new rubber....

Well that's that done. Avon AV45 and 46 now adorn the b12, courtesy of
Sterling Motorcycle people - as per the FFAQ. A right fucker of a place
to find, until I found it, then I knew exactly where it was and a much
easier route to get there. Ho Hum.

Second in queue so I was there for about an hour - nice people, free
refreshments, a few bike mags to read and enough waiting area to pace.

Two or three others turned up in that time, so they're obviously quite
busy people, a good sign I suppose. £190 all in, which seemed about the
best I'm going to get round here.

Usual "take it easy for 100 miles" warnings etc, which I decided I
probably should try and adhere to. [1] Even taking it easy I've only got
about 3/4 of an inch of chicken strip less, and I'm far more confident
in these than the 010's. No idea why, apart from i) they're not squared
off ii) the front is correct size. But in all seriousness, they do feel
very planted and capable.

Hope they get even better with a bit of wear!

<fx: eyes up knee-sliders>


[1] there's only room for one "slider" round here.

 

Did you enquire about their off-site services or did you fancy the ride?

--

jeremy
['75 RD250A ] | ['02 Fazer 600 in blue]
____________________________________________
jeremy dot ovenden at hazelweb dot co dot uk

 

I think I must have misheard that as 100 yards when I got my new tyres
on.....

--

jeremy
['75 RD250A ] | ['02 Fazer 600 in blue]
____________________________________________
jeremy dot ovenden at hazelweb dot co dot uk

 

Jeremy wrote:

I fancied the ride - From the A404 Thicket roundabout, I cute round the
back of White Waltham through to Binfield. Lovely little route.

I think it's an extra £15 for them to come to you (within their
catchment area)

 

Yes that is a nice area. I had a little bimble in the Hartley
Wintney/Heckfield/Hook area this morning.

--

jeremy
['75 RD250A ] | ['02 Fazer 600 in blue]
____________________________________________
jeremy dot ovenden at hazelweb dot co dot uk

 

<fx: mode=obvious>

you'll be OK, it only really applies to powerful bikes and riders who
are liberal with the throttle...

 

<fx: mode=historical>

Too late


--

jeremy
['75 RD250A ] | ['02 Fazer 600 in blue]
____________________________________________
jeremy dot ovenden at hazelweb dot co dot uk

 

AOL.
Best tyres I've *ever* tried. ~2500miles so far and they have totally
transformed the FJ1100.
Not showing too much signs of wear either yet which is amazing considering
the weight of the beast and the hoonery its been through these last few
weeks.

JB

 

I never bother with that 100 miles thing. I just work them hard for a
few miles gradually putting on the power. I start off my doing some
enthusiastic figures of eight just to get them nicely bedding in and
warm. I've never had a problem with new tyres.

If you want someone to de-chicken strip them either gissa bell or buy
one of Pip's "Hugger Scrubbers".

 

Heh - does anyone? I mean even if they intend to, do they actually
manage it? I gave up after about 35 miles. I reckon I was more likely to
come to harm by not riding normally.

well I went round a couple of roundabouts last night, before the skies
opened, and have to say, these things are pretty sticky.

Funnily enough, I was wondering if you were about on Monday...?

Heh.

 

Hmm well having slid off after 120 yards I was certainly *very cautious*
for my next couple of trips out (each of around 40 miles).


--

jeremy
['75 RD250A ] | ['02 Fazer 600 in blue]
____________________________________________
jeremy dot ovenden at hazelweb dot co dot uk

 

So you managed only 80 miles and 120 yards out of the recommended 100
then?

I think there's a pattern:
1) ignore the recommendation, have a "moment" and then be very cautios
for ages

2) Be cautious for a very short while, possibly help scrubbing in on
roundabouts and fig 8's etc, then ride as normal after a short time.

In hindsight, I'm glad I took option 2, whether consciously or otherwise.

 

Riding very cautiously for 40 miles won't do it.

You need to get the tyres hot. It's something of a catch 22, of
course - until they're hot, they won't grip so well, so you can't work
them hard enough. Road tyres will heat up with 'moderate' use, so you
have to ride in that window of "hard enough to heat the tyres, but not
so hard that you crash"

This is one of the reasons why tyre warmers are so necessary on race
tyres - the window described above is much smaller, if it works at
all.

 

I've converted to this method, about 10-20 miles of normal riding (mainly
to warm the engine) then business as usual to heat the tyres in a
spirited manner then after they're hot its "Bring it On" riding.

I've done this the last few times with BT45s. No problems.

 

Didn't I reply you?

I'm not certain yet TBH, but I may be.