunlop 208 GPs suck on the street, anything under 80 mph is weird
Dunlop 207s are good but really suck after they lose any profile
Bridgstone BT 010 s are wonderful to the last thread
BT 020s are good back tires if you like 010s
BT 014 is wonderful and last pretty well, and are good to the end
012ss s are my next tires, so I will report on their un/sucky/ness when I
try them out.
I like bridgestones cuz they have a wide shoulder and are fun to ride around
at full horizontal lean all day, they like wet roads, have a nice feel,
cushy sort of but solid.
The tread patterns were designed by Neo and Morpheous for riding on tractor
trailers at full speed while not wearing a helmet but having a large
overcoat on the freeway while shod on red ducati motorcycles.

--
Jim Stinnett ( who now knows the evils of the latest variant of the sasser
worm, a diabolic motherfucker and I hate it and the windoze os that it lives
to whale on)

VTR1000
R1100RS
YZF R1
http://moto-rama.com

 

South on 85 from Cupertino between 0900-0930 every day, getting off at
either Winchester to go to Los Gatos or at 17 South to go to Santa Cruz.

Ken
white '91 K100rs
black/red FirstGear suit if raining, blue Aerostich if dry.

 

<hangs head>
I can't even get my directions right. I did mean SOUTH on 85. I get on
at 237 and am long gone by the time you are there.

--
Mike

SV650
UKRMMA#22
Skype: muddycat