So...I've got a decent touring bike...now what?

>> Went and found the new track, 73 miles from my house.

>I can't believe you wasted all that precious fuel on a TEST ride!

Its a dirty job, but someone had to do it, and I couldn't trust the
wife, and Bryan isn't close enough to try and talk him into it, so I
was forced to do the dirty work myself.
 >> Stay informed about: So...I've got a decent touring bike...now what? 

On Feb 24, 6:30 pm, "TroytheTroll" <f4_... RemoveThis @hotmail.com> wrote:
> Did about 160 miles today, dead of winter in Denver, 60F and sunny of
> course, naysayers not withstanding.
>
> So....the highway rpm's haven't changed as much as I would have though
> with the taller tire, can't say I notice much of a difference at all.
> Half interstate, half secondary roads, 44 mpg, never went slower than
> 70, or 80 on the interstate, and didn't crack the ton more than a
> couple times, I promise. Can feel some vibration through the highway
> pegs at certain speeds, 5K rpms ( 80 mph ) is a real nice sweet spot
> on the bike as far as vibration goes, everywhere.

Where does the spedo get its input from? Some bikes get it from the
tranny. With that set up changing tires doesn't change indicated
speed for a given rpm but it does change the real speed. It also
would change the indicated miles traveled messing up your mileage
computations.

Bruce


> Went and found the new track, 73 miles from my house. Next time I'll
> take the camera and try and walk it while taking pictures. Middle of
> nowhere is putting it lightly, but its got LOTS of room, and you can
> see it right from the main road. The layout is all staked out, and it
> has some decent elevation change, plus what looks like a BIG front
> straight.
 >> Stay informed about: So...I've got a decent touring bike...now what? 

>Where does the spedo get its input from? Some bikes get it from the
>tranny. With that set up changing tires doesn't change indicated
>speed for a given rpm but it does change the real speed. It also
>would change the indicated miles traveled messing up your mileage
>computations.

>Bruce

The front wheel. I checked the speedo against a radar gun at 42 mph
earlier in the day...its closer than any other bike I've got at that
speed. Next time I have the GPS out I'll check the higher settings as
well.
 >> Stay informed about: So...I've got a decent touring bike...now what? 

TroytheTroll wrote:

> Did about 160 miles today, dead of winter in Denver, 60F and sunny of
> course, naysayers not withstanding.
>
> So....the highway rpm's haven't changed as much as I would have though
> with the taller tire, can't say I notice much of a difference at all.
> Half interstate, half secondary roads, 44 mpg, never went slower than
> 70, or 80 on the interstate, and didn't crack the ton more than a
> couple times, I promise. Can feel some vibration through the highway
> pegs at certain speeds, 5K rpms ( 80 mph ) is a real nice sweet spot
> on the bike as far as vibration goes, everywhere.
>
> Went and found the new track, 73 miles from my house. Next time I'll
> take the camera and try and walk it while taking pictures. Middle of
> nowhere is putting it lightly, but its got LOTS of room, and you can
> see it right from the main road. The layout is all staked out, and it
> has some decent elevation change, plus what looks like a BIG front
> straight.

Sounds great Troy. Now Bryan needs to do a test run before you guys come
down here. His bike is running now but last I heard it's running a little
rich. I guess he took it to a second shop to get another diagnosis. Maybe
FI problems, maybe just the cold weather up in SLC.

--
Bob Nixon, RZ-350, SV-650, Chandler, AZ.
 >> Stay informed about: So...I've got a decent touring bike...now what? 

On Feb 24, 5:30 pm, "TroytheTroll" <f4_....RemoveThis@hotmail.com> wrote:
> Did about 160 miles today, dead of winter in Denver, 60F and sunny of
> course, naysayers not withstanding.
>
> So....the highway rpm's haven't changed as much as I would have though
> with the taller tire, can't say I notice much of a difference at all.
> Half interstate, half secondary roads, 44 mpg, never went slower than
> 70, or 80 on the interstate, and didn't crack the ton more than a
> couple times, I promise. Can feel some vibration through the highway
> pegs at certain speeds, 5K rpms ( 80 mph ) is a real nice sweet spot
> on the bike as far as vibration goes, everywhere.
>
> Went and found the new track, 73 miles from my house. Next time I'll
> take the camera and try and walk it while taking pictures. Middle of
> nowhere is putting it lightly, but its got LOTS of room, and you can
> see it right from the main road. The layout is all staked out, and it
> has some decent elevation change, plus what looks like a BIG front
> straight.

Mmmm, UJM bliss. Reminds me of my '93 Honda Nighthawk 750, which I
had set up pretty similar to yours (hwy pegs on the case guards,
windshield, soft bags). I rode that bike cross country many times,
but sold it in '04 with 55,000 miles on it to upgrade for greater
passenger comfort and more power.

As you break in the new shock over the next 500 miles it probably get
more and more comfortable and smooth.

One thing I was wondering about your 'Zuke is how does the frame
feel? The NH I had was great all around, except for suspension
foremost and frame rigidity as a second point of discontent. I'm
guessing with the considerably more powerful motor in the 'Zuke, yours
is a much stiffer frame for reliable cornering.

And what to do next? Get out some maps and start planning some
trips. A nice run that would be at the top of my list, were I in your
shoes, would be to shoot up to Ft. Collins for a late breakfast, and
then ride Hwy 14 West until you hit snow. I just love that road! And
the Cache de la Poudre River will be roaring soon with the thaw.
There's some great hiking trails along there, too. If you feel the
impulse to take a short hike, stop at Young's Gulch, which is not too
far up 14, and on the South side of the road. It is one of my
favorite places in America.
 >> Stay informed about: So...I've got a decent touring bike...now what? 

"TroytheTroll" <f4_boy RemoveThis @hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:VJadncvL_t3GY1zanZ2dnUVZ_r6rnZ2d@giganews.com...
> Did about 160 miles today, dead of winter in Denver, 60F and sunny of
> course, naysayers not withstanding.
>
> So....the highway rpm's haven't changed as much as I would have though
> with the taller tire, can't say I notice much of a difference at all. Half
> interstate, half secondary roads, 44 mpg, never went slower than 70, or 80
> on the interstate, and didn't crack the ton more than a couple times, I
> promise. Can feel some vibration through the highway pegs at certain
> speeds, 5K rpms ( 80 mph ) is a real nice sweet spot on the bike as far as
> vibration goes, everywhere.
>

Well it obvious to me. It is time for you to sell that bike.

And wait for it....

















Buy a Harley!
 >> Stay informed about: So...I've got a decent touring bike...now what? 

> One thing I was wondering about your 'Zuke is how does the frame
> feel? The NH I had was great all around, except for suspension
> foremost and frame rigidity as a second point of discontent. I'm
> guessing with the considerably more powerful motor in the 'Zuke,
> yours
> is a much stiffer frame for reliable cornering.

There is a reason why my Zook weighs 700# with no plastic to speak of,
no extra's hanging off of it, nothing but a big engine "pre-weight
savings" era, big steel frame with lots of gussetting around the
steering head, big steel swingarm, even the FOOTPEGS are heavy.

But I haven't tried stuffing it into a 30mph corner while on the
brakes, heeled over and hitting bumps either, so who knows how flexy
flyer it is until I pull that stunt.


>
> And what to do next? Get out some maps and start planning some
> trips.

Looks like....ennie...meaniee...minie...moe....Phoenix it is!

> If you feel the
> impulse to take a short hike, stop at Young's Gulch, which is not
> too
> far up 14, and on the South side of the road. It is one of my
> favorite places in America.

You can hike, as soon as the mountain roads are open I'm going to be
riding everything I can find within 200 miles, asphalt or dirt. I'll
alternate weekends! And when I'm bored, I'll slap some of my leftover
race rubber on the 650 and go blitz something!
 >> Stay informed about: So...I've got a decent touring bike...now what? 

On Feb 25, 9:51 pm, "TroytheTroll" <f4_... RemoveThis @hotmail.com> wrote:
> > One thing I was wondering about your 'Zuke is how does the frame
> > feel?  The NH I had was great all around, except for suspension
> > foremost and frame rigidity as a second point of discontent.  I'm
> > guessing with the considerably more powerful motor in the 'Zuke,
> > yours
> > is a much stiffer frame for reliable cornering.
>
> There is a reason why my Zook weighs 700# with no plastic to speak of,
> no extra's hanging off of it, nothing but a big engine "pre-weight
> savings" era, big steel frame with lots of gussetting around the
> steering head, big steel swingarm, even the FOOTPEGS are heavy.
>

Yup. Big steel frame, sportbike engine, UJM glory.

The Shaft Drive probably weighs a lot, as part of that whole picture.

> But I haven't tried stuffing it into a 30mph corner while on the
> brakes, heeled over and hitting bumps either, so who knows how flexy
> flyer it is until I pull that stunt.
>

Nice. I suspect you'll know soon enough as the roads warm, keep us
posted. My bet is the shock you put on it will make it very smooth.

What kind of tires did you put on it? B021's?

>
>
> > And what to do next?  Get out some maps and start planning some
> > trips.
>
> Looks like....ennie...meaniee...minie...moe....Phoenix it is!
>

Go where the climate suits your clothes. <g>


> > If you feel the
> > impulse to take a short hike, stop at Young's Gulch, which is not
> > too
> > far up 14, and on the South side of the road.  It is one of my
> > favorite places in America.
>
> You can hike, as soon as the mountain roads are open I'm going to be
> riding everything I can find within 200 miles, asphalt or dirt. I'll
> alternate weekends! And when I'm bored, I'll slap some of my leftover
> race rubber on the 650 and go blitz something!

That is an excellent plan for the spring. Sounds like you are looking
at a good year. Though I'm not real sure about "leftover" race rubber
- but you'd probably know better than I do on that tip. (But my rule
has always been: Never compromise on the tires.)
 >> Stay informed about: So...I've got a decent touring bike...now what? 

Vaughn wrote:
> On Feb 25, 9:51 pm, "TroytheTroll" <f4_....DeleteThis@hotmail.com> wrote:
>>> One thing I was wondering about your 'Zuke is how does the frame
>>> feel? The NH I had was great all around, except for suspension
>>> foremost and frame rigidity as a second point of discontent. I'm
>>> guessing with the considerably more powerful motor in the 'Zuke,
>>> yours
>>> is a much stiffer frame for reliable cornering.
>> There is a reason why my Zook weighs 700# with no plastic to speak of,
>> no extra's hanging off of it, nothing but a big engine "pre-weight
>> savings" era, big steel frame with lots of gussetting around the
>> steering head, big steel swingarm, even the FOOTPEGS are heavy.
>>
>
> Yup. Big steel frame, sportbike engine, UJM glory.
>
> The Shaft Drive probably weighs a lot, as part of that whole picture.
>
>> But I haven't tried stuffing it into a 30mph corner while on the
>> brakes, heeled over and hitting bumps either, so who knows how flexy
>> flyer it is until I pull that stunt.
>>
>
> Nice. I suspect you'll know soon enough as the roads warm, keep us
> posted. My bet is the shock you put on it will make it very smooth.
>
> What kind of tires did you put on it? B021's?
>
>>
>>> And what to do next? Get out some maps and start planning some
>>> trips.
>> Looks like....ennie...meaniee...minie...moe....Phoenix it is!
>>
>
> Go where the climate suits your clothes. <g>
>
>
>>> If you feel the
>>> impulse to take a short hike, stop at Young's Gulch, which is not
>>> too
>>> far up 14, and on the South side of the road. It is one of my
>>> favorite places in America.
>> You can hike, as soon as the mountain roads are open I'm going to be
>> riding everything I can find within 200 miles, asphalt or dirt. I'll
>> alternate weekends! And when I'm bored, I'll slap some of my leftover
>> race rubber on the 650 and go blitz something!
>
> That is an excellent plan for the spring. Sounds like you are looking
> at a good year. Though I'm not real sure about "leftover" race rubber
> - but you'd probably know better than I do on that tip. (But my rule
> has always been: Never compromise on the tires.)

An old vintage racing bike buddy of mine once noted a problem with new
tires on old bikes. Seems the chassis that are somewhat well behaved
when the tires are allowed to slide around a little get themselves all
discombobulated with sticky tires. Maybe that's why Harley still runs
the old bias plys instead of newer/stickier radials.
 >> Stay informed about: So...I've got a decent touring bike...now what? 

>What kind of tires did you put on it? B021's?

Metzler Roadtec Z6's.

>Sounds like you are looking
>at a good year. Though I'm not real sure about "leftover" race
>rubber
>- but you'd probably know better than I do on that tip. (But my rule
>has always been: Never compromise on the tires.)

Metzler Rennsport RS1's and RS2's aren't much of a compromise. But
they aren't new tires any more, so it will be interesting to see what
age has done to them.
 >> Stay informed about: So...I've got a decent touring bike...now what?