MOOTMaG 2014

[buster]

Lessons learned:

Tires:

1.   Just because the portion of the tread you can see looks OK, doesn't mean the rest of it looks the same  - Look over the entire circumference.
2.   With a friend's help, a rear wheel can be pulled in about 10 minutes and reinstalled in about 20- no big deal.
3.   Spirited riding and hard braking on chip seal is astonishingly harder on tires than constant speed commuting on smooth roads.  A couple of  us could actually see the significant difference after a day or two of spirited riding on the Three Twisted Sisters.   

I checked my records and had 13,500 miles on the Shinko 777 rear when tread split and cord appeared Friday afternoon (installed April 2013).  The Front tire (Dunlop purchased 9/2012) has 19,000 miles on it as I replaced it last night, but was decent until about 17,500 although certainly not for making a trip.

Other lessons: 

•   A rain suit works best if you immediately STOP and put it on at the first sprinkle, rather than hoping it the rain will pass and not get heavier, finally reaching acceptance after your clothes are all wet.  Found my rainsuit at home by the door with the maps I took time to print but forgot to bring.

•   Chain adjustment (Thanks Hop A Long) – after reinstalling a wheel, slowly turn the tire while checking the tension, otherwise it might show the right tension but then release a kink and be loose. 

•   Smoked U would rather help someone fix their Magna electrical problem, tire problem, etc.,  more than swimming in the Frio, even two afternoons in a row.

•   Our group is made up of very generous, care people and a few of them can do amazing things on the roads or on the bench.

[hop along]

Dave, let us know about the stein and wine glass prices.  I know I owe you some $$$.

Hop Along

[v4_jeff]

I checked my records and had 13,500 miles on the Shinko 777 rear when tread split and cord appeared Friday afternoon (installed April 2013).  The Front tire (Dunlop purchased 9/2012) has 19,000 miles on it as I replaced it last night, but was decent until about 17,500 although certainly not for making a trip.

Holy crap you got some miles out of those things! I'm pretty happy if I get 3k from a rear and 6k from a front. I got a little over 4k out of the IRC Wild Flare rears and have around 9k on the front with a bit of tread left but significant hardening happening. I might abuse them a bit more though... 

Now that it's time, I'm trying to decide if I want another set of those Wild Flare tires. The tread pattern is neat, they're sticky enough for the lean angles that the Magna is capable of, and they're plenty long wearing considering what I put them through, but I'm wondering if there's a dual compound sport-touring type tire that will fit. I'll start searching and let you all know what I come up with. Anyone know of anything that might fit my bill?

I'm kinda' considering doing the CBR F2 swap that I've seen in a couple places, mostly for the braking upgrades (dual disc front, disc rear) and wider tire selection. I'll make this thing a proper sport-tourer yet! BUT I think I'm gonna' need some fresh rubber before I can get the parts together for the swap. Maybe just another set of cheapie IRCs for now...

[Magniac]

Look into the Michelin Commander II. I have them on my Magna and VMax. ~5k on the Magna, and ~4k on the VMax. Both still look new. They are advertised to get double the mileage of other brands. We'll see, but it's looking good so far. They are dual compound, hard in the center for long mileage, softer on the edges for cornering. They are a little spendy up front, but if they actually do give double the mileage, it'll be much cheaper in the long run.

[TLRam1]

Are you using the 150/90?

The only thing that concerns me are few sipes for wet weather filtering of water down the middle, more chance to hydroplane.

[Smoked U]

•   Smoked U would rather help someone fix their Magna electrical problem, tire problem, etc.,  more than swimming in the Frio, even two afternoons in a row.

Paying it forward, Bro. I must say that that Frio spring fed River was sooooo nice when I finally got in it especially standing under that waterfall and letting it pound on my shoulders.


•   Our group is made up of very generous, caring people and a few of them can do amazing things on the roads or on the bench.

The essence of why MOOT has been such a great organization. I sincerely hope this economy clears up in the next couple of years so we can get more people involved again.

[/quote]

[v4_jeff]

Look into the Michelin Commander II. I have them on my Magna and VMax. ~5k on the Magna, and ~4k on the VMax. Both still look new. They are advertised to get double the mileage of other brands. We'll see, but it's looking good so far. They are dual compound, hard in the center for long mileage, softer on the edges for cornering. They are a little spendy up front, but if they actually do give double the mileage, it'll be much cheaper in the long run.

Oooh, likey. Thanks for the tip, I'll take a look!

[jgalaw]

Dave,

Here is a link to Robbie Maddison's 2009 New Year's Eve jump in Vegas.  10 stories.  I couldn't recall his name when we were discussing it at MootMag.  I watched it live on TV.  I was certain we were about to see death.  This guy is insane and has cojones the size of beach balls.

Red Bull paid him 2 million for the jump.  Afterwards he said he wouldn't do it again for 10 million.  I couldn't make myself try it if an assassin held a gun to my head.  A clean head shot would be far quicker and less painful.

It squirm every time I see it.   

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6iwiVwA221Q

[hootmon]

Holy crap you got some miles out of those things! I'm pretty happy if I get 3k from a rear and 6k from a front. I got a little over 4k out of the IRC Wild Flare rears and have around 9k on the front with a bit of tread left but significant hardening happening. I might abuse them a bit more though... 

I put a Michelin Commander II on the back of my bike.. Not sure how many miles I have on it (More than 6K) and it still has lots of tread. I've been happy with it's performance...
I went with it after I installed a Michelin Pilot 2 on the front which has been great. (although it is a slightly shorter tire and throws my speedo off some).

I've always got more mileage from my tires than you are stating.. I've had Dunlops, Metz, Avon's and of course Car tires.. I've always gotten at least 15K out of my rear tires and I'd say I'm not easy on my bike (Although I don't have many turns or hills living in Florida)...

I'd go with a Michelin again, no problem..

[Smoked U]

Dave,

Here is a link to Robbie Maddison's 2009 New Year's Eve jump in Vegas.  10 stories.  I couldn't recall his name when we were discussing it at MootMag.  I watched it live on TV.  I was certain we were about to see death.  This guy is insane and has cojones the size of beach balls.

Red Bull paid him 2 million for the jump.  Afterwards he said he wouldn't do it again for 10 million.  I couldn't make myself try it if an assassin held a gun to my head.  A clean head shot would be far quicker and less painful.

It squirm every time I see it.   


yes, you can hear that bike crunch on impact. Lots of energy to absorb.

Nice work. Thanks for the link.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6iwiVwA221Q

[buster]

FYI, I was reading about the new Metzeler 888's I bought by default went caught between a rock and a hard place a couple of weeks ago.  Replacing the 880 model in 2013, they are dual compound designed to both extend the mileage and the wet weather performance over the 880.  It felt fantastic right away, but after going down to the cords, almost anything would be a terrific difference, although I don't think it felt that good when mounting the new Shinko 777.   We'll see how they wear compared to the Shinko, and then I'll replace the 888 with the Shinko I've had in the garage the past couple of months and check the new tire feel once again....

[Smoked U]

Who is interested in some more shirts and/or glasses with the MOOTMaG 2014 copy?

I can put in for a different color on the shirts if we can agree on something else.

Let me know what and how many if you are interested.

[buster]

I'm in for a XXL shirt (same blue color is good), 2 wine glasses and 2 more pilsner glasses, IF there is enough to place another order for any of those.

[v4_jeff]

The Peace Love Motorcycles post is up! Carol did a great job with it!

The World Of Magna

[MagnaMikeD]

The Peace Love Motorcycles post is up! Carol did a great job with it!

The World Of Magna

Very nicely done by Peace, Love and Motorcycles!  Kudos to you Jeff for coordinating it.  And, nice video too.

Mike