First ride of the year
Posted: Sat Jul 21, 2012 9:02 pm
I'm ashamed to admit it, but today was the first time I've ridden a bike this year.
I know - it's outrageous. Questions need to be asked in the House, etc. etc.
It was a bit weird as I was forced to go slow (not a bad thing after a layoff) because I was running/scrubbing in a new set of Dunlop Sportsmart tyres, new PFM discs and new Performance Friction pads, as well as getting used to new bars and subtly altered riding position (I'll provide pics and details at a later date), 4 pad calipers, Oz wheels and stubby brake levers.
For the first few miles everything felt vague and slippery (tyres), unresponsive (brakes) and generally odd. I deliberately headed off to country lanes where I couldn't do much more than 50mph and tried to gently get some feel into the tyres and brakes.
Gradually it all started to come together and everything started to gel. I'd also had the rear Ohlins shock reworked by John at Revs to reduce the amount of compression damping. John said he'd cut it by about 50% and first indications confirmed this. Instead of the rear of the bike kicking me over sharp bumps, they were now being absorbed. Good work John.
By the end of the ride (I did about 70 miles in all) I was wanging the bike about in most enjoyable style, and by the time I returned to base the rear tyre was all but scrubbed to the edge and the brakes were feeling sharper with every application. Result.
It's hard to tell what's doing what, with having changed so many things at once, but the way the bike changes direction, flicks into a corner and flick-flacks through esses is superb. Also I can really feel the way the 190/55 profile gives you loads of grip on the way out of the corner and bags of confidence when you're tipping it in.
And the way the motor just stomps away in pretty much any gear and at any revs is just superb. It just reaffirmed what I love about V-twins in general and this one in particular.
I won't be waiting that long for the next ride - that's for sure...
I know - it's outrageous. Questions need to be asked in the House, etc. etc.
It was a bit weird as I was forced to go slow (not a bad thing after a layoff) because I was running/scrubbing in a new set of Dunlop Sportsmart tyres, new PFM discs and new Performance Friction pads, as well as getting used to new bars and subtly altered riding position (I'll provide pics and details at a later date), 4 pad calipers, Oz wheels and stubby brake levers.
For the first few miles everything felt vague and slippery (tyres), unresponsive (brakes) and generally odd. I deliberately headed off to country lanes where I couldn't do much more than 50mph and tried to gently get some feel into the tyres and brakes.
Gradually it all started to come together and everything started to gel. I'd also had the rear Ohlins shock reworked by John at Revs to reduce the amount of compression damping. John said he'd cut it by about 50% and first indications confirmed this. Instead of the rear of the bike kicking me over sharp bumps, they were now being absorbed. Good work John.
By the end of the ride (I did about 70 miles in all) I was wanging the bike about in most enjoyable style, and by the time I returned to base the rear tyre was all but scrubbed to the edge and the brakes were feeling sharper with every application. Result.
It's hard to tell what's doing what, with having changed so many things at once, but the way the bike changes direction, flicks into a corner and flick-flacks through esses is superb. Also I can really feel the way the 190/55 profile gives you loads of grip on the way out of the corner and bags of confidence when you're tipping it in.
And the way the motor just stomps away in pretty much any gear and at any revs is just superb. It just reaffirmed what I love about V-twins in general and this one in particular.
I won't be waiting that long for the next ride - that's for sure...
