The original version of this page can be found at : http://Forum.Motorcycle-usa.com//default.aspx?f=24&m=178703
| Posted By : louemc - 6/25/2005 9:44 AM | | Found out that my figures were wrong, it doesn't have 164 HP, it has 152, so, I'm figuring maybe I can ride it, as is. This morning I suited up, and worked my way off the property, nasty steep loose rock gravel climb that had my tires fully scuffed, just getting to the front gate, then 3 miles of loose gravel to a road that was black-topped, maybe 100 years ago, and patched ever since. The throttle is so smooth right from the bottom, and into the early stages, that it doesn't over challenge the wanted response. It flicks like I'd expect a 600 to flick. I haven't even set the sag yet, but the front forks totally are perfect on rough rough road, smooths the line so you stay right where you want. The old road connects to Hwy 4, and in a section that is very (maybe severe) dip and rise turns for 12 miles, perfect, total blast ride. Little few miles of straight road into town, checked the passing power, perfect. The whole impression is, unbelief, how could it be so civil and powerful at the same time? Not going to spend any time tring to find out, just amazed that is can be. Post Edited (louemc) : 6/25/2005 5:49:36 PM GMT |
| Posted By : Tros - 6/25/2005 10:05 AM | Only 152 hp  Lou, you went and bought a n00b bike! 
Keep us updated as you get more used to the bike. And if you would, take pictures of it once you get most of your mods put on the bike (the bars for instance.)
Now, go out riding some more man 
"Anyone who has never made a mistake has never tried anything new." - Albert Einstein |
| Posted By : CaddmannQ - 6/25/2005 11:02 AM |
Kansas said...Only 152 hp Lou, you went and bought a n00b bike! Careful Kansas! I banned the last sucker that uttered a blasphemy like that one! Even in jest, you're stepping dangerously close to perdition!  
Cadd 2004 Nomad 1500 VROC #11619 Rolling Blunder #128 |
| Posted By : CaddmannQ - 6/25/2005 11:05 AM | It sounds like a real dream machine, Lou.  I'm sooooo jealous.
If I didn't have more plans than money I'd be picking out the color right now. (Did they have that model in "Nuclear Pumpkin"?)
Cadd 2004 Nomad 1500 VROC #11619 Rolling Blunder #128 |
| Posted By : CaddmannQ - 6/25/2005 11:12 AM | Because Lou is out riding instead of posting pictures, I stole this from the Kawasaki website just so people like me won't be droolin' over a blank page.
Cadd
2004 Nomad 1500
VROC #11619 Rolling Blunder #128 |
| Posted By : Tros - 6/25/2005 11:39 AM |
"Anyone who has never made a mistake has never tried anything new." - Albert Einstein |
| Posted By : Dr. Bombay - 6/25/2005 1:32 PM | CaddmannQ said...
(Did they have that model in "Nuclear Pumpkin"?)
Cad, I was just at the Kawasaki dealer today helping my buddy who just picked up a Z-750S. The ZX-10 comes in an orangy-red color that is pretty nice. But the most beautiful color it comes in is Raw Titanium. It's just stunning in person (the ZX-6R and Z1000 also come in the same color.) |
| Posted By : louemc - 6/25/2005 4:06 PM | | Hey thanks for posting the piccie Cadd, shame it has the lower plastic on (because that was the first thing to go), without it the whole exhaust system and lower engine is looking right at you with a serious gleam in it's eye. Just got back from todays workout, I'll need to post it next week when I can have more time on the computer. That bike is fast, so very very fast, and when the turns are tight, it corners on rails. Seems the plan is to relax, and just visualize the line, and the bike does it, show doubt or concern and the magic goes away. I have to get excellent, the bike already is, We will see how long it takes me to come around. Dr. Bombay, you would of loved todays ride, hope we can get together in the Sierra some time. |
| Posted By : Dr. Bombay - 6/25/2005 5:56 PM | Lou, after spending most of the day coddling my buddy and his new bike (it's his second, so he's still a bit nervous about his and the bike's capabilities), a blast through some canyons would be just the thing. Unfortunately, we've got no canyons in the flatlands of the New York/Metro area.
Whip that thing like a rented mule and don't be shy about letting us know how it's going. |
| Posted By : Smitty - 6/25/2005 6:19 PM | Lou are still alive???? I got this a number of times from people I knew when I mentioned what I bought or some simply did not know what I was on. The Honda shop were amazed that a 70 old bugger bought the first Honda 929 still in the crate & assembled it himself. Then in Aug of '04 same old bugger, only 74 yrs of age by this time, buys an in the crate '03 Honda 954. They darn well knew this was a crazy coot though only a few realize I still have he Honda 929 & a '97 Yamaha YZF600r in the garage & ride them constantly.
Remember all the others on the road are crazy & out to kill you. |
| Posted By : louemc - 6/26/2005 9:46 AM | | Still alive Smitty, My concerns about riding the ZX, in it's un-setup, stage dis-appeared instantly, as I took off on the first ride. It isn't as good as it will get, but even at this stage, it is totally confidence building. Power is where you dial it, from the bottom up. Bike flicks like a 600, (or somewhere close to it, I've never rode a 600), everything just works right, makes it easy. Main first thing is suspension set-up, and, Scotts/Ohlins rotary stablizer, flat tracker stance on the bars, Jury is still out on the Dunlop tires, they actually feel OK so far (that could change with the bike being set-up and pushed harder). |
| Posted By : 636ADAM - 6/26/2005 11:23 AM | | my o5 kawi came with battel axe bt014 tires. why did they put dunlops on the bigger bike? |
| Posted By : Smitty - 6/26/2005 1:33 PM | If Lou's new Kwacker has Dunlop 208 then the Bridgestone BT014 are pretty darn close. Personally I am aiming for Bridgestone BT014 on the rear & BT012 on the front unless there are some big changes. Bridgestone have made some dramatic changes in post few yrs for all I could obtain was the BT-010 two yrs ago & now more choice. My tyres seemingly(?) last longer for I do ride three sportbikes in the summertime.
Remember all the others on the road are crazy & out to kill you. |
| Posted By : Inspector - 6/26/2005 8:29 PM | | Hey Lou, Isn't all that power just amazing!!! It's so linear and just pulls from the bottom to the top. I have the CBR1000, slightly different, but I have ridden a Kawi. I have to say they are pretty close in comparison. The Kawi is a little more nimble at higher speeds though, it flicks from side to side very well. Nice bike!!!!!!! |
| Posted By : luiggispeed - 6/27/2005 6:34 AM | I cant belive what Im reading here!!!
.... must be something wrong with the water...  ..some terrorist thing for sure...
Life its a matter of perfect internal balance... |
| Posted By : mmmbarley - 6/27/2005 7:16 AM | whoolly friggen shananigens,
what happened to the only engine worth riding on the road is a big sporttwin?
Who hit lou in the head? or Who is posting under Lou's id?
Sounds like you are having fun, just behave yourself!
ohhh and try the diablo corsas! the 208's stinky like pig poopy
|
| Posted By : x2468 - 6/27/2005 12:28 PM | cool. yeah i saw that u posted 164 and thought about posting otherwise but didn't. lol.
Im surprised you would describe the Kawi as smooth. The mags gave me the impression that its hige power and sharp gearing made it deadly and spontaneous.
btw, whats your previous bike experiance?? I haven't been on this forum long so i don't know everyones history.
Kawasaki Brute Force 750 4x4
LOOKING TO GET
SV650S (soon as possible)
Ninja ZX-6R (one of these days)
GSXR 750 (after that)
GSXR 1000/ZX-10r (in a long ass time) |
| Posted By : mmmbarley - 6/27/2005 1:13 PM | 
|
| Posted By : louemc - 6/27/2005 4:24 PM | | Yes MMMbarley, it was a great day when we got rubber tires, and then air no less, the chages came so fast we couldn't keep up . I just got back from a rip over the Sierra to Nevada and back on Ebbetts pass. The Dunlops are feeling OK, so far, won't really have anything to rate them on, until the bike is set-up, though. The bike is so ultra awesome though, it is changing how I corner. There is one corner (a right hander, when headed West), on the Eastern slope, that is so tight, and a steep climb, in the sharpest (middle) part of the corner, I have practiced that corner for years, to hold the inside line, and right on that line, under as much power as I could put down, not only for pride of skill, but, for the diablical pleasure of the chance of over-taking another bike there, and showing them how it should be done. Well today the ZX10 flicked into that corner on it's maiden voyage, and held that line on the inside edge of the road, and faster, and launched out harder. And the ZX10 accelerates in a it just keeps accelerating harder and harder, sort of way. Up until now, I've done better with two finger braking. The TLR having 6 piston calipers on both sides had the strength for one finger braking, but, I didn't have the precise pressure control, for one finger. Now, for some reason I don't know, two fingers are too much, and I'm not smooth with it, but one finger is precise and smooth, and leaves the other three fingers wrapped on the grip, and that works much better. That combined with total relax, and light as light, on the handle bars, not really steering there, but with my lower body, for lean angle. And trust, and belief, knowing you will go through the corner, with no worries, no work, counting on the bike, and staying out of screwing it up, just work the throttle, and believe. The second I doubt, I tense up, and although I still make the corner, it's not the magic of staying loose. I think I got some great piccies today, I'll print them up and send them to Cadd the Man, and he can post them here (if he has time), in maybe a week. So far, I'd expect the 1000 GIXXer to be a better choice, for most, at least on suspension. I don't expect to ever wish I hadn't chose the ZX10. Love the Looks, and the power delivery, and the handling, and Green really fits in the forest :-) Post Edited (louemc) : 6/28/2005 1:03:53 AM GMT |
| Posted By : RedDog - 6/27/2005 9:59 PM | They say, "You never have too much fun!" You got it, Lou. Enjoy.
I have a couple (!) of corners around here that I thought I did well with the "antique" CBR. We have been smiles for lots of miles. If you love new technology and can somehow work with it, it's great.
OK, warning: Be careful with them Dunlops in humid conditions! I thought the Brits (now Japs) had it all figured out, but not. That story is old and I posted it here. Take care and enjoy your beast!
RedDog 
Travel Light & Leave Your Fears Behind You!
Normal People Scare me!
|
| Posted By : CaddmannQ - 6/27/2005 10:10 PM | Lou, I'll be happy to post up whatever you send me. No effort at all buddy.
Cadd
2004 Nomad 1500
VROC #11619 Rolling Blunder #128 |
| Posted By : louemc - 6/28/2005 9:13 AM | | Cadd, Even though I was waisted from the ride yesterday, I printed up a packet of 6 (I think), 8X10's, and sent them off this morning. After I had printed them, I thought, maybe that is too big, and will bring your computer to it's knees, but, then decided, screw it, if they are too big to scan and post at a size that is good for the forum's page, I'll print smaller ones later for that, you gotta see the big ones. So they are in the mail, ROC on (riders of Kawasaki) |
| Posted By : RedDog - 6/28/2005 9:19 AM | You have a Wally world there? Get a digital camera and print/copy whatever there. Your ZX10 deserves it.
RedDog
Travel Light & Leave Your Fears Behind You!
Normal People Scare me!
|
| Posted By : CaddmannQ - 6/28/2005 10:34 AM |
louemc said...
Cadd, Even though I was waisted from the ride yesterday, I printed up a packet of 6 (I think), 8X10's, and sent them off this morning. After I had printed them, I thought, maybe that is too big, and will bring your computer to it's knees, but, then decided, screw it, if they are too big to scan and post at a size that is good for the forum's page, I'll print smaller ones later for that, you gotta see the big ones. So they are in the mail, ROC on (riders of Kawasaki) No, it's not a problem to scan up to 8-1/2" x 14" on my setup. Of course I'll have to tweak them down to 1.5MB each to post them here.
Cadd
2004 Nomad 1500
VROC #11619 Rolling Blunder #128 |
| Posted By : louemc - 6/28/2005 10:39 AM | Hello? I do shoot Digital, the problem is I live so remote, I don't have internet access, and, getting on here, means coming to town and using the library's computer, which also means, nothing gets inserted into it. Thanks for the heads up on the moisture issue with Dunlops, RedDog, actually I wasn't going to expect much from the Dunlops, The ones that came as original equipment on the TLR scared the crap out of me, and that's the last chance for that to happen. The Metzeler Sportec M1's, have won my heart, in the heat of rough road hooligan behaviour, and, I'm sticking with proven stick  |
| Posted By : RedDog - 6/28/2005 10:48 AM | Darn, you are more out in the boonies than I am. So CD and snail mail is it. Hm ... Cell phone access?
I hear you when it comes down to sporty tires. I liked the M1s too, but after being through several BT014s I found them sticking at least as good, cheaper and better wear plus the bonus of a slight cushion effect making the ride a little more comfy. A little here means quite a bit on a SB.
Got almost 11,000 miles out of the front BT014. Guess main reason was staying out of the rough tarmac of AR. I am getting close to have to change the 3rd rear tire too.
RedDog
Travel Light & Leave Your Fears Behind You!
Normal People Scare me!
|
| Posted By : louemc - 6/28/2005 10:54 AM | | This spot is even a dead spot for Cell phones, I have to drive twards town to get to the boonies, and drive somemore to get to remote |
| Posted By : RedDog - 6/28/2005 11:04 AM | So you are down to pigeons and wheels and fresh air.
RedDog
Travel Light & Leave Your Fears Behind You!
Normal People Scare me!
|
| Posted By : x2468 - 6/28/2005 11:56 AM | damn lou... almost 6k posts through the library. thats crazy.
Kawasaki Brute Force 750 4x4
LOOKING TO GET
SV650S (soon as possible)
Ninja ZX-6R (one of these days)
GSXR 750 (after that)
GSXR 1000/ZX-10r (in a long ass time) |
| Posted By : louemc - 6/28/2005 12:24 PM | Ahhh, x2468, glad you brought that up, I was just thinking about how to reply to your post about being surprized I thought the ZX10 was smooth, and crazy enters in to it. To put things into perspective (maybe), lets say a Gold wing rider, wouldn't call it smooth (but then a Gold Wing rider wouldn't be riding it, most likely shouldn't be riding it, and, let's maybe say couldn't be riding it). My background (I think you asked about), is, I have always (like for 50 years) been, only the most high performance bike at the time, was the one. That I could afford to buy. That translates to I grew up on Triumphs. I also rode dirt bikes, as a trail rider and, by accident, was introduced into the top group of desert racers. That turned into, at one time, I was #3 in off road racing in the State of Oregon. Those guy's are certified Crazy. When I said smooth, it's a smooth explosion of power delivery, in a bike that is designed for that, like the GSXR is designed for that, and there is quite a list of others in that rareified atmosphere, but I don't have experience with Honda/Yamaha/Ducati/Aprilia/etc., so can't really say what they are like. These bikes, more than anything (again I think) take judgement, that has to be aquired, as well as the obvious rider skill. I've known tons of very highly skilled riders, that met their end, because of a lack of judgement. (let's see, that would be the 5,730 th post)  Post Edited (louemc) : 6/28/2005 8:27:44 PM GMT |
| Posted By : Inspector - 6/28/2005 12:39 PM | | Hey Lou, have you looked into satelite internet?? The speed is good and it's more secure than a landline.
|
| Posted By : louemc - 6/28/2005 1:09 PM | | That would be my option, a two way satelite dish, that doesn't require a land line. I haven't looked into it, yet, it put me off that they didn't give any critical info in the ads like what they do to filter out the bad guys, or even the price (I know about what the price is, but it chaps my ass that they don't tell you this up front). |
| Posted By : Inspector - 6/28/2005 1:41 PM | | Well I'm no guru on the subject, but I know it's not like a constant stream, it's sent in bundles. If that makes any since?? |
| Posted By : DJoplin - 6/28/2005 2:02 PM | My mom is on sattelite over in eastern Wa./ Idaho border. She seems to like it. Cable not available and she had too many problems w/phone line. Might look into it Lou.
Look the sun's back. |
| Posted By : RedDog - 6/28/2005 2:11 PM | When I checked into internet access over satellite, it was expensive, needed a phone line and worked bad. According to this, they state it works good and fast: http://www.rapidsatellite.com/detail.aspx?ID=222
Even in my case I would be interested in lowering the $85.00 I pay a month for DSL and land line phone. I also have cell which is good enough.
Any experience with DirecWay?
RedDog
Travel Light & Leave Your Fears Behind You!
Normal People Scare me!
|
| Posted By : CaddmannQ - 6/28/2005 8:30 PM | My boss has satellite TV/internet, and he's had mixed feelings. The company interrupts you service with unscheduled and undisclosed software upgrades, monitors what you watch and where you surf, has random dropouts in service, and live tech support is almost nonexistant. He's sorry he bought into it, but the installation wasn't cheap, plus he signed a contract he must keep up or pay penalties nearly equal to the cost of the service he's buying.
I'd avoid it.
Cadd
2004 Nomad 1500
VROC #11619 Rolling Blunder #128 |
| Posted By : RedDog - 6/29/2005 7:33 PM | Yap. I checked some more and hearing this, I guess we wait.
RedDog
Travel Light & Leave Your Fears Behind You!
Normal People Scare me!
|
| Posted By : CaddmannQ - 6/29/2005 9:35 PM | | Louemc mailed me these 7 beautiful 8x10 color glossies of his bike at Ebbetts pass and vicinity. I scanned them on a Mustek MFS-6000cx flatbed scanner, which is an indestructible tank of a scanner that I've had for 10 years now. These were scanned at 300 dpi full color, then cropped and reduced uisng the Imagemixer photo editor. I thought they looked great, and didn't tweak them in any other way. The two closeups of the bike were cropped from the raw scans at 300 dpi and reduced slightly.
Right now I am freakin' drooling. I have got to ride this road, and 1 month exactly I will be up there.
Cadd 2004 Nomad 1500 VROC #11619 Rolling Blunder #128 Post Edited (CaddmannQ) : 6/30/2005 5:40:32 AM GMT |
| Posted By : CaddmannQ - 6/29/2005 9:36 PM | | The rest.
I LOVE roads with switchbacks!
Cadd
2004 Nomad 1500
VROC #11619 Rolling Blunder #128Post Edited (CaddmannQ) : 6/30/2005 5:41:03 AM GMT |
| Posted By : bunchof6 - 6/29/2005 10:54 PM | If it wasn't so expensive, Satelite internet would serve Lou's purposes and then some.
Of course, if you are a gamer, not so much. The data transfer is great, but the ping is slow, because the data gets bounced around the planet.
That said, gorgeous freaking bike, Lou! Like it, do ya?
Elemental Science Project |
| Posted By : 1Hawk - 6/29/2005 10:59 PM |
CaddmannQ said...
The rest.
I LOVE roads with switchbacks!
Hey Cadd, where is this road? Is it in California???
|
| Posted By : CaddmannQ - 6/30/2005 5:26 AM |
1Hawk said...Hey Cadd, where is this road? Is it in California???
Hawk Yes, Hawk. State highway 4. It goes from the Gold Rush country, over the Sierras.
Here's a detail view of the map, at one of the more interesting portions: the big switchbacks!
Cadd
2004 Nomad 1500
VROC #11619 Rolling Blunder #128Post Edited (CaddmannQ) : 6/30/2005 1:31:14 PM GMT |
| Posted By : Smitty - 6/30/2005 11:57 AM | What in the 'ell is going on with this road? I do not see the massive concrete barricades that are around 3' or even taller. Do not tell me the Lou has a road that 18wheelers, low-bed trailers hauling big crawl shovels, cats or such, B-trains full of finished lunber, or logging rigs are not almost dominating ALONG with all the tourists with their massive RVs to 5ths wheels are not pounding constantly during the m/c riding days?
Well okay Lou if you like green, but in the first one I thought it was a bug you had taken a photo of. Just kidding Lou & yes it is a lovely looking bike. That road of yours is a dream & no wonder you had to get a good bike to feel at home on it.
Remember all the others on the road are crazy & out to kill you. |
| Posted By : CaddmannQ - 6/30/2005 12:01 PM | Smitty, the really painful thing is that almost all the roads around Lou's place are like that, barring holidays.
I think that's why he agreed to move to that cave in the hills in the first place. 
Cadd
2004 Nomad 1500
VROC #11619 Rolling Blunder #128 |
| Posted By : 1Hawk - 6/30/2005 12:16 PM |
CaddmannQ said...
1Hawk said...Hey Cadd, where is this road? Is it in California???
Hawk Yes, Hawk. State highway 4. It goes from the Gold Rush country, over the Sierras.
Here's a detail view of the map, at one of the more interesting portions: the big switchbacks!
Hey Cadd, I knew I heard of this road before. I found this brief over at Pashnit...
Nancy and I were up there with some Jeep friends about 6 years ago. Very cool....
|
| Posted By : x2468 - 6/30/2005 4:02 PM | thats hot. did you remove anything off the lower end? good thing you went for the faster color.  
Kawasaki Brute Force 750 4x4
LOOKING TO GET
SV650S (soon as possible)
Ninja ZX-6R (one of these days)
GSXR 750 (after that)
GSXR 1000/ZX-10r (in a long ass time) |
| Posted By : 636ADAM - 6/30/2005 6:20 PM | | lou is your helmet hanging on your muffler in the one pic? |
| Posted By : RedDog - 6/30/2005 9:23 PM | Nice pics! Think we were over there last year on the 929 and a flock from MSSR.
RedDog
Travel Light & Leave Your Fears Behind You!
Normal People Scare me!
|
| Posted By : Smax - 7/1/2005 8:25 AM | lou: thanks for the vicarious ride... glad you're enjoying the new toy (must be nice to rear-steer that sucker!).
How about some more pics of the roads/twitsies... the mountains are nice, but those roads look wicked!
If I have to 'understand', please don't explain... |
| Posted By : Smitty - 7/1/2005 10:52 AM | Oh my gosh there are some really strange bends & twisties with strange cambers in those photos. At my old age I think I would be looking for someway to sneak in a TZ-250 with street legal lights & stuff as they flick around so easy. Little wonder Lou has been talking about a bike easy to flick around.
I can see why he modified the V-twin 1000 Suzy with such handlebars & will be doing a similiar job to this new green bug, my apologieze Lou, Kwacker to similiar bars for a normal set of clip-ons are not suitable in such bends or roads. You cannot settle down to having made that bend & thinking of the next on a road racing circuit for this is a maze of different bends, twists, & angles. True Lou probably has them memorized, still what he has in mind is more fitting with what his roads are like. I would probably do the same.
Remember all the others on the road are crazy & out to kill you.Post Edited (Smitty) : 7/1/2005 7:04:26 PM GMT |
| Posted By : Tros - 7/1/2005 11:06 AM | Good god. Those few pictures had more corners than Kansas. I need to move...
"Anyone who has never made a mistake has never tried anything new." - Albert Einstein |
| Posted By : 636ADAM - 7/1/2005 2:32 PM | | Hey SMAXX,Since im still a "newbie" i dont feel bad asking this question. What is rear wheel steering? is that spinning the tire thru the turn like a supermoto or a dirt bike? |
| Posted By : Smax - 7/1/2005 9:37 PM |
636ADAM said...
...rear wheel steering? is that spinning the tire thru the turn like a supermoto or a dirt bike?
Yes...or the (mostly) controlled spin you see used by the roadrace boys. Maybe I shouldn't have mentioned rws, but this isn't the 'newb' section, and some very experienced road riders will slide the rear, more in fun than actually trying to 'square' the corners off, as it's potentially very unsafe, and irresponsible as all 'ell to do in public.
Don't try this at home!! 
If I have to 'understand', please don't explain...Post Edited (Smax) : 7/2/2005 8:38:08 AM GMT |
| Posted By : louemc - 7/2/2005 8:47 AM | | Hey, Serious thanks to Cadd The Man, for scanning and posting these piccies. And I'm glad you all got to see and enjoy them, so I thank you for sharing the enjoyment with me. I just got back last night, from cutting a "project", short, I was going to just live up there, on all the best passes, putting the sleeping bag down, where I found desire-able spots to get out of sight for the night. Just one night, was all it took for the Mosquitoes (and ants), to bring me to my knees. Maybe I can re-group, and do it, later, but my own bed, is worth the trip home for the night, for now. I took a bunch of new piccies, in Yosemite, and a couple on Sonora pass. Haven't looked at them yet on the computer, but, should have something new to print up and send to Cadd The Man, in a few days. To answer a few questions 1. Yes I took the very lower plastic off (where and how I ride would break it off anyway, sometimes you have to go through the trees to get out of sight) 2. There are like 5 passes, one is like a freeway going from Sacramento California to Reno Nevada, I don't ride that one. The ones I ride are severe paths that wind through the rocks, and the trees over the mountain with no, or not much ground cutting to civilize the road. No one going somewhere uses them, in fact they don't even plow off snow. On these passes, when the snow comes, the barricades come down, and the road is closed till just a few weeks ago. Then they do snow removal, and re-open them, for the summer. (now to go look at the new piccies) And, prep the bike for the next ride. Sure wish the Z1000 bars were on, and the Metzeler Sportec M1's, this stock crap is a real handicap. ROC On |
| Posted By : RedDog - 7/2/2005 7:24 PM | Somethings in life don't change, like Lou. You will probably be the only one with that type of ZX10. You improve it your way till it 100% you. Cool. Enjoy.
BTW Sonora Pass rocks! Just came back from another 200 miles curvy plus day. 4th service done and the Gixxer runs like a dream.
RedDog
Travel Light & Leave Your Fears Behind You!
Normal People Scare me!
|
| Posted By : x2468 - 7/2/2005 7:47 PM | So lou, what do you plan on putting on the beast eventually?
Kawasaki Brute Force 750 4x4
LOOKING TO GET
SV650S (soon as possible)
Ninja ZX-6R (one of these days)
GSXR 750 (after that)
GSXR 1000/ZX-10r (in a long ass time) |
| Posted By : louemc - 7/3/2005 12:50 PM | | The beast needs horns. That would be Z1000 top triple clamp and handle bars. Beast needs new shoes, that would be Metzeler Sportec M1's. Beast needs to be controlled if it wants to shake it's head, that would be a Scotts/Ohlins rotary stabilizer (or damper). Beast needs proper load carriers for carrying camp or travel stuff. Beast needs to get the suspension set-up for me and my gear. So it will take a little while before it is what it should be. |
| Posted By : louemc - 7/3/2005 2:21 PM | Smax, glad you liked the piccies so far, brace yourself, more are coming, from Yosemite (Tioga pass hwy 120) and Monitor pass (hwy 89 I think) and Sonora pass (hwy 108). I was in a hurry on Sonora, so I'll just have to go back and do it again, and again, and again    |
| Posted By : speed demon - 7/3/2005 4:58 PM | Metzeler M1's = old sauce! Try the New Pilot Powers. They are the most confident inspiring tires I've ever tried. Good durability for street riding too. No, I don't work for Michelin!
Dam nice pics by the way. Looks like a riders paradise.
|
| Posted By : kcaid - 7/5/2005 10:39 PM |
louemc said...Yes MMMbarley, it was a great day when we got rubber tires, and then air no less, the chages came so fast we couldn't keep up . I just got back from a rip over the Sierra to Nevada and back on Ebbetts pass. The Dunlops are feeling OK, so far, won't really have anything to rate them on, until the bike is set-up, though. The bike is so ultra awesome though, it is changing how I corner. There is one corner (a right hander, when headed West), on the Eastern slope, that is so tight, and a steep climb, in the sharpest (middle) part of the corner, I have practiced that corner for years, to hold the inside line, and right on that line, under as much power as I could put down, not only for pride of skill, but, for the diablical pleasure of the chance of over-taking another bike there, and showing them how it should be done. Well today the ZX10 flicked into that corner on it's maiden voyage, and held that line on the inside edge of the road, and faster, and launched out harder. And the ZX10 accelerates in a it just keeps accelerating harder and harder, sort of way. Up until now, I've done better with two finger braking. The TLR having 6 piston calipers on both sides had the strength for one finger braking, but, I didn't have the precise pressure control, for one finger. Now, for some reason I don't know, two fingers are too much, and I'm not smooth with it, but one finger is precise and smooth, and leaves the other three fingers wrapped on the grip, and that works much better. That combined with total relax, and light as light, on the handle bars, not really steering there, but with my lower body, for lean angle. And trust, and belief, knowing you will go through the corner, with no worries, no work, counting on the bike, and staying out of screwing it up, just work the throttle, and believe. The second I doubt, I tense up, and although I still make the corner, it's not the magic of staying loose. I think I got some great piccies today, I'll print them up and send them to Cadd the Man, and he can post them here (if he has time), in maybe a week. So far, I'd expect the 1000 GIXXer to be a better choice, for most, at least on suspension. I don't expect to ever wish I hadn't chose the ZX10. Love the Looks, and the power delivery, and the handling, and Green really fits in the forest :-)
I'm just now catching up on your ZX10 post. How long have you had it? Do you like how the bike handles? My husband acquired a ZX 10R from EBAY with a Certificate of Destruction and he's just now finished it, we're taking it Laguna - MotoGP races.
Here's some images, he likes the "street fighter" look and it's turned out pretty cool.
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| Posted By : YellowDuck - 7/6/2005 6:27 AM | WOW! A Kawasaki Tuono! Watch the scared little Z1000s run and hide, whimpering.
Cool. Very very cool.
What's with the brake line routing? Looks like about 14" could be taken out of that.
I can't complain...but sometimes I still do.
Life's been good to me so far.
|
| Posted By : Dr. Bombay - 7/6/2005 10:12 AM | | Lou, let me reiterate how much I hate you. |
| Posted By : louemc - 7/6/2005 3:44 PM | | kcaid, Welcome to this site, and Major Wow on that Street fighter, I had no idea the ZX10 made such a great naked bike, I hadn't seen one done before. Any chance a photo can be posted of the triple clamp/handle bar, to show it better? I have a bunch of set-up work to do on mine, yet, and it is way off, until that happens. Even in it's "way off" mode, it can't hide how it flicks into a tight corner, somewhat like a 600 might, and, when the need for passing speed arises, it's not only a dream come true, the sound is just the best. |
| Posted By : Dr. Bombay - 7/6/2005 5:38 PM | Yes, you d*ck.
(Oh, and let me second how good the ZX looks naked. I wouldn't have believed it. Nice job by Mrs. and Mr. kcaid.) |
| Posted By : RedDog - 7/6/2005 11:23 PM | Damn, with all this marketing he should have bought a Gixxer! He's blood was blue, now green/orange! LMAO!
Hey what can I say, I was red, now blue! Enjoy you're ride Lou! Just a surprise that U went green.
RedDog
Travel Light & Leave Your Fears Behind You!
Normal People Scare me!
|
| Posted By : luiggispeed - 7/7/2005 5:16 AM | Lou,that is the most awsome bike I've seen lately!!!
That would be a wheelie machine,no dobut!!
Life its a matter of perfect internal balance...
Kawasaki KLR650
Yamaha FJR1300
Honda VTR1000 |
| Posted By : CaddmannQ - 7/7/2005 7:40 PM | | Some more beautiful photos from Lou:
1. view of the valley from Monitor Pass
2. Lou and Mean Green Machine in Yosemite
3. At the Summit of Monitor Pass
4. By the waters in Yosemite
Cadd 2004 Nomad 1500 VROC #11619 Rolling Blunder #128 |
| Posted By : CaddmannQ - 7/7/2005 7:44 PM | (Cont'd.)
5. Park entrance at the summit of Tioga Pass
6. The backside of Halfdome from Tioga.
7. A study in geology and Green from Yosemite
Cadd 2004 Nomad 1500 VROC #11619 Rolling Blunder #128 |
| Posted By : 636ADAM - 7/7/2005 8:11 PM | | Lou that pic by the water in yosimite could be a kawai promo. good choice of bikes my man! |
| Posted By : Smitty - 7/7/2005 9:06 PM | Lovely terrain I must agree & yes that green bug thing is acceptable. You were up high Lou especially the shot of "--the waters in Yosemite--".
Remember all the others on the road are crazy & out to kill you. |
| Posted By : RedDog - 7/8/2005 6:40 AM | All mighty fine pictures, especially that LOUB1 with the waterfall.
What's that green thing on the pictures?
RedDog
Travel Light & Leave Your Fears Behind You!
Normal People Scare me!
|
| Posted By : louemc - 7/8/2005 10:34 AM | | Glad you liked them, everyone. This is a major blast, tooling around, looking for photo spots, and getting more Sierra range exposure. And super huge thanks to Cadd The Man for scanning and posting them. Umm RedDog, I'll let you know as soon as I find out. I'm still getting introduced to it. I have to tidy up the load, then I will take a picture for the Kawi dealership. Some how I can't quit smiling. Good God this thing does the traffic passing, down side is the rear tire is going south like nothing before. The TLR got 2000 miles on a rear, I'm betting this thing doesn't see 1,500. I may be looking at max milage tires just to get tolerable milage. |
| Posted By : mmmbarley - 7/8/2005 10:46 AM | looks like swampthing coming out of the lake...
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| Posted By : CaddmannQ - 7/8/2005 10:51 AM | Hey, Lou,
Once again it was my pleasure, and thanks for all the nice glossies.
Regarding that shot of you by the waterfall...
Did you take a tripod? ...or did you con a tourist into taking it?
Also, was that falls up on Tioga road? I think they were all dry (or nearly) last time we went through.
Cadd
2004 Nomad 1500
VROC #11619 Rolling Blunder #128 |
| Posted By : Inspector - 7/8/2005 2:11 PM | Hey Lou, from my experience the stock Dunlops wear extremely fast. I don't think the Metzelers you plan on using will fade as quickly. For reference, I got 1900 miles from the original Dunlop rear, but when replaced with Michelins the mileage increased to 3800.
the Michelins I replaced them with were Pilot Sports. |
| Posted By : louemc - 7/8/2005 6:32 PM | | Thanks for the wear report Inspector, the Pilot Sports will be on the top of my list for the next set because of your numbers. Umm Cadd, funny thing, I was moving the bike into position, and a German girl walked up, and asked me if she could take a picture for me, with my camera. She was such a Fox, it was all I could do, to look civil, and mumble, "yes please" Yes that was high on Tioga pass |
| Posted By : CaddmannQ - 7/8/2005 6:58 PM | I thought you looked a bit excited in that picture. And here I thought it was all just the new bike. 
Cadd
2004 Nomad 1500
VROC #11619 Rolling Blunder #128 |
| Posted By : Inspector - 7/8/2005 7:05 PM | | Lou, that was a year ago and the pilot sports have been replaced by the pilot power. Acording to Michelin, the pilot powers have better life expectancy. So even better!! |
| Posted By : RedDog - 7/9/2005 6:32 AM | A lot of guys around here brags about them new Michelin Powers. I am happy with the BT014s, get good wear 2800 miles on the last rear, close to 11,000 miles on the front and they stick like glue + they are generally cheaper than other brands.
RedDog
Travel Light & Leave Your Fears Behind You!
Normal People Scare me!
|
| Posted By : louemc - 7/9/2005 10:00 AM | Yes MMMBarley, this might be the only picture that has caught "Swampthing" coming out of the lake. Apparently it had been feeding on Duc's, because there was chunks of Duc found in the Swampthing's stool, later on.  |
| Posted By : mmmbarley - 7/9/2005 1:18 PM | | lou, I've been running the pirelli diablo corsas which are showing excellent behavior, for a little extende life some around these parts have been just running the pirrelli diablos. Friends that has ridden both the powers and the diablo corsas say they are comparable with a little more tread life on the pirrellis.
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| Posted By : kcaid - 7/12/2005 8:42 PM |
louemc said...
kcaid, Welcome to this site, and Major Wow on that Street fighter, I had no idea the ZX10 made such a great naked bike, I hadn't seen one done before. Any chance a photo can be posted of the triple clamp/handle bar, to show it better? I have a bunch of set-up work to do on mine, yet, and it is way off, until that happens. Even in it's "way off" mode, it can't hide how it flicks into a tight corner, somewhat like a 600 might, and, when the need for passing speed arises, it's not only a dream come true, the sound is just the best. I'll get back to you with a pic of the triple clamp.
It's a Speigler kit for the zx10.
Comes with clamp, bars and brake lines.
I've attached an image but I'll have to do better. 
Keep the rubber side up!
KCaid |
| Posted By : louemc - 7/14/2005 10:25 AM | | Thanks for posting up what you did KCaid, nice to know there is an additional choice. I'll be tracking down, if the Dealership can come up with the Z1000, top triple clamp, and bars (which I believe interchange) today. The question that still remains on both choices, is there room in there for a Scotts/Ohlins rotary damper? I'm thinking it will require tweeking to get space under the handle bar, in either case. I'm not going to breath easy until the damper is on. The other inital item that is not easy is the suspension must be factory set for one 300 lb lard ass, or two riders that equal 300 lbs. I thought the suspension on the Suzuki TLR was totally wrong for anyone any where, as it came off the showroom floor (which it was, and the basis for the horrid test reports that killed the sales) But, the ZX10 is even worse (But in an opposite direction), So...... a lot of things have to be done. First the bars and stablizer (damper) should be done (but I don't have the parts yet to do that), and tires I know are on my side, have to go on. For the moment, I'm pecking at the suspension set-up, because it's the only thing I can work on at this time. I'll keep you posted on how things develop. I took a longish one day ride yesterday, over Ebbetts pass, to Genoa in Nevada, back into California over Kingsbury grade to Tahoe, south to Carson pass, to return home. Took some piccies that I'll print today and send to Mikimoto and CaddMann, so they will be showing up, when they have time to scann and post them. |
| Posted By : Smax - 7/15/2005 11:09 AM | | lou - I hate you, you Green Weenie (just kidding, I'm green w/envy!). Glad yer enjoying it...
According to this guy that posted the below pic, he fitted his R1 Scotts to his new zx10 w/no probs. (had to change the link), but your key must be modified - if you don't have the 'chip' key...
If I have to 'understand', please don't explain... |
| Posted By : louemc - 7/15/2005 11:47 AM | | Hey Smax, Nice piccie, at least that means Scotts has the install kit made up (I hadn't checked with them yet), I just picked up the Z1000 top triple clamp and bars, this morning to start making my conversion. The install that is pictured here, won't work without tweeks for me, since real handle bars are involved, and they are kinda close to the top triple clamp. But this is showing promise, I'll find out soon just what's happening. |
| Posted By : CaddmannQ - 7/18/2005 7:43 PM | | I'm not sure what's going to wear out first, Lou's new bike or his camera. ;-)
Here's some more beautiful shots from the High Sierras.
Either some really big trees or a teeny little miniature motorcycle, depending on your perspective.
Just over the top of Ebbett's pass.
The place to stop for a cold one in Genoa NV. The state's oldest saloon.
Beautiful interior shot of the Genoa Saloon.
Full exterior shot.
Cadd 2004 Nomad 1500 VROC #11619 Rolling Blunder #128 Post Edited (CaddmannQ) : 7/19/2005 4:03:46 AM GMT |
| Posted By : CaddmannQ - 7/18/2005 7:51 PM | | Some more beautiful shots of the Lake Tahoe area, and near Carson Pass.
Cadd
2004 Nomad 1500
VROC #11619 Rolling Blunder #128Post Edited (CaddmannQ) : 7/19/2005 4:05:27 AM GMT |
| Posted By : louemc - 7/19/2005 9:04 AM | | Thanks for getting those posted for me Cadd the Man, A cold one at Genoa is looking real good, right now. It's not safe to go outside after 10:00 AM, in the Valley and foot hills, in this heat. (air conditioned Library's work out real well though). |
| Posted By : luiggispeed - 7/19/2005 9:22 AM | nice pics!!
now thats why we have motorcycles for!!!!
keep on posting,Lou!!!
Life its a matter of perfect internal balance...
Kawasaki KLR650
Yamaha FJR1300
Honda VTR1000 |
| Posted By : louemc - 7/19/2005 9:37 AM | | Glad You liked em Luiggispeed, will do, it's my back yard, no effort finding a photo-OP, at all, for a few days, it's too hot to function though. Maybe a week from now will be back in the normal zone though. Right now, I'm using the cool temp between 6:30 and 7:30 in the morning to prep the bike for the next ride |
| Posted By : Smax - 7/19/2005 10:30 AM | lou, thanks for the great pics - nice to see attention to detail, great backgrounds, etc..
Think you could get a random road warrior to snap a pic of you in a crossed-up, smokin'
wheelie thru one'na those s-curves? More road/pavement shots, please!!
If I have to 'understand', please don't explain... |
| Posted By : louemc - 7/19/2005 10:40 AM | | I'll be trying for more pavement shots, for ya Smax. The chances of someone taking a riding piccie, is worse than the odds on the lottery though. |
| Posted By : CaddmannQ - 7/19/2005 11:48 AM |
louemc said...A cold one at Genoa is looking real good, right now. It's not safe to go outside after 10:00 AM, in the Valley and foot hills, in this heat. You're telling me?!?
I just rode 2 miles to the Port of Subs to get some lunch, and it's 100 F out there. Expected to hit 107 today.
Last night it was 106 on my back porch at 8:00 PM in the shade.
Cadd 2004 Nomad 1500 VROC #11619 Rolling Blunder #128 |
| Posted By : CaddmannQ - 8/4/2005 8:27 AM | Well, I was hoping to make it to Genoa durring this year's HSVROC rally for a Sasparilla, but never did. Just too many Sierra Passes and not enough time to ride them all.
I took lots of pictures, but none of them came out as well as Lou's.
I guess you just have to "have the eye".
That and a decent camera, both of which I lack.
Cadd
2004 Nomad 1500
VROC #11619 Rolling Blunder #128 |
| Posted By : louemc - 8/4/2005 9:41 AM | | I'm pretty sure you have the eye, but, Would it be safe to say (sure don't want to offend The Mann), the camera was good last year, this year it's sucky. In Canon and Nikon (can't speak for Olympus or Sony) the new 7 or so mega pixel slip in a small pocket camera's are needed to capture high res image at some distance like, the mountain in the background. And the colors are more saturated as well. I'm a huge fan of Canon, they have a processor in even the pocket cameras (make sure of this if you are looking at a particular model), that is vital. |
| Posted By : RedDog - 8/4/2005 7:54 PM | Take a close look at the Canon PowerShot S2 then. Up there with the Sony DSC-H1. But there's a new Panasonic Lumics 8.1MB coming ...
All these 3 have 12X non-digital zoom, lenses we dreamed about being in 35mm SLRs. They all even have an image stabilizer that sure helps when you shoot Lou coming around a corner at 10X - zoom and double plus 10.
RedDog
Travel Light & Leave Your Fears Behind You!
Normal People Scare me!
|
| Posted By : CaddmannQ - 8/5/2005 7:01 AM | Yeah, wou do pay $$ for quality cameras like that.
Perhaps I'll just stick with my $140 3.2 MP 10x Fuji and clean the lens more often.
Also I was only shooting at 1 megapixel, as I wanted room for lots of pics and even then I resize to half that before posting.
A 3.2 MP shot would be a lot better if I was going to crop it into a closeup though.
Cadd
2004 Nomad 1500
VROC #11619 Rolling Blunder #128 |
| Posted By : 1Hawk - 8/5/2005 3:09 PM | Samsung makes some awesome pocket sized digital cameras as well.
Hawk
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| Posted By : RedDog - 8/5/2005 8:15 PM | My little point with an excellent digital camera, is that when you pull that trigger, it should shoot fast. That's something I have missed in most of the digital cameras I have tried. Now, they are getting there with the power of 12X zoom. For a camera freak like me, being involved some 2 years more than my riding, I like that. SteadyShot and all.
Shooting friends standstill is fine, but in a corner, in action, getting an awesome shot, is positively different.
RedDog
Travel Light & Leave Your Fears Behind You!
Normal People Scare me!
|
| Posted By : louemc - 8/6/2005 9:29 AM | | Good to get your input on this RedDog, OT, but, I know you'll like hearing it, yesterday I bought a new computer, an HP. It's especially for imaging, has dual Intel processors kinda like the Pentium 4's, but these are called D. It will take a while to find out what I have, because frankly I don't know at this time, looks like it could be promising though. |
| Posted By : RedDog - 8/6/2005 9:34 AM | HP rocks! Congrats, Lou!
Here's an excellent (and free!) didgital magazine on line, excellent tests of cameras, very thorough:
http://www.dpreview.com/
RedDog
Travel Light & Leave Your Fears Behind You!
Normal People Scare me!
|
| Posted By : louemc - 8/15/2005 2:49 PM | | I wasn't going to post anything on the ZX10, until doing the conversion on the handlebars, and finishing the suspension set-up adjustments, but Sunday was so fantastic, I just can't keep it to myself. The weather here, just broke out of the killer heat, and got a shift to the 90's. I took off over Ebbetts pass, expecting weekenders to be a downer, but meeting serious bikers an upper. Turned out, there was no weekender traffic, I had the road clean/clear, and to myself, also felt "on", from the get-go. That combination worked to up the speeds (and remember, the bike says higher, than anything in the past), Even at the un-set-up state, this bike is a marvel of "Good God this feels so stable, and hooked up, and right", that the higher speeds in the corners (both sweepers and tighter), it is an experience, never had before. One pass made, just before finishing the ride, back at the lowest elevation, where there is traffic again, was where there was excellent visability, no on-coming traffic and a few cars out in front that were doing maybe 65 or 70. Thing was, just beyond that, the road became tight twists again, and if I didn't pass there, and get clean road in front, they would slow to 45 MPH in the tight twists, and I would be behind them. That wasn't going to happen, The ZX10, when pinned, has the most awesome passing power in the mid-to-upper, triple digits, it just had to be used. I can't (and don't want to) get over it. |
| Posted By : CaddmannQ - 8/15/2005 2:58 PM | Whoa! Triple digits on THAT road?
This is why I stick to my cruiser. I'm afraid if I buy a hot bike I'll turn into an old hooligan like you, Lou.
Hey, after about 30 days of 100+ heat (one day in the 30 got down to ONLY 99F here) it finally broke. Only 92 yesterday and in the low 80's today, and it actually RAINED! 
I rode anyway, but you better believe I rode like I was on greased wheels, because I was!
After a summer of oil leaks and Prestone at every stoplight, the road snot was incredible.
Some places I could have lit the tire up in 5th from a dead stop.
The white lines on the road were death-in-waiting.
Incredible.
Cadd
2004 Nomad 1500
VROC #11619 Rolling Blunder #128 |
| Posted By : RedDog - 8/15/2005 5:20 PM | Triple digits comes unbelievably fast on these yop gun new 1000 Sportbikes. You can pass quicker than you can say
H-o-l-y S-h-i-i-t! Imagine that.
A road that amazed several of us over there, was 168 from Big Pine to Deep Springs, hardly any traffic and plenty of curves and quick ups and downs. Pillion said it was a sweet roller coaster ride.
Lou, you make like the first image, 2 ZX10s belonging to a couple of buddies over here. The 3rd is a Ducati.
RedDog
Travel Light & Leave Your Fears Behind You!
Normal People Scare me! |
| Posted By : louemc - 8/16/2005 9:41 AM | | Like RedDog says "Triple digits come unbelieveable fast" it's just check to see if it's OK, pull the trigger, it's there, and bring it back down, all safely. Cadd, remember where I turned right, and you went on towards Sonora? The pass of the cars, I was describing, was down that road, that I take to return home. Just out of your sight from that intersection, the road goes into a long clear vision stretch, with such gentle curves, you can see continuous road for about a mile, before the road disappears into more tight corners, that continue as tight corners all the way (and in the simular way) as the corners we touched on, before turning into Pool Station road. And since you have seen those corners and the dip/weave of that road, you can see why I want that road to myself, to ride on my terms, not dictated by the slower car. Red Dog, that is a very nice looking road, I'm going to check my map. RoK On |
| Posted By : RedDog - 8/16/2005 10:14 AM | You love that 168 from Big PIne. A boring stretch to get down there, but well worth it. There was a great Mexican restaurant in Big Pine where you sit on the porch and admire your ride. Tank up cause there's nothing in there except for a cat-house (!?) but then you have wasted rubber on some boring stretches. When it flattens out some miles in there, you may turn around unless you want to check the top speed of the ZX10. You see it when you get there coming down from the mountains heading East.
We went back and forth several times. That road is so neat and little traffic. Be aware of power wheelies over some of the vertical bends in the road - the roller coasters.
RedDog
Travel Light & Leave Your Fears Behind You!
Normal People Scare me!
|
| Posted By : louemc - 8/16/2005 12:10 PM | | RedDog, still haven't checked my map, but, I'm thinking this is south (from me), down around Mammoth? Pretty cool area to visit, even the straighter area's of 395 are nice vista and well worth seeing. I could dig it, at a choice time of the year. After I switch out the handle bars, a ride that long on the clip-ons, kills me. RoK On |
| Posted By : RedDog - 8/16/2005 12:17 PM | Yep, it's South of Mammoth along that 395 - a huge downhill.
RedDog
Travel Light & Leave Your Fears Behind You!
Normal People Scare me!
|
| Posted By : louemc - 8/19/2005 10:00 AM | | Yeah Smax, now that I've gotten all the parts needed to switch out the Clip-ons, for the bars that the Z1000 has (very much a flat tracker bend, sit on one and check it out), I can't believe it myself, I don't want to tear into the job right now, because the weather is so nice, and I'm starting to fear that rain will come and say no more riding this year (where I ride). So........... I'm putting up with the Clip-ons, for now, and I guess saving that as a winter project. The initial impressions of the bike, demand that you get on the gas, that's where it feels good. If you (I), just use it normal, the bike says, "there is a huge number of bikes that will do this, and better, you want me, take me where I excell". The good news is, where I choose to ride, there is never a cop, or hardly anyone for that matter, so it is working out real well RoK On |
| Posted By : Tros - 8/19/2005 10:04 AM | Remember, lou, you get all those mods finished be sure to take a few pictures and send them to somebody so they can post the pictures for you. I'd be interested to see how the bike looks when completly finished.
 |
| Posted By : louemc - 8/19/2005 10:32 AM | | I'll do that Kanas, It's going to look stunning, as well as open up the confidence to gas it harder (which is exactly what the bike wants). The bars are Gold colored, the top triple clamp is black, the Scotts stabilizer (that in this case) will be mounted directly to the Z1000's solid bridge across the top of the handle bar risers, is Gold colored, and all this sits in the neighborhood of Kawi green, and black. And, last but not least, the way Kawi did the support for the windshild (if that tiny thing is still called a windshield) and rear view mirrors, all of that is forward of being a conflict. All the other bikes support for that area was near the rear of the windshield, and, had to be tossed out, on a conversion like this. As I was buying the bike, I told the owner of the dealership, what I would be doing. He was so enthusiastic, he just barely maintained control, turns out, he is an ex national number, flat tracker, and he said, that is exactly what that bike needs. Said one had already been done for a trade show, and the people went nuts over it. Cadd has been transfering my piccies from prints that I send him, to this thread, so thank him for the piccies here. (and if MCUSA would buy him a new scanner, to thank him for all the effort he puts into this site) |
| Posted By : Smax - 8/19/2005 11:03 PM | "...(and if MCUSA would buy him [Cadd] a new scanner, to thank him for all the effort he puts into this site)".
At least WE can thank him for his tireless work.
'Ask Motoman' is well-served as is the rest -- thanks, Cadd...
GSX-R 1100 w/quiet pipes |
| Posted By : CaddmannQ - 8/20/2005 6:47 AM | Aww, hey thanks guys. My 10 year old scanner is just fine. It's built like a tank compared to the flexi-flyer junk you see in the stores nowadays. It only does 1200 dpi (interpolated), but when you figure that most color magazines are only printed at 180 dpi, the 600 dpi I use is real overkill for web publishing.
Cadd
2004 Nomad 1500
VROC #11619 Rolling Blunder #128 |
| Posted By : louemc - 8/23/2005 10:48 AM | | Last Sunday, Getting out for the ride over Ebbetts pass, was total opposite in traffic conditions, from the Sunday before. This time everyone was out there, The trucks with Horse trailers (but they were parked and unloaded, and off to where ever they ride, when I went past their staging area's, just noting there was mega numbers of them) and on the road, one or more convoys of jeep clubs of the rock crawler set-up, and the fishing/camping interest types, and the (crosses lines of interests here) (and this is on the no center line, blind corners, no guard rails, max challenge portion), the (and this will be in the thoughts and possible words of that other driver) "I'm afraid of the drop off and the rock wall on the far side of my car/truck/SUV, so I'm not driving over there, I'm going to favor the side I can see, and the minor fact that it is the side you (in this case me), are using, is the lesser of those two evils". Any way, both the oncoming traffic, and the traffic going the same direction, leave the tiny-est, space, which means, in the few spots with enough visability ahead, so passing is possible, the space along side the Car/truck/SUV, is so slim, there is only inches between us, and I'm holding a line only inches from the side of the road. The passing power of the ZX10, has turned this hairball event into a much much lesser hairball, because of the reduced time (and distance) it is underway. What used to be a jaw clincher, is now fun. So.......... it was just an added enhancement to the ride, to be able to dispense with the obstacles along the way, so easy. Met a group of Sport bike types at Markleeville, that hail from Reno. One (about 20 years old) had a ZX10 (I'll be sending pictures to Cadd, if he has time, they could get on the thread) Anyway the kid with the ZX10 had already creamed and repaired it, seems he was just wanting to wheelie from a stop or minor speed, and the bike shot straight up in the air, came down upside down, the kid said he wasn't sure what went wrong (kids, ya gotta love em) . Also met a guy and total Fox female couple that were also from Reno, but had been out for a couple days, on his BMW, and had been to Yosemite, (Tioga Pass hwy 120), and Columbia/Sonora (Sonora pass hwy 108) and, after the meeting at Markleeville, I showed them a very cool back way to get to Genoa, where he bought me a cool one, then I turned back home, they continued to Reno. Super day, everyone out for a good time, and super nice talking to happy people, having a good time. Oh, I guess I should mention, the Total Fox had been riding with this guy for 4 years, now she wants her own bike, I suggested she sit on, and check out, the BMW 650 City Sport, then after she had bike skills built up, and wanted the bike for long tours (her original idea of a first bike), get a second bike for that. The guy was a bit miffed that I suggested she have two bikes, I told him I wouldn't be charging him for the consulting fee. He saw the humor in that. Post Edited (louemc) : 8/23/2005 7:03:12 PM GMT |
| Posted By : CaddmannQ - 8/30/2005 5:37 AM | |
Speaking of "two bikes", I see from this pic Lou sent that he's not the only Zixxer in them thar hills...
Here's a couple more shots from Lou, taken up around Sonora Pass...
Cadd 2004 Nomad 1500 VROC #11619 Rolling Blunder #128 Post Edited (CaddmannQ) : 8/30/2005 1:42:17 PM GMT |
| Posted By : RedDog - 8/30/2005 6:29 AM | Looks cool without that bottom fairing. Any sound difference?
Back in the old days, working with cafe racers as Dunstall 700 Triumph Bonneville and 900 Honda, we had these full fairings (Churchgate and Dunstalls), that could easily be separated. This way you could ride with just 1/2 fairing the top like you do. Now when we took the bottoms off (!), the valve clatter from particularly the Triumph, disappeared and made the sound from the bike so much clearer - and I said sound. The bottom parts worked just like a megaphone to my ears. I loved the streamlining and less wind resistance, but hated the added noise. It became and OFF/ON situation.
I wonder how my Gixxer looks without the bottom? Hold on now Lou, I could go there, but no hi raising handlebars! LOL!
RedDog
Travel Light & Leave Your Fears Behind You!
Normal People Scare me!
|
| Posted By : louemc - 8/30/2005 9:16 AM | | Major thanks to Cadd the Mann, for posting these. I know what your saying RedDog, about fairings reflecting engine clatter. I put a full fairing on a Triumph Bonny, (and took it off when I found out about the clatter). It sounded like a tin garbage can half full of tin cans and rocks, getting shaken, like your worst nightmare of engine sound. But to the question on sound change on the ZX10, no change that I can detect. One of the many reasons I went ZX, was the lower being removable, instead of the whole lower side being one piece. I can live with the plastic covering the radiator and plumbing. RoK ON |
| Posted By : Gription - 8/30/2005 12:49 PM | I'm digging the half fairing, can't wait to see the pics with the hi-bar. How long does a rear tire last on that monster?
Ride the bike, ride the board, ride the skis, and anything else the truns and goes fast. |
| Posted By : RedDog - 8/30/2005 12:53 PM | That monster, I dunno. But my monster between 2800 and 6000 miles (BT014 and BT020s). I am really happy with that. My riding has not changed, still 2Up and a decent pace. However, I used to average like 2000 miles on my CBR929, same place, same pace. I think the slipper clutch is a part of it. Heck, I got 1400 miles out of a D208! That sucks.
RedDog
Travel Light & Leave Your Fears Behind You!
Normal People Scare me!
|
| Posted By : Gription - 8/30/2005 1:01 PM | Wow not bad, I don't think the 10r would be any worse. I don't care much for dunflops. I hated the 207s, don't care for the 218s, nor the 208s
Ride the bike, ride the board, ride the skis, and anything else the truns and goes fast. |
| Posted By : louemc - 8/31/2005 2:47 PM | | No tire info at the moment, but a heads-up to stay tuned, I'm almost home from todays squirt over Ebbetts pass (and back), and I'm packing a few piccies on my camera that involve a big rig that didn't believe the signs about the road, got up to the first switch-back and couldn't go forward, or back, the highway patrol, and a monster size tow truck, this stuff is funny (as in un-believable), it might take a week for the piccies to get to this thread though. I'm too remote for internet, so the process is, (for those that don't know yet) I print piccies, send them to Cadd the Mann, he scans them and posts them (and remember, I'm not even back home yet). Rok ON |
| Posted By : CaddmannQ - 9/4/2005 7:00 AM | | Well, I wasn't disappointed. Here's Lou's latest photos of the debacle on Ebbett's Pass:
1. If you can read, and you've ever driven a truck, this sign should scare you. 24% is frickin' STEEP!
2. Can you imagine what this country was like before roads? You can just see the road waaaaay down there....
3. Oops! Who put dat dam tree so close to de road?
4. You can solve most problems with a big enough tow truck. Hopefully the fine was equally large.
Cadd 2004 Nomad 1500 "Baggins"
VROC #11619 Rolling Blunder #128 Post Edited (CaddmannQ) : 9/4/2005 3:04:36 PM GMT |
| Posted By : CaddmannQ - 9/4/2005 7:06 AM | Note: Click on the thumbnail of picture #2 for the beautiful high rez view of Ebbett's.
Cadd
2004 Nomad 1500 "Baggins"
VROC #11619 Rolling Blunder #128 |
| Posted By : 636ADAM - 9/5/2005 5:57 PM | | very nice shot's lou. |
| Posted By : louemc - 9/6/2005 9:20 AM | | Hi Gang, Glad to be back after this long weekend, and really really nice to see Cadd the Mann's work posting these things for me. Everything in the piccies is pretty self explanitory, except I should point out that in Image #4, the guy in the white T-shirt, is the truck driver, and he is walking, the truck is being moved by the tow truck driver, the Highway Patrol and the Tow Truck driver take over the scene, and the truck driver that caused the problem isn't allowed back in the truck, that guy in the white T-Shirt had been walking for miles at that point. And some people claim there is no God. Forgot to mention it, but I had a brief chat with the cop on scene, I said the Warning sign that said "Not advised" should of said, the road narrows and the center line ends, the switch backs are insane, and your not going to make it. When We have to rescue your ass, we are going to fine it off, so just stop right here and turn that rig around. The Cop laughed, and agreed. In this event, the cop wrote a ticket that should cost the driver $500.00, and the Tow truck charged $500.00, and, when the trucking company gets billed, it could cost the driver his job. (when we are going around blind corners, we can only hope) Post Edited (louemc) : 9/7/2005 5:44:42 PM GMT |
| Posted By : louemc - 9/30/2005 11:57 AM | | Nothing new, but for reasons I can't divulge, it's important to get this to the top of the page. Sorry for any let downs, I'll have fall color piccies, real soon, and if that is too wussie, Handle bar conversion is not far away. RoK ON |
| Posted By : CaddmannQ - 10/7/2005 8:38 AM | Lou if you've been following "The Adventures of Clueless & Lark" in Gen Chat*, you can see we've been too busy to come up and visit you. I hope to correct that within a few days, but we'll be in the car, as we're still awaiting parts from Kawasaki.
(* If not, why not? )
Cadd
2004 Nomad 1500 "Baggins"
VROC #11619 Rolling Blunder #128 |
| Posted By : louemc - 10/7/2005 9:36 AM | | Good to hear Cadd, Yesterday I did a rip over Ebbetts, the Yellows of Fall coloring, are looking very nice, no one is up above Big Trees State Park, So the sweet road to yourself thing is going on. Spent quite a lot of chat time at the Markleeville Deli/Sandwitch Shop, talking to a couple guys, one on a tricked out ZX10 (yes, there is more that can be thrown at them), and a CBR1000. Fun talking to guys that actually stay clean. The short days make a car, a good thing, I'll be looking forward to your getting here. RoK ON (PS, My rear tire is toast), Thank God, now the Power Sports go on, Yeah |
| Posted By : louemc - 10/16/2005 2:46 PM | |
OK, Sports fans, This is funny, but first, it's in California, on hwy 49, south of James Town, place called Bear Valley, What you don't see, is just to the left is a guy with a broken down, pretty new BMW RT 1150, that wouldn't start. And to add insult to injury, yesterday he had crashed near Cherry lake, and then took it to the BMW dealership and had new tires put on and everything checked out.
This is North of Bear Valley, and a study in curves (keep looking, you'll keep finding) Hint, look on the mountain side, to the right and above the lake :-)
Have you ever seen an actual corkscrew? OK, this is it, RoK ON :-)
Post Edited (louemc) : 10/16/2005 11:16:34 PM GMT |
| Posted By : Green9R - 10/16/2005 2:56 PM | Awesome looking road Lou, I could waste a set of stickies up there in a few hours!!!
|
| Posted By : louemc - 10/16/2005 3:20 PM | | Yes indeedy Green 9R, I left the remaining life of my tires up there today, The good news is, Now I can get new Pilot Powers mounted up. |
| Posted By : Smax - 10/16/2005 7:44 PM | Incredible 'roadage', lou... lloks nicely maintained, too! Is that part of your regular haunts, or a special area (as if yours ain't!)?
That's a hulleva playground. Do squids abuse the road and cause medic helicopters undue work? Some day I'll have to make it to 'your' mountains...
quiet GSX-R 1100 |
| Posted By : Smitty - 10/16/2005 9:53 PM | That road can make any rider that loves the curves & twisties to really drool. Lovely riding area Lou.
Still I have to go back to the 18 wheeler that tried to take the short route & find it impossible. Probably the lonest thing would be a B-train with finished lumber unless you want to include some of the massive low-bed trailers for hauling something massive like mining equipment & yes they are made. I worked at a shop that churned them out along with chip trailers, logging rigs, the B-trains & so much more.
Remember all the others on the road are crazy & out to kill you. |
| Posted By : louemc - 10/17/2005 10:22 AM | | Smax, this even though a relative stones throw from where I live, isn't a regular ride for me at all. The only reason I was out there, was, I have a friend with a Yami 1300 Sport-touring bike, that I've never rode with, and he wanted to get out on a Sunday (something else I don't do, I avoid the weekender influx like the plague), but, he wanted to ride with me, and, the passes where he wanted to go were crap for two days of passing storms, so I said, OK, but down on the hwy 49 level, and this portion that is empty (see the pictures say empty). It turned out to be a Max blast day, he is totally comfortable to ride with, and at the end of the day we went to his house where he (being a total computer guy because he is the owner of a leading edge, computer driven machine shop), he loaded the piccies from my camera on this forum, and we watched the MotoGP race that he had recorded on TiVo, and I wouldn't have been able to see other wise. Smitty, NO worries on others being on the roads I ride, the big rig was a one time deal (although the cops say it happens all the time, it's the only time, and that includes other big trucks and Motor homes etc. for me, in four years. Look at the pictures, the roads are empty. There are roads in my area, and over the mountains, that have steady traffic and big everything, but they aren't the roads I ride (the others don't like tight twisty's............, I do, so there is the big separation, works out pretty cool Huh? RoK ON Oh PS, I never see squids here (but that might be because I stay off the roads as a rule on the weekends), but it also is a case of squids don't want to make the trip to get here. It's really a case of serious bikers with super bikes going to the big ride in the knarley place. Hwy 49 being the lowest level mountain road, does get a huge number of Harleys, up from the flat lands, and, they do get overwhelmed with even their speed, when corners get tossed into the mix, we slowed to check out a small group of them that had one laying on the ground (which was super weird because the had already gotten through the tightest corners and then he crashed in a no challenge corner. But they had help on the way which was (we passed them coming in) two rescue units and two fire trucks, and a Calif Highway patrol car. Speaking of Helicopters, the week before, I talked to a guy on a tricked out ZX10R, and he told of a years earlier crash of his, that a helicopter came in for him and took him to Tahoe (best medics for sports injury's there), and even though it was just a broken collar bone and shattered a few ribs, the total out come of everything (lost wage's, follow up surgery's, therapy, God knows what) was $300,000.00. I didn't ask what happened, because, the conversation was going in a different direction. If I see him again I will though. He was really anal, so I'm kinda not hoping to see him again :-) Smax, if you could make it here some day (and I'm here, my home has wheels under it, so I never know), it would be a high point in my life, it would be the most awesome, to show you all the places, it would take time, but that's the thing, enjoying the time. RoS or RoK, but ON and ON :-) Post Edited (louemc) : 10/17/2005 8:00:41 PM GMT |
| Posted By : Smitty - 10/17/2005 3:46 PM | Basically I am like you Lou in leaving the Saturdays & Sundays (Sundays for sure as I run the h/gun range every Sunday of the week) plus the long week-ends to the working stiffs. Mind you once in a while I have been inside to long & suddenly can see this Saturday is going to be nice & that is when I sometimes run into the "others".
Problem is some of the roads I ride are actually to a main part like to Vancouver, Kelowna, or many of the small towns in the Koottenay areas & we only have highways for delivery--------no such think as shipping by boat or train. Also this is a big resort area & so often one runs into bloody big RVs with an SUV attatched to the rear, tack on some drivers that are frightened to scoot by the above & then you have an 18 wheeler or possibly a logging rig to a Greyhound to a low-bed trailer with big crawler-shovel, some more cages to who knows what. This can be EVERY day of the week.
A few yrs back I was headed home from a lovely ride up in the Kootenay area (Geoff's terrain) headed towards Penticton on north part of Hwy 97 so this was a no passing single line while traffic headed south had slow & passing lanes. Road is a slow 80kph--50mph though most do 90 or 100. Still this day there was something like 17 or more in front & we were crawling at 60 or 64kph--35mph & FINALLY the thing holding them up was some dim-wit on a HD or cruisier that decided to pull off to a viewing place to possibly have a smoke & we all picked up to around 90kph. When it gets to be that slow & that boring I start to notice the pain in my back, the left hip, the left ankle, both knees & my wrists!!!!!!!!!!!
I remember this late Spring I was hitting the twisties & came across some six or more chaps on probably HD bikes, but they are all beginning to look the same to my eyes, & while staggered they dominated the slow & passing lane. Not to my liking so I started to dodge around them & they did not like it. The lead rider I met at the top & he gunned his bike up to around 150kph-- 90mph & that is the pace I take these twisties at so scooted by him in 4th to then shift into 5th & 6th to get well beyond them & since this part is watched by the RCMP also being a 100kph--60mph I eased off to 115kph with the others way behind.
Remember all the others on the road are crazy & out to kill you.Post Edited (Smitty) : 10/19/2005 5:28:13 AM GMT |
| Posted By : RedDog - 10/18/2005 4:38 PM | Awesome pictures of some great MC roads! I like the contrast shot with the ZX10 and the old building.
RedDog
Travel Light & Leave Your Fears Behind You!
Normal People Scare me!
|
| Posted By : louemc - 10/18/2005 4:51 PM | | Glad ya like them RedDog, I'll be working the lower roads on the mountain, and posting more piccies of them. There is one that I've never been on, not too far away, that zig zags down a canyon wall, to a river crossing, and zig zags up the other side. It should be good (but I'll have the other handle bars on before taking that one on. RoS & Rok, On & On |
| Posted By : RedDog - 10/19/2005 10:41 AM | BTW did you get a new camera? I checked out the Lumix FC30, awesome but slightly on the bigger side for hauling on a sportbike. But lenses made by Zeiss, 12X optical zoom with steady-shot and VGA movie compatible for some quick clips with sound ...
RedDog
Travel Light & Leave Your Fears Behind You!
Normal People Scare me!
|
| Posted By : louemc - 10/19/2005 11:00 AM | | No, my camera is a Canon S70. One main feature a camera for me has to have (on top of everything else), it has to easily fit in a pocket. If it doesn't it isn't going with me. The last three piccies have a different look, because, 1. they never got home to see Photo Shop, if they had, at least the building picture would of had a staightening job on the wall corners. And 2., they are the first that didn't go through the printing and scanning a print process. My friend that did the transfer from camera to photo bucket to here, showed me the process, and this is super exciting for me. I still don't have my own internet connection, but, it could happen in the near future. I'd also be looking for a tiny hi res vidio camera that could be helmet mount (but maybe bike mount) so these corners can be seen like for real. Ros & RoK, ON & ON |
| Posted By : CaddmannQ - 10/24/2005 3:41 PM | Ahhhh...
I wondered how you got them posted up, Lou.
Yeah, camera-to-PC is much nicer than printing glossies and going through a scanner.
Cadd
2004 Nomad 1500 "Baggins"
VROC #11619 Rolling Blunder #128 |
| Posted By : Desmolicious - 10/24/2005 8:52 PM | Great pics Lou, they get better all the time. I'm looking forward to hearing your impressions on the Pilot Powers.
Børk! Børk! Børk! |
| Posted By : Smax - 10/24/2005 10:09 PM | lou: thanks again for sharing the wonderful experience of your personal playground/lifestyle (just think all those other "seniors", 65-yrs-old and tannin' thier fat asses on the Gold Coast somewhere, or just wastin' round the house, etc, etc...  )
I'm just about there myself -- few more years, and I may just put together some kinda mobile residence/garage and do my own "Lewis & Clarker" like Mac-Muz and end up - ???... and then 'there', etc...
Since the weather's gone south and the 'Zook's put-up, I just went thru this entire thread, and seeing your edit to the post a few above, I WILL make it to you playground sometime, hopefully soon. Devouring this thread the second time, while the bike's winter-stored, gives it triple-effect!! You're a lucky man, but I know you planned it this way  (just can never predict yer future health, and that's all we really have...
RoS/RoK ON and ON and ON... FOREVER!! 
PS the only time I semi-regullarly go to Cali is during the winter (NHRA World Finals/Winternat's - Pamona Fairplex), and I imagine yer passes are closed then??
quiet GSX-R 1100 |
| Posted By : louemc - 10/25/2005 9:43 AM | | Yes, The passes that are motorcycle heaven are closed when the snow flies (and this is the Sierra), and even before the snow flies, there is that crappy weather leading up to it, that says "screw this". This year, I'm going to be working the below the snow line roads, through the winter, so, there are still possibilities. But, it's also the time when it's cold and wet a lot. You could easily (in something with windows and a heater) swing North of Pomona, down on I-5 even (hurl), and get to my area, and cross over the Sierra, on leaving here, Via hwy 80, with the big rigs, and tour bus's (carry chains). But the big event is coming in early-mid-late summer, and hanging out with your new (your next bike), that is born to turn, and just ride ride ride, with me. RoS / RoK On and On...... Forever |
| Posted By : louemc - 10/25/2005 10:49 AM | | Desmo, it will be awhile, even though the Pilot powers will be going on in just a few days from now, There is quite a lot of set-up work to do on the bike (that I've not done yet because of not having the tires, or handle bar conversion, or Scotts stabilizer, in place yet) to proceed with the process. So...... all of this can proceed real soon, and after the suspension set-up, work-out, I should have a very complete impression of the tires, in a very wide, public road, set of circumstances, to report on. (I'm expecting total Woo freakin Woo, language here) |
| Posted By : Gription - 11/4/2005 3:04 PM | lou I think I'm might have to come ride with you some time. I live In western NC and we pride ourselves on some serious roads, but wow. I look at your pics all the time and show them to my bike friends. What is the nearet town to you. I want to see how long it would take me to get there. Ha ha, I wish I had the time. but keep those pics flowing man
Ride the bike, ride the board, ride the skis, and anything else the truns and goes fast. |
| Posted By : louemc - 11/4/2005 3:31 PM | | Closest town is Angels Camp, Gription88, That's in the foothills, on the Western flank of the Nevada Sierra (in California), about equal to San Francisco - Stockton, in North south division of California. The passes I ride are closed during the winter, and open and best from Early summer through early fall. So get a real good workout in NC, you'll be glad you did, when you get here, and when you come, plan on spending some major time, you wouldn't want to leave something un-done (like un-used rubber left on your tires). |
| Posted By : Gription - 11/4/2005 6:08 PM | What an adventure. I don't know If I will make that far, but I think I need a big motorcycle trip this summer.
Boone NC to Angels Camp CA
Total Est. Time: 39 hours, 4 minutes Total Est. Distance: 2613.43 miles
Ride the bike, ride the board, ride the skis, and anything else the truns and goes fast. |
| Posted By : Gription - 11/4/2005 6:18 PM | I don't have any pics of me on the bike, but here are some of the area.
Ride the bike, ride the board, ride the skis, and anything else the truns and goes fast. |
| Posted By : louemc - 11/24/2005 1:12 PM | Heres the sneak pre-view of the Z1000 handle bars mounted on the ZX10
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| Posted By : Gription - 11/24/2005 8:27 PM | You have the coolest bike in the world
Ride the bike, ride the board, ride the skis, and anything else the truns and goes fast. |
| Posted By : louemc - 11/25/2005 1:13 PM | | Thank You Gription88, It's been a life long disease, that has a fever with it. It's been getting progressively worse, and that's been real good. RoK ON |
| Posted By : Smax - 11/25/2005 6:25 PM | Gription88 said...
You have the coolest bike in the world
It's sure gettin' there!
Loue, how 'bout a little longer shot to give an overall?? The Scotts looks like it was made fer the '10'...
You will have onenna tha sharpest non-blinging 10's out ther, dood...
Now, if I could just get you thinkin' right and fit an extended swingarm and maybe a bottle of nitrous...
The gold offsets the green very nicely. Keep on RoKkin'...
quiet GSX-R 1100 |
| Posted By : RedDog - 11/26/2005 7:55 AM | Sweet! SO now the ZX10LOU version is on the road and showing us clip-on/low bar riders how to back a sportbike into the corners, ehe? OK maybe in the Spring when the mountains clears up.
RedDog
Travel Light & Leave Your Fears Behind You!
Normal People Scare me!
|
| Posted By : louemc - 11/26/2005 11:33 AM | | Thanks guys, I'll be getting it out, pretty soon, a longer front brake hose and bleed, is still needed. It's too exciting to leave parked. The lower elevation roads near home are going to get some attention. When that happens, I'll take some overall shots. RoK On |
| Posted By : Smitty - 11/26/2005 11:01 PM | If I did not know you better I would be thinking you bought the bike more for the colours. LOL
Agree that shot is ideal in the set-up of the Scotts steering head stabalizer & the set-up of he sensibly raised raise handlebars.
Remember all the others on the road are crazy & out to kill you. |
| Posted By : speed demon - 11/27/2005 11:38 AM | Nice looking set up on the bike louemc. I'm looking forward to some more pics. So you don't have any
clearance problems with the handle bars hitting the upper fairing?
I just saw your recent pics of those mountain roads. Looks like pure heaven! I really need to come out that way and rack up some miles. Do you know of any place around there where I can rent a decent sportbike?
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| Posted By : louemc - 11/29/2005 10:45 AM | | Ummm, Speed demon, I haven't looked into rentals, so I don't know if they even exist on sport bikes. The rentals I do hear about are like Harley cruiser's. If you do find out about someone that rents Sort bikes, Look into large Super Motard as well. Given the length of the rides, and the knarly-ness of the blind corners etc., the sport bikes are right for the lighter more serious features (suspension/wheels/tires/brakes) but, fall short on control features of ergonomics that the flat trackers/motocrossers have their ergonomics for. Small Sport bikes like 600's don't work in the short visual, it takes the bottom end of the large (1000's), but the large (1000's) are suffering from two large, in the flick zone. It's a tough bill to fill. Any chance of trailering your set-up bike of choice to this area? It looks like the bars are going to clear the fairing (I'm surprised, as anyone on that) but, are too close to the gas tank at full lock, so I'll be adding a little material at the fork stops, just a tiny amount is needed. I have several projects going. One is the shop and the living area of the motorhome I live in, and another is things I do to the property I live on, and, finishing up the ZX10, so I can get it out and finish up the Suspension set up, with the new tires (Pilot Powers), and bars, and end up with the bike I pictured in my mind when I picked it as the next bike. Ummm, Smitty, as silly as it sounds on the surface, actually the color and styling was part of the reason for chosing it, over the Suzuki 1000GSXR. Since all the super bikes, are so super, one gets reduced to picking by color. Which is way different than, say, not knowing anything about features, and what that means, and just picking by something as meaningless as color. Gotta say, I envy the ones going out and buying the 06 Yamaha FZ1, by all indications this will be the first serious street ergos bike with all serious features from the R1. (mine will have the fastest color though) RoK ON |
| Posted By : speed demon - 11/29/2005 11:56 AM | That's kinda what I figured. I know a Harley won't work for the kind of riding I want to do. I do have a trailer, so it would be best just to suck it up and make the 35+ hour drive out there. I know I'd have more fun on my bike anyway. We'll see. I've never been to Cali, and I want to do some riding out there really bad. Driving long distance for a few days of riding is nothing new to me, so I might just make the trip out there next summer.
I'm sure that FZ1 will be a sweet bike, but I'd take your ZX10 over it anyday. I think you're going to like those pilot powers too.
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| Posted By : CaddmannQ - 11/29/2005 12:05 PM | Looks like a great setup so far Lou. Are those bars gold-anodized aluminum?
Cadd
2004 Nomad 1500 "Baggins"
VROC #11619 Rolling Blunder #128 |
| Posted By : speed demon - 11/29/2005 12:39 PM | | Thanks Smax. That's what I'm talking about! As much as I'd like to ride my own bike out there, it would be sooooo much easier just to fly out there, pick up a bike for about a week, then fly home. It'd probably be cheaper too when you factor in all the gas and hotel money it would take.
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| Posted By : Smitty - 11/29/2005 12:53 PM | | Late in '73 I had my first set of Renthal bars sent over for Observed Trials & by early '74 it was a set with 5.5" raise, my liking. Still no one heard of Renthal till Mick Andrews & wife came over in '74 to put on some demo Observed Trials riding with a few two day schools in some Provincs & larger cities. THAT is when all the young riders talked about these golden coloured bars,(turned out they were Renthal bars) levers & grips his wife was carrying for the shop bike he would use at each area. Mine were the old alloy appearance & lacking that gold touch.
Besides purchasing more I also purchased the Renthal flat bars for cafe racers.
Still the jokke was on me, for they said to dump the bars after one season of competition for the spring we received from them was actually a matter of metal fatigue. So there I was with a set on 3-4 year old Renthal bars, when I was looking at this piece as an interesting possible section which would require one to have a flight in the air, bike turned, in the air, as one dropped down this gully to land on a ledge, brake, hold the bike & then roll off to more gully crap to make it a challenge.
Okay so I am waking up, wondering why I felt like I had been punched in the gut & where was the Bultao. Ah yes farther down though I noted the left handlebar had broken right off at the handlebar mount. So they were right about this possible "metal fagigue". Mind you a bit of a feat riding the bike out of the gully & home with left hand up in the air for clutch movement though only the right controlling the steering of the bike AND lots of rough stuff to get onto a dirt road!!!!!!
Remember all the others on the road are crazy & out to kill you. |
| Posted By : louemc - 11/29/2005 1:13 PM | | Yes Cadd My Man, They are Gold anodized Aluminum and that is the stock bars and top triple clamp from the Z1000 (then an insane amount of fitting, by yours truely, to make the marrage). And Yes Smitty, the early days of the Aluminum bars, were a failure. Given the bars were used in the most exteme riding, and.... not enough engineering of stresses and materials had been done. So......... the Renthal's got a cross brace, and then, Pro-Tapers came along with a fattie center area and no cross brace. In Desert racing the Pro-Taper's were my bar of choice, they had a way of taking the sting out of the hammering impacts. These bars on my conversion, from the Z1000, have the sweet bend of the flat tracker, just sitting on the bike, makes my lower body want to get on with the pushing the bike around, and my butt isn't going to be denied the pleasure, much longer. RoK ON Oh, absolutely Speed demon, I wouldn't trade the edgey edge the ZX10 has for anything. The 06 FZ1 just promises to be something that a person can walk into a dealership and buy. The truely sick (I don't have to name names) have to build their own. On one hand I'm thankfull I can, On the other hand, I wish I didn't have to. On the third hand I'm so thankfull to live where this riding is, it takes the other pains away. When you come this way, in the nice months, I'll do what I can to make it easiest for you, when your here. Post Edited (louemc) : 11/29/2005 9:23:27 PM GMT |
| Posted By : CaddmannQ - 11/29/2005 1:17 PM | I'd like to hear about the insane fitting, Lou.
In excrutiating detail, if you have the patience to type it all out.
Cadd
2004 Nomad 1500 "Baggins"
VROC #11619 Rolling Blunder #128 |
| Posted By : louemc - 11/29/2005 1:55 PM | | Ummm, Word Smithing, not being a strong suit of mine, I can't get the picure of words in my mind, to get started. Would it help if I say, it's a process of finding the problem area, that keeps unfolding, as the fit progresses? First the ignition switch and its holder. Now how hard could that be? (as Mr T would say "I pitty the poor fool"). Then, the underside of the Z1000 top triple clamp, is no where at all like the underside of the 10's top triple clamp, so a hand grinder is put to work removing and removing and removing and removing, as the Z1000's clamp keeps having room to drop down where it has to go, for the stearing stems nut to get to where it has to go, and the forks swing from lock to lock, without interference. Then, the small matter of the Scotts stabilizer doesn't have room to be where Scotts would mount it (not enough room under the handle bars). Fortunately, the Z1000's handle bar clamp, has a solid bridge, from one side to the other, so..... with measuring, that bridge can be drilled and taped for the machine screws that mount the damper body. Those screws going through the bridge, also go into the handle bar it's self, so you have to have them where you want them, for sure at that point, because they become, non-adjustable, from that point on. One more biggie, the bar mounts, on the Z1000, extending under-neath, the triple clamp, are way beyond too far down, and run into the frame's steering head, So....... The retaining nut's are run on where they are supposed to be (and at that point, you have to have the bars in the clamps) then drill and pin the underside of that assembly, so the pins are doing the holding now, and the hand grinder comes out again for brutal carnage of bottom stuff removal. When everything is going together for it's going to stay here time, the Scotts damper body doesn't sit flat, until you take a file to the back side of the bridge it is sitting on. Filing out the needed notches, also locates the damper body in a can't twist and/or turn place. From now on, to remove the bars, there will be screws attaching the bars and the top of the bar clamp together, they are married, and must stay married. How was that? And why does the bars have to come off? That has to happen to put the steering stem nut on or off. Post Edited (louemc) : 11/29/2005 9:58:43 PM GMT |
| Posted By : CaddmannQ - 11/29/2005 2:03 PM | I do get the picture.
"Pity the fool" is right!
Cadd
2004 Nomad 1500 "Baggins"
VROC #11619 Rolling Blunder #128 |
| Posted By : louemc - 11/29/2005 2:17 PM | | It's not something I'd recommend, for anyone else to do. In my case, once it starts, there is no turning back, it's easier to continue, no matter how grim. Then there is the pleasure/pride of knowing it's one of a kind (or at least have serious doubts about seeing another). There is a conversion out there from Germany that would be better for anyone else I think. |
| Posted By : Smax - 11/29/2005 10:13 PM | Damn, lou -- can I buy a paragraph??
Renthal claims to sell StreetFighter bars for cheap ($69), but I see no mantion of hdw. to fit 'em...
streetfighters-usa.com/store/renthal_streetfighter_bar.html
louemc said...
The truely sick (I don't have to name names) have to build their own. On one hand I'm
thankfull I can, On the other hand, I wish I didn't have to.
How true, but that thought process seems to be going away, especially so w/the intro of the Harley dragbike.
That to me is senseless... I'd have no pride or sense of accomplishment buying a ready-made bike of any kind.
And lou, your 'wordsmanship' works just fine f/me (re: inflatable doll/BossHoss in another thread...).
RoM ON!
quiet GSX-R 1100 |
| Posted By : louemc - 11/30/2005 10:29 AM | | How right SmaX, buying a drag bike just like everyone elses that bought the same one, what a hoot. I looked at the handle bar link, and I don't get it, either. They would have to have risers for every application, or they have nothing. The whole street fighter scene is taking a race replica sport bike, (that is always clip-on starting point), and, converting that (I know, this isn't a news flash), so............ Renthal can have a bend that is prefered, but unless they have the whole package, who would want just bars, because.............. if they had made the conversion they already had it done. Oh, back to the Harley, a package drag bike is like the Sportster model they call Custom. Every freakin one is a custom, a model with the same "Custom features" Wow, that is so................... Custom. |
| Posted By : Smax - 12/2/2005 12:34 PM | Hey loue, and the other 1 or 2 who care:
AMA/Prostar World Finals, This Weekend on SPEED
17th Annual Diamond PowerSports World Finals from Gainesville, Florida.
The original one-hour show will air on the SPEED TV, Sunday, December 4th at 3:00pm ET
To be repeated about 3 times; I'll post those times if anyone axxes...
Do catch this pgm - only the second ever TFmc to ever eclipse the 5-sec zone...
quiet GSX-R 1100 |
| Posted By : louemc - 12/2/2005 12:55 PM | | Thanks Smax, I'll tune it in (just got new TV and DVD recorder, but don't have the recorder functioning yet). I did a post to you about the Salt flats, did you see it? ( I should of PM'd you, but took a chance the other way) RoS ON Rocket Man |
| Posted By : Smitty - 12/2/2005 2:45 PM | |
Unfortunately I scratched the idea of paying the exta for rarely seeing any m/c comp. Oh well I will read it on the /net or possibly in a m/cmag.
By the way when Speed dumped the Paris to Dakar that was the LAST straw for others & myself for we do not support or are frantic for NASCAR crap, though it is the big money for Speed.
Remember all the others on the road are crazy & out to kill you. |
| Posted By : Smax - 12/2/2005 9:20 PM | You're right about SPEED, Smitty. I pay about $30 extra to the Cable Barons just to get SPEED...
nothing else on the added (required) tier is worth seeing...
Don't know if you subscribe to OutDoorLife Network, Smitty, but that's where Paris/Dakar went...
PS: Smitty, OUtDoorLife also shows mucho off-road MC racing, Hare & Hound, etc, etc, both \
foreign and domsetic...
quiet GSX-R 1100 |
| Posted By : louemc - 12/3/2005 11:37 AM | | Oh, I should of mentioned it before, Smax, Without your heads-up on this, I wouldn't have seen it, because I don't check the Speed channel much, since MotoGP is over for the season. Anything that's coming that is Pro level Two wheels Competition (I'm a sucker for Flying Off Road bikes) I'm eager to see. The DVD recorder/player is in communication with the TV now, Lordy there is a lot of wires back there |
| Posted By : Smax - 12/7/2005 12:26 PM | In the opening segment of the ProStar dragrace, they showed Chris Hand seperating from his TopFueler at 220mph+ and "he walked away" w/only scratches...
It would have been good if they did a segment concerning the Vanson leathers which saved his hide.
Also the announcer (Prostar's head honcho) mentioned the fabled "magic moment", a combination of e.t. and speed at which the rider will be blown off the motorcycle... hmmm...
quiet GSX-R 1100 |
| Posted By : msuguitarman - 12/8/2005 1:24 AM | | Here's a pic of the 06 Kawasaki at the Nagoya, Japan motor show. Well, be it in Japan, there has to be a hot Japanese model sitting on it.
Post Edited By Moderator (CaddmannQ) : 1/4/2006 12:29:35 AM GMT |
| Posted By : louemc - 12/10/2005 10:46 AM | | The changes made for 06, have really upset the ZX10 faithful, at least the exhaust system, is total thumbs down, a lot don't like the changes to the fairing either. What was done to the chassis and engine, remain to be found out, whether it's noticeable as a plus for the street or only something that works on the track. The jury is still out on this one. |
| Posted By : louemc - 12/10/2005 11:52 AM | | Man, Peg pipes would be so trick, be still my racing heart |
| Posted By : speed demon - 12/10/2005 12:58 PM | Yeah, you did good buying your ZX10 when you did lou. I think the 04 05 model looks a lot better then this new one.
And the first generation was such a capable bike, I really doubt this new one will be leaps and bounds better then the old one.
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| Posted By : louemc - 12/10/2005 1:17 PM | | Yeah, Speed demon, I'm giddy on this one. It's real switch from the usual the next one out is so hot, that the last one that you just got, seems lame now, experience. And I gave the 05 a good workout on the roads I ride, and trust me, it doesn't have a this could be better feeling anywhere (for me on my roads). Nothing has been this exciting in the past, as a tool of easy flick, and sweet Jesus power. Now wheres the weather? |
| Posted By : Smax - 12/13/2005 12:18 PM | lou, "The Motocross Files", a SPEED TV show highlighting past motocross stars and the
growth of the sport, is on today from 2:30pm-3pm (ET), to be reped at 10:30pm tonight
and again tomorrow morn. @ 10:30am. Today Roger DeCoster is featured.
Don't know how long the 'run' is, but it should abe back next week...
quiet GSX-R 1100 |
| Posted By : louemc - 12/13/2005 12:38 PM | | Wow Smax, Thanks for the Heads up (again), I'll be able to catch and record it. Whatever these guys have to say, is like Gold, at any stage of how things were done. And I want it as a record of how the champion racer thinks. |
| Posted By : Smax - 12/13/2005 9:37 PM | No prob, champ... I've also been soaking up the pro's knowlege from this new show, even though I'm not that interested in the off-road scene (two-stroke NOISE is just that, to me ...).
Last week "Motocross Files" was particularly interesting, as the American rider showcased (don't recall who) went on the world tour (his first trip outta the country) and the culture shock he experienced was huge... the Euro spectators going so far as interfering w/his race as he was soundly kickin' their boy's asses. (Might'a been Smith, or someone??... Brad Lackey was another racer showcased).
It's really beneficial to get inside their heads (where's that dogged determination coming from, their learning modes, etc, etc...).
Back to the your 'road inhalin' blast blog'... I sat on an '05 zx10 and found it fairly cramped in the leg-department (I'm 6'+). Have you found a need for peg repositioning?
Have you absolutely decided on the Pilots? I'm reading more and more about the newest, super-sticky, 'bestest yet', blah blah tires, and am confused...
I'm enjoying vicariously 'building' your bike along with you, on your dime...
Pics as you progress, please...
quiet GSX-R 1100 |
| Posted By : louemc - 12/14/2005 12:14 PM | | I caught, and recorded last nights sement, featuring Rodger Decoster, and, really liked the film footage from his early days on the track, and the generally fleshing out, that period of MX racing that we as Americans, weren't getting much info on. Especially how it came about that a small group of 8 of them, came to America to put on a demo, and race for us. What knocked me over was, a guy telling about it, said they came to Ascot (a flat track in Gardena California), and then to Oregonville. What? I played it again, Sounded like he said Oregonville, played it again at higher volume, he said Oregonville. It wasn't Oregonville (pretty sure there isn't any Oregonville), where they came to was McMinnville Oregon. I was there, and I saw it. At that time, the only one of them I had heard of, was Thorson Halman, racing for Husky, and, what I had heard was he was a young Engineer for Husky, that did the racing as an outside interest at first, and did so well, he was supported by the factory. As an Engineer, he was super perceptive of what was needed for control, and how to get it. How to sit, how to shift weight, and why. He wrote some tutorial articles that showed up in magazines, and did a book (I think). This was at a time when as an American, MotoCross was a total mystery. As a trail rider on a Triumph 500, trimmed to the minimum weight, converted from street bike, with knobbie tires and lower gearing at the sprockets, I was still on a 315 pound bike that had totally over whelmed suspension, (OK on the pavement it was designed for, stupid bad on the knarly dirt), and with no guidance at the time, just being on the knarley dirt, was a how do you do this? Just going was a challenge (not always won, but pick it up and keep having fun), some times way more go than wanted, and looking for whoa, like steep down hills, how do these Euro guys do this? How do you go fast when all you can see to do is, drag every anchor, you have to try not to just get farther and farther out of control, and how hard are you going to crash at the bottom anyway? Thorson, explaned how you have to get your mind right, first, when you fight it, you'll never understand the force. (but I digress) When they came to McMinnville, and a track was just a layed out with ribbon course on a field with terrain, and they did something that was like seeing a UFO. You saw it, but you couldn't believe you had seen it. And the sound was totally unlike anything heard before. They rode (where I was watching from), at full throttle, held wide open, no change of throttle. It was a sound more like a jet fighter, than a motorcycle, and they were fast, this section was flat and straight, and given the wet Oregon dirt, it formed into ruts, Parallel (like 20) long (like one and a half city blocks long), straight deep ruts, and they shot through them like there was no rut, faster than I'd ever seen a dirt bike move. (OK we had flat trackers on the mile oval, but that's different). So what was going on in Europe, with MotoCross, and trials, was very much like, beyond comprehension (trials still is, for me). On the tires, on the 10, Smax, I have the Pilot Powers mounted on the bike, I haven't used the bike, since getting the new tires. Everything I've read says (this is hard to define, but I've read a lot of reports) that the Pilots are at this time #1 for serious street. Dunlop reports said "new king on the throne" at first, but, then some reports said very serious wear patterns on the front tire, and sorry wear overall, for a street tire. Bridgestone gets very high, but as far as I can tell not higher, reports than the Pilots. It will take me quite a while to check my own opinion out. Post Edited (louemc) : 12/14/2005 9:48:54 PM GMT |
| Posted By : louemc - 12/22/2005 2:54 PM | | Another rumor (it's just in the concept and mental picture stage right now) of the next preview of next item of change, is a toss out the passenger seat, that won't ever see a passengers butt, and use the seat base as support for a platform of a rear bag, that a custom bag maker will make for me. The bag will taper to the rear, like a tail piece should, it will attach with the seat hardware, it will accommodate the license plate on the rear and the turn signals on the fatter front end, the electrics will plug in and out with the metal pins that locate and lock the seat base. The taper on the sides will match the taper of the plastic tail and the whole underside will be cleaned of the license plate/turn signal stuff. The bag will be stash space for day trip things like sweat shirt, heavier than light gloves, maps, water bottle. The under platform space will hold real tools, what comes with the bike are totally useless. The bag will support when needed, another custom bag for some (the lightest stuff like Thermal rest sleeping pad and down sleeping bag) The other heavier camping gear will be mounted lower on the bike. What this will end up being is the highest performance sport-touring bike, on the planet at this time. Not neutered from serious like the turn key sport-touring bikes that anyone can just walk in and buy. RoK ON :-) Post Edited (louemc) : 12/22/2005 10:59:52 PM GMT |
| Posted By : Smax - 12/22/2005 10:40 PM | www.2wf.com/articles/bike_tests/4C46DD6C-E1B2-4DA5-B059-5D95344D7238.asp
Above's a pic and story of a cbr1000rr's transition into the real world. Someone's come up with a term for people (like us) who can't leave a bike stock: OCD... Obsessive, Compulsive, Disassembler.
Pretty good read... check out the lovely triple-clamps. You may get some ideas. I like the way this guy thinks...
PS: Don't know what direction I'm currently thinkin' re the new cycle... But I've got time, and the choices are SO overwhelming (gotta see what the '14''s all about, weightwise, etc). I just may end up doing what the OCD-guy above has done (now, if Triumph would just wrap a good-lookin' frame around the Speed Triple, the choices would be narrowed considerably...) Cheers, and happy newyear...
(I shrank your photo just a tad to help with the scrolling issue...Cadd.)
Post Edited By Moderator (CaddmannQ) : 1/4/2006 12:37:27 AM GMT |
| Posted By : louemc - 12/27/2005 12:06 PM | | Extremely excellent, Smax, OCD seems so normal, I can't understand why everyone doesn't have this fever. Christmas was fantastic, I located the custom bag maker, made a cardboard model of the tail bag needed for the 10, that is shaped and tapered to fit the bike, and take a second bag addition (zipper connection) that houses the Therma-Rest sleeping pad and the sleeping bag, and dome tent, for the camping trips. The bag maker has a real following in the BMW and world travelers circles. I pointed out to them, their bags would be on the highest performance sport-touring bike at the moment, on the planet. They are out-doing themselves on this, and should have it done in a week. I'm so exited, I can't sleep at night (so far anyway). Some time in the future, I'm going to look into switching out my muffler, for Suzuki's peg pipe, set-up, to clean that whole area, for saddle bags. That's a way off, but a thought. With luck, your to be next bike, will bring you to the west of the continental divide, with an open time frame, and we canget together for some scenic ground covering, and, it would be a real plus to catch the salt flats action at the same time. |
| Posted By : Desmolicious - 12/30/2005 11:34 AM | Loue, I think that you've read this article judging from your comments. In the latest issue of Sport Rider they test the latest street bike sport tires. The new Dunlop Qualifier (an interesting choice of names since my old old Wing 1200 ran Dunlop Qualifier K491s) was rated as "best" just over the Michelin Power. But the Power showed negligible wear over their street course (I think it was just over 100 miles) while the Dunlop showed significant wear.
On a different note, I don't know how the new ZX10 can handle better than your edition as the Kawi blurb stated that they raised the engine in the frame, and along with the new high exhausts that's going to raise the center of gravity of the entire bike. Companies like Suzuki and Yam are now doing the opposite, trying to get the weight as low as possible a la Buell. Of course for the 10, changes in frame/suspension geometries also have an effect, how much will be seen
Børk! Børk! Børk! |
| Posted By : RedDog - 12/30/2005 11:42 AM | Sidepoint: We need a moderator to decrease the images that makes this thread hard to read - I don't have widescreen on this PC ...
Interesting with them new Dunlops. Down here, if you love changing tires a lot, go for Dunlops (on sportbikes).
The new CBR1000RR comes with BT015. I wonder how them stack up to the new flow of tires.
RedDog
Travel Light & Leave Your Fears Behind You!
Normal People Scare me!
|
| Posted By : Smax - 1/1/2006 5:12 PM | RedDog said...
Sidepoint: We need a moderator to decrease the images that makes this thread hard to read - I don't have widescreen on this PC ....
Agree.. I have the same problem (Screen not wide enuff, causing 'scroll'). Are there instructions on this forum for re-sizing pics? I've already foudnthe "tinyurl.com" fix for lenghty urls, and am wiling to re-size offending and future pics -- just need to know how... Cadd?? Thanks...
quiet GSX-R 1100 |
| Posted By : RedDog - 1/1/2006 5:15 PM | The mod has to force decreased resolution of already posted picture. That Japanese lady is awesome so download her in her beauty and
sharpness before resolution turns less .... Oh there was a bike there too ...
RedDog
Travel Light & Leave Your Fears Behind You!
Normal People Scare me!
|
| Posted By : louemc - 1/3/2006 10:25 AM | | Yeah, this scrolling, sucks. Granted it's a test of short term memory to remember what was at the other end of the page, but really, I could do without it. and yeah, Desmo, when wear is even noticed at 100 miles, that's something else I won't have on my bike. Good grief, my day ride is over 100 miles, minimum. Thing is, not only wear being how long the tire will be there, but the profile you start out with (as a new tire), is where the bike handles best, and, the handling goes south real fast, as that profile changes. What a bunch of journalists rate a tire as, after 100 miles, doesn't mean diddily to the real world. |
| Posted By : Desmolicious - 1/3/2006 1:56 PM | Where I will give SportRider credit is the fact that they did mention that the tire was "significantly worn" (their words) after one 180 mile street loop. Prospective buyers have been warned... Me, I like tires that will last more than 1K miles of street riding! My usual ride loop is about 200 miles minimum. Often I'll ride 400 miles of twisties in a day.
Børk! Børk! Børk! |
| Posted By : louemc - 1/3/2006 2:36 PM | | Oh, about that 06 10, and these hype releases, on geometry and weight shifts. This will be the most interesting thing yet. When they claim higher weight as a plus, and for dropping into corners, it is totally opposite of being what we have always considered to be true. Higher weight is harder to control the dropping and lifting. Either the laws of physics just took a new direction, or BS and how that is accepted by faithful (gullible) followers took a new turn, or Kawasaki will have some serious egg on their face, real soon. |
| Posted By : CaddmannQ - 1/3/2006 4:25 PM | Hey, it's a balancing act. Not weight alone makes a bike "drop" faster or slower--with less or more control--but how that weight interacts with all the rest of the geometry, tractability, CG, etc.
Think about the times when you've lightened a bike and found that handling got twitchier instead of more controlable, unitl you corrected something (or a host of things) in the chassis geometry. (I know you must have had this happen at least once. It's happened to me.) Weight is just a part of the overall system.
Anybody that tells you that doing "x" to a bike produces "y" is typically speaking generalities (ie. losing weight improves handling); but sometimes (this case for instance) they speak of a very particular situation only. That doesn't mean that it's the ideal situation, but just possibly that shifting or adding weight to this particular machine was more economical at improving handling than reducing weight and revamping the rest of the geometry, suspension, etc.
That doesn't mean it was the best solution: just one that provided some improvement at low cost.
Cadd
2004 Nomad 1500 "Baggins"
VROC #11619 Rolling Blunder #128 |
| Posted By : CaddmannQ - 1/3/2006 4:31 PM |
louemc said... this scrolling, sucks.... Caddmann to the rescue!
I fixed the scrolling problem by stacking the pics.
When linking images, folks, always remember to put a space & a return (enter) between them so they don't stack sideways.
Cadd 2004 Nomad 1500 "Baggins"
VROC #11619 Rolling Blunder #128 |
| Posted By : Smax - 1/4/2006 3:00 AM | lou, re the salt falts: www.dragracingonline.com/pavement/vii_11-1.html
I'll dig up part 1 if you'd like, and pt. 3 when it's posted...
Cadd: thanks for the mod, mod.
quiet GSX-R 1100Post Edited (Smax) : 1/4/2006 11:10:41 AM GMT |
| Posted By : louemc - 1/4/2006 11:42 AM | | The jet powered streamliners are a good read, Smax. I really dig the efforts of the speed junkies. Thanks for bringing the page back to size Cadd My Mann. On the 06 ZX10, raised center of gravity or roll center or however they are talking, I'm sticking with, I'm not buying it. There is no way I can talk chassis geometry, in it's complete interaction, so I'm reduced to over simplification, and at that, raising the weight, translates to less agile, in the cornering balancing of forces. What will be found with their new package on the track, and on the street, will be two different things. I'll give them the benefit of the doubt, that they may have a plus on the track (but that remains to be confirmed by the racers). I can't conceive of this transfering to the street challenge though (if it exists at all). We just have to wait on this one. Post Edited (louemc) : 1/4/2006 7:56:15 PM GMT |
| Posted By : louemc - 1/26/2006 1:37 PM | | Not sure if I can do a picture, that is worth looking at, because Black is a bitch with film and lost cause with digital. But, the news is, the bag lady finished my bags for the 10, today, and finishing off the prep for a road trip is job 1 now. Death Valley and all the south west desert is calling my name. Show time, of everything in blossom in the fresh desert after the winter rains, is very very near. If I can do a piccie of the bags that carry sleeping bag/sleeping pad/dome tent, and stuff stuff, in a form that is aerodynamic/trim/tapered, I'll have it posted here, maybe Sunday. RoK ON |
| Posted By : MoToRmOnKeY R6 - 1/26/2006 5:26 PM | I've Never really like the 10R? I dont know its just the styling? I guess.... if I was to get a leiter bike I'd get a R1 or an K 1200 S BMW 0-60 2.8 seconds :) a vroom vroom
-Grant
Yup thats me on my old bike. Can u belive that I cracked the frame in 5 different placed because i slamed into a tree at 25 mph? It wasnt built ford tuff |
| Posted By : RedDog - 1/26/2006 11:37 PM | We're waiting for them pictures of your creation, Lou ....
RedDog
Travel Light & Leave Your Fears Behind You!
Normal People Scare me!
|
| Posted By : louemc - 1/27/2006 11:17 AM | | MotorDude, Perfectly all right, I'm not going to throw rocks at the R1, and the BMW? Oh well, just like you can't warm up to the 10, I can't warm up to the BMW. Actually I hope you do well in school, get a seriously high paying future (it takes one in the highest cost living area of the USA that you live in) and one of your down the line bikes is the 06 FZ1, being a virtual , R1 in street attire. RedDog, I'll see if I can do a picture (I don't have high hopes though) today or tomorrow, and while at my Computer guru friend in Sonora's house Sunday, get it (or them) posted here. RoK RoS'in in America |
| Posted By : Smitty - 1/27/2006 8:48 PM | |
Know your problems when it comes to BLACK Lou. I shot 35mm B&W from '47 till I decided the photo end was one heck of a debt & would not even pay for half the costs. You see for some yrs I was a free-lance photographer. Okay some shots with 35mm using my Leica IIIC or one of the Pentax Spotomatic. Was doing okay on a few photos of my bikes, basically for reference. Still when doing the three of them & a complete run around with shots of the Honda 954. I was amazed at the shots being so ghastly. Prior shots of the Honda 920 & Yamaha YZF600r, basically black bikes, turned out perfectly.
Mind you I had said roll of film in my camera for over two yrs so possibly the film was to old, something you do not worry about in B&W, to possibly I had then lens closed a bit to much due to all the white at the back AND then it could also be the photo shop only offers the prints in GLOSS & that is the last thing I want. While matt/gloss is far, far better. So come next spring I will latch onto another 20 frames & take all the reference shots needed of the 954 & include all three bikes. That will not take 20 shots though I will scoot it off to a shop what will offer prints in matt/gloss.
The first stab I had at 35mm or colour is my Dad rented an pre-war 35mm camera for me & the ten 36 frames of Kodak colour film for slides. Told me to see what I could do for slides the CNR passenger dept., could possibly use to advertise Jasper National Park. I spent two weeks taking photos, then the slides, picked out the best, next was cutting the glass for the slides, the mask to hold them inside & a special tape I used all around to seal them. Apparently they went over well. Then around '54 someone asked my Dad if these remaining few slides were on any use to him or me. They were my originals. Man are they ever fadded out due the light from the projectors along with the simple fact that in time older colour fads. Like I really worked on those photos with beautiful flower beds,the original wooden log cabins, the mtns, the steam locamotives, the McGlocken/Buick (sp bar Buick part?) convertable tourist cars the CNR drivers used with large wooden steering wheels, obviously prior to WWII though still used them after WWII. Light meter? I simply guessed & often doubled my shots with variations in the lens openings so at least one out of two might work.
Remember all the others on the road are crazy & out to kill you. |
| Posted By : RedDog - 1/27/2006 9:27 PM | Smitty: Now when 35mm soon will be a piece of the past, you need a digital camera. I am from the darkroom ages too, and I recall hours and hours developing B/W pictures, mixing baths, etc. When you recall what struggle that was compared to basically doing the same on a PC, you will fathom progress in lieu with the tires on your bikes in the same time span.
After playing with several digital cameras, I am now drooling on the soon to come Panasonic DMC-FZ7. This is small, compact, 12X zoom (roughly from 35mm to 430mm in "old" days terms, image stabilizer (so you can shoot stable shots with hi zoom in low lights, and fast (not that normal hang/wait that most digital cameras have). Retails $399.00 and will be here in the US in March. Me think this will be a riders dream camera. Oh and especially for you, Smitty: The lens is made by Leica.
Now just some 10 years ago we would have to have a trailer to pack what this 300 gram camera does! And when all is said and done, you bring them into your PC, and voila, here's the dark room from the new age.
RedDog
Travel Light & Leave Your Fears Behind You!
Normal People Scare me!
|
| Posted By : louemc - 1/28/2006 11:14 AM | | Yeah, Totally agree (see what you are saying), with both of you. And, can't emphasize enough, what RedDog is saying. It involves too much to, detail at all, but, what he is saying is, like so many things to the listener that doesn't have the experiences to turn words into reality, an understatement. And, because of these advancements in the digital field, to jump in right now, and not have to suffer with the short comings that gave digital a bad name, is like going to heaven minus the dying to make the trip. PS, That new camera should be something to salivate about, I trust there is a salivation guard on it |
| Posted By : Smitty - 1/28/2006 3:08 PM | Darn it RedDog & no thanks to you Lou. I guess my old days of 35mm cameras are of the past. Now I will have to read up all I can on these costly digital cameras that are also soon out of date & unrepairable as all the parts have changed. After all my PC of three yrs ago--------you cannot obtain new parts for it. Which is the thing that bugs me. Still to have something like a WA of 35mm & zoom to 430mm is simply staggering. Also the lens opening must be so much wider to our old days of F 1.8 along with fastest B&W film plus cooking the film to accept some grey to obtain indoor shots like you mentioned. Back in '78 I won the award of the best photorapher for Cdn Amateur Wrestling which was all indoors with no strob. My photos were plastered over five pages of the yearly Amateur Wrestling mag. Even the shots of the medals to to winners were mine for the other chap with a strob felt his was not working correctly so it was a desired lens opening & speed along with One, TWO, THREE, shoot.
Now I think I am looking at around two thousand grand or more to get my truck running & think once that is done I will start to look at digital cameras PLUS all the reading I need to do. I will have to lean on a friend that simply loves the challeng of correcting PC errors to also give me some advise & possibly teach me how to send photos. So if this does come about then YES you will be getting some shots from my end of North America--if I am still alive.
Remember all the others on the road are crazy & out to kill you. |
| Posted By : Smitty - 1/28/2006 5:09 PM | RedDog you pointed out your aim was the Panasonic DMC-FZ7 & I can only find the DMC-FX7. Also the Panasonic name is dropped for Lumx yet I dialed in Panasonic.com & up they came. Darn small & I am into another language-----they are not talking the photo language of the late 40s to the mid-70s. So which one or was it another make or typo error or short way to address it? Lastly you lucky beggers with you high American dollar for the Cdn low dollar & our taxes make American prices so much higher.
Remember all the others on the road are crazy & out to kill you. |
| Posted By : RedDog - 1/28/2006 6:50 PM | Hey, Smitty. Here's a great review of the FZ-7:
http://www.dpreview.com/news/0601/06012302panasonicfz7.asp
or better in black, no glares to scare sensitive animals away:
http://www.dpreview.com/articles/panasonicfz7/
This is a great digital photo magazine and free - even in Canada LOL! Just ride over the borders and have one shipped to a buddy, hell, get to AR and I be your buddy! And did you see this:
ISO sensitivity • Auto
• ISO 80
• ISO 100
• ISO 200
• ISO 400
• High sensitivity mode: ISO 800 / 1600 (max resolution tbc)
and this:
Lens • 36 - 432mm equiv.
• F2.8 - 3.3
• Leica DC Vario-Elmarit
• 12x optical zoom
• Extra optical zoom (!) *
*) The way they do this is amazing. I thought my old Minolta Maxxum or my XD11 was awesome. Time flies!
And of course you can shoot movies too, in good resolution.
Can't wait for March! Need to sell something and get me one!
RedDog
Travel Light & Leave Your Fears Behind You!
Normal People Scare me!
|
| Posted By : louemc - 1/29/2006 2:57 PM | This is the basic travel light pac. Everything else is optional. It's also the bag that will be on the bike all the time, for day rides, stuff. The "tour" bag, zipps on the top of this when needed. The whole set, carries my complete mini camp site.
The upper bag, brings the height to the base of my neck, and the combined weight of everything there is liftable with two fingers. Sorry the pictures are so horrid, it was getting darker by the minute, by the time I could take a picture. Better stuff will come later.
 Post Edited By Moderator (CaddmannQ) : 1/31/2006 3:05:03 PM GMT |
| Posted By : RedDog - 1/30/2006 6:43 AM | One more for Smitty and others that wants a great MC camera, it is the same FZ7, but this from Panasonic'z side and more laymen oriented thus easier to understand. I need to make a quick pocket on the tankbag for a camera like that. I missed that black bear sitting on the middle of Hwy 123 a couple of summers ago ... and others.
http://panasonic.co.jp/pavc/global/lumix/fz7/leica.html
RedDog
Travel Light & Leave Your Fears Behind You!
Normal People Scare me!
|
| Posted By : CaddmannQ - 1/30/2006 3:04 PM | I know these latest generation PC printers are great, but, Lou, yer still not supposed to print those things yerself!
Cadd
2004 Nomad 1500 "Baggins"
VROC #11619 Rolling Blunder #128 |
| Posted By : Smitty - 1/30/2006 6:03 PM | Why not Cadd? Though a friend of mine that bought his digital camera from Staples & the saleman pointed out to him it would be probably more sensible to have the printing at Walmart due to the original cost of a printer & that in a few yrs it will be time to toss it into the garbage like it will for any computer thing these days. Far cheaper to scrap them & buy new & up to date then forking out money just to have someone look into it & then give one an estimate of what the cost might be. In most cases the latter tells you said inspection & cost is not as sensible as scrapping the present unit.
Like I have a lovely Okidata OL400c Lazer B&W printer that still has original ink or whatever inside it, that will work, only the rest of the printer does not want to for it does not like a cool room, dampness, or static. Unfortunately my den-bedroom & the rest is always cool to cold, damp, & static.
Which tends to tell me as much as I am learning about digital cameras like go for sensible & easy to obtain batteries, though it makes the camera larger, & such. Still when it fails then garbage it. Which is also tending to tell me to forget even thinking about digital cameras.
Remember all the others on the road are crazy & out to kill you. |
| Posted By : RedDog - 1/30/2006 6:47 PM | Lou, could I have that tankbag for $10.00, Buddy and all?
RedDog
Travel Light & Leave Your Fears Behind You!
Normal People Scare me!
|
| Posted By : CaddmannQ - 1/31/2006 7:02 AM | Smitty, I was referring not to the photos, but to the wads of $100 bills.
Cadd
2004 Nomad 1500 "Baggins"
VROC #11619 Rolling Blunder #128 |
| Posted By : louemc - 1/31/2006 10:42 AM | Ummm, RedDog, The buddy rate is for free, I'll give you the name of the bag lady. It's Mags Baggs, she has a web site, so add .com, to that. In my case, on top of the value of the bag, was the fact that she is located right here, and I could have the face time, critical to discribing what I wanted, plus this momentary soft time of her product line. Normally it would be get out of here, I don't have time for this, I don't need you. But, the cosmic forces all came in alignment, to contribute to the formation of the worlds highest performance Sport-Touring bike, and the start of another Western USA exploration, in the prime moment of coming out of winter wet, to feed the new growth, of summer in green and blossoms. I'll use my digital camera that allows clicking my brains out, vs the old film based pictures that had the burden of is this picture going to be worth the film taken? Now (as you know) its take the freakin picture, you can decide later, after you see what can be done on the computers "dark room", (as well as the on the spot clue you have from the camera's screen showing what you just did, so you can decide if it has potential, or erase and do it again)called Photo Shop (or for entry into this I'd recommend Jasic Paint version 8 I think, because of the tutorial's there). But back to I'll use my camera, to get pictures on this thread, for everyone here to see, as this un-folds. My Sonora bike riding computer guru friend has held my hand through the posting a picture phase 3 times now, so, I might be able to do it on my own, next time. I'm thinking departure is 3 weeks away, so a few more trial runs can be done. RoK ON Your right Cadd My Mann, the new scan the bills, print the bills, are so sharp, the printing of bills is only a question of the paper and the person's willingness to do the crime. Actually it would take a real moron (but there isn't any shortage of morons) to print a bill, because (but I'm not going to put in print what the better choice is), that would be socially irresponsible   , all that stuff, and bad jojo Post Edited (louemc) : 1/31/2006 7:22:44 PM GMT |
| Posted By : CaddmannQ - 1/31/2006 12:42 PM | Well, without a side view it's hard to tell, but I think it's going to be a serious Bonneville tail-fin sorta look once you get it stuffed full of $100 bills.
Cadd
2004 Nomad 1500 "Baggins"
VROC #11619 Rolling Blunder #128 |
| Posted By : louemc - 1/31/2006 1:04 PM | | Actually, I expect to leave some of the "big Ben's" at home, maybe switching out some space for a roll of TP. I'll have to see how the final pack goes, it's always a hard decision on what to take what to leave, but having a currency that is spoken everywhere is comforting. RoK ON Oh, with luck I'll swing past the salt flats when speed trials are going, and, need to have the look, they identify with, don't want to look like some rube that just fell off the turnip truck ya know , not around that bunch Post Edited (louemc) : 1/31/2006 9:10:17 PM GMT |
| Posted By : RedDog - 1/31/2006 5:59 PM | When you get going on that ZX10, take a spin over here to AR and visit me and pillion and Clueless and Lark ...
RedDog
Travel Light & Leave Your Fears Behind You!
Normal People Scare me!
|
| Posted By : Smitty - 1/31/2006 8:49 PM | What are you Cadd? Some sort of a kill-joy? Though is Lou living in the terrain where some chap robbed an aircraft of a lot of money & then jumped only never to be found? Possibly where said bills come from, what with his strange riding terrian????
Remember all the others on the road are crazy & out to kill you.Post Edited (Smitty) : 2/1/2006 4:54:06 AM GMT |
| Posted By : louemc - 2/1/2006 10:36 AM | | Thanks for the invite RedDog, My go east border stops when the Colorado Rockies turn to flat land that just goes on and on, though. Smitty, When the chap jumped with the cash, I was living close to where they figured he jumped (on the Washington side of the Columbia river, that divides Washington and Oregon), and some bills were found, but they were old style, mine are new style, and I don't live there, now. I'm half way down the state of California, between Lake Tahoe, and Yosemite, in the foothills of the Sierra, just below the snow line. Right where the roads turn twistie, as the road climbs over the passes. And just for the record, I don't print my own bills, but to do that with the equipment that everyone can get now, vs the old way of printing with engraved plates, is scarey easy. Puts an added burden on everyone, that you just can't trust anything to be genuine. I just put them in the picture to be funny, because really I'm Mr. Cheap Tour, all it costs is the little bit of gas a bike burns, and what restaurants for breakfasts and healthy snack stuff from super markets. It costs me that much to stay home. Oh, I guess I should add that the tapered tail section touring bag, just is the right thing in my mind. Some things give my mind a dis-comfort, and air turbulence, is one, and, when I momentarily go mid triple digits to make a pass, I'd like to look correct, help the passed say Wow. RoK ON |
| Posted By : CaddmannQ - 2/1/2006 1:30 PM | Yeah, that's me, Smitty. Mr. Bringdown.
Hey, Louie, post that side-view willya?
Inquiring minds want to know...
Cadd
2004 Nomad 1500 "Baggins"
VROC #11619 Rolling Blunder #128 |
| Posted By : louemc - 2/3/2006 10:51 AM | | Yeah Cadd my Mann, I want to get a piccie from a side view, with me on the seat, to show the stance with the handle bar conversion, and, how the tour bag blends with my back, so this inquiring mind wants it as well. I'll do it as soon as I can. RoK ON |
| Posted By : Tros - 2/3/2006 3:13 PM | Heck yeah, lou. That's what I've been waiting to see. Did you put slightly lower pegs on the bike as well, or was that a non-issue for you?
People take different roads seeking fulfillment and happiness. Just because they're not on your road doesn't mean they've gotten lost." |
| Posted By : Smax - 2/4/2006 1:37 AM | louemc said...Thanks for the invite RedDog, My go east border stops when the Colorado Rockies turn to flat land that just goes on and on... When the chap jumped with the cash, I was living close to where they figured he jumped ... ... I'm Mr. Cheap Tour, all it costs is the little bit of gas a bike burns, and what restaurants for breakfasts and healthy snack.. It costs me that much to stay home... RoK ON
lou, you really gotta do the eastern mountain ranges... our "bumps" ain't that bad!
D. (B.) Cooper -
Cheap tours rule!
quiet GSX-R 1100 |
| Posted By : louemc - 2/4/2006 10:29 AM | | On the pegs question, I like the sport-bike peg location, as is. It keeps my feet up off the road hazzards, and not having hard parts touching down, at any time, frees the mind on high challange corners. In switch backs that some mountain roads have, it's critical, and I'm not talking speed needs, just tight tight. For tour comfort concerns, I find that just getting up out of the roadracer crouch, with the handle bar conversion, takes the strain off the legs bend. And the sport-bike starting point for my tour bikes, make extremely (more so than any other bike design and construction) stable bikes. The tires/wheels/suspension/frame, that is road race quality, is max stable and the free of tension concerns for long long saddle time as well. Ummm, Smax, I'd totally love some of the East roads, at their prime time moments, The Park ridge or something close to that name, would be one. I'm just not willing to leave the vast western, that I still have not covered, completely, to go to the eastern side. Maybe some day though, during the fall coloring. I'm hoping that you get the ZX14 (if it turns out to be what it promises to be), and, come over to the west side, on it. RoK On |
| Posted By : CaddmannQ - Today 7:41 AM | Here's a couple more photos I scanned for Lou.
These are made small for the bandwidth-challenged. see the next post for the large ones. I think the subjects are obvious without description.
Cadd 2004 Nomad 1500 "Baggins"
VROC #11619 Rolling Blunder #128 |
| Posted By : CaddmannQ - Today 7:43 AM | These are the same in a larger format, for those with broadband.
Cadd
2004 Nomad 1500 "Baggins"
VROC #11619 Rolling Blunder #128 |
| Posted By : CaddmannQ - Today 7:46 AM | Finally, in insane size, for the download massochist.
Cadd
2004 Nomad 1500 "Baggins"
VROC #11619 Rolling Blunder #128 |
| Posted By : louemc - Today 10:17 AM | | Wow!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! That's both great work and fast work, Cadd My Mann. Better give a Kudo to the post office as well, I didn't know they moved mail that fast (I just mailed those on Monday morning). RoK On |
| Posted By : Tros - Today 1:35 PM | Those handlebar mods make a world of difference in the riding position. I see what you mean by how those handlebars actually help out the peg position for the feet.
Very nice.
People take different roads seeking fulfillment and happiness. Just because they're not on your road doesn't mean they've gotten lost." |
| Posted By : RedDog - Today 1:41 PM | Quite impressed, quite unique to take an extreme sportbike and build it to a sport tourer, hmmmm that's what I use the Gixxer for too, mostly.
RedDog
Travel Light & Leave Your Fears Behind You!
Normal People Scare me!
|
| Posted By : Smitty - Today 2:07 PM | |
I do not know about you Lou. There you are with this massive broadcasting system or speakers at the back of you, leather chaps which are the love of gay people or whatever they call them & pair of work boots instead of what all the others claiming we, on sportbikes, should be wearing are road racing boots. What a let down so now you know what photos of you can really dim one's view of you. Like the one or two shots Geoff took of me & I think I said something like "I hate people taking photos of me". Possibly why I rarely took a photo of myself in the past years. Man I had fun pulling your leg!!!!!!!!
Still all kidding aside the work you did on the handlebars is teriffic & DEFINATELY for your type of riding they are simply tops to where I feel others will want to copy you ways. Also why the Yamaha FZ6 is such a good bike toso many buyers, as it has bars at a more sensible position for around town & such yet the footrests are pretty well stock to other sportbikes & I knew when that question came in about the footrests for I to asked you way back when. Also no worries about the ABS plastics below getting broken up or in your way for you type of riding. Obviously I do not need to feel ashamed that I like my Danner 'Fort Lewis' boots for you are not the only one that will wear a work boot, unless you then let me down & say those are only for work & you wear this $689.99 plus tax road racing boots!!!!!!!!!
Remember all the others on the road are crazy & out to kill you.Post Edited (Smitty) : 2/8/2006 10:12:21 PM GMT |
| Posted By : CaddmannQ - Today 3:51 PM | Smitty, those are the boots he wears riding, though I see Lou bought a new helmet to replace his yellow one.
And if you really knew how hot it gets down here, you'd know why we wear chaps. To go over in a gay bar they'd need to be black anyway.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Lou, no problem. A piece of cake I did with my morning coffee.
BTW, the bag is much taller than I thought it would be when it's all assembled.
Cadd
2004 Nomad 1500 "Baggins"
VROC #11619 Rolling Blunder #128 |
| Posted By : RedDog - Today 4:14 PM | There are such things as perforated leather suits (see the racers) and ventilated mesh jackets and pants. Chaps? That's for cruisers. Except for leathers that can come apart, they are way off the mentioned safety wise - but they help. It's get hot here too, but I will always ride in my full protective leathers - as we did when we were over in California in 110.
As for boots, I just replaced my AGV ventillated with the latest from Sidi - nice ventillation plus perforated and support second to none if shit happens. Except for the guy joke, I don't think Smitty was joking beyond that.
Lou - You need to go shopping. Look at Lookwell leathers and Sidi boots. I can get good pricing for you ...
RedDog
Travel Light & Leave Your Fears Behind You!
Normal People Scare me!
Post Edited (RedDog) : 2/9/2006 12:18:36 AM GMT |
| Posted By : Smax - Today 11:18 PM | Nice work, lou. That's a serious jacket, too - nice! The Scotts is what makes me smile.
(Gulp) chaps and workboots? I don't always were leather pants/fullsuit, but chaps?
They're tons better than jeans, but...
quiet GSX-R 1100 |
| Posted By : RedDog - Today 11:29 PM | Smax - I thought I was humble, humble Norwegian you know, we the people that get our embassies burnt cause of a stupid cartoon. Glad we are humble, you hear it, Lou? LOL.
RedDog
Travel Light & Leave Your Fears Behind You!
Normal People Scare me!
|
| Posted By : louemc - 2/9/2006 10:07 AM | | You Guys are the greatest, really, I'm not kidding , Seriously. For the riding gear, I knew I'd get called on, by the bare ass chaps, I do need to do something. I like chaps because I can get into and out of them, vs pants your in them, no matter what else your doing during the day. Maybe Kevlar jeans with body armor in the rear pockets will be the next move. Actually, I have added Sidi boots to the gear, but, I'm not in love with them, because over-all they are too thin. Sidi has a new model that is Dual sport, that I'll get when I can check the fit out, on. I just put the stuff on for the picture (hey I'm not getting out of my yard here ) and my ranch boots getting switched out was just too much of a switch). Cadd is right, the last time we rode together, I had yellow helmet/yellow bike (Suzuki TLR)/and ranch boots on. My chaps have body armor in the knees, and the leather, came from a Buffalo (I think). Glad you all dig the conversions, it takes experienced bikers, in multiple forms (or area's) of riding, to pick up on this. Major thanks to Cadd, for converting the hard copy pictures to the digital, and getting them posted here. These two pictures (in my opinion) are the two most important pictures in this whole blog (but who knows what's coming on this work in progress?) Rok USA Post Edited (louemc) : 2/9/2006 6:36:07 PM GMT |
| Posted By : CaddmannQ - 2/9/2006 11:44 AM | Oh, yeah. I didn't mention the master cylinder relocation bracket. Is that aluminum or plastic? I can't tell from the photos.
Cadd
2004 Nomad 1500 "Baggins"
VROC #11619 Rolling Blunder #128 |
| Posted By : louemc - 2/9/2006 12:06 PM | | Aluminum- 6061-T-6 Aluminum. With large radius bend at the bend, because that grade of aluminum doesn't bend well, the stiff feature of the grade, just needs more attention given at the bending, to avoid cracking (I know you know but had to say it for anyone reading that doesn't know it). |
| Posted By : CaddmannQ - 2/9/2006 12:27 PM | Yeah, I made a set of mud guards out of T-6 once. Talk about hard stuff to drill & cut!
Cadd
2004 Nomad 1500 "Baggins"
VROC #11619 Rolling Blunder #128 |
| Posted By : speed demon - 2/9/2006 12:39 PM | Nice looking set up on the handle bars. Looks really good. Just curious, why are you rolling without the lower fairing? If you plan on keeping it that way, maybe you should cut off the mounting tabs for the lower. I think it would look a bit cleaner that way.
Now the chaps and the skyscraper rising up from the tail... You sure that thing will stay on at speed? |
| Posted By : louemc - 2/9/2006 1:02 PM | | Your right Speed demon, That's on the list of things to do (trim off). As far as why no lowers, I don't use the bike on such civilized places as tracks and city boy streets/roads. For me it's take them off or break them off. Of about 6 reasons I choose the ZX10 over the GSXR, 1 reason was the lower lowers came off leaving just enough side panel to cover the radiator, and plumbing stuff. The high pointed tail of the bag wasn't the way I designed it. What I designed, for the rear opening and closing, the bag maker, said, "I don't know how to do that". I wasn't about to let it be a conflict, and not get the bag at all. So I told her I'd be happy with what ever she did. Notice the bag is very tapered to the rear in the above shot. When the bag is opened for the sleeping pad/sleeping bag, getting packed in, the opening is round, and getting closed up is squeezed narrow, that squeeze raises the back up. If it was the tail on a streamliner, would it be bad? Or good? I'll have to give it a good test some where . And Yes it will stay on at speed (I know how it's mounted) . If standard stuff would work, in my extreme life world, I wouldn't have to do things differently than what is available to everyone else. Post Edited (louemc) : 2/9/2006 9:08:08 PM GMT |
| Posted By : Smitty - 2/9/2006 2:16 PM | |
As so many of us know not all things turn out perfect. Lou definatedly knows it was quite a feat for the bars & the Scotts steering head damper & all turned out well, but only once he put his work into it. Definatly pretty close to what he was aiming four.
I could not resist kidding about the bag or box or massive sound system, the chaps & normal high top boots for it was there for the taking.
Like I went to cost of shipping back a jacket three times due to it being the wrong size & same size sent back. Also each time I was forking out close to $50.00 at Cdn Customs so an extra $150.00 but then I found that the jacket, being fabric, had this inside pocket 4" wide, but 17.5" deep & so usless. Still the prize is whoever sewed on the waist belt with velcro sewed it on inside out!!!!!!! So I have to find someone willing to change the belt around, but then I hate these dual zipper parts as so often they screw up at the start & sure enough this is another flunk so I needs a replaced zipper though a single is all that is needed.
A few yrs ago when sportbikes had not arrived I noted so many loved their REAL costly cowboy boots so we are looking at a high heel for the stirrup along with the heel being angled. How stupid & how often they could not remove the foot/boot in time to save the bike at a nil speed. True the makers are churning out some good boots with ankle protection & with my freaky ankle & lack of movement in it THAT is what I need only they are two wide, like so many being in EEE width when I take a C in dress shoes or a D in a boot. Reason I have my Danner 'Fort Lewis' boots, or switch to an old climbing boot to even a climbing boot with 10" high top as made for me over in Italy to even a pair of light fabric like sneakers only they were MADE of mountaineering in dry climate so lots of protection around the ankles for rocks.
I have two pairs of boots for Observed Trials & Enduro comp & my road racing boots were a sort of zipper up the back so easy to step in, though in those days, even road racers did not have all the protective gear of the modern days though we travelled pretty fast & not uncommon for us to prang or end up in the rhubarb. Crumbs I have some of the best, at the time, leather gloves that have not even been woren though in the 70s there were just a nice leather with a bit of rubber sewen at the tops of the fingers & met up around the knuckle area. Still 35yrs later so much has been changed & 20 yrs earlier so many of us wore the Cromwell "puddin' basin" helmets. Along with some used waxed cotten jackets, no armor, I have a new Belstaff I have never woren though it was about to replace the old two I still had & still do have.
Remember all the others on the road are crazy & out to kill you.Post Edited (Smitty) : 2/10/2006 8:19:59 PM GMT |
| Posted By : Smax - 2/9/2006 11:42 PM | loue, I'm pleased that you took our chiding as just that... It's obviousl this is a serious ride for a serious dude. Was gonna mention the lower fairing tabs as well, but knew they'd be tirimmed.
Is the exhaust (pipe & can) still factory-issue? Looks a little different (bend and surfaces)...
Keep on RoKkin ON!
edit; thank you, cadd, for the post-haste!
quiet GSX-R 1100 |
| Posted By : louemc - 2/10/2006 10:24 AM | | Yeah Smax, the whole exhaust system is stock issue, for the 10. It's the first time I've seen a system that I could live with, stock. The materials are first class, and it breaths (now if it was a peg pipe, that would be a plus, so that might be a change in the future). I'm honored to be kidded by you guys, especially Smitty. When the words come from guys that have gathered a life time of intense/extreme, experiences, the words are more than words, they are a depth, and gathered understanding, that only can come from the pro's that you are. So, kid about anything, any time, any way. I value it, count on that. I guess I should add, that the bag lady was doing me a huge favor, just taking on this project of mine, She doesn't need me, she has her own line of product. For me to be able to go to a bag maker with a cardboard model, and a blue print, and ask for this interruption in her work schedule, is un-heard of, normally. She has a real following with BMW and assorted world travelers, for her bags. This summer promises to to awesome, RoK IT Oh, PS, Glad you like the Jacket Smax, that's something else I designed, because at the time, nothing that looked like street leather, had T-Pro body armor, and the back protector built in, and serious venting. It has worked out very well, better than expected. Turns out the body armor works like insulation, and the mega vent zippered opening/closing, adjusts to the major temp changes in going in and out of fog, or altitude. It's better than new leather wise (nice thing about leather, that way), and the brass zippers are good as new, but the lining is shot, and the whole package is heavy. Maybe next year I'll do a complete new outfit, so to get the new lighter weight, color matched, too trick for the room, gear. Or I could stick with the package, so I don't get mistaken for a poser that just came out of the race shop boutique. Post Edited (louemc) : 2/10/2006 6:42:09 PM GMT |
| Posted By : Smitty - 2/10/2006 12:34 PM | | Oh my gosh------do not come out with matching leather & such. You will definately be taken on as a strange sort of a poser with a damaged bike. After all look at the temporarty handlebar replacement, the parts of the ABS plastic now in the garbage or were in some hwy ditch & other things screwed around with. YET the best of matching colour leathers-----what a dumb arse. Like man that would have me in fits of laughter.
Unfortunately things do wear out & have to be replaced. Believe me I know for once I get riding this Spring it will be the start of my 60th year. I also have to get that one jacket corrected,to where it can be used in place of another two that show signs of wear & especially the dead bugs all over them & there for, seemingly, life as they do not wash off after two yrs of being there. Nothing new or replaced in the matter of a new set of wheels like a replacement bike as I had to give up my 4X4 truck for a new SUV, but honestly Lou it is a mini-SUV & less in engine size then my 15 yr old Mazda 2600.
Remember all the others on the road are crazy & out to kill you. |
| Posted By : louemc - 2/10/2006 12:53 PM | | I know (about the smaller subaru engine), but, being a mini SUV, and not a small 4X4 pick-up, it works really really well. When I was skiing every week day (avoiding the weekend crowd) my little Subaru lead the race up the mountain. During the whole season, only one time, was I passed, and there is no way I could count the thousands of others I passed. Just put the pedal to the metal, and point in the direction to go, never a thought about too much power, but, also what was there hooked up and did the job, better than everyone elses (except for that one guy, and I saw him coming a mile back, and said at that time, this guy is in a bigger hurry than I am, and didn't make it any harder for him ) |
| Posted By : CaddmannQ - 2/15/2006 7:48 PM | It ain't easy bein' green.....
Cadd
2004 Nomad 1500 "Baggins"
VROC #11619 Rolling Blunder #128 |
| Posted By : Smax - 2/15/2006 9:26 PM | Sinister!
quiet GSX-R 1100 |
| Posted By : RedDog - 2/16/2006 5:06 AM | Were the legs good?
RedDog
Travel Light & Leave Your Fears Behind You!
Normal People Scare me!
|
| Posted By : louemc - 2/16/2006 10:07 AM | | The Legs are very good , but, in this area we have a thing called "the frog jump", made famous by Mark Twain. The town of Angels camp, has frog stuff everywhere, you would have to see it to believe it. I might have a custom license plate frame made that says .... My frog will kick your frogs ass .... haven't decided on that yet. Anyone want to suggest captions on this? Post Edited (louemc) : 2/16/2006 6:15:07 PM GMT |
| Posted By : RedDog - 2/16/2006 10:19 AM | Tasted like green Kawi-roasted chicken, ehe?
RedDog
Travel Light & Leave Your Fears Behind You!
Normal People Scare me!
|
| Posted By : CaddmannQ - 2/16/2006 10:35 AM | Well, there's certainly no lead in that frog!
When I posted that Lou lived up above Frogtown, I wasn't kidding. That's the affectionate local name For Angel's Camp.
He does not (as I previously reported) live in a cave, however. You'd just THINK that if you ever had to take the road that gets you up there to his place.
Imagine if lava was roughly asphalt colored, and had been in continuous eruption since the Hoover Administration...
Then you turn off of that onto something that a Connestoga Wagon could not have negotiated with a team of oxen and a winch.
Cadd
2004 Nomad 1500 "Baggins"
VROC #11619 Rolling Blunder #128 |
| Posted By : louemc - 2/16/2006 11:48 AM | | That's very accurate Cadd (and another major thanks for posting that picture for me). Actually, my living spot, isn't too far removed from a cave. Only this cave has wheels under it. And solar panels for electricity, and heating water, and TV antennas for satellite and regular broadcast reception, and a power tailgate for lifting the bike in (or up half way as a platform for working on the bike, as I stand on the ground), and a wood stove for the little bit of heat that is needed for a few days out of the year. That works really well, in a area where there is more oak than I can burn, just from the trimming of junk that is a fire hazzard in the summer. Very quiet out here, except for the wild turkeys making a little sound, and at night the frogs down at the pond, just won't shut up, but, at night when they are on their croak fest, I'm inside watching the TV, so it's not like it's noticed. RoK This Joint |
| Posted By : CaddmannQ - 2/16/2006 1:33 PM | I hope you don't mind, but I put it up in General MC Chat too.
It was just too good for a single category.
Cadd
2004 Nomad 1500 "Baggins"
VROC #11619 Rolling Blunder #128 |
| Posted By : Tros - 2/16/2006 1:34 PM | What kind of helmet do you have there, lou?
People take different roads seeking fulfillment and happiness. Just because they're not on your road doesn't mean they've gotten lost." |
| Posted By : louemc - 2/16/2006 1:53 PM | | Kansas, It's a Bell, 1986 era. From my Desert racing time. My main race bike was a KTM 495 (that's a two stroke) with Simmons upside down forks (they invented/patented the design, and "retired" on the money from the sale of the patent) and White power rear shock that was given to me by a KTM guy no one would know. But a play bike (that saved the race bike for race day), was my Kawi KX 500, and Kawi gave me the helmet. Hense the Green helmet. I've only been using a street helmet on the street with the ZX10, so far, but for where I ride, in nothing but mountain passes, the speed is low enough, so a dirt helmet works really fine, I'll be using the Bell sometimes, depending on where I'm going. I just put the two together (bike and helmet) for this picture, for the "Sinister" effect, to contrast with the Kermit. |
| Posted By : Desmolicious - 2/22/2006 9:07 AM | Lou, that helmet is 20 years old and well past its "use by"date. The liners harden and become less effective with age/ozone exposure. The recommended lifespan of a helmet is 5 years before replacement. Actually I think this is a little short but still.
:)
Børk! Børk! Børk! |
| Posted By : louemc - 2/22/2006 10:19 AM | | Totally agree with that Desmo, I'd check with Bell to see if they can/want to re-furbish, and if they do, send it in for that, plus cut major air venting in the bill. Even though most every bit of my ride in the passes is in the sane speed numbers, the 10 has this micro second to the mid triple digits thing for moments of passing, that has to be observed, when it happens. So the jury is still out on this one. |
| Posted By : louemc - 2/28/2006 1:27 PM | | Bit the bullet and actually went to the big city, today and ordered the new style master cylinder (kawi changed from 05 to 06 on this), so it's on the way (I guess). I showed the owner of the dealership (he's an ex flat track racer) the picture of the handle bar conversion, and he went nut's, took it to show his tech crew, and then put it on his office window. I also may have convinced him of the reasons to have a Scotts stabilizer on a bike used on the street, just for anti-commotion reasons. |
| Posted By : louemc - 3/16/2006 2:24 PM | Went back to the big city today and picked-up the new style, front brake master cylinder, and, a new Carbon Fiber Helmet. Gotta get ready for actual riding weather when it gets here. roK On
Focus the forces, Be The Force |
| Posted By : Smitty - 4/4/2006 9:24 PM | Lou I was on another board & there are photos of the Kwacker 1000 with a stress part of the frame cracking & apparently this is not new. Also they were talking about wheel problems so you might start to search around just in case. I missed out on what was breaking up in the matter of Kwacker wheels. This is not a delayed April the first joke I can assure you.
Remember all the others on the road are crazy & out to kill you. |
| Posted By : louemc - 4/5/2006 11:18 AM | Appreciate the heads up Smitty. But I have no concern whats-so-ever . First, I have no doubt that any cracks on the frame or the wheels, only got there as a result of biker stupidity. The picture of a biker lauching the front wheel straight up and scaring themselves, chopping the throttle, dropping the wheel back to the pavement hard, comes to view. Now really would you ride a bike that a squid couldn't/wouldn't crack the frame or the wheels on? There is a certain price to pay to have the power to weight ratio that we have. Things are thin. Not too thin for the job, just too thin for abuse by the squidly. One of the great features of the Race replica, that is used by us, is, the bike is designed to stand up to race loading forces. I for one, don't even approach that. So....... I'm giving my bike a gental life, compared to a race track life.
Focus the forces, Be The Force |
| Posted By : Smitty - 4/5/2006 11:41 AM | |
Still just thought I would mention it & you can keep your ears open. Actually I found it on www.labusas.org & while they are a strage lot they usually come up with problems earlier then most. If you want to go there then it is probably on a page before all the yatter of to-day with photos & chatter.
Still when there take a look around for the maze of bikes that C.Dolan has lined up for a show. These go back to some vintage belt drives, to even some of the bikes 10 yrs ago. Chris Dolan has an amazing collection at an amazing cost, plus plans for a larger building to store them. I think this is his first show to the public in South Calif., apparenty some are in a few newspapers & even a few on the TV. So credit to him for what he has bought & kept up to good enough form for a show & not rusting away & scrambled with other junk.
Remember all the others on the road are crazy & out to kill you.Post Edited (Smitty) : 4/7/2006 2:20:42 AM GMT |
| Posted By : RedDog - 4/6/2006 6:33 AM | There were some GSX-R1000s too, in the introphase with cracked frames. Then came the warning, the investigation and the result were rebuilt, crashed bikes. So I would not be too worried, actually not at all.
BTW you picked the right age on your bike, the 06 ain't so good as the 05.
RedDog
Travel Light & Leave Your Fears Behind You!
Normal People Scare me!
|
| Posted By : louemc - 4/6/2006 12:28 PM | Yeah RedDog, on the year thing. It is showing up over on the ZX10 site where serious intense intensely seriously intense riders have ridden both, and just from the frame/engine weight changes, I went Woo Hoo from day one, of the news of the 06 package, because for the first time in my life, everything said the 05 is the Alfa Dog, and the next bike out wasn't an "improved" version, but, a bunch of changes I didn't want. I should amend the "Alfa Dog", it's the Alfa Dog for me, where I ride, how I ride. What the 06 is, could be "Alfa" for someone else, some where else. I can't know that, I don't even wonder about that. I'm just giddy with what I have. Now if the torrential rain would stop, and spring could spring in California. Oh well, it couldn't be much longer.
Focus the forces, Be The Force |
| Posted By : CaddmannQ - 4/6/2006 3:49 PM | It stopped! The rain has stopped!
Finally, after an entire freakin week of rain. Man I was starting to chop down gopher trees for an ark.
In honor of the sun, I'm gonna take off work early and go ride some.
WooHoo!
Cadd
2004 Nomad 1500 "Baggins"
VROC #11619 Rolling Blunder #128 |
| Posted By : louemc - 4/7/2006 10:17 AM | At this part, of California, (you know the goat trail place), the fear is the worst is yet to come, and the flood damage to the goat trail is brutal at the moment. Stay tuned........
Focus the forces, Be The Force |
| Posted By : CaddmannQ - 4/7/2006 12:16 PM | Think....
Pontoons!
Cadd
2004 Nomad 1500 "Baggins"
VROC #11619 Rolling Blunder #128 |
| Posted By : louemc - 4/7/2006 12:38 PM | We had two pontoons, one of them washed away, several telephone poles that were laying along the side the road as a road "curbs" washed away. The good news is, it was worse in other places. The bad news is it was worse in other places, so they get all the sympathy, we get squat.
Focus the forces, Be The Force |
| Posted By : louemc - 4/29/2006 10:14 AM | Wow!!!!!!!!!!! I just got out on the 10 as it got its conversions and up-grades over the winter. Nothing, absolutely nothing has ever come close to the Open class extreme super Moto characteristics of this bike. The only difficult areas are, showing restraint, and, looking for cops. Anything without a light bar is dead meat. Woot to infinity 
Focus the forces, Be The ForcePost Edited (louemc) : 10/31/2009 11:37:30 PM GMT |
| Posted By : RedDog - 4/29/2006 11:15 AM | THAT sounds great! Enjoy!
RedDog
Travel Light & Leave Your Fears Behind You!
Normal People Scare me!
|
| Posted By : RedDog - 4/29/2006 2:01 PM | LOL!
RedDog
Travel Light & Leave Your Fears Behind You!
Normal People Scare me!
|
| Posted By : louemc - 5/2/2006 10:52 AM | Umm, Squids don't modify their bikes in the way I do, and they don't come up to the mountain (why would they, no one is here to see them and, the corners aren't their favorite thing, and the trip to get here is just too much for them). It's total pleasure zone for me, serious roads, serious bikers on the road, and max impact scenery. The passes traditionally open for Memorial day weekend, but this year there is 190% snow pack up there, so...... there might be a delay. I'll be up there on opening day to see what they had to cut through, so stay tuned for pictures. I know I'm antsy, woot the RoK.
Focus the forces, Be The Force |
| Posted By : louemc - 5/3/2006 9:45 AM | I'll look for that Smax, Thanks for the heads up, I normally don't watch Corbins or V-Twins segments, because when I do, I have a hurl reflex. But what your talking about is exactly what I'm all about, so I'll check it out and Street fighter USA, as well. I'm absolutely astounded that sport bike riders are exposed to road race activity on a steady basis, and the racers and the teams are working on set-up on every track, to get the bikes to work (and sometimes they can't get it to work), and yet sport bike riders as a rule are totally oblivious to setting up there own bike, for their own weight, riding style, riding area. How this can be, boggles me. This summer is going to RoK in the Sierra
Focus the forces, Be The Force |
| Posted By : CaddmannQ - 5/3/2006 11:04 AM | Dammit, Louie, yer gonna shame me into buyin' another rocket bike aint ya....
And here I've had myself convinced for years that speeding tickets are not trophys to pin up on the wall.
"When in doubt, ride."
Cadd
2004 Nomad 1500 "Baggins"
VROC #11619 Rolling Blunder #128 |
| Posted By : louemc - 5/3/2006 11:29 AM | Ummm, Are you on great terms with your Kawi dealer? Any chance you could get a decent demo ride on a ZX14? Any chance you could rationalize converting the work time load to a ZX14 reward? (if the demo ride says this rush has to be parked in my garage at night). If any of this clinches another Roket, you can thank me for the prod, sure it could be called a shaming, but that's a burden I can bear. I don't have speeding tickets, I don't expect you would get them either. The insurance on my 10 is only $85.00 a year, so it's very painless.
Focus the forces, Be The Force |
| Posted By : CaddmannQ - 5/3/2006 11:46 AM | Actually I hate our Kawi dealer & the feeling is probably mutual; but having a previous relationship on a Kawi I-4 I can't imagine not liking the ride once I got rid of the awful clip-ons and rear-sets and about half an acre of lime green plastic.
Insurance cost isn't a worry, since there's no way I'd buy one on credit anyhow.
But take me off the tourer and put me on a zipper and it'd probably be like Dr. Jeckyl & Mr. Hyde.
Anyhow, it's a conflict I won't have to address before next summer at least. The sad thing is I've got the cash in hand to buy a ZX14 but my discretionary income is already slated for serious property improvements for at least another year.
The good news is that my '96 Pontiac passed smog, and still runs fine, so at least there won't be any silly new car purchases interfering with my fun money for two years at the inside.
"When in doubt, ride."
Cadd 2004 Nomad 1500 "Baggins"
VROC #11619 Rolling Blunder #128 Post Edited (CaddmannQ) : 5/3/2006 7:51:29 PM GMT |
| Posted By : CaddmannQ - 5/3/2006 11:49 AM |
louemc said... absolutely nothing has ever come close to the Open class extreme super Moto characteristics of this bike... Yeah, that's the sales pitch that is starting to twist me into Mr. Hyde alright....
"When in doubt, ride."
Cadd 2004 Nomad 1500 "Baggins"
VROC #11619 Rolling Blunder #128 Post Edited (CaddmannQ) : 5/3/2006 7:52:28 PM GMT |
| Posted By : louemc - 5/3/2006 12:20 PM | Well, the 10, and what I've done with it, is a ............. thing.............. I don't know............. I'd hate to see a good man go bad............. bad to the bone............... Dangerous. Maybe give it a couple years and see if I can survive the addiction. I know I'm dancing with the devil here, and I don't know if I can stay on the good side of the edge myself, all I know is, it's the best dance ever.
Focus the forces, Be The Force |
| Posted By : motorwerks919 - 5/3/2006 8:26 PM | | Hey Lou, that last message you wrote is one of the best quotes I have ever read. I will definitely save it and probably use it in future college papers, speeches, etc.. (credit will be given) It describes perfectly the experience of riding a powerful motorcycle and how it is an exercise in restraint. |
| Posted By : louemc - 5/4/2006 9:40 AM | Glad you liked it Motorwerks919, I feel inadequate (for the most part) in expressing the process in my head, from the ride, into words that convey the complex picture. The judgement, the focus of sensing, the manipulations of the forces in action, the thrill of the power. The unforgiving public road dangers, but the coping with them, with the safety of the best gear (which includes the bike), to have everything possible going for you, to stay healthy. I hope your collage papers can help others, somewhere, some how.
Focus the forces, Be The Force |
| Posted By : Gription - 5/21/2006 10:42 AM | I recently sold my street fighter, and I really miss it. I have been giving serous thought to pulling the plastics off the RC. It just looks so good with them I can't decide. I would just through a dirt bike bar on, but it won't fit the upper.
Lou-
"It's really a case of serious bikers with super bikes going to the big ride in the knarley place." |
| Posted By : louemc - 5/22/2006 9:40 AM | Umm, I'd highly recommend the conversion on the RC Gription, leaving the plastic as is (Hiding all that stuff is a good thing). Of course I haven't looked into bar conversions for your bike. Have you checked with Spiegler? they have a site www.spieglerusa.com (I think that's the right letters, if it isn't check for ads in the back of Motorcyclist or Sport Rider). Let me know if Spiegler is a source for what you want. If you have to trim the fly shield and supports for it, big deal, that's a small price to pay to get the most awesome bike.
Focus the forces, Be The Force |
| Posted By : Gription - 5/25/2006 7:03 AM | I got some wider clipons for more leverage. I'll try thoese out, but I will check out spiegler.
Lou-
"It's really a case of serious bikers with super bikes going to the big ride in the knarley place." |
| Posted By : louemc - 5/25/2006 9:58 AM | Wider isn't the real issue (although it's part of it) Getting your body up to normal, where weight shifts are fine tuned, and imputs are at lower body action (your screwed with the weight on the bars) is the issue, also, how your head and eyes are affected in the racer crouch vs the up right, and neck shoulder muscles. OK everything is at stake here. there isn't any partial approach.
Focus the forces, Be The Force |
| Posted By : louemc - 5/26/2006 10:04 AM | Glad to see a streetfighter custom shop site show up, I'll look into it farther, later, for right now could you tell us if there is a physical location? and what State and city (if it is in America) it's in? I get a lot of inquiries from guys that want to switch out from the clip-ons, and don't have a good place for them to check into.
Focus the forces, Be The Force |
| Posted By : nematode RR - 6/2/2006 10:59 PM | So this is where this LOUMEC guy hangs out eh?
He's been stirring up trouble on the general motorcycling forum (wassyer' top speed?) so watch this guy....
Besides....I'm planning on heading over Ebbett's Pass with him this summer....so I hope that ZX is ready to rock with the RR....lol...
I am glad I found you guys on this forum....I think I have found my home...
|
| Posted By : louemc - 6/5/2006 9:59 AM | Hope you can make it, nematode, you are going to love Monitor pass. Very open, sweepy curves, lots of visability. Every part of my ride, is do your own speed. It's max fun day. I gave three passes (Sonora / Monitor / Ebbetts), a good work out Saturday. Sonora (hwy 108) is at it's best scenery right now. That changes real fast as the snow melts. Ebbetts pass still needs a couple of weeks to get at it's best. It still has snow/ice on the lakes and melt runoff on the road, in places. That traffic down where you live, keeps your edge, kinda like the Pink Panther movies with the Ninja guy jumping out of the woodwork. RoH on
Focus the forces, Be The Force |
| Posted By : nematode RR - 6/5/2006 5:14 PM | You got THAT right....commuting in the Bay Area is like being saved by Jesus....you are very quickly divided into the quick... and the dead...
I'd trade it in heartbeat for a job where you live.
Some of those nasty STEEP hairpins on the Nevada side of Hwy 4, Hwy 88, are about as fun as riding gets.
Not to mention the wide open sweepers....most with camber on your side....
You live in the Nirvana of West Coast twisties, and yes, I am jealous.
I'll bounce you an email once I get my Tahoe buds lined up and we'll GIT 'ER DONE...lets let a little more snow melt first....those dark spots can be nasty in the Sierras...
For the record, I always ride in a safe and sane fashion.
Wellllll.....at my own safe and sane pace anyways....but from the sounds of it you'll be waiting on me so it's all good.... |
| Posted By : Smax - 7/1/2006 9:14 PM | Not been around much lately, lou. The inhaln' blast blog needs updated!
How 'dialed' is the suspension so far? I know changing the bars to give a more realistic attitude has
greatly increased your comfort and confidence. Is it 'right' yet, or will you change the footpeg location.
We want pics and details!
quiet GSX-R 1100 |
| Posted By : louemc - 8/2/2006 12:43 PM | Glad you asked Smax, The suspension is pretty OK, the front is as good as I can examine, so far, the rear is introducing a little up set, but to find out what to do, I'm going to need to make an indicater to show movement that has happened. (and I haven't gotten to that, yet). The foot pegs are perfect as is for me. Last monday to start my 200 mile day ride over the Sierra, I start on a severely rough road, with some straights. Getting my weight on the pegs and my butt just a smigion off the seat, I had some very good Fly the bike time Piccies coming soon
Focus the forces, Be The Force |
| Posted By : luiggispeed - 8/2/2006 6:16 PM | glad to see this post is alive!
I am silently enjoying your antics,hope to meet you one day on that twisty place of yours
 |
| Posted By : louemc - 8/3/2006 9:16 AM | That would be supreme Luiggispeed. Figure on spending time, at least a week, there is so much ground to cover, trying to decide what not to cover, would be buzz kill
Focus the forces, Be The Force |
| Posted By : behind_darkeyz - 8/3/2006 3:19 PM | | Lou, that's a nice bike ya got there...I had the pleasure of riding my husband's ZX-10R in a parking lot last night.....scared the poo outta me.....for now I'll stick to the Ninja 500R noob bike... Be safe! |
| Posted By : louemc - 8/4/2006 9:24 AM | Glad to see your posts, Behind_, I lived in Vancouver for the first couple years of my 17 years in Portland (long time ago), so your a voice from my turf. It (to be safe, on the 10), takes a huge background that formed judgement. Given that though, the 10 is one of the safest bikes to ride. Sounds bazaar, I know, but, from a frame of mind of wanting a bike to do something (and of course one wants to do it well), the 10 does it better and quicker than most any other bike on the planet. Does the Kawi/Harley dealership still exist East of Vancouver? Not sure if that was Battle Ground or not, Maybe. Sure loved having the Gorge at the door, to take a quickie, to scenery.
Focus the forces, Be The Force |
| Posted By : CaddmannQ - 8/4/2006 9:42 AM | OH, yes. I got yer photos, Lou, but won't have time to scan & post them until tonight or tomorrow.
KERMIT LIVES!
"When in doubt, ride."
Cadd
2004 Nomad 1500 "Baggins"
VROC #11619 Rolling Blunder #128 |
| Posted By : CaddmannQ - 8/5/2006 6:21 PM | | Mr. Mello?
I though you were the Terror of Highway-4!
OK, some new photos from Lou, fresh off the scanner:
1. Rawk!
2. Zixxer in Genoa
3. The Terror of Highway-4
4. Kawa-Bunga!
"When in doubt, ride."Cadd
2004 Nomad 1500 "Baggins"
VROC #11619 Rolling Blunder #128 |
| Posted By : CaddmannQ - 8/5/2006 6:23 PM | BTW, how fast were you going when those cows came into view?
"When in doubt, ride."
Cadd
2004 Nomad 1500 "Baggins"
VROC #11619 Rolling Blunder #128 |
| Posted By : louemc - 8/8/2006 9:20 AM | Thanks for posting those up Cadd, Not fast on the cows, they were in a secton of blind corners at Mosquito lake, and there was a lady in a car (part of the herding) waving on coming traffic to slow down as well. Not that I needed the advance notice, I always (that's why I've lived this long on two wheels) ride the space I can see, and not at a pace that's assuming the un-seen is without a total hazzard (like a herd of cows, etc). The picture of the rock wall is rather un-special in Ebbetts terms. It just moved me as a feeling of Hello old friend, nice to see you again, Rock wall, blind corner, empty space on the other side of the road (without a center line). That's where I feel at home. Puts the Rock in RoK On
Focus the forces, Be The Force |
| Posted By : Smax - 8/8/2006 10:02 AM | louemc said......Puts the Rock in RoK On
Indeed!!  Keep 'em coming!
PS: I like the helmet, I think...
quiet GSX-R 1100Post Edited (Smax) : 8/9/2006 7:10:45 AM GMT |
| Posted By : luiggispeed - 8/14/2006 4:00 AM | Lou:
I just had the time and watched yer' CD last night,it was the most awsome program I've ever watched!!!
I had to see it 3 times,it was that good!
Thank you for being so cool!!
You absolutly rawck!!
|
| Posted By : louemc - 8/14/2006 9:16 AM | Glad that DVD played for you Luiggi, (I haven't tired of re-watching it either, as it comes on the Science channel). Smax, the dirt/MX'r helmet worked super well, yesterday (Sunday) as I took off before the Sun came up, heading over Ebbetts to meet a Pro from the ZX10 site, that lives in Reno. So.......... that meant riding right into the Sun as it was coming up. The dirt visor was pure Gold to block the Sun that would of been in my eyes. There are times when the speeds make for a hella roar of wind noise, but, being the good boy that I am, I try to keep those times very brief (are you believing this? ) I expect to get the carbon fiber road version as soon as I see it at the dealership (I mean Ben Spies wears it ). Oh the ride with the guy from Reno was perfect, it was such a pleasure to meet and ride with a pro, and checking out his bike was jaw dropping.
Focus the forces, Be The ForcePost Edited (louemc) : 8/14/2006 5:22:15 PM GMT |
| Posted By : louemc - 8/16/2006 10:12 AM | Meeting this Pro (he has an 05 ZX10) he clued me into a trick (total package in chassis tweek) that will be my winter project. I don't want to get into it (as a subject) until I've done it. But for starters, he switches out the rear shock linkage for 05 ZX6R linkage. Seems the ten has a raising rate (which is too raising) and makes for an abrupt advancement to the far end of the compressing end of the stroke (and actually prevents a full stroke). The Six has a straight rate, viola, problem solved. I told him (opening the subject) I was getting an un-wanted behaviour from the rear shock still, I could live with it, but if there was something I could do, I'd do it (I was thinking Ohlins or Penske shock). So........... first I'll do the linkage, and that could be enough. If I still want to pop for an after-market shock, he recommends the Penske. Oh one more thing, the Six's linkage has a ride height adjustment (hint hint).
Focus the forces, Be The Force |
| Posted By : CaddmannQ - 8/16/2006 4:40 PM | Sounds primo. I was going to suggest you fabricate an adjustible link so you can tune it, but that's probably a whole bunch of work.
"When in doubt, ride."
Cadd
2004 Nomad 1500 "Baggins"
VROC #11619 Rolling Blunder #128 |
| Posted By : louemc - 8/17/2006 11:24 AM | Lets give Kawasaki a rousing applause, wave, cheer, for having the parts, so I don't have to do any of that.
Focus the forces, Be The Force |
| Posted By : CaddmannQ - 8/17/2006 3:45 PM | Well, you can tweak the height, but the rate is still fixed. That's what I was getting at. How practical building in a rate adjustment would be I can't imagine without looking at the whole linkage though.
It seems that you might want some rise on the rate though, if not the huge one the stock ZX10R evidently has.
"When in doubt, ride."
Cadd
2004 Nomad 1500 "Baggins"
VROC #11619 Rolling Blunder #128 |
| Posted By : louemc - 8/17/2006 3:52 PM | During the last three hours I shot down to Modesto and ordered the linkage, should be here in two weeks (or less). I can't see ride height adjustment in the phish piccie, the guy telling me about this must of meant it's in the Penske shock. So we will see.
Focus the forces, Be The Force |
| Posted By : CaddmannQ - 8/18/2006 10:00 AM | Ahhh...
The Penske shock probably has progressive-wound springs too, so that gives you some rise on the rate as well.
"When in doubt, ride."
Cadd
2004 Nomad 1500 "Baggins"
VROC #11619 Rolling Blunder #128 |
| Posted By : CaddmannQ - 8/18/2006 10:10 AM | | Ya know, Lou, I just looked at the fiche for both, & I can't see much difference except that the 10R model is beefier around the middle bosses. It does look like the 6R will rise a bit less, but it still appears to be a rising-rate setup to me.
Here's the pics...
"When in doubt, ride."
Cadd 2004 Nomad 1500 "Baggins"
VROC #11619 Rolling Blunder #128 Post Edited (CaddmannQ) : 8/18/2006 6:14:34 PM GMT |
| Posted By : louemc - 8/18/2006 10:26 AM | That's the whole thing (I don't know what the Penske spring characteristics are though), there are several things involved, from straight rate or raising rate linkage, and the spring type (progressive wound, different rates stacked (works performance likes stacked springs) or straight rate wound springs, and the valve type doing the damping. Ohlins and White power were leaders in stacked shims that flex in the shock oil to effect a varying restriction with varying speeds in the shock, and the adjustments of compression/rebound on top of that. Bottom line, everything is valid, what makes right, right is how the rider rides, over what ground, and becomes right for that rider. Also, it's really a bitch to know what the rear suspension has done. Front forks travel is easy to record (a zip tie that show how far the travel went), but, what we really need is electronics recording, way better than that, and then, riding a section, we would have the feel, and plug in the lap top and see in chart form what the sensors saw. The trial and error method leaves a lot to be desired. The good news is (and you know the road) I have a road that is the best test bed that could be had. Hey cool, I just now saw your parts pics, there is a definite difference in hole centers. It would take actual dimensions to give meaning (and the parts people never need to know that, so we push on blindly). Not that rate numbers would mean that much to me anyway, flying the road bumps is the real story I'm after. Thanks for finding the image's and posting them. That's more than I had to go on before.
Focus the forces, Be The ForcePost Edited (louemc) : 8/18/2006 6:38:46 PM GMT |
| Posted By : CaddmannQ - 8/18/2006 12:50 PM | No problem.
But with everything being 3-D modeled nowadays, those parts pics are, if not rendered to an exact scale, perfectly proportional. Not like the old days where an artist with a pencil laid it all out with a few straight lines and a lot of eyeball work.
Too bad I don't have access to Kawasaki's CADD data. Then we could recreate the geometry for real.
Oh, well, you'll have it in metal soon enough.
"When in doubt, ride."
Cadd
2004 Nomad 1500 "Baggins"
VROC #11619 Rolling Blunder #128 |
| Posted By : louemc - 8/19/2006 9:21 AM | That would be fun (and educational) to have a model and put in motion. As soon as the new parts are in my hand, so I have a firmer idea of whats happening, I'll contact Penske and see it they will make a shock to my specs. (and on a when they can schedule it in their production, since I'm in no crisis rush) since the whole scheme here, includes raising the rear end, 3mm, it would be to my advantage to have 1 3/16ths longer travel in that shock, not just the stock travel, and jacked up length. The Plot thickens here
Focus the forces, Be The Force |
| Posted By : CaddmannQ - 8/19/2006 9:58 AM | I'll have to dig around a bit, but it's possible that some accurate data is available somewhere.
I hope the 6R rocker isn't significantly weaker than the 10R part, but since you are a pretty slender guy, it's probably not an issue for you.
With my bulk, I might worry more about cracking the bosses.
"When in doubt, ride."
Cadd
2004 Nomad 1500 "Baggins"
VROC #11619 Rolling Blunder #128 |
| Posted By : CaddmannQ - 8/20/2006 9:47 AM |
louemc said...
I'm thinking the thinner part of that boss doesn't effect the part at all, in a strength concern. All the stress is in a very center line of the part. Depends on how much flex there is in the other parts. If everything else was absolutely rigid, you'd be correct.
If you made one, an eccentric bushing in the middle hole would be neat, allowing some adjustment of the mechanical advantage of the rocker.
"When in doubt, ride."Cadd
2004 Nomad 1500 "Baggins"
VROC #11619 Rolling Blunder #128 |
| Posted By : speed demon - 8/20/2006 5:58 PM | Well, this sounds interesting switching out the shock linkage. I'll be curious to see how it works. What exactly is the stock setup doing that you don't like?
As for the Penske shock, I can vouch for the quality. As my lap times got quicker, I was having an impossible time trying to set up the stock shock. The bike wasn't handling the way I wanted, and I was just tearing the crap out of tires. So about 3 weeks ago I bought a Penske triple clicker, sprung for my weight. All my problems were immediately solved. The thing works great.
|
| Posted By : louemc - 8/21/2006 9:27 AM | Well, The under-laying problem is actually the difficulty in telling exactly what the rear wheel (through the suspension) is doing. That isn't a stock shock or stock linkage problem, but a universal problem. I ride the roughest roads I can find, for several reasons. 1. I'm an Ex desert racer, that can't do that anymore, but that's where my heart is. 2. The area's I like the knarly tight twist roads of, are also right here where I live, so............... that's easy .
Back to the stock rear shock and linkage though, Sunday before last, I had the good fortune to meet a Pro road racer, road rider, that has the same bike I have (only his is tweeked to the 9's) , I told him that although I could live with what I have, just fine, there was an abrupt final part of the compressing stroke on the rear, that I hadn't gotten rid of, and was un-settling the bike, I'd like to get rid of that motion. He told me that he had made the linkage switch, and within the first 200 miles, he could tell a huge improvement, from it.
The first thing I will do is just the linkage switch, and that may be the only thing I want to do. If I want to go the full change that he has done, it is the Penske shock, and raise the rear 3mm, drop the front 3mm on the fork clamps, and extend the wheel base by sliding the rear axle to the max of the adjustment slot and the longer chain for the distance.
I had asked him if he had a preference between Ohlins or Penske, and he said Penske had better support, easier company to deal with.
Focus the forces, Be The ForcePost Edited (louemc) : 8/21/2006 5:30:12 PM GMT |
| Posted By : louemc - 8/22/2006 11:11 AM |
speed demon said...
As for the Penske shock, I can vouch for the quality. As my lap times got quicker, I was having an impossible time trying to set up the stock shock. The bike wasn't handling the way I wanted, and I was just tearing the crap out of tires. So about 3 weeks ago I bought a Penske triple clicker, sprung for my weight. All my problems were immediately solved. The thing works great.
Very glad to hear this, Speed demon, (for me) it's not often to get a first hand report on what a difference, correct working suspension means to how fast a bike is. Mostly regarding stock hyper sport bikes. The most common mind set I hear about is the "the bike comes set-up for a normal person, I'm normal so it is right for me, as is", or some version, of that, which is just a form of denial to sooth the mind of the rider that doesn't want to (doesn't see the reward) enter the unknown area of chassis set-up. Once it is felt (like you have felt it) the concept of the more correct control at the wheel, the more confidence at the rider/racer, the more the power gets sought, the more the speed comes, becomes very clearly brought out. The superior valve works of the top shelf suspension, sure glares in the bright light, of any above normal situations. some day (I don't expect to see it, though), every condition/situation in play, on a bike, will be electronically sensed, and analyzed with a knowledge based program, and "tweeked" as it happens, in real time. The good news is, the machine will perfect it's self. The bad news is the machine can perfect it's self :-)
Focus the forces, Be The Force |
| Posted By : CaddmannQ - 8/22/2006 11:49 AM | The really bad news comes when you blow a fuse and the suspension sags at just the wrong moment...
"When in doubt, ride."
Cadd
2004 Nomad 1500 "Baggins"
VROC #11619 Rolling Blunder #128 |
| Posted By : CaddmannQ - 8/22/2006 12:20 PM | Are you kidding? I've seen Westworld!
If the computer doesn't like the way you're riding, it'll just boot you off the highside & keep going by itself!
"When in doubt, ride."
Cadd
2004 Nomad 1500 "Baggins"
VROC #11619 Rolling Blunder #128 |
| Posted By : Smax - 8/23/2006 1:06 PM | lou... the future will be sooner than you think! "Active" (computer-controlled shocks, etc
instantly reacting to varying inputs)are just around the corner for motorcycles. And as you
said, don't worry about that 'blown fuse'. Just like active suspension on 4-wheelers, a fault/
failure will send the system to 'limp-in' mode.
Westworld, indeed!
Good to see you working on the 'foundation' of the '10...
RoKK On!!
quiet GSX-R 1100 |
| Posted By : louemc - 8/23/2006 1:23 PM |
Smax said...lou... the future will be sooner than you think! "Active" (computer-controlled shocks, etc instantly reacting to varying inputs)are just around the corner for motorcycles. And as you said, don't worry about that 'blown fuse'. Just like active suspension on 4-wheelers, a fault/ failure will send the system to 'limp-in' mode. Westworld, indeed! Good to see you working on the 'foundation' of the '10... RoKK On!!
Knew you would like it Smax, (the suspension activity). The future dialog is a little humor a little sad a little vague mix of what is in process. I love it and hate it at the same time
Focus the forces, Be The Force |
| Posted By : CaddmannQ - 8/23/2006 4:09 PM | One day in the near future...
Customer: My ZX6RRRR went into "limp in mode" and the diagnostic panel say's there's a CMOS error.
Dealer: Well, at least it didn't toss you off the highside like the old 2013 models. Anyhow, the CMOS is laser-soldered in place by robots. Epoxy encapsulated too. We'll need to change the whole computer, but it only takes ten minutes. Plugs right in! I've got one in stock too.
Customer: Great! I can still make it to Starbucks before the $9.99 cappucino special ends. So, how much is a new computer?
Dealer: $5000
Customer: $5000!?! A #@&*#*%@$ ZX6RRRR only costs $10,000 brand new!
Dealer: Oh, that's an RRRR? Lessee.... Hmmmm, that computer is limited production and costs $9000.
Customer: My God! Can't you give me a break? I just bought this bike here in 2017!
Dealer: Sorry. All the parts prices are set by a fault tolerant computer. If I type in a different figure it just corrects it back to list.
"When in doubt, ride."
Cadd
2004 Nomad 1500 "Baggins"
VROC #11619 Rolling Blunder #128 |
| Posted By : louemc - 8/24/2006 9:30 AM | That's why kids need to work hard in school, get a real solid education (I'm getting ahead of myself, first they need rich parents). The future has an increasing struggle built into it. The sooner they face reality, the easier the facing is.
Focus the forces, Be The Force |
| Posted By : Smax - 9/18/2006 12:05 AM | lou, here's another pretty interesting ZX-centric site I stumbled across:
www.bikeland.org/
Scroll to the bottom for others Kaw sites.
www.bikeland.org/board/ the bb. Are all ZX owners nuts??
quiet GSX-R 1100 |
| Posted By : louemc - 9/18/2006 10:38 AM | Cool, Smax, I'll check it out. Yeah, I'd go with All ZX owners nuts. The only thing for me, is finding others that are the same type of nuts as myself, that seems to be a smaller number in that pile
Focus the forces, Be The Force |
| Posted By : Nevik - 9/23/2006 12:50 AM | |
Such a sexy bike...
Rubber side down..
|
| Posted By : louemc - 9/23/2006 11:08 AM | That is a great looker, Nevik. How about some background about yourself? That picture says it would be interesting.
Focus the forces, Be The Force |
| Posted By : louemc - 9/30/2006 10:51 AM | Yesterday, my usual romp over Ebbetts pass, was my personal best. There are several places (this ride is about 200 miles long), that everytime, I try to do better than before. Yesterday was a product of my just feeling more "on" than the times before, and with that, the 10 taking me to a higher plain, with that. That's one very unique thing about the 10, it delivers. I will never find the top, and I don't care. It allows and prods me to a higher top for me. I also am thinking a Penske triple clicker rear shock is in it's future, and a regular Full face (enclosed) Carbon fiber HJC helmet, as the speeds get more high time, the wind roar with the MX'r style, gets a bit much. Plus I took a few real sharp hits from a couple bugs yesterday.
One pass on traffic was really fun. In a section of 17 miles of very challenging corners, because of the ups and downs, and off cambers, in the corners, there is a flat, straight section that is a little less than a quarter mile long, and the solid double yellow, goes broken single dotted there. Just approaching that, I came up on two vehicles, one a large SUV, The other, 150 ft in front of the SUV, a large Pick-up truck. They were going OK, but, I wanted to go More OK, and get past them before the next twisties. I past the first one, and by that time doing 70 maybe, I backed off the gas for a micro second, as I closed on the second, because a wide driveway was ahead on the left, and I didn't want to be in a place where if the pick-up decided that was where to turn, I'd be in the wrong place. That possibility past (in that micro second) and then I whacked the gas, to complete this pass. Front wheel lifted about 6 inches, under hard power, and I went past the pick-up maybe 130 MPH, staying in the left lane with the wheel up and returning to the right lane, and straightening, all with the wheel up, then setting down. So.............. it was fun for me, what it was for the pick-up driver depends on that driver. Could of been major cool, or could of disgusting, I don't know.
Focus the forces, Be The Force |
| Posted By : RedDog - 9/30/2006 10:59 AM | A rush before the passes closes? Enjoy you ride Lou, you have been working hard on it.
RedDog
Travel Light & Leave Your Fears Behind You!
Normal People Scare me!
|
| Posted By : louemc - 9/30/2006 11:39 AM | It should work out perfectly, given what is left of the season, before I can't get my ass in gear in the cold mornings, and then the gates close for snow, So My rear tire is finished, and the winter service of new tire, new chain and spocket, switch out the shock linkage for the straight rate, and install the Penske shock, and clean everything, and wax everything so the next seasons dirt doesn't have the last seasons surface to stick to. This is going to be a fun ... off season The fall colors (we only get yellows and Golds, hardly any reds on anything here) were really pretty yesterday, I think there will be more yellow, before the leaves fall off, nothing I wanted to stop for (I hate stopping if a heavy metal is behind me that I've passed, I don't want them back in front of me). I did stop and get a funny picture, that I'll send to Cadd, and when he can, I'm sure he will scan and post here. I sure wish I had a GIXXR 1000 set up just like the ZX10, so I could compare directly between them. I've always liked Suzuki's Suspension better than an other OEM suspension. I think (but don't know) that the 05 ZX10 has a raw Hooligan personality (exactly what I want), that the GIXXR might not. Just wish I knew for sure, so I could talk more knowledgeably on this with others wanting to get into this experience. What do you think?
Focus the forces, Be The Force |
| Posted By : louemc - 9/30/2006 11:47 AM |
Smax said...lou... the future will be sooner than you think! "Active" (computer-controlled shocks, etc instantly reacting to varying inputs)are just around the corner for motorcycles. And as you said, don't worry about that 'blown fuse'. Just like active suspension on 4-wheelers, a fault/ failure will send the system to 'limp-in' mode. Westworld, indeed! Good to see you working on the 'foundation' of the '10... RoKK On!!
It looks like an electronic motion measuring recorder is in the near future for us. (hopefully not to expensive to buy), so we can start knowing more about what that suspension is doing, and make adjustments from there. Those factory guys will have the stuff that gets the analysis and adjustment done on the fly though. The pace of change is a sweet blur :-)
Focus the forces, Be The Force |
| Posted By : Smax - 10/1/2006 7:46 PM | Pleased that you're whippin' that thing lke a rented mule, per
its design
Also glad your wisdom of years won't allow that you'll ever have to
explore the 10's limits. Next year should be 'funner'!
<edit> Another vote for the Penske...
My Ride: quiet GSX-R 1100Post Edited (Smax) : 10/2/2006 3:49:15 AM GMT |
| Posted By : louemc - 10/2/2006 8:46 AM | Thats the thing Smax, the 05 ZX10 is unique (I didn't know how unique when I bought it). When the changes were made to the 06, And I went on a bitch rant about those changes were all bad changes, at least for how and where I ride, and basing my bitch on just common sense, and getting vertually no support on my rant, because The Kawaski marketing Gods said that Kawaski did it all for a better 10. Now, if anyone would just read the latest Motorcylist magazine where they talk about how the liter race replica's translate to the street, and, on the 10, talk about the difference between the 05 and the 06, I finally have it in print. I was right, I am right, and the accept and support hype guys are sucking wind. Ya hear that Kevin? Sucking wind
Oh I went off on a tangent again, what I wanted to say was you have to whip that 10 like a rented Mule, to get its goods. If anyone buys one and rides it like "normally", they probably won't like the bike, at least feel it's a buzzy bike. The buzz disapears under a wrist twist,
Oh just one more thing, If I can get the picture I took on here, I took it last Friday, at the 8,000 ft elevation, on a 60 degree day at 8,000 ft. Last night it snowed there, and will snow off and on through the middle of this week :-(
Focus the forces, Be The ForcePost Edited (louemc) : 10/2/2006 5:12:33 PM GMT |
| Posted By : Smitty - 10/2/2006 8:53 PM | |
Will agree with you on the altitude & temp. I was lower to-day, but felt the cold even with all the gear I was wearing. Also where the road winds its way though saddles of some Mtns they rarely see any sun, so eased into them pondering over Black Ice, but it has not rained in last few weeks.
So it was just darn cold & in comming back around 2:00pm it still felt cold, but not like 8:30am.
So what I am saying is I feel our days of riding in said terrain will be comming to a stop darn soon & yours even sooner at said altitude. Mind you I was looking at one Mtn peak around 8,000' & as of to-day, I did not see snow, but then we still do not have any rain & to-morrow it starts.
Remember all the others on the road are crazy & out to kill you. |
| Posted By : RedDog - 10/3/2006 6:08 AM | I have lived way too long in countries and places where the MC season comes to a long hault, like 5-6 months. And the funny is that as we grow, some of us just cannot get enough and the hault hurts more and more - thus I moved South.
RedDog
Travel Light & Leave Your Fears Behind You!
Normal People Scare me!
|
| Posted By : louemc - 10/3/2006 11:26 AM | After this weather front passes through, The flat lander weather reporters, promise some more decent weather, So we will see if that translates to the High country. I expect to be able to go up and check out the road, say Friday, or Next Monday. Now that I've picked up corner speed, on the challenging switch backs, there is one that (this is going up-hill) has a large hump in the road, after the corner. It's not going to take much more speed, with some determination, to power out of this corner, and then launch off the hump, with impressive air. This is my new goal in life, with the hopes that someday, I'll time it to overtake someone exiting the corner, and get impressive air right in front of them. There is great visability there, like straight climb for the distance of what would be two city blocks long. Very safe, and very do-able (I think).
Focus the forces, Be The Force |
| Posted By : RedDog - 10/3/2006 11:30 AM | You take care - I have been over that pass and it's deep down on some of them sides.
RedDog
Travel Light & Leave Your Fears Behind You!
Normal People Scare me!
|
| Posted By : CaddmannQ - 10/3/2006 12:31 PM |
louemc said... there is one that (this is going up-hill) has a large hump in the road, after the corner. It's not going to take much more speed, with some determination, to power out of this corner, and then launch off the hump, with impressive air. Just be lined up really well. A tad too far to the left and you'll be getting about 3000 ft. of air, a 1000 ft. tumble through the scree, and then a really cold bath.
"When in doubt, ride."
Cadd
2004 Nomad 1500 "Baggins"
VROC #11619 Rolling Blunder #128 |
| Posted By : louemc - 10/3/2006 12:43 PM | No problem guys , It's going to take a lot of working up to it, so... nothing too hair ball should develope. Looks like Next year, now anyway.
Focus the forces, Be The ForcePost Edited (louemc) : 10/3/2006 8:47:33 PM GMT |
| Posted By : Gription - 10/19/2006 12:59 PM | How would you describe the difference powerband wise between the TL and ZX motors. Specificaly coming off of the corner. I have been doing a lot of thinking. If I were ever to get another 4cly for the track I would problably go for a 1000. I have only ridden 600 and 750 fours. All of my litre bike experience is on twins and triples. I love the silky smoothe 600s, but their powerbands are a bit spikey for my taste. I couldn't be happier with my bike just wondering.
Walk up to a corner and run out of it.Post Edited (Gription) : 10/19/2006 9:03:41 PM GMT |
| Posted By : louemc - 10/19/2006 2:44 PM | Glad to see the charts posted up Gripton, I tried to super impose the lines from the ZX10 and the RC51 to illustrate the difference, but, my freehand lost anything that could be found. The Answer is "quick" the difference is intensely quick, not spikey, just Quick, that doesn't let up, going to a harder pull, the harder it pulls. That's if you get on the gas, anything you want is there, you can ride in traffic (OK some traffic, it doesn't want to go slow) if you need to.
Even though I haven't ridden the new-ish GIXXR 1000's, I'd recommend one of those, over the ZX. You might ask RedDog his impression, but I've always preferred GIXXR suspension to anyone elses from the big four.
Speed Demon just switched out his Kawi rear shock for a Penske triple clicker and immediately found his rear tire stayed planted and wore nice, and with the stock shock the tire just ate up. I'm finding the same (he races on the track I just blast the old rough roads) but right now I'm checking who will redo my suspension. The right now effort is Lindemann Engineering with Penske front and back.
Focus the forces, Be The Force |
| Posted By : Gription - 10/19/2006 4:02 PM | I'm interested in seeing how the MCUSA guys feel about the new gixxers traction control or whatever it is. I like the ZX10s. The new one makes a bit more sense as a track bike, but the older one is more badass. Honestly if I did get a 1000 four I would go for the honda first just because everybody says it's so easy to ride. Speed comes from whats between ears so I want the bike that does the job most intuitively. Specs mean nothing if you can go 2sec a lap faster than the other guy. If I was forced not to have a big twin track bike my next choice would be the 675, after that 1000rr or 10r. I don't think I will ever have another supersport bike for the road.
After going to the track my evaluation of motorcycles is completely different. I don't really care how much hp. I just want a nice flat curve that will blast out without having to ring its neck. Torque is very important, as is stability and direction change.
Oh There were some sweet 10Rs out at the track. One guy had heil bars on his that looked super comfy. Not as cool as your set up but nice. Also there was an orange one with cams and all kind of stuff. He was over 170hp at the wheel. He wasn't any faster lap time wise than most people in his group, but that thing could eat up a straight. My fav bike had to be one of the instructors 1000rr. He has ohlins forks and shock, sato ti exaust and god knows what else. He absoutley murdered me on the fastest part of the track even though I had a drive on him.
Walk up to a corner and run out of it.Post Edited (Gription) : 10/20/2006 12:12:07 AM GMT |
| Posted By : RedDog - 10/19/2006 7:08 PM | I suggest you go and ride the different bikes in mind. Down here we see a lot of GSX-R1000s on the track, stock or souped up. During the latest 6 hour endurance race over at Texas world, there were plenty of Gixxers - even the winning team and the play team consisiting of a couple of very famous guys. We were in the pits with them and the winning team - and learn a lot about bikes and set ups. And BTW the power band on the Gixxer is just awesome, nothing better. And, I have some 25,000 miles on my 05 and absolute no issues.
RedDog
Travel Light & Leave Your Fears Behind You!
Normal People Scare me!
|
| Posted By : Gription - 10/20/2006 5:42 AM | Ha I guess it is pretty good if you have 25,000 miles on it already. I rode 25 last year but only about 3,800 this year. When I can walk about anywhere I need to go I just don't put up the miles like I used to. I also have 400 or so on my Dad's T100 and then another 200 on other bikes. Thats going to be all for me this season. I'm going to change my bike back to street mode today and put it up untill the next track day. It is 49 degrees here with the wind blowing 30mph.
Walk up to a corner and run out of it. |
| Posted By : louemc - 10/20/2006 9:57 AM | Just as a supension up-date, I just heard from Lindemann Engineering. Jim said, Penske rear, and his own revalving of my stock forks gave best results. So that's what's going to happen.
I contacted all the major suspension services, and I have no doubt there are other people (customers) that got great inter-actions, but for me, all the others came up short, for my requests. Jim Lindemann was prompt reply, and explained the details of why his recommendation was a little different than my request. He carries all the major brand components, he can do anything, and he has a long history of clients that have done better with him, than others.
All sytems are GO
Focus the forces, Be The Force |
| Posted By : louemc - 10/20/2006 10:16 AM |
Gription said...
I'm interested in seeing how the MCUSA guys feel about the new gixxers traction control or whatever it is. I like the ZX10s. The new one makes a bit more sense as a track bike, but the older one is more badass.
That's (badass) very accurate, actually what makes the 05 work better for my ride conditions, and, even though I haven't riden the others, I have every confidence in the magazines (like Sport Rider) that say, the 05 is the most FUN (hooligan-ish) of them all.
After going to the track my evaluation of motorcycles is completely different. I don't really care how much hp. I just want a nice flat curve that will blast out without having to ring its neck. Torque is very important, as is stability and direction change.
Again, wish I had seat time on all of them to be objective. From my biased perspective, the 10 is so stunning in the combo of Torque/throttle control/power delivery/ease of flick and direction change, with stable being do-able (but good lord, with all that, it takes judgement to not get to un-done). That I rate the 10 #1 and assume the GIXXR 1000 to share that #1 slot. Just somehow can't feel the R1 or CBR-RR (maybe with one more R it would be better ), are quite as on that edge.
Focus the forces, Be The Force |
| Posted By : CaddmannQ - 10/27/2006 2:33 PM | | A few end of the season photos from Louie's neck of the woods:
1. The Famous Genoa Saloon. wish I was there now.
2. Rough roads for the rough rider.
3. Lou made me take Judy and a load of luggage up this road on my brand new Nomad. I think one of my muffler bolts is still up there in a pothole somewhere.
4. What can I say? FishROK on!
"When in doubt, ride."Cadd
2004 Nomad 1500 "Baggins"
VROC #11619 Rolling Blunder #128 |
| Posted By : RedDog - 10/27/2006 2:41 PM | Neat shots. FishROK on - yeah!
RedDog
Travel Light & Leave Your Fears Behind You!
Normal People Scare me!
|
| Posted By : motorwerks919 - 10/27/2006 10:13 PM |
[Threadjack]
Gription said...My fav bike had to be one of the instructors 1000rr. He has ohlins forks and shock, sato ti exaust and god knows what else. He absoutley murdered me on the fastest part of the track even though I had a drive on him.
That bike didn't look like this did it?
[/threadjack] |
| Posted By : louemc - 10/28/2006 9:11 AM | A bike like that is welcome eye candy here any time No problem thread jacking, the tread will return, in a heart beat
Focus the forces, Be The Force |
| Posted By : louemc - 10/28/2006 9:16 AM | Anyone care to caption the High Sierra Rock Fish? I'll start
1. Ahh Crap, I thought I was coming in for a frog snack, and part of it took off screaming like a little girl.
Focus the forces, Be The Force |
| Posted By : Smitty - 10/28/2006 1:22 PM | Thanks for the shots Lou & Cadd. That 1000 looks sweet & probably a dream to ride. Well those roads, in the photos, all I can think of is taking them easy, not that they are tricky in fact nothing-nothing roads bar the patching AND you never can tell on a bend you find some cage driver got off to the should & spread a lot of gravel on the pavement. Actually first time, in years, that I have seen the shoulders of the roads like that for ours have that 2 or 3' & then they go into a gutter for run of water & smack into a rock wall or give you the same distance on the shoulder & a neat drop for some distance, or smack into some fire or pine trees. Dropping off at the bar looks like a good stop & I would disappoint others as I ask for coffee or a cool drink but not of liquor----told you I was a 'party pooper'---besides being so darn straight.
Remember all the others on the road are crazy & out to kill you. |
| Posted By : CaddmannQ - 10/28/2006 2:04 PM | | If I'm not mistaken, that's Rock Hill Road, and that road has edges at the edges.
And there's gravel near the edges, and enough patched up potholes on every bend that I didn't dare take them too fast for fear of flying. Even as it was, as I tried to run wide enough to avoid a hole on the inside of a sharp downhill off-camber 90, I ran into tiny gravel, had to straighten to avoid skidding (running wider still) until I was forced onto an edge.
I had to back off even more and ride the edge until I was down to maybe 5 MPH before I could coax the loaded Nomad back up the edge. There was no more than a foot of rocky dirt between that edge and a very rough ditch.
I managed to do it all so smoothly that Judy never realized how close to real trouble we were. She thought I was just pulling over to stop. Lou, however, saw the whole thing from behind me, and HE knew alright.
When Judy asked me why we were stopping, I just told her, "I caught an edge." I never really did tell her what it meant though....
"When in doubt, ride."Cadd 2004 Nomad 1500 "Baggins"
VROC #11619 Rolling Blunder #128 Post Edited (CaddmannQ) : 10/28/2006 10:07:08 PM GMT |
| Posted By : CaddmannQ - 10/28/2006 2:19 PM |
louemc said...
Anyone care to caption the High Sierra Rock Fish? "Silent sentinals of the Sierra, the Greater Ebbett's Chameleon Rokphish (or Motophiliac Voracious) slides slowly towards its unsuspecting prey, drawn by the sound of an unwary motorist draining his bladder in the nearby bushes. Though genetically colorblind, it seems to prefer these bright green specimens, to the blue, red, or yellow species that frequent its habitat."
"When in doubt, ride."
Cadd 2004 Nomad 1500 "Baggins"
VROC #11619 Rolling Blunder #128 Post Edited (CaddmannQ) : 10/29/2006 10:29:32 PM GMT |
| Posted By : Smitty - 10/28/2006 5:16 PM | Warning Lou, for Cadd has pointed out that you are close to being in trouble. LOL
Remember all the others on the road are crazy & out to kill you. |
| Posted By : Gription - 10/29/2006 6:40 AM | Yeah that was it, you know/are the dude?
Walk up to a corner and run out of it. |
| Posted By : motorwerks919 - 10/29/2006 11:06 AM |
Gription said...Yeah that was it, you know/are the dude?
No, I only know him from the internet. I just had a hunch it was him, he has an HRC racekitted motor.
|
| Posted By : Gription - 10/29/2006 2:28 PM | Yeah he just up and left me. Sweet bike.
Walk up to a corner and run out of it. |
| Posted By : louemc - 10/30/2006 12:47 PM | Smitty said...
Warning Lou, for Cadd has pointed out that you are close to being in trouble. LOL
Don't think so, Smitty. I am extremely cautious, actually. In the framework of aware of the hazzards and what can be seen, and what I do with the bike. And the fact that I don't get paid to go fast, and I don't want to hurt.
You would really really love the roads I get to ride, it's like riding a scrambles without all that dirty dirt, and dust. I treasure having this, virtually to myself, and, living in this time when it is still here. And what we have in equipment to ride, right now. This is the best time in my life.
Focus the forces, Be The Force |
| Posted By : Smitty - 10/30/2006 2:14 PM | |
An extremely good point Lou. How I wish I was back into my late 30s & even in this area not to mention your lovely roads. You are lucky Lou & here I am wondering if I can still ride my present bikes or like them a few yrs down the road.
Age is upon me plus the old injuries are acting up, extreme weakness in the strength of my hands or arms for I am noticing this in not only riding, but in h/gun shooting along with working out in the gym three days of the week around 1 to 1.5 hrs each time.
One of the reason I stop with my right foot going to the ground is not only my old ways, along with immediate acces to the gear shit lever, BUT because I cannot trust my left trick ankle for it has been broken up & cracked to much that I might put my weight on it ONLY to find it gave up & down would I go with the bike. Also the same reason I have to adjust the shift lever so high as the ankle has very limited leverage.
So if any of you chaps are in your 40s or even 50s then consider yourself lucky to be riding & are not riddled with past injuries that are giving further trouble. If Lou had not brought up that on his post I would not have typed the above with severe meaning.
Remember all the others on the road are crazy & out to kill you.Post Edited (Smitty) : 11/1/2006 2:03:16 AM GMT |
| Posted By : louemc - 10/31/2006 11:46 AM | We ( You and I Smitty ),are lucky to be our age, and to have gone through all the earlier ways, to get to where we are now. I for one, wouldn't want to be one bit younger. Not knowing the exact schedule or future events, it's just a hunch, but I don't want to see what I expect by the odds, that the not too far future will play out as. Along the way, most of my Moto-cross hero's got injuries (including total paralysis) that put them out. Skiiers got broken legs, daily. Street/road riders were killed or injured so bad they couldn't work, and their life was changed to say the least. There will come a time very soon, that I won't feel up to riding, even though it's pleasent with exciting parts right now, that too will pass. I know without a doubt that this is my last bike, every bike has to be more exciting than the last, and nothing can be more exciting and survivable than what I have now. We are so extremely privaliged to live in this part of the world, of natural beauty, I wouldn't trade for anything else. I find the new technology of suspension and tires, very exciting, a thing to get after on the learning of. This internet thing is fairly new to me as well, being able to have communication with others from beyond my local circles is a Godsend of the now. Just a few years ago, I wouldn't know of a Smitty in Canada, and what his life was about, but, this internet thing changed that, and is a value to my life.
Focus the forces, Be The Force |
| Posted By : speed demon - 11/1/2006 10:21 AM | | Phew...dam lou..you weren't kidding. Those roads look pretty rough! I'd still give it a go though. Wish I lived a little closer.
|
| Posted By : louemc - 11/1/2006 11:10 AM | I wish you lived closer, also, Speed. There is quite a range in the different roads surfaces. Hwy 49 between Coulterville and Mariposia is pretty smooth (but rock walls and drop offs are un-forgiving). Hwy 4 (Ebbetts Pass over the Sierra) is pretty smooth, but not as smooth as 49. And then there is the road in this last set of pictures that the pictures don't even begin to show how rough, for one thing, the pictures can't show much road, the best spots aren't real photogentic, so no picture there. Some day, not too far away, I want a video camera, on the bike, so what's actually happening can be shown. I have never seen a road like this, the closest ride in activity is what those Euro guys do, like the Isle of Man. I'm not that fast (I mean who else is) but they ride with airborne moments. I like airborne moments
Focus the forces, Be The Force |
| Posted By : Smitty - 11/1/2006 1:47 PM | | I can just see it Lou, what with a video camera & said rougher then normal roads, the video camera would be bobbing around like video camera work from the sidecar rig at the Isle of Man TT.
For I know you would be trotting at a pretty mean pace on your Kwacker & not the slower speed that Cadd did on his monster.
Remember all the others on the road are crazy & out to kill you.Post Edited (Smitty) : 11/1/2006 9:53:51 PM GMT |
| Posted By : louemc - 11/1/2006 2:23 PM | I'd try it both on my helmet, and on the bike Smitty, to see what ends up looking right. The reason I haven't done this already, is I'm still waiting (but have to believe it's going to be a short wait) for the super tiny, high resolution, accurate color, camera that must be just the next thing. I'm thinking the Helmet location will be best, but I want the front end lofts to be in there. I saw a DVD of the Isle of Man, and from a camera down about axle high, you saw the road, and the fork travel, and the moments of full extension, being the wheel in the air. It (when it happens) is going to be a lot of fun to do, and work with something new (to me). It would be fun to show you my ride, that way, I know you would feel it like you were doing it, because the same thing has gone through your eyes, on your rides.
Focus the forces, Be The Force |
| Posted By : Slowestjoe - 11/1/2006 3:58 PM | |
Hey Lou,
Here is the photo you wanted. I hope I downloaded it correctly. The new bars are not as tall and and inch shorter in length, but are still LSL bars. I haven't taken any photos yet but will soon. I saw the photos of your bike and that thing ROCKS I really like what you have done to it. It looks great without the lower fairings on it.
I just went over 18k miles about two weeks ago. I doubt I would have that many miles with the stock clip ons.
Post Edited (Slowestjoe) : 11/2/2006 12:06:42 AM GMT |
| Posted By : Gription - 11/2/2006 7:48 AM | Nice, excellent set up. High bars rule
Walk up to a corner and run out of it. |
| Posted By : louemc - 11/2/2006 10:32 AM | Down loaded perfectly Joe, Thanks for the addition to this thread. I have great hopes that seeing an example like your bike, will inspire others to this move. Your experiences with the elite track schools will be great to hear about as well. And, further mods to your bike, and what that does for you. Thanks again
Focus the forces, Be The Force |
| Posted By : Smitty - 11/2/2006 12:46 PM | Agree that the handlebars raised will give a rider a better position & more leverge when needed. In my case I will stick to the clip-ons because I am so humped anyway that clip-ons fit me if not to lowly set
------------------------------------------
Lou agree with you that if you have this new video camera it will be more then interesting. On the helmet will be a bit to much bobbing around especially if one rides like me for my head is bobbing all the time, doing shoulder checks, checking the traffic ahead & such. Now mounted onthe bike I can see that as more sensible. I think we both saw the same video of he sidecar rig for one part it was on the riders head & that was a real bobbing head while lower on the bike it was more steady, still seeing the travel in the suspension & the wheel twisting to actually in the air was quite a site. Here I am without even a digital camera, BUT yesterday I think the Govt made a massive change in the savings, bonds & such that-------well to expensive to put down here in few words as I am still confused. It was to stop corporations from pocketing a lot of money & not paying taxes on it. Best I can say so far, but have a hunch my savings have dropped in value a fair amount like 15% or more.
Remember all the others on the road are crazy & out to kill you. |
| Posted By : louemc - 11/2/2006 1:03 PM | Hard to say Smitty on the bobbing camera, I'll just have to see. It might be a combo of the two edited from several runs on the sme road, for me. My head is very still, and the bike is moving under me, when things turn serious. But how the camera sees things, motion can be best, at least too smooth is a snooze at times and makes it look like nothing is going on.
I'm real sure of one thing, when this camera comes on the market, I'm only buying one, so more than one run, with different camera locations is most likely Would be nice if someone along side the road had the camera for some footage.
Focus the forces, Be The Force |
| Posted By : CaddmannQ - 11/2/2006 2:54 PM |
louemc said...
Hard to say Smitty on the bobbing camera, I'll just have to see. It might be a combo of the two edited from several runs on the sme road, for me... I once asked Kenny (or Kevin, I forget...) how MCUSA got those wheel cam and helmet cam videos to look so smooth. I figured they were using some kind of stabilization hardware (or software.)
His answer is just that they shoot 12 hours of video & edit it down to the smoothest 3 minutes. The rest is tossed.
"When in doubt, ride."Cadd
2004 Nomad 1500 "Baggins"
VROC #11619 Rolling Blunder #128 |
| Posted By : CaddmannQ - 11/2/2006 3:11 PM |
louemc said...Don't think so, Smitty. I am extremely cautious, actually. In the framework of aware of the hazzards and what can be seen, and what I do with the bike.
Actually, he is Smitty. When I followed his TLR ("followed" being a relatively loose term you understand) I realized that Lou knew the road well and the TLR would go so much faster than Lou was riding it, but that the terrain was just too unforgiving, broken pavement, sharp dropoffs and full of blind corners & pebbles & such. If you took one at max possible speed & met a truck coming the other way or a stray rock in the middle of the road, there would be no way to avoid a crash. Lou always left enough cushion to allow him to make emergency corrections if need be.
I left tons more room for myself, having about 1350 lbs. to muscle around including me, Judy, and our luggage; plus the road being absolutely unknown to me. I literally came to a split second stop at the tops of sharp rises because the road curved so unpredicitably that I never knew which way I'd have to go when the road became visible once more. At least one spot had the peak at the middle of an "S" curve, so you entered leaning one way, and left leaning the other. If you'd had any air under your tires as you cleared the rise, you'd never make the switch unless you knew which way the road went in advance. (Well you might. I never could have. )
"When in doubt, ride."Cadd
2004 Nomad 1500 "Baggins"
VROC #11619 Rolling Blunder #128 |
| Posted By : Tros - 11/2/2006 11:59 PM | | A guy worth taking advice on riding with a video camera would be com3. His website - http://www.seppes.com/wp/
I'd say when it comes to on bike video, he knows what he's doing.
"People take different roads seeking fulfillment and happiness. Just because they're not on your road doesn't mean they've gotten lost." |
| Posted By : RedDog - 11/3/2006 6:51 AM | Interesting footage, particlarly some of the angles from the bike. That underneat shot facing rear suspension and wheel shows clearly how much rear suspension travels. Neat.
RedDog
Travel Light & Leave Your Fears Behind You!
Normal People Scare me!
|
| Posted By : louemc - 11/3/2006 2:35 PM |
I'd say when it comes to on bike video, he knows what he's doing.
Well, this is a win win situation, if it's un-inspiring, I sigh a sigh of relief, because I can trump that.
If it's inspiring, I can enjoy the inspiration.
In this case, (but who knows how long it will take to get the camera), There is no doubt in my mind that I can put out a better road film than seppes did. He did show me a few things not to do though, so that's a help.
Those Euro guys that do the Scottish and the Isle of Mann though, now they are the inspire guys.
Focus the forces, Be The Force |
| Posted By : louemc - 11/4/2006 12:43 PM |
Smitty said...
------------------------------------------
Lou agree with you that if you have this new video camera it will be more then interesting.
I'm really excited about this Smitty. Given my favorite road to work with (which I have to myself, pretty much), and it being way rougher than anything I see in any video's, and, after seeing what stuns and what doesn't in the stuff so far, it will be a blast to see what I can do. The biggest stumbling block is the camera's aren't quite there yet in features, to make it work. They all are in a state of transition, with one having a feature, and another a feature, but none of them having all the features in one package. And this project would be super demanding on what these Video camera's can do. But, We will see......... :-)
Focus the forces, Be The Force |
| Posted By : CaddmannQ - 11/4/2006 1:08 PM | And then you have the problem of uploading the videos to a web host, Lou.
Right now you can't even up-load a photo, so a video you're going to have to mail someone on CD or DVD, which means having a burner, and of course video editing software.
Just getting the "footage" is the first step, but only the first.
"When in doubt, ride."
Cadd
2004 Nomad 1500 "Baggins"
VROC #11619 Rolling Blunder #128 |
| Posted By : Smitty - 11/4/2006 1:22 PM | Hope the cameras you want will turn up for knowing you, just through the 'net I feel the video will have to be as perfect as possible.
Cadd I love lots of strange things in twisty roads & especially with climbs or drops. I have a few tight bends that are off-cambered so if you get it right then you can really scoot & know you did well.
I mentioned how the Grey Hound Bus driver pulled over to the shoulder on a twisty down hill TWICE to let me scoot by. Now positive he simply wanted to hear & see a four pot bike honk it for it had a couple of wiggles or quick left & rights, but not out of sight & then flattened at the bottom (almost enough to bottom on my 600 but not the Hondas) with a strong right bend, to also go immediately into a series of lefts & rights, form one to the other, IF I did not have traffic crawling in front of me, but usually did as they would be down from 80kph--60mph to 50kph---30mph when in actual fact I like to hike that part at 120---75mph or faster. Three yrs ago received a speeding ticket, from RCMP for clocking said bit over 140kph--85mph with the Constable sitting on the other side of the road.
Love these Mtns & our roads, but not the RCMP.
Remember all the others on the road are crazy & out to kill you. |
| Posted By : CaddmannQ - 11/4/2006 7:09 PM | Once in a blue moon someone here will slide over just, I know, because they want to see me honk by. I try to give 'em a show.
"When in doubt, ride."
Cadd
2004 Nomad 1500 "Baggins"
VROC #11619 Rolling Blunder #128 |
| Posted By : Slowestjoe - 11/6/2006 7:37 AM | Hey Lou, and others that like Dirt bike style bars.
Have you seen this site. Check it out and let me know what you think.
It is RetroSBK.com. The bikes are insanely expensive but if money wasn't an issue
I would have one in my garage. My wife needs to get a third job
Talk to you soon
Joe
|
| Posted By : louemc - 11/6/2006 10:37 AM | CaddmannQ said...And then you have the problem of uploading the videos to a web host, Lou. Right now you can't even up-load a photo, so a video you're going to have to mail someone on CD or DVD, No problem, There, Cadd My Man. When I want to send a photo or a few photo's, I'd rather send hard copy photo's. When a video is made, it's going to DVD period (for me), and I'll send that DVD to someone that would like to have it, and up-load if possible to the web host. The internet service is expanding every day, I might even have my own access in the remotesville, in another year. There are high dollar housing developments (like 800 homes in each development) coming into the foot hills. Those home owners won't stand for no access, they have a voice. One person with no neighbors (like Me) has no voice. Those Developements won't impact my road though, Those home owners want big homes on small lots, you can't buy or have less than 60 acres here, and the people that have bought parcels have bought several for larger, like 200 acre parcel to have what they want, which is No visable neighbors. It's going to be awhile before the camera I want (hope it's Canon when it comes though) comes on the market. So I'm waiting for several things. The internet, the new generation of Computers, the next generation of Video camera's. All of this could come in a year, two at the most, Though. Oh, just one more thing, when the camera becomes a reality, I need to make a mount that is different (not giving away a secret here) than how the camera's are mounted in every video you have seen so far.
Focus the forces, Be The Force Post Edited (louemc) : 11/6/2006 6:41:56 PM GMT |
| Posted By : Smax - 1/11/2007 1:59 AM | Thought I'd bump lou's blog for selfish reasons as well as
to let new members/passersby enjoy it.
Smitty & Cadd: can't tell you how many times when in my
car I'll move over to let a sportbike blast by to enjoy their
enjoyment!
lou: next time motorwerks stops by to post, his sig. has a
link you'll enjoy with some sweet Streetfighters. There are
a few TL-based 'fighters featured in the forum that are amazing...
Shake it up!
My Ride: quiet GSX-R 1100 |
| Posted By : louemc - 1/11/2007 11:02 AM | Thanks for the bump, Smax since I'm in the limbo season of my ride area is snowed in, I didn't have any current fodder to feed the Green Animal
Focus the forces, Be The Force |
| Posted By : CaddmannQ - 1/11/2007 11:28 AM |
Smax said...Smitty & Cadd: can't tell you how many times when in my
car I'll move over to let a sportbike blast by to enjoy their
enjoyment!
I do the same thing on my bike too. My rule with traffic is always to give people as much room as possible.
You never know when they might need it.
"When in doubt, ride."Cadd
2004 Nomad 1500 "Baggins"
VROC #11619 Rolling Blunder #128 |
| Posted By : louemc - 1/11/2007 12:07 PM |
Smax said...
Smitty & Cadd: can't tell you how many times when in my
car I'll move over to let a sportbike blast by to enjoy their
enjoyment!
I do it as often as a bike is gaining on me, (and a bike that gains on me is always a sport bike, never has a cruiser / touring / standard done it, and even though a good DP bike could do it, there never has been one here) when I'm in my SUV. Everytime, so far, I see them back far enough, and there is such limited space or legal passing places on this sweet twister road I'm talkin about, I pull off the road into first gravely fat spot, and that leaves open clear road for them (it would be criminal for them to be here and not have clear road to play on).
Just my civic duty to show this place in it's best way
Focus the forces, Be The Force |
| Posted By : RedDog - 1/13/2007 6:10 PM | Ditto ... but I don't have a SUV, but even in the Vette, Truck and the boring sedans. I didn't mention my bike, did I?
Even then, very seldom though. Not cause I am in the chase, but rather in my pace - my pace.
RedDog
Travel Light & Leave Your Fears Behind You!
Normal People Scare me!
|
| Posted By : Smax - 1/18/2007 1:45 AM | lou: I had told you of the site that member motorwerks919 had posted some time ago that had many pics of sweet streetfighters, a couple'a TL's and Sv's in particular that were done right.
Here's the link, but I couldn't find the blue TL(R?) that caught my eye. There's a nice SV on pg. 3, or so. If I find the TL's I direct you...
www.customfighters.com/forums/
My Ride: quiet GSX-R 1100 |
| Posted By : louemc - 1/18/2007 12:14 PM | Wow !!! Smax, that site will give me mega looking, I'll have to start searching tomorrow, gotta run today, but that site looks like a gold mine for the bikes I like best, probably will join, there must be like minded to talk to, too.
Focus the forces, Be The Force |
| Posted By : motorwerks919 - 1/18/2007 1:40 PM |
Smax said...lou: I had told you of the site that member motorwerks919 had posted some time ago that had many pics of sweet streetfighters, a couple'a TL's and Sv's in particular that were done right. Here's the link, but I couldn't find the blue TL(R?) that caught my eye. There's a nice SV on pg. 3, or so. If I find the TL's I direct you... www.customfighters.com/forums/
I think you may have got me confused with somebody else. I don't remember posting that site, or my memory is shot . |
| Posted By : Tros - 4/9/2007 2:08 PM | I started re-reading through this blog, then I got lazy; Lou, did you have to trim anything to get your handlebars to not interfere with the windshield?
I was looking at lsl handlebar kits and they mention some trimming might be required.
"People take different roads seeking fulfillment and happiness. Just because they're not on your road doesn't mean they've gotten lost." |
| Posted By : louemc - 4/9/2007 6:58 PM | No, I didn't have to trim any plastic, on the ZX 10. The conversion on the TLR with Pro-Taper bars, I trimmed a couple inches off the windscreen, and plastic. It all depends on the particular bars and bar mounts, and bike. Slowest Joe that posted pictures on this thread used ISL kit (I think), and, I don't think he trimmed plastic. I'd trim plastic in a heart beat. It's just freakin plastic, the change you make with the handlebar conversion, in how your bike works on the public street/highway, packing the performance of a race replica into a bike you sit on like a normal bike, and have the control (potental, you have to do it, the bike doesn't control its self) is in line with the control of flat trackers and Motocrossers and Desert racers. They don't sit on their bikes like they do because they haven't wised up to clip-ons, Ya know. Ya gotta grasp the concept of controling your bike in the setting of where it's being used. Once that happens there is no way a street/highway rider will keep (RedDog's an exception, and no one can argue that) clip-on's On. Plastic is not important. Of course there is no shortage of riders that will say, your not flat tracking or motocrossing or desert racing or Super moto racing on the street. To them I say, Ya can be to avoid an out of control cager, or a surprise hazzard. No skin off my butt if they are in denial, they can go bare headed for all I care, in their pursuit of the ultimate denial (wait, I'm I going on a rant here?)
Focus the forces, Be The ForcePost Edited (louemc) : 4/10/2007 3:02:37 AM GMT |
| Posted By : Smax - 4/21/2007 6:34 PM | lou, is your 'playground' open yet this year?
Around 20 years ago, I moved west of my native city. East of that city are the foothills of a mountain range I used to 'live' on on my old bikes. Haven't seen much of these spectacularly-carved rising/falling snaklet roads since. 'Til I took your lead last week and MOVED to the mountain. Primary reason was rising crime. Secondary benefit is a permanent smile on my face, even as I re-explore these roller coaster roads again just on 4 wheels (it's like an acid-trip -- recalling all the primo times we had riding and "relaxing" roadside). No more nappies, too.
Visited my old ultra-rural Triumph shop today (74-degrees...) and got the bug to reenter the world of street-riding (after my one-year self imposed curb). Tearing around 'my' old roads in my slug Pontiac just don't get it! Saw some new 'fightered' Speed Triples, 955s, etc, and gaped over an unbelivable 675 rendering.
Don't know what I'll buy (the old gsx-r11 will stay a strip-only ride). Maybe Triumph (the new triples just don't sonically campare)/One of the ZX-14s I've been fawning over the last 2-wks at the Kaw/Hon dlr, maybe a newer gsxr. Who knows, but I'm BACK IN! Maybe even a ZX-10 w/'lou-mods'???
Cheers. Keep us posted on your adventures this year.
Scoot-jockey. gsx-r 1100 |
| Posted By : louemc - 4/21/2007 7:05 PM | Wow Smax, This is such good news, like you have a new lease on life with a step like that. Hard choice on which way to go on the street bike, huge factor is how far is the ride? Which is a tough question. If you had a 14, and it was the new Connie, and you had the notion, you could see the beauty of America and go to race events, and just generally "go". If that doesn't seem likely, an 05 ZX-10 with Lou mods is a drug, but I don't know if you can get away with main lining on your roller coaster roads (cop and traffic wise) only you know that. RedDog should be talked to, as well. This is just such good news, I'm eager to hear how this progresses.
Focus the forces, Be The Force |
| Posted By : Smax - 4/21/2007 9:57 PM | louemc said...Wow Smax, This is such good news, like you have a new lease on life with a step like that. Hard choice on which way to go on the street bike, huge factor is how far is the ride? Which is a tough question. If you had a 14, and it was the new Connie, and you had the notion, you could see the beauty of America and go to race events, and just generally "go"...
Sure feels like a new lease! I've been nonplussed by the winter and general rat-race-shit, but since gettin' out of the city, I feel like a young man or something ;)
How far is the ride? Well, the rollercoaster starts at my driveway. But you know us drag racers don't like distance. Maybe when I reach The Smitty's age, I'll do those 5-hr rides. Fifty to a hundred miles at a time is my sweet spot. Triple digits speeds are reached in spurts, but not sustained. Still starving for gut-wrenching acceleration and a little rear-end dangling through the 'safe' sweepers that light my fire. Taking in the beauty and tripping to race events is best done in air conditioned comfort, with tunes and the ocassional road hummer...
Scoot-jockey. gsx-r 1100 |
| Posted By : motorwerks919 - 4/21/2007 10:29 PM |
Smax said...Taking in the beauty and tripping to race events is best done in air conditioned comfort, with tunes and the ocassional road hummer...
Totally agree man, well put! |
| Posted By : louemc - 4/22/2007 3:00 AM | OK, gut wrenching, mind bending acceleration through "safe" sweepers is 10 and GIXXR territory
Focus the forces, Be The Force |
| Posted By : Smax - 4/22/2007 6:24 AM | motorwerks919 said...Smax said...
Taking in the beauty and tripping to race events is best done in air conditioned comfort, with tunes and the ocassional road hummer...
Totally agree man, well put!
I forgot the 420-ashtray - can't do 'that' thru a FF helmet......
Scoot-jockey. gsx-r 1100 |
| Posted By : Smax - 4/22/2007 6:30 AM | louemc said...OK, gut wrenching, mind bending acceleration through "safe" sweepers is 10 and GIXXR territory
A life-long friend who progressed with me from Triumphs thru gsx-r's reports that his 14 handles remarkably well. Reports that 'drifting' the back is "comforting" (his words).
They're (14s) not like 59" WB or such, are they? I need torque, lou. I need torque...
Scoot-jockey. gsx-r 1100 |
| Posted By : louemc - 4/22/2007 7:35 AM | I haven't ridden a 14 (or a Bussa either), so I can't give any first hand comparisons. I read through a lot of the ZX14 section of the ZX10 site posting, and, it lacked hard edged reality (ya know what I mean) and, was just a slant of where the opinion was coming from. The gist was, they were much much better experience at handling than a Bussa, in a corner (I'll believe that) a few said they were just like a 10 (No freakin way will that happen) so.. unless the use is leaning towards Gold Wing (which it isn't) and if it was I'd choose the Connie for the 14, then, for me, I'd say the 14 isn't going to deliver the type of feel wanted. That extra 100 lbs can't be dismissed, it's always there.
I can believe that a 14 can be set-up on the chassis adjustments to turn and handle remarkably well, and that would put that option back on the table.
Just a killer tough decission to make.
A big triple Triumph with my own exhaust of three individual pipes, might be the way to go (someone has to make an exhaust the way I would). I can't really warm up to the Triumph frames though, so... A Triumph turns into quite a Special build. I perused all the test reports I have on the Triumph 1050 Speed Triple, and it looks like the bike Smax.
Focus the forces, Be The ForcePost Edited (louemc) : 4/22/2007 8:11:00 PM GMT |
| Posted By : Smax - 4/22/2007 12:12 PM | Yeah, the Triumph frame's so ugly I'd wanna cover it up. But, true that the triple would requireb special-building, and I'm done with that in this day and age. I'm gonna add [i]some[/i] power-adder to the old gsx-r, though. I'd like to be blown... NO2, maybe? Now that it's not the sole 2-wheeled ride, I can afford the sacrifice(s) to the Alumininum Gods.
I get to take a lengty road inhalin' blast on my bud's 14 this or next week to help the decision. I do have 'Zuke in my blood, though, so a gsx-r's prolly gonna win out.
14 handle like a 10????? Haa haaa. Pork is pork
Scoot-jockey. gsx-r 1100 |
| Posted By : louemc - 4/22/2007 12:24 PM | I'm real eager to hear your take on the 14, and, if your friend lowered the triple clamps any to steepen the forks, etc.
If the Triumph had covers for that study in ugly frame, made of carbon fiber, in the lines of extruded Aluminum, at least the rider wouldn't feel the need for a dark face shield kept closed. There Ya go, a product to market
Focus the forces, Be The Force |
| Posted By : speed demon - 4/22/2007 5:00 PM | | Ha..nice Smax! Good to hear you're getting back in the game. It's a life long addiction.
I'm curious to hear your thoughts on the 14. I sat on one a few weeks ago. It felt huge compared to what I'm used to, but very comfortable. I thought I heard the Busa is supposed to be all new next year...but then again I've heard that for the past couple of years now. |
| Posted By : RedDog - 4/23/2007 6:29 PM | A buddy of mine in Memphis that is heavily into drag racing stated that Busa is still the way to go over the ZX14. Parts access was a major reason. I just saw a fancy long swingarm for the ZX with a 240 tire on it. Pretty sweet!
RedDog
Think Ahead! Travel Light & Leave Your Fears Behind You!
Normal People Scare me!
|
| Posted By : louemc - 5/17/2007 6:18 PM | We have lift off (my spirits just shot off the scale anyway) Today I took my wheels to the city to get new tires (Pirelli Diablo Corsa III's) and while at the dealership scored a Carbon fiber HJC full face helmet, as well. The passes have been opened (two weeks early this year, very light snow pack). Did a chain maintenance and total check out, of the bikes vitals, all systems are go. Severe clear skys and 85 degree temps.
I'll report in on the new helmet and tires, real soon
Focus the forces, Be The Force |
| Posted By : RedDog - 5/17/2007 7:09 PM | Good 4U, Bud!
You will love them Pirellis - same as the Metzelers ...
RedDog
Think Ahead! Travel Light & Leave Your Fears Behind You!
Normal People Scare me!
|
| Posted By : louemc - 5/17/2007 7:26 PM | That's what I'm counting on, RedDog, I'm so eager to feel the bike in the corners, I hope I can get some sleep tonight.
I never warmed up to the Pilot powers, which was a first strange for me. They were totally secure, I had no reason to dislike them, except they made me work harder, in the far lean. Had to push the bike down (I still can't believe it) and lift it up. What a freakin work out. The tires before that were the OEM Dunlops and, I wasn't about to give them a reason to let go on me. So.... this will be the first time I get to feel what the bike can feel like.
And, I've wanted to check out "Ben Spies" helmet for quite a while, for ventilation etc., so that's going to be fun (least I hope I don't have anything to bitch about). Ha ha
Focus the forces, Be The Force |
| Posted By : RedDog - 5/17/2007 7:41 PM | Just be happy. The Pilot Powers are great - until a hot day comes and you are in the spirited mood ... they slip and they grab ... a sweet setup for a high side.
If Toseland, Haga and Biaggi are happy - then we should too.
RedDog
Think Ahead! Travel Light & Leave Your Fears Behind You!
Normal People Scare me!
|
| Posted By : Smax - 5/17/2007 8:36 PM | louemc said...We have lift off...total check out, of the bikes vitals, all systems are go. Severe clear skys and 85 degree temps...
Hell yeahh!! That hot=greasy thing Red mentioned raises me concerns, though...
Helmet color? No/low graphics, I suppose?
Scoot-jockey. gsx-r 1100 |
| Posted By : motorwerks919 - 5/17/2007 9:37 PM | | Hey Loue, is this the helmet? (If it is, I am jealous, one of my favorite helmets)
|
| Posted By : louemc - 5/18/2007 6:13 PM | That's the helmet, Motorworks. Mine has no graphics what-so-ever, except a HJC logo in the front. Which is a huge turn on for a "Oh my God, is that carbon fiber? Freak. It really shows the shape on the top (slight ridges) that way.
Helmet works fine, plenty of air movement. I can feel the air moving around my nose at 35 MPH, at 75 the hair in my mustache is wiggling. Helmet is plenty quiet, which makes it too easy to be going too fast, just something to watch for. But that's what the top rated helmets are famous for, I guess, isolating you from the harsh world.
I (when it's the more apropriate choice) prefer the Dirt Bike version, in the tight twisties nice day ride, for the full wind in the nose/jaw area, but
If a really cool bag has a use for anything, it comes with a very cool bag (I guess someone might use it for the helmet though).
The face shield could be higher quality, don't know if optional ones with hard coating or other coatings exist.
On the tires, It will be awhile before I can say much, Thie ride today was the first one since putting the bike away last fall (or whenever the weather got to crappy and snow starts falling at the 8,000 ft elevation of Ebbetts pass).
Started out feeling like "have I ever riden a bike before?" Everything out of sync, especially my eyes, brain telling them what to do (I mean like it wasn't).
The just opened pass had area's of concern. Not a concern for four wheels on the ground, but two wheels.... They hadn't really cleaned the sand that is used to sand the road as far as the Bear Valley Ski area, as well as they have done in the past, Then there were places beyond the gates they close, where the road crew clean the shape of the ditch on the side of the road for water drainage, getting the road really dirty with their equipement.
The bike feels super fine, in general handling and transitions as the switchbacks need. I moved down a size from the stock 190 to a 180-55. What little I tried to feel them out, said when I get my head out of mothballs, they are going to be just right. Just don't know how long it's going to take to get my head out of mothballs.
I did manage to pass a Harley with my front wheel in a low loft, while coming home, so there my be hope
Focus the forces, Be The ForcePost Edited (louemc) : 5/20/2007 1:07:05 AM GMT |
| Posted By : Momma Hen - 5/22/2007 5:06 PM | | After a 340 mile Sunday 2Up ride, I can just praise then Corsa IIIs. They stick like glue, never even slid a bit. Now my sides are well worn, but that's what they are made for. Would be sweet if you wear a tire all over when it's toast.
Oh, Lou, I am on wife's computer. The Dell took a dive again.
RedDog Post Edited (Momma Hen) : 5/23/2007 1:26:31 AM GMT |
| Posted By : louemc - 5/22/2007 5:27 PM | I know the feeling Momma Hen & RedDog, I live right at the base of Ebbetts Pass (not sure if you went over it while you were here, If you didn't, and you come back, we will) anyway, I evenly smoothed a rear Metzeler Sportec M1, because the amount of corner work. And it was very satisfying going to the tire shop in San Jose where the others in for tires just had everything worn in the center. I wasn't able to get over so well on the pilot powers, so some perfectly good un-used rubber was tossed out there (but good riddance, not getting over in tight corners leaves something to be desired) I have to get back into the groove or maybe even find a new to me groove with the Corsa III's so I can get that full profile worked (and kept in shape).
Focus the forces, Be The ForcePost Edited (louemc) : 5/23/2007 1:32:34 AM GMT |
| Posted By : Gription - 5/22/2007 6:07 PM | I think you will like the corsas. The Tuono I get a ride on every now and then has them. It is a tire I would trust completely track or street. I rode the RC on the street the other day and it was very weird. I felt naked without my full suit on. I was up in the hills and felt totally out of my element even though I used rule those roads. I guess the track spoiled me a bit. I tried to sign up for a track day at VIR today but it was full up. AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!
A side note to RedDog, my girlfriend has wanted a ride on a sport bike for some time now. I finally gave her a ride on a 05 600rr and to my surprise she loved it. I thought she would hate it. Blew my mind. Now she wants me to build another street fighter so we can have a bike to ride together. I guess she can pick between that and an engagement ring. I know which one I would like to pick out.
Walk up to a corner and run out of it. |
| Posted By : louemc - 5/23/2007 10:35 AM | I'd feel naked without full leather/body armor as well, In fact it all goes on everytime, there is no decision.
To get more corner work happening, there is a place not far away that I'd better go to, during the week I'll have it to myself. I wouldn't go there on weekend days, becouse its a magnet for flat landers (first place they can get to, from the flat they come from) Pretty sure RedDog has been on it, when he was over here. It's on Hwy 49, between Mariposa and Coulterville. Below Yosemite.
Focus the forces, Be The Force |
| Posted By : motorwerks919 - 5/23/2007 8:39 PM | | What leathers are you wearing Lou? |
| Posted By : louemc - 5/23/2007 9:23 PM | I had Skyline leather In Palo Alto build the jacket. Race quality leather, T-Pro armor, and back protector built in, so I wouldn't be deciding if I needed it. The jacket goes on, the back protector goes on (and of course the arms and shoulders are the same as track leathers, with the armor). I had serious ventilation that zippers open front and back built in, and in a style that looks street, I didn't want to look like I should be going to the starting grid, when I'm just at a stop light. I use Buffalo leather chaps with T-Pro knee pads inside (Skyline made that modification for me). I like the chaps, because they are easy to take off, and put on, vs leather pants that are on till you get back home (usually). Where as, I can get out of all the leather if I go to someones home (maybe for dinner) and put it all back on when I'm ready to leave. I was thinking it was heavier than current leathers, but Kneedragginchick said 17 lbs is typical and that is what mine weighs, so, I guess I can quite whining about heavy. I've thought about new to get Kawi Green into the scheme, but, the new armor (at least back and kidney area) doesn't look anywhere near as protective as what I have. So I keep sticking with it.
Focus the forces, Be The Force |
| Posted By : Gription - 5/24/2007 6:03 AM | I could see myself getting some of the joe rocket supermoto pants for my street gear.
Walk up to a corner and run out of it. |
| Posted By : louemc - 6/12/2007 7:23 PM | Just got back from todays ride over Ebbetts. Third time out on the Pirelli Diablo Corsa III's. First time shouldn't count, Altitude sickness kicked my ass, and road was questionable with dirt/rocks/sand. Second ride showed very promising, but it was very cold on the crest, and I hadn't built tire confidence up, so that ride was a blend of "man these tires are the best" and, I hope I get back home without getting in a storm. Today was fantatic, nicest weather possible, road clean, clean, and no traffic (I think I saw 4 cars in the play zone). These tires are fast, really fast. Part of my speed choice is sight line of no risk, in that space the speed will vary with what feels good. These tires make the bike feel so much better than anything before, faster feels better, so faster gets done.
I'm going to have to come up with way better rear view mirrors now, this is really getting insane. The stock mirrors are in the best general place to keep my eyes on the distant road while doing a mirror check. The stalks just have to be extended to see something other than my hands and lower arms. The ZX14 mirrors would work fine, but they cost something like $350.00 I think. A butcher job might be in order here
Focus the forces, Be The Force |
| Posted By : Smax - 6/12/2007 7:40 PM | louemc said......Today was fantatic, nicest weather possible, road clean, clean, and no traffic (I think I saw 4 cars in the play zone). ..These tires make the bike feel so much better than anything before, faster feels better, so faster gets done...
Man, don't we live for these days! Added bonus to a day like today is the 'buzz' you feel all night long, sometimes into the next day...
lou, OT, but thought ya should know... Tonight on SPEED, "Motocross Files" is profiling Roger DeCoster. Repeats late-night and again tomorrow morning (and again this wknd).
Good to see you're back on 'track'. Getting to know 'better' tires is fun!
Scoot-jockey. gsx-r 1100 |
| Posted By : louemc - 6/12/2007 8:49 PM | Oh Man Smax, It just knocks me over, there are two espicially and six generally corners if been working on for several years, trying to get past a struggle feeling on. And these tires have just transformed them from various levels of struggle to "zeezie what was all the fuss about?". So that part was major. Then at the sandwich shop stop, a couple guys riding Ducati sport-touring bikes come in, they are just re-entering California from a 2000 mile ride (mostly Southern Utah) and we had quite a chat. One, has a business making a kit of Desmo valve lash shims so a Ducati owner can have the kit at home, and do their own valve lash adjustments maintenance. He also does track days with a 916, and has a couple open class dirt bikes he plays in Nevada with, and is expecting to get the Ducati SuperMoto when it gets here. He lives near Sacramento, so he isn't real close, but, possible future hook up for something. That was fun. Another (Nevada) guy came in with a brand new GIXXR 1000, nice buzz going today at the sandwich shop
Focus the forces, Be The Force |
| Posted By : RedDog - 6/12/2007 9:48 PM | Me too had a blast on them Corsa IIIs, stuck like glue. No doubt, best tires ever. Guess you're running 34-36?
RedDog
Think Ahead! Travel Light & Leave Your Fears Behind You!
Normal People Scare me!
|
| Posted By : louemc - 6/13/2007 11:22 AM | Yes, 34 - 36 (38 ain't too shabby either) is what's working
Focus the forces, Be The Force |
| Posted By : CaddmannQ - 6/13/2007 11:48 AM | *sigh* and here I am stuck in the office. The weather here has been so beautiful that the 10 mile commute to work is just enough riding to torture me senseless. I'd be thinking about a long weekend in the mountains right now, but I've got two more trainees coming in Monday & I've got to get things all set up for them by then.
"When in doubt, ride."
Cadd................................Clovis CA
2004 Nomad 1500............"Baggins"
VROC #11619 Rolling Blunder #128 |
| Posted By : louemc - 6/13/2007 11:59 AM | Hope your air conditioner is cranked up Cadd. We just hit triple digit heat here. Yesterday the temp up on the crest was the sweetest light cool, couldn't be better there.
I'm betting your morning commute was perfect, your getting off work commute might be more like an oven.
Focus the forces, Be The Force |
| Posted By : CaddmannQ - 6/13/2007 1:01 PM | Yeah, the A/C's on alrighty.
As for the evening ride, I come in at "nine-ish" & usually don't leave work 'til about 7:00 PM in the Summer. That gets me out of the worst of it, though even as it's still rather warm out, traffic has thinned out a lot by then. When moving at 40 MPH~50MPH the temp's no problem. It's getting stuck at an intersection where I can't lane split that sucks. Leaves me wishing for a thinner bike at times as about half the intersections on the main drag are too tight to split on the Nomad.
"When in doubt, ride."
Cadd................................Clovis CA
2004 Nomad 1500............"Baggins"
VROC #11619 Rolling Blunder #128 |
| Posted By : RedDog - 6/17/2007 6:43 PM |
Gription said...
A side note to RedDog, my girlfriend has wanted a ride on a sport bike for some time now. I finally gave her a ride on a 05 600rr and to my surprise she loved it. I thought she would hate it. Blew my mind. Now she wants me to build another street fighter so we can have a bike to ride together. I guess she can pick between that and an engagement ring. I know which one I would like to pick out. Oh Yeah, you could have a lot of fun now. Just pick the correct sport tourer ...
RedDog
Think Ahead! Travel Light & Leave Your Fears Behind You!
Normal People Scare me!
|
| Posted By : flickmeister - 6/21/2007 3:38 AM | Here we go lou,
Trashed my rear Corsa III is 2600 miles. Went to the 180/55. Gonna scuff the bitch up and go play. Watch out backroads---crazed treacherous old fart on board!
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| Posted By : louemc - 6/21/2007 9:49 AM | 2600 miles cool, I'm eager to hear what your impression of the 180/55 is.
Focus the forces, Be The ForcePost Edited (louemc) : 6/21/2007 5:53:22 PM GMT |
| Posted By : flickmeister - 6/21/2007 10:45 AM | | More later but I'm in love!
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| Posted By : louemc - 6/21/2007 11:19 AM | I know what you mean. It took, until the third time out, for me, because, I just couldn't get with it, the first two times. But, the third time, was the charm, race face came up, and Love struck
Focus the forces, Be The Force |
| Posted By : CaddmannQ - 6/21/2007 11:56 AM | It took me like 5,000 miles to get really happy with my new Metzlers.
I guess I should just buy tires with that flat strip in the middle right from the factory, huh?
"When in doubt, ride."
Cadd................................Clovis CA
2004 Nomad 1500............"Baggins"
VROC #11619 Rolling Blunder #128 |
| Posted By : louemc - 6/21/2007 12:02 PM | If a flat strip makes you happy What makes me happy includes a certain profile on the tire, so it is at it's best right at the first (has to be scuffed to bring it into service, but scuffing (for us doesn't get stretched out to profile changing time) We only get 2,000 - 3,000 miles on a rear, so that's an item as well
Focus the forces, Be The ForcePost Edited (louemc) : 6/21/2007 8:08:30 PM GMT |
| Posted By : CaddmannQ - 6/21/2007 12:04 PM | | Whaddaya expect?
I live in The Valley.
I'm a flatlander!
"When in doubt, ride."Cadd................................Clovis CA
2004 Nomad 1500............"Baggins"
VROC #11619 Rolling Blunder #128 |
| Posted By : 636ADAM - 6/21/2007 12:31 PM | Cadd did you say your from New Jersey? b/c in the northeast thats what them folks is called!
Yup, I call her the Honda Red Ninja.
Adam |
| Posted By : CaddmannQ - 6/21/2007 1:27 PM | | Joisey? no way!
I live in The Valley...The San Joaquin Valley.
Why you cound drop alla Joisey out in the middle of the SJV & it wouldn't even make a dimple. 
"When in doubt, ride."Cadd................................Clovis CA
2004 Nomad 1500............"Baggins"
VROC #11619 Rolling Blunder #128 |
| Posted By : 636ADAM - 6/21/2007 1:30 PM |
Yup, I call her the Honda Red Ninja.
Adam |
| Posted By : flickmeister - 6/21/2007 2:51 PM | | Woa-ho! Yeee-ha! I feel better now. Thanks for letting me vent. I think I have found that motorcycling nirvana where you and your machine meld together and work in perfect harmony. I had one of those magical rides today. My K6 Gixxer Thou' and I get along so well, by far and away the best bike I have ever owned. I just put on a 180/55 size Corsa III rear tire. Since I'm pretty much of a numb-butt, I can't say whether it turns in any quicker than the 190 or not. What I can say is that between the Corsa III tires and my GSXR1000, I couldn't ask a bike to perform any better. It's such a perfect combo that makes riding such a joy, especially when you're in that haulass mood and everything is working perfectly. God, I'm such a junkie!
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| Posted By : Smax - 6/21/2007 8:09 PM | Damned nice to see you junkies gettin' yer fixes...
Had a bit of Zenism the other day, too. Had been to the strip for a night of thrashing but had left the drag tire/wheel combo on (tired/lazy - Shinko "Ultra-Soft"; hooks like a $5 downtown whore). The next day during some mountain-thrashing, a youngster stopped to check on me while I was taking a 'smoke' break on the side of the road. Got to talking, and he asked "that thing fast, old man"?
Long/short, we raced twice, first a 1st-gear roll-on, then dead-stop thru 3rd gear. He wants to meet me again after he goes down a tooth on his ZX14...
Both Jack and lou should drop a tooth. An addict just needs more and more.....
Scoot-jockey. gsx-r 1100 |
| Posted By : louemc - 6/21/2007 8:42 PM | But But But, some times I look for a higher gear, and I'm already in the top one. I never look for a lower gear, wanting a lower gear and find I'm already in the bottom one
So Ya kicked the kids ass, and.... said, come around with next years 14, they are coming out with a fast one next year, Sonny
Focus the forces, Be The Force |
| Posted By : luiggispeed - 6/21/2007 8:58 PM | Jeezuz!!
The Post is still alive!!!
 |
| Posted By : flickmeister - 6/22/2007 4:10 AM | Yup. We're usin' a ventilator to keep it breathing and vasopressors to keep the pressure up but still hangin' on by a thread.....
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| Posted By : CaddmannQ - 6/22/2007 6:35 AM |
louemc said...But But But, some times I look for a higher gear, and I'm already in the top one. I never look for a lower gear, wanting a lower gear and find I'm already in the bottom one This is basically the same for me. The top two gears on my bike are about 7% overdrive and 30% overdrive, plus I have a taller-than-stock rear tire, and still I find myself clicking for a higher gear that ain't there.
Cadd................................Clovis CA
2004 Nomad 1500............"Baggins"
VROC #11619 Rolling Blunder #128 |
| Posted By : 2Nyce - 6/25/2007 6:41 AM | Wow 152 hp.....
My pretty pink ZX9 was dyno'd slightly higher than that!
Don't let the pretty colors fool ya!! LOL
www.my2wheelsdown.com |
| Posted By : CaddmannQ - 6/25/2007 6:47 AM | "Slightly" means little on a dyno, you know. All engines vary slightly with atmospheric conditions, and from temp changes day to day. All dynos vary slightly too, as do their operators.
"When in doubt, ride."
Cadd................................Clovis CA
2004 Nomad 1500............"Baggins"
VROC #11619 Rolling Blunder #128 |
| Posted By : Smax - 6/25/2007 9:16 AM | CaddmannQ said...
"Slightly" means little on a dyno, you know. All engines vary slightly with atmospheric conditions, and from temp changes day to day. All dynos vary slightly too, as do their operators.
Scoot-jockey. gsx-r 1100 |
| Posted By : louemc - 6/25/2007 3:09 PM | Luckily for the ZX10's excess, You could throw away some, and never know it was gone If it isn't in competition, on a track. ( He says after being pretty good all day today ) Even dropped from 90 approaching a long curve, and on the far side of the curve, way down a straight, I saw a glint of something out of place, then saw it was a black car, kept slowing, car shouldn't be there, I was down to 55 when I see it is CHP , I'm still giddy over that one)
Focus the forces, Be The ForcePost Edited (louemc) : 6/25/2007 11:23:19 PM GMT |
| Posted By : Desmolicious - 6/25/2007 5:29 PM | Dontcha just love it when that happens, eh Lou?
Børk! Børk! Børk! |
| Posted By : flickmeister - 6/25/2007 7:09 PM | | First year anniversary is comin' up.....and there I was last 4th of July trying to explain to the officer that 106 in a 55 zone isn't all that unreasonable given the circumstances. He had clocked three of us from the top of the hill. He sort of blocked the road and Dale decided to stop. I think I'd have done otherwise (Ford Interceptor Crown Vic vs. '04 GSXR600 ain't a real challenge), but we were in this together. The old, bald guy (moi) gets to speak for the group. The officer was a 20+ year vet, but not at all a hardass. Matter of fact, a really good guy. He reduced the ticket to "failure to obey a posted sign." That changed the fine from $300+ in Florida to $48. The downside is we got talking afterwards and it turns out he's best friend's with my attorney. They go hunting together on Jim's property. All of the police love Jim because he does tons of pro bono work for them. Too bad we didn't get talking before he wrote the tickets. Can't win 'em all, but it could have been a helluva lot worse. He even thanked us for stopping.....
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| Posted By : louemc - 6/25/2007 8:12 PM | Desmolicious said...Dontcha just love it when that happens, eh Lou?
I do Love it, Desmo, and I think of all the times I skated, when a cop does start writing, it doesn't bother me, because there were countless times, nothing happened, or a cop does stop me, and after just a little talking, says slow it down (or something like that) and Have a good day.
Fortunately I now live where it's easy to behave where the cops are, and play where they aren't. When I lived in the San Francisco bay area, I picked up enough tickets so I got a notice from the state that said something to the effect that I was a menace to society and close to having my license pulled. That's when I bought a Harley, figured it would slow me down, (ha, another plan that didn't work)
Focus the forces, Be The Force |
| Posted By : louemc - 7/1/2007 4:13 PM | Just to try something, a couple mornings ago, I lowered my triple clamps down the fork legs, .217 (thousandths of an inch). No good reason, because the bike had just suddenly felt perfect, the most perfect ever felt, in my entire life. Main reason being, the 05 being the rightest for the road I ride, and The Pirelli Diablo Corsa III's being the most right tire ever for the road I ride. That brought up the question, How do I know if the chassis geometry is perfect now, unless I go to something that says, not so good, then return to a point that feels better. Since tight switch backs and turns in general are my ride, exploring a steeper fork angle was in order. Today was the first time I could get out, to try it.
Being very apprehensive about twitchy behaviour, I first dove into smoother corners, couldn't say it turned better, but no new feelings of un-stable either. Seemed to maybe hold a line in a changing radius corner easier, still hard to say. After a few miles, a rough pavement sweeper with gobs of visibility came up, Was able to get some front tire skipping while turning (no big deal, just what getting on the gas and corner and rough pavement guarantees) If any loss of stable was to be found this would do it. No loss of stable was to be found. OK bring on the Mountain pass, several times, holding a line close to the edge of the road seemed much easier. The number one, no doubt about it, better state of perfect was diving into down hill (kinda an understatement when down hill is a 24% Grade) switch back. That clinches the deal, and I never felt any down side to this change.
Now even though I never felt any down side, I'm not recommending this to anyone else, because I do certain things, 1. I run a Scotts stabilizer 2. I feel out, and evaluate my tires 3. I have experience at hair ball, so I feel confident to handle situations.
This is just a disclaimer because there might be someone reading this that does everything wrong, and when something goes wrong again they will say, that I said, they wouldn't screw it up.
The other fun thing about today, was a group of 7 fast riders came to the sandwich shop in Markleeville, and invited me to join them for a strafing of monitor pass, and then invited me to Reno when they give a free track day there, and can put me up over night. I like the sound of that
Focus the forces, Be The Force |
| Posted By : RedDog - 7/2/2007 7:57 PM | Sounds like you are having some serious fun. Those Pirellis are awesome tires, I just have that cracking issue. Maybe I have to send me and wife to a fat farm ...
RedDog
Think Ahead! Travel Light & Leave Your Fears Behind You!
Normal People Scare me!
|
| Posted By : Smax - 7/2/2007 9:52 PM | Cool, misterloue... I so look forward to sorting suspension (and tires, a 'component' of susp.). Nearly as fun (and useful) as engine/trans final sortage... But one can become so anal about it, you'll never be done {one of the reasons it's called sportmotorcycling!!}.
Scoot-jockey. gsx-r 1100 |
| Posted By : RedDog - 7/3/2007 4:39 AM | Right, Smax. With all this setup fun, don't forget to go riding.
RedDog
Think Ahead! Travel Light & Leave Your Fears Behind You!
Normal People Scare me!
|
| Posted By : CaddmannQ - 7/3/2007 11:51 AM | All very interesting and wonderful, but I just gotta be the guinea pig that asks, "Why exactly 0.217"?"
It's like you pulled that figure out of the air, and I find it hard to believe.
"When in doubt, ride."
Cadd................................Clovis CA
2004 Nomad 1500............"Baggins"
VROC #11619 Rolling Blunder #128 |
| Posted By : louemc - 7/3/2007 12:16 PM | Normally (that's everyone with the stock top triple clamp) there is more available distance to move the top triple clamp down the fork tube's diameter that the top triple clamp, is clamping on (and Sport Bike chassis tweekers measure in mm distances) But, the Z1000 top triple clamp I'm using, goes farther down the tube to start with, and, .217 (thousandths of an inch, and what my dial caliper measures in) was all I could move, before getting to where the fork tube is necked down in dia, between the upper and lower triple clamps, and moving farther leaves the upper clamp, clamping on air on the lower edge, it just looks bad that way, so I stopped there.. So in a sense, air was involved, or avoiding air.
I thought the explanation would be too mind numbing, so didn't give it, but, since you asked, that free's me to do it. Not sure I could do it clearly enough though
Over on the ZX10 site, dropping the front, 3mm and raising the back 3mm is very common, and some just raise the back (but when just the back, 5mm would be more common). The ones that just raise the back, say, they don't drop, because they don't want reduced ground clearance, only increased ground clearance.
Focus the forces, Be The Force |
| Posted By : CaddmannQ - 7/3/2007 12:26 PM | I get it. I suspected that 0.217" was simply as far as it would go.
"When in doubt, ride."
Cadd................................Clovis CA
2004 Nomad 1500............"Baggins"
VROC #11619 Rolling Blunder #128 |
| Posted By : louemc - 7/4/2007 1:23 PM | Feeling real smug (That's a feat, when I was smug before getting smugger). Just did the math, .217 is 5.51mm. I haven't heard of anyone dropping the front of the 10, 5.51mm. So the Lou man, continues the tradition of forging ahead, into un-charted territory, fearlessly, blazing a trail, (or being stark raving nuts, depends)
OK, late breaking news, went over all the ZX10 posts, and 5mm seems to be a max ideal. Some guys had gone as high as 10mm but, found heart stopping shakes around 160 MPH on the track, and backed up to 5mm as a best improvement and no problems showing up, on that one part of the set-up.
So not feeling any less smugg, just more grounded in my Smug-ness
Focus the forces, Be The ForcePost Edited (louemc) : 7/4/2007 10:18:25 PM GMT |
| Posted By : CaddmannQ - 7/7/2007 1:52 PM | For me, the least little shake at 160 MPH could be "heart stopping"!
"When in doubt, ride."
Cadd................................Clovis CA
2004 Nomad 1500............"Baggins"
VROC #11619 Rolling Blunder #128 |
| Posted By : Smax - 7/7/2007 11:15 PM | louemc said...F...OK, late breaking news, went over all the ZX10 posts, and 5mm seems to be a max ideal. Some guys had gone as high as 10mm but, found heart stopping shakes around 160 MPH on the track, and backed up to 5mm as a best improvement and no problems showing up, on that one part of the set-up. So not feeling any less smugg, just more grounded in my Smug-ness
SmugMasterGeneral: the zx10r site is great. Those seriously speed-disturbed pilots will do the initail high-speed test runs for you!
Valuable info by serious enthusiasts...
How's the back end feel? Tighter?
Scoot-jockey. gsx-r 1100 |
| Posted By : louemc - 7/8/2007 9:52 AM | Love those seriously in-to-it Speed pilots, and the way they can talk. It also helps that they do so much more than I ever will, they can explore and report on something, and answer questions for me, that I don't have to take it so far to find out for myself.
Love the lack of BS over there. When a poster comes on with BS (it's rare but happens) they get torn to shreads and it's all over.
Oddly enough the bike (both front and back) feel better, still, and especially because of the roughness of these old roads, I could do better with Traxxion cartrages and Penski shock, but, there is a down side to that as well. Too calm is a snooze, concerned activity is fun. I'm going to at least stick with what I have, till I blow fork seals or something
Focus the forces, Be The Force |
| Posted By : louemc - 7/13/2007 3:50 PM | Something I have no real explaination for, but, it needs saying because it is showing as real, is the suspension on the 10 is suddenly working so good on the roughest sections, I'm not yearning for Traxxion cartrages and Penski shock, like I was. The only thing I think it can be is the Pirelli Diablo Corsa III tires, And I run about 4 lbs less pressure than Pirelli recommends. The softer tire stays on the ground way way better. Kinda like try to dribble a basket ball that is low on air, no bounce. On the tires 38 -39 gives all the hold form for control, just takes the launch off the rebound. But, the tires themseves (If I'm thinking right) need credit as well, because this is something New, and working so awesome
Focus the forces, Be The Force |
| Posted By : flickmeister - 7/13/2007 7:50 PM | | lou,
What are you running for tire pressure? If I remember right, Pirelli recommends 34F & 36R. I run a range (due to laziness) of 32-36F & 34-38R, keeping two pounds less in the front. Any of those numbers have plenty of traction and excellent feedback. I'm running the Corsa IIIs on my '06 Gixxer thou'. |
| Posted By : louemc - 7/13/2007 8:08 PM | I'm running 38# front, 39# rear, so, if Pirelli is recommending 34 F & 36 R I'm not low, thought I was because the shop put 41# in and said that was Pirelli's recommended pressure and I said sounds a tad high to me. Then I checked the ZX10 site on a Pirelli thread, and they (mostly track guys I think) were saying they ran 41#.
This deepens the mystery on the suspension though, I swear it feels remarkably better with these tires. I'm pretty used to tires feeling better or worse, but, I never have felt such a change in suspension travel (like an up grade to Ohlins sorta) from tires before.
Focus the forces, Be The Force |
| Posted By : CaddmannQ - 7/13/2007 8:41 PM | 41 lbs seems like a lot.
That's what I run in the rear when I'm hauling a passenger & a full load of luggage, and my bike weighs at least 200 lbs. more than yours to begin with.
Of course I'm not trying to hit 160 with it either...
"When in doubt, ride."
Cadd................................Clovis CA
2004 Nomad 1500............"Baggins"
VROC #11619 Rolling Blunder #128 |
| Posted By : flickmeister - 7/13/2007 10:28 PM | | lou,
Try these pressures under the same conditions and tell me what you think: 1) 36F & 38R, then 2) 32F & 34R. See if you notice any difference. I won't tell you what the differences should be (especialy from your 38F & 39R pressures) because I want your subjective opinions on what you are running now versus the two above. Many riders on track days run 30-32F and 28-30R. I found better traction with the lower pressures but the 30 in front made the steering feel go away, so I'd use 32F and 28-32R. These numbers worked well for me on the track, but they are too low for the street. Your tires will evaporate at these pressures. You also don't have as good feedback with the lower pressures, but on the track, you are looking for max traction more than feel. Personally, I'd rather have the feedback I have confidence in more than ultimate traction. When all is said and done, for serious back road strafing, I run 35F & 37R. I find this is an excellent compromise for feedback, traction, and mileage.
One of my standards when I ride is that if I'm getting more than 35 MPG, I ain't havin' enough fun. The same goes for getting more than 3000 miles to a rear tire  . |
| Posted By : RedDog - 7/14/2007 4:13 AM | 38 front and 40-42 rear here. Played with lower pressures on the track 2Up, but lower pressure for me equals less grip. 32/34 seems fine on the track, single. I average a little over 2,000 miles on a rear.
RedDog
Think Ahead! Travel Light & Leave Your Fears Behind You!
Normal People Scare me!
|
| Posted By : louemc - 7/14/2007 10:02 AM | I'll work with this guys, it won't be easy, because the conditions through-out my ride, vary drastically. I picked up a digital guage, so reading to a pound will be the same every time. And I have a compressor at home, so it's easy to start out every time with the readings I want.
I appreciate (Both RedDog and FlickMeister) your findings, Coming from you, is the most meaningful source there is.
For priorities on what the tires are doing for me. Confidence is #1, secure, feedback telling me how it's going, ease of finding a desired change, if a change is wanted. Without the confidence, nothing else is happening
Traction isn't a worry, the tires since the Metzeler Sportec M-1 have had the traction for how I use a bike, so it's not anything for me to devote a concern about, directly. Total concentration on reading the surface, and picking a line that is clean and clear, yes.
Tire mileage...Ummm....Metzeler Sportec M1 gave 2000. Michelin Pilot Powers gave 2500. Won't know till I finish off a Pirelli Diablo Corsa III, but so far it's looking like better wear than the PP's so might get 3000. Whatever it is, it has won my heart, so I expect it to be (as long as they make it) the only tire for me.
Focus the forces, Be The ForcePost Edited (louemc) : 7/14/2007 6:29:32 PM GMT |
| Posted By : flickmeister - 7/14/2007 10:54 AM | lou,
Let us know how the lower pressures work for you. I went back to Pirelli's website and they simply recommend 32 to 42 psi for both front & rear tires. That 42 is the max listed on the sidewall if you are using the bike to carry passengers. It is not intended for track time or haul-ass style street riding. I found that traction gets better as I lower my tire pressure on the track. The exception to that is many riders were using 30 psi in the front and 28-32 in the back. The 30 in front took away too much feedback for me. Going back to 32 lbs. did wonders for the feel from my front tire. I settled on 32 in the front for track days. I ran 28-32 in the back depending on the track and ambient temp. Now that it is street riding only for me, I run 32-36/43-38, keeping 2 lbs. diff between F & R. That 35/37 I mentioned before seems to be pretty ideal for me.
The most subjective part in all of motorcycling is the varying opinions different riders feel about different tires and inflation pressures. The Corsa IIIs are the best tires I have ever used so far, with the PPs (NOT 2CTs) just a tad behind them.
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| Posted By : RedDog - 7/14/2007 11:42 AM | Me think we are almost in harmony here. Softer/sport-touring setup requires harder tires to reach basically same confidence point - and reading between the lines and the lines here, we may close to the same.
BTW Flick, how much do you weigh?
RedDog
Think Ahead! Travel Light & Leave Your Fears Behind You!
Normal People Scare me!
|
| Posted By : louemc - 7/14/2007 12:38 PM | I'm sure that the differences in working tire pressures, is coming from the different road conditions we have (and in RedDogs case, 2-up) So... we shouldn't come up with the same numbers, we have different situations. I'm pretty giddy that the Pirelli Diablo Corsa III's have appeared, for this public road user
Focus the forces, Be The Force |
| Posted By : flickmeister - 7/14/2007 5:15 PM | RedDog,
Even though honesty is painful, fully dressed, I'd weigh in about 188-190, more of it than I want close to the gas tank.
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| Posted By : RedDog - 7/14/2007 6:10 PM | I guess we're about the same then, 180 lbs net plus all gear. I have to weigh in with all that + my precious cargo = Quite a Bit
RedDog
Think Ahead! Travel Light & Leave Your Fears Behind You!
Normal People Scare me!
|
| Posted By : louemc - 7/14/2007 6:25 PM | I'm a little lighter, but border-line skinny for just under 6'. With gear on, 175 lbs. One plus though, with an up-right stance, there isn't any against the tank
Focus the forces, Be The Force |
| Posted By : Smax - 7/14/2007 11:39 PM | louemc said......with an up-right stance, there isn't any against the tank
I'm giddy too that we can actually purchase "race" tires for street. Their shorter life span is just a COF (cost of fun), and is relieved by having an extra wheel.
Their negative side can be confidence of this greater traction. But, I guess that's all in the mental Sometimes I'll push too hard... work on mental...
PS: check THIS 10r. Nice pipe:
Scoot-jockey. gsx-r 1100 |
| Posted By : RedDog - 7/15/2007 5:03 AM | Some riders picks up race take offs - lots of rubbers left for "street", cheap and the cool-factor is high.
RedDog
Think Ahead! Travel Light & Leave Your Fears Behind You!
Normal People Scare me!
|
| Posted By : louemc - 7/26/2007 9:30 AM | | Did a hot lap on Ebbetts yesterday, prompted by chance meeting up with one of the bad boys of the mountain. He was on his new 750 GIXXR (he has 5 bikes and does track schools and track days at Thunder Hill). I couldn't stay with him, but, pressed harder than normal just the same.
36# in the front tire is to little for my ride (as I found out) feed back is reduced a tad, and a funny wear showed up on the right side of the tire. Not sure what part of the ride it picked that up, But, because the high speed work was longer work out, and that included the most abrasive road patches, I'll blame everything on that.
So.... it's back to 38# front
Guess I should make it clear, My not staying with the guy on the 750 GIXXR, had nothing to do with my tires he is faster than I am, that's all
Focus the forces, Be The Force Post Edited (louemc) : 7/26/2007 7:14:25 PM GMT |
| Posted By : flickmeister - 7/26/2007 11:59 AM |
Jeeez.........glad to see you posted on this one. Been a long time, but it is our calling to never let this thread die (at least until I get back from the Smoky Mountains on Sept. 15th). At that point, the Gixxer thou', the Corsa III's, and the old fart will have filleted a set of tires, grinned like an idiot for thousands of corners, hopefully, avoided jail and the gendarmes, attacked the Gap then went to the real roads, and arrived home thoroughly worn out and used up. Of course, I'll still have enough energy to tell those wild, whoop ass stories about my brilliant riding prowess that we all love to tell and no one wants to hear.....
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| Posted By : louemc - 7/26/2007 12:07 PM | I want to hear the whoop ass story and, every blood stream with bits of shreaded tires, coursing through it, would share that desire, so we all wait to hear about it
Focus the forces, Be The Force |
| Posted By : louemc - 9/19/2007 11:04 AM | OK FlickMeister, this thread is looking for your report, of your major fun in the mountains.
I went over Ebbetts (a 8,500 foot pass) yesterday, the big change from the summer, was, there was no mountain camping/fishing users in the parking area's and/or on the road. I had the joint to myself. It was chilly cool, but, nice. I was apprehensive, with an expectation of seeing deer, (they are on the move now) but none were sighted.
The bike was running a bit stronger (that is felt across the throttle work) with the significantly cooler air, and a fresh air cleaner element. Or to put it another way, got some really fine air time on the front wheel, when I wasn't trying.
Met a BMW rider from Alaska, and a couple on two Yamaha's she had a FZ6 and he had a FJR1300, they were from Semi Valley (that's near LA) and out touring for the first time. They were having the time of their life, and will be doing this big time from now on.
OK FlickMeister, come on back good buddy
Focus the forces, Be The Force |
| Posted By : flickmeister - 9/20/2007 5:35 AM | | Whew! I'm beginning to feel the pressure here lou. I'll get to it either today or tomorrow. The good news is: no cops, no falls, I got my stupid stuff out of the way on the first day, the roads were fabulous, and we all had a ball. Stay tuned.....Cheers, Jack
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| Posted By : Drunkula - 9/20/2007 8:49 AM | | Hey, Lou I think you mean Simi Valley. |
| Posted By : louemc - 9/20/2007 9:11 AM | Your right Drunkula Simi looks way better
Focus the forces, Be The Force |
| Posted By : louemc - 9/20/2007 9:16 AM | I'm tuned, Jack. Got nowhere to go, that mention of "chilly but nice" turned the next day to snow that closed Ebbetts for a couple days. This passing storm will be gone by next Monday, and mid 80's will return
Focus the forces, Be The Force |
| Posted By : flickmeister - 9/21/2007 7:34 PM | | Just got back from the North Georgia mountains and put close to a thousand miles on the Gixxer in four days. What a blast! I swear I enjoy the Georgia ride better than the famous North Carolina Deal's Gap stuff any ol' time. We decided to skip the traditional Deal's Gap (highly over-rated in my opinion), Cherohaula Parkway, and Foothills Parkway because the police had been working overtime to bust bike riders in Tennessee. We did trek over to a little-known area of NC (nowhere near the Gap) for a great ride, but the majority of it was the Georgia twisties. Great riding, just "turn & burn" for 30 to 60+ miles of pure sportbike heaven.
I was just plain lucky on two occassions. First, I came over a hill too fast only to find the road snapped sharply to the left. I was already leaned over when I made this discovery and had to apply the front brake pretty severely. The front didn't lock but it hopped twice and juddered for a second or so. I got on the gas just a bit and that stopped the juddering while I'm countersteering harder into the corner, trying to tighten my arc to make the much-sharper-than-anticipated turn. Much to my surprise, I did. I attribute my not going down to those incredible Corsa IIIs and an amazingly stable and forgiving GSXR1000 chassis and suspension. My next really stupid mistake was looking in my mirror to see where another rider was as I was entering a decreasing-radius turn way too fast. It would have been fine if I hadn't looked in the mirror, but I did and ended up really hard on the front brake, slowing to make this SHARP, getting sharper right hand turn. I don't know if the rear tire was off the ground, but the rear was wagging all over the place as I had no choice but to keep turning harder to the right with the brakes on (I didn't view going off the cliff as a viable option). I got the thing turned enough to miss the cliff and get me back into my lane. Once in my proper lane, I got off the brakes, gave it some gas, and along she went as if nothing unusual had happened. Simply amazing. I mean the bike and tires, not the lump on top that triggered all this crap. Thankfully, I got the stupidity out of my system with these two hairball events and rode pretty damn well for the next 900 miles.
The roads were fabulous, and the weather was great for four days. Four of us rented a cabin, sure beats the hell out of any ol' motel any time. Two of us ran the Corsa IIIs. The other rider stated he could brake much later and trailbrake in harder, more stable than with any other tire he has ever used. I agree completely. Hell, I didn'y even know a motorcycle could do what it did (see above) without crashing. Great tires, and the most forgiving chassis & suspension I have ever owned ('06 GSXR1000) saved my ass, for sure.
The bad news is there were'nt any restaurants for forty miles and I was the only one that knew how to cook. The good news was I never had to clean up afterwards. Great roads, great weather, good friends and rider's, fabulous bike and tires made for some much needed therapy. Kinda like great sex, you're exhausted but very satisfied, relaxed, and content. Going back to reality certainly sucked. We found four or five very worthwhile new roads and eliminated some chaff, so next year we won't waste any time on boring roads. Can't wait till then. Cheers, Jack
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| Posted By : Smax - 9/21/2007 8:53 PM | Thanks for letting us 'ride' along w/you, Jack... Therapy, indeed! I need one of those long weekends (going to Atco, NJ, next month :big smile: - looking forward to that , and experiencing the 250mph, 5-sec. MCs).
You said: "... Great tires, and the most forgiving chassis & suspension I have ever owned ('06 GSXR1000) saved my ass, for sure.". I think your experience/panic-management skills had something to do w/it, too. You've never been modest, before!!
Scoot-jockey. gsx-r 1100 |
| Posted By : flickmeister - 9/21/2007 10:35 PM |
You said: "... Great tires, and the most forgiving chassis & suspension I have ever owned ('06 GSXR1000) saved my ass, for sure.". I think your experience/panic-management skills had something to do w/it, too. You've never been modest, before!!
Smax,
Yeah, but it sounds a lot better when someone else says it. I think this is one of the great reasons to practice riding skills till they are instinctive and reactive. Track days and racing experience don't hurt either. In situations like these, you don't have time to consciously think about something, make a decision, and transform it into a physical input. I've never been one of those that "panics" under those conditions. I just keep doing stuff until I hit the ground or maneuver my way out of it. I still think one of the greatest rules under any conditions, especially these, is to look where you want to go and just keep using your physical inputs to get you heading in that direction. You'll either make it or you won't. One thing for sure though, doing nothing is a guaranteed crash. Cheers, Jack |
| Posted By : 636ADAM - 9/22/2007 7:44 AM | Hey guys. I keep up with this thread. Regarding these Corsa 3 tires, How are they compared to the Pilot power race 2ct tires?
Don't look at me!
Adam |
| Posted By : louemc - 9/22/2007 9:52 AM |
flickmeister said...
You said: "... Great tires, and the most forgiving chassis & suspension I have ever owned ('06 GSXR1000) saved my ass, for sure.". I think your experience/panic-management skills had something to do w/it, too. You've never been modest, before!!
Smax,
Yeah, but it sounds a lot better when someone else says it. I think this is one of the great reasons to practice riding skills till they are instinctive and reactive. Track days and racing experience don't hurt either. In situations like these, you don't have time to consciously think about something, make a decision, and transform it into a physical input. I've never been one of those that "panics" under those conditions. I just keep doing stuff until I hit the ground or maneuver my way out of it. I still think one of the greatest rules under any conditions, especially these, is to look where you want to go and just keep using your physical inputs to get you heading in that direction. You'll either make it or you won't. One thing for sure though, doing nothing is a guaranteed crash. Cheers, Jack
Right on Jack, :-)
Focus the forces, Be The Force |
| Posted By : louemc - 9/23/2007 8:27 AM | 636ADAM said...
Hey guys. I keep up with this thread. Regarding these Corsa 3 tires, How are they compared to the Pilot power race 2ct tires?
I haven't used the Race 2ct Pilot Powers, but, I think it's safe to say, If you are on a track (where the temp of the tire can be kept at race tire temp) you would prefer the Race 2ct tires.
The set of tires I used before the Pirelli Diablo Corsa III's were the regular Pilot Powers, and even though there never was a trace of insecurity, I didn't like the profile for where I ride. And, I'm getting better milage with the Pirelli's.
I guess a plus factor on the short milage tires is, it doesn't take long to buy something else, if you don't like what you have
Focus the forces, Be The Force |
| Posted By : louemc - 10/29/2007 10:16 AM | Fooled by the weatherman. The passes I ride have had a series of storms and cold pass through, so I gave up the idea of riding any more this season.....But.... then the weatherman said it was 75 degrees and Sunny on the top so I got the ten out and went for it.
It looked fine down at 1000 ft but..... at 3000 feet the pavement was wet..No biggie, have to cool it down where people live and cops work anyway. 7,000 ft and above the road had been sanded because of previous snow. Snow is gone but sand is still there, and wet everywhere. (OK rest of the country, I know what your saying, welcome to the real world, Ya California wussy boy ) OK, The sand in the corners, and rocks that fell onto the road with the storms, were just something to ramp up the challenge, that's good. And getting past a couple Highway patrol cops at the lower elevation in a good behavior moment was satisfying. But... Getting sprinkled on, and finding the Deli Sandwich shop closed for the season was just plain sucky, so now the ten is put away for the winter for real (by the way the Pirelli Diablo Corsa III's worked great as usual and a new set will go on to start the next season )
Focus the forces, Be The ForcePost Edited (louemc) : 10/29/2007 6:20:49 PM GMT |
| Posted By : louemc - 1/16/2008 10:58 AM | This winter project (effort would be a better word) is getting better lower body protection. For how I ride since coming to the Sierra, and how gear has changed in the last few minutes, it allows for something new to me. The pants are by Shift racing, and called Havoc. I bought just a tiny bit big, to have room for a set of full length under pants from T-Pro with impact armor in all critial needs areas. The boots are Cross over style from Thor, called 50-50 in black. I felt the Sidi boots I was using were too thin, in a style that was road race based.
The impact armor in the T-Pro under pants is something that has to be seen (it looks so much more effective than anything I've seen before).
It will take quite awhile before I can report on how it feels to wear, though.
Focus the forces, Be The Force |
| Posted By : Chaos - 1/17/2008 1:40 AM | | We don't want to see your undies Loue (jokes!) |
| Posted By : louemc - 1/17/2008 10:37 AM | I'm not going to show you my undies, people that have an interest in body protection will be well served to look into the T-Pro product, it is the leader in this. The line these "undies" fall in is called Force field.
Focus the forces, Be The Force |
| Posted By : Chaos - 1/18/2008 1:07 AM | | I know, I was just pulling your leg. |
| Posted By : louemc - 5/15/2008 10:54 AM | My favorite Sierra pass opened a week ago. Three days ago I went over it to check out how well they cleaned the road, and how much and where, water might be running over the road. A very cautious ride, and really cold. Some of the corners were extra blind, because of the snow "wall" at the side of the road where drifts were extra deep.
We are having a week long Heat wave, down at Sacramento, Stockton, Modesto level with temps just over 100 degree's and last night temp didn't drop below 70 degree's all night long. So... Another shot over the top early next week to see it again
Focus the forces, Be The Force |
| Posted By : GAJ - 5/15/2008 11:02 AM | How long are you able to ride Lou? April through October?
100+ down here today...we'll be frying through the w/e.
Very unusual, as you know.
At 8am it was 88 degrees in the shade in my backyard, when even in summer it is 65 and in the 50's at night.
Good thing I like the heat...but the heat brings fire, which often is bad news. |
| Posted By : louemc - 5/16/2008 9:36 AM | That's about it on the passes GAJ, I could ride year round, being below the snow line, but the passes are the only place that provides the challenge I thrive on now.
There should be a stampede of low elevation dwellers heading up to Tahoe and Yosemite and Bear Valley or anywhere high, this weekend, to escape the heat, then again next weekend being a holiday.
Modesto / Stockton, should get to 108 today (While Tahoe gets to 75).
We have had the driest April in recorded weather history, and March was pretty dry it's self. This has brought the extreme fire danger (Red flag alert) out two months earlier than normal this year.
I might pack the basic camp gear on my bike and just go up and hang out, out of sight, for a week.
Focus the forces, Be The Force |
| Posted By : louemc - 5/20/2008 2:40 PM | Just got back from another (much faster) rip over Ebbetts. The Eastern Slope isn't safe to go fast on yet. Deceptive on thin layer of dirt on pavement. Tires broke loose on aggresssive braking for a corner (twice). Since it turned out OK, it was fun though, just, getting a better idea of where the limit is.
Just wanted to spread the word, if anyone is going over Ebbetts, Cool it, on the Eastern slope, way more than it seems, one should.
Focus the forces, Be The Force |
| Posted By : GAJ - 5/20/2008 3:22 PM | As we speak they are spooning Corsa III's on my old TLS.
I'll let you know in a week or so how they work around here!
The shop was pushing the Metzelers but 'cause of you and Flick, I pushed back on the Pirellis.
Old tires were Dunlop Sportmax which I found to be much better than the prior sets of Metzelers. |
| Posted By : Drunkula - 5/21/2008 5:37 AM | | Yeah I too am gonna try the DCIII's based Lou's recommendation. Still got plenty of tread left in both Power Pilots right now. At least another 2 or 3K left on them. |
| Posted By : louemc - 5/21/2008 11:46 AM | Cool, I can't wait to hear what you guys have to say about them. What your impressions are, will be influenced by how you used, what you had before. I'm confident that, in both cases, the difference will jump out at you though, before you even start pressing into the higher zone. And that will give the base for the confidence to go into that zone, knowing there won't be any un-wanted surprise waiting.
I could give my Dunlop SportMax experiences, but I don't want to influence GAJ's impressions.
For me, the Pilot Powers were secure enough, so.... in Drunkula's case, I'd expect, the added security of the DCIII's to be nice, but not earth shakingly better.
I got far better mileage with the DCIII's than I got with Pilot powers, and the DCIII's profile give me a neutral ease of all movements, where the pilot powers were just plain work pushing the bike down (past the initial central tranitions) and lifting the bike back up. That took the satifying good feeling out of the rides for me.
I only got 3,000 miles out of my rear Pilot power, and, one day, I looked at my rear Pilot Power, and thought, "this is weird, all of a sudden, this tire is disappearing", so I measured (depth guage reading in thousandths of an inch) before I went out, and after I came back. I'd leave a 1/16th of and inch of tread (.062) on the road, in a ride.
I only got 2,000 miles out of Metzeler Sportec M-1's so... PP's were better, than that, but I got 5,500 out of Pirelli DCIII, so that was quite an improvement over 3,000.
Track time will change (or be different, than) all my figures, (and impressions) So..... again, I'm interested in what you guys find out
PS, I credit my coming through yesterdays event unscathed, to the astounding stability of the Pirelli DCIII's. One of those things, that came close to being a "it's all over" moments. But instead of it being "all over" it was just interesting, and then, back to normal :-)
Focus the forces, Be The ForcePost Edited (louemc) : 5/21/2008 7:59:00 PM GMT |
| Posted By : GAJ - 5/21/2008 1:21 PM | Dude, take care, you have some BIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIG dropoff in them thar mountains!
Can't wait to get the bike back...I didn't realize the III's also gave you great mileage; I was expecting them to burn up in 2000 miles! |
| Posted By : louemc - 5/21/2008 1:55 PM | | Yeah, if things would of continued to go bad during my event, it would be going over the edge , but, letting off the brakes, and modulating, hauled it down enough, to turn in, and that went OK.
There is a lot of road work, going on up there, in bringing down loose rocks, and dirt, and scraping it up, carving out water channels, etc. I don't think the roads are going to get real dirt free clean this year, there most likely won't be more rain, and the state sure isn't looking to spend money for washing and sweeping up the thin dirt, that wouldn't bother four wheels on the ground types.
The Pirelli III's are one of the hard compound center tires (I think everyone has a multi compound now) so that is where the milage comes from.
I think the Pirelli Diablo Corsa III's return a feeling that is superiour to all the others though, as well as the higher milage.
Focus the forces, Be The Force Post Edited (louemc) : 5/21/2008 10:07:22 PM GMT |
| Posted By : CaddmannQ - 5/25/2008 4:20 PM | Hey, Louie, it sounds like the passes are almost in the shape I'll want them in to ride soon. I saw Donna's photos of Ebbett's posted yesterday & it still looked pretty dirty up around the summit, to me.
We're not going to Topaz Lake this year, however. We're going across the Mojave and up Zion's Nat. Park in about 3 weeks. It's gonna be a long, boring ride getting there, and Mojave in June can't be much fun even if it wasn't flat & straight; but Judy's never seen Zion & I haven't been there since I was 10. We're going for a very small club rally, and it's "Nomads Only" so you know the riding will be fairly unchallanging. It's basically a sightseeing run.
Judy's friends in Sonora are moving over near the coast in July (I think), so we'll probably ride up that way for a visit sometime before they do. That would be an excuse to bop over Sonora pass & back if I can turn it into a multi-day event.
"When in doubt, ride."
Cadd................................Clovis CA
2004 Nomad 1500............"Baggins"
caddmannq at yahoo dot com |
| Posted By : louemc - 5/27/2008 9:44 AM | I hope you can swing by this part of the country, Cadd My Man. The weather report this morning said they got a little snow on the crest of Sonora pass, yesterday. I'm going up Friday (the one day of wonderful weather promised) and check it out again. See if the sand spreading trucks came out or not. If they didn't, the daily rain up there for the past week, should of done some good.
We even got a day of rain down here, which allowed me to safely mow the wild grass around my place. That was a huge worry, with all the dry weeks leading up to this, the grass, was about 1 1/2 ft tall, and looking for an excuse to burst into flames.
I put a new tire on back yesterday, which was a nightmare, because the tire width has grown so much since I did my own tire work last (about 7 years ago) they don't fit in the equipment now.
The 180 width is OK, but 190 is just too much. Un-fortunately, I had a 190 I had to use. Never again, will I go through that struggle.
Focus the forces, Be The Force |
| Posted By : Gription - 5/27/2008 5:58 PM | Have you tried one of the new 190/55 rears. I was trying to grab one to try it out, but couldn't find a good deal.
Walk up to a corner and run out of it. |
| Posted By : CaddmannQ - 5/28/2008 5:28 AM |
louemc said...the tire width has grown so much since I did my own tire work last (about 7 years ago) they don't fit in the equipment now.... Unless I start grinding on the swingarm, a 160 is the max on my bike. They say that if I bought a Meanstreak wheel, swingarm, and driveshaft, and modded the brake, I could get a 180 on (maybe 190 with some grinding) but what's the point on a "touring cruiser"?
Anyhow, I just put a new Metzler on mine. I need the exercise, so I still do it myself.
"When in doubt, ride."
Cadd................................Clovis CA
2004 Nomad 1500............"Baggins"
caddmannq at yahoo dot com |
| Posted By : flickmeister - 5/28/2008 6:33 AM | | I have never been a fan of the 190/50 rear tire. Even on my 1000's with 6" rims, I'd go with a 180/55 for the turn-in. It was also a bit cheaper than the 190/50. Since I've started doing track days, I went with the 190/55 for the additional contact patch. It has the best of both worlds: quicker turn-in ala 180/55 and the larger contact patch ala 190/50. The 190/55s are all I will use from now on. The only downside is they are the most expensive size made. But worth it/ Hope this helps. Cheers, Jack
|
| Posted By : louemc - 5/28/2008 9:25 AM | On tire size, that's what I'm hearing everywhere. 190/55 for track use, 180/55 for tight twisties use.
The 180/55 still favors the sharp arc corners of switchbacks.
The 190/55 favors the turns on tracks, with the added requirement of increased contact patch, where more power can be unleashed in a safer place to do it
I'm eager to hear how the Bridgestone BT 016 compares to Pirelli Diablo Corsa III's (and that is the real BT 016, not the OEM version coming on ZX-10's and GIXXR 1000's and 750's).
So.... If FlickMeister will have a chance to do this for me (and everyone else) it will be greatly appreciated
Focus the forces, Be The Force |
| Posted By : flickmeister - 5/28/2008 6:23 PM | lou,
I've got a new BT002 190/55 rear sitting in the garage to wear out, along with the 120/70 front before I'll get a chance to order the new 016's. But stay tuned, they are next on the list. Cheers, Jack
|
| Posted By : louemc - 5/29/2008 9:20 AM | OK Jack, I'm tuned. No rush, (someone might be in a rush though) I just put a new rear on.
I'm just particularly wanting to hear your impression, because of your experience with Pirelli Diablo Corsa III's as a base line, to compare from.
Maybe one of your friends will get them sooner than you are ready for new boots? Course the best thing is if they are on your GIXXR to get the direct comparison.
Sport Rider gave a very promising look at them, but, too much was from a track perspective. I'm chomping at the bit to hear twistie public road info
Focus the forces, Be The Force |
| Posted By : Smax - 6/1/2008 9:26 AM | Greetings, louemc and other Sportsbike-dudes.
Hope all's well - may even buy another computer (some day...). Kinda enjoying the non-addiction to the 'net.
Later... peace & shit
Scoot-jockey. gsx-r 1100 |
| Posted By : louemc - 6/3/2008 10:16 AM | Hope all is well for you Smax. Miss your contact, and hearing about what's feeding your addictions at this time.
Focus the forces, Be The Force |
| Posted By : 636ADAM - 6/3/2008 11:11 AM | Yeah SMAX, what he said.
\
Now I know who the Troll is.
Thanks Spanky. |
| Posted By : Smax - 6/15/2008 11:41 AM | |
Some things come at you as afflictions -- and leave you w/an addiction...
Just breezin' through; I'll be back for updates on your afflic/dictions when I've more time. Cheers & shit
Scoot-jockey. gsx-r 1100 |
| Posted By : RedDog - 6/15/2008 12:50 PM | We mounted a Diablo Corsa III on my buddies bike and he has now ridden over 5000 miles with it! As long as you stay out of AR, and don't have too much weight, they sure do last too.
RedDog
Think Ahead! Travel Light & Leave Your Fears Behind You!
Normal People Scare me!
|
| Posted By : jon - 6/15/2008 5:16 PM |
RedDog said...
We mounted a Diablo Corsa III on my buddies bike and he has now ridden over 5000 miles with it! As long as you stay out of AR, and don't have too much weight, they sure do last too. yep, where, when and how it is ridden is a major factor. the oem rubber on my king have about 3500 miles on it and still looks pretty. on the other hand, another b-king owner posted in a b-king forum that his king's oem tire only lasted 1000 miles. |
| Posted By : RedDog - 6/16/2008 7:51 AM | That's it. Spirited riding down here 2Up willl reduce life on a soft sporttire to some 1,000-1,500 miles.
Now for most of my riding I have plenty of grip in them new sport-touring tires like the BT021 or the Diablo Strada.
RedDog
Think Ahead! Travel Light & Leave Your Fears Behind You!
Normal People Scare me!
|
| Posted By : louemc - 6/18/2008 9:23 AM | I did have an interest going on what the new Bridgestone BT-016 would be like as compared to the Pirelli Diablo Corsa III's. I can't ask more from the DCIII's, even happy enough with the milage (I like fresh new tires, look forward to getting new tires), but I just saw an ad in Sport rider, July issue pg 65, on the Stones, profile shot.
looks way too much like the Pilot Power profile, and I hate the Pilot Power Profile, so.... I'll be re-shoing my horse with DCIII's.
Focus the forces, Be The Force |
| Posted By : RedDog - 6/18/2008 10:03 AM | You know, I had an issue with the PDCIIIs. I ran rear ones (the front is awesome, still using the fronts), and they crapped out with cracks in them, some even leaking after 400-1200 miles or so. I bought a batch here, an my buddy ran 2 of them with absolute no issues. So what was all that about? Weight, high pressure 40-42 and spirited riding?
Thus, Pirelli Diablo Corsa III rocks in front with Diablo Strada or BT021 rear. That suit my non-racing riding.
RedDog
Think Ahead! Travel Light & Leave Your Fears Behind You!
Normal People Scare me!
|
| Posted By : louemc - 6/18/2008 10:45 AM | Have no idea what that was about, never heard of it anywhere else.
As long as an alternative turned up, that is working well, no harm done. Maybe if it is convenient at some time, give the PDCIII rear another shot (which would come from a different batch).
I don't think weight/pressure/or riding conditions, had anything to do with it.
Focus the forces, Be The Force |
| Posted By : RedDog - 6/18/2008 10:55 AM | I have discussed it with a Pirelli rep, and he said send them in. I guess that's where it sits.
RedDog
Think Ahead! Travel Light & Leave Your Fears Behind You!
Normal People Scare me!
|
| Posted By : louemc - 6/18/2008 10:58 AM | Sounds like that should be, Pirelli OK'ing a shop to replace and mount up the replacements. Is there a shop you can get to, if that's how it goes?
Focus the forces, Be The Force |
| Posted By : louemc - 9/4/2008 9:39 AM | Speaking of Pirelli (Diablo Corsa III's), I had a real break-through yesterday in the down hill (hill is an understatement) switch- backs, yesterday. There was a bunch of factors involved, but the tires were the main player behind every factor.
A lot of relative terms would soften the "punch" when put into words, but the principals would be valid for anyone.
The tires were fresh and scuffed, so in prime shape. The Pavement squeaky clean, and......even though every blind corner can be the bad one, so riding within the sight line always has to be an un-broken rule, there was no one on the mountain but me, yesterday.
Now for the break-through, it involves running free-er, which is pulling out stops or holding back actions.
The challenge, is approaching the steep down hill switch-back, that both requires slowing to a complete manageable till completion speed, and not being able to see through the corner to see if something (like a tour bus sized RV is coming, and totally filling the tiny road that doesn't have the width to have a center line).
Compound this, in terrain that hides the far side of the corner, until you are well into entering the corner. And.... factoring in the knowing that it's not out of the question that you at least have to be able to keep your line, right on the very edge of the pavement, if an on-coming vehicle is taking all other available space, or.... go off the pavement if necessary.
Well, yesterday, after gaining confidence in what the ride presented, for quite a while, and feeling confident that anything that came up, would be do-able, I did two things.
1. Approached a little faster.
2. Shortened the check-out-what's-ahead, time, and shifted that time to just gliding (simular to flight) through the corner.
I'm going up tomorrow, to see if I can do that again, and get it cemented into my drill there.
Focus the forces, Be The Force |
| Posted By : GAJ - 9/4/2008 10:08 AM | Yeehaw!!
Damn, it's tough to pull up this page and see one of Flick's posts at the top.
Miss that guy. |
| Posted By : louemc - 9/5/2008 2:15 PM | Just got back from Ebbetts, Todays goal of being as good as Tuesday was met, and had a few better spots.
1. A deer flew across the road about 30 ft in front of me, coming off a high bank on one side down to road level where it landed on the opposite side of the road. A sight worth seeing, since no harm was done.
2. Going through the downhill switchbacks went a tiny bit better this time than the really great way they went Tuesday, because it was all that, plus this time a very slight acceleration through the corner. Have to give a Woo Hoo to the ZX-10's controlable throttle on this, especially because so many fuel injected bikes have a real snatchy throttle right there.
3. Met some very interesting bikers along the way today. All area's represented. Sport, Sport touring, Harley's and a few Gold Wings, and a couple small bikes.
4. And one funny thing. In some corners that kept my eyes busy to the front and a little to the sides of front, a nano second of right rear view mirror was seen, and it was filled with shiny Black, I though Holy Shit where did he come from? I'm pushing pretty good. When the front was eased up, I looked in the mirror again and it was my new glove (shiny Carbon fiber Knuckles, and the leather on my arm is shiny black, both had the sun reflecting off them).
Focus the forces, Be The ForcePost Edited (louemc) : 9/6/2008 4:56:16 PM GMT |
| Posted By : RedDog - 1/14/2009 10:26 AM | Lou, while your snowed in and need some inputs for improvement, take a look at this ZX10.
When you have figured out the perfect mount for that Gatlin Gun, give me a holler, cause I
would love to have one on my Gixxer.
http://news.motorbiker.org/blogs.nsf/dx/icon-warthog-motorcycle.htm
RedDog
Think Ahead! Travel Light & Leave Your Fears Behind You!
Normal People Scare me! Travel Light and Leave Your Fears Behind You!
|
| Posted By : louemc - 1/14/2009 10:57 AM | Would it be safe to say, that boy has an issue with something in front of him? I like his rearsets though, the stock foot pegs are slippery, need better grip to the boots there.
Focus the forces, Be The Force |
| Posted By : RedDog - 1/14/2009 11:17 AM | Imagine hunting season and this buck comes running in front of a good equipped bike like that.
That would be a new meaning to road kill. I want one!
RedDog
Think Ahead! Travel Light & Leave Your Fears Behind You!
Normal People Scare me! Travel Light and Leave Your Fears Behind You!
|
| Posted By : louemc - 1/14/2009 12:32 PM | | I want current technology , something that identifys the target, and seeks it. A Smart rocket would do
I'd try to contain myself on what I called a "target" though, Honest. At least I'd start with good intentions
Focus the forces, Be The Force Post Edited (louemc) : 1/14/2009 8:36:29 PM GMT |
| Posted By : Drunkula - 1/15/2009 5:37 AM | | I like the speaker behind the seat. Nice touch! |
| Posted By : louemc - 3/10/2009 11:54 AM | Preliminary update on the Road Inhaler. The Race Tech converted suspension is back on. Preload/sag is set front and back, but haven't gotten out to the rough road to set the Compression/rebound adjustments.
Also taking my fresh Diablo Corsa III's off (to keep them fresh) and putting on Sport Touring tires for a trip to Utah.
Making plans for a trip to Grand Canyon and South Eastern section of Utah. Should hit it as the roads clear of snow and weather warms a bit. With luck, hitting it with some snow in the rock formations for contrast and deeper colors.
Extreme giddyness at work here
Focus the forces, Be The Force |
| Posted By : GAJ - 3/10/2009 1:02 PM | Have fun Lou and I'm sure you'll keep us informed.
Did you get new springs front and back? |
| Posted By : louemc - 3/11/2009 9:11 AM | | Yes (new springs). They are a little lighter rate than the OEM springs and Race Tech's springs are a higher spec steel, allowing for a smaller wire diameter. That means less mass moving, for more sensitive (quicker) moves.
Did a little thingy yesterday afternoon, that won't be real evaluate-able, as it is diluted into the Race Tech valving change.
But a little over a year ago, a Pro racer that tricked out his 05 street ZX-10, told me that the ZX-10 has a raising rate linkage on the shock, and the ZX-6 has a straight rate. Apparently so the ZX-10 would cope better with a passenger. The straight rate is better for a solo rider.
Anyway I bought the *parts a year ago to switch out, and just yesterday did the switch. I didn't want to make the compression/rebound adjustments on the suspension, switch the linkage and do it again, so.... did it now.
Also the stock linkage was binding some, giving me false readings on my Pre-load/sag adjustments. So digging into that had that incentive as well.
*"parts" is a bag of about 14 parts that have to be assembled (mostly pressed) to become one part. A bit tediously.
There is the machined casting that is the link, and four roller bearing sets, and three hollow shafts (bolts go through, shafts pivot in the bearings) and the grease/dust seals (6 of them), and the bearings have to be pressed into a pretty precise location to just allow (not too much not too little) space for the grease seals.
All I have to do now is clean the chain (absolutely clean) then lube it, then clean up the excess lube, and take it out tomorow (after the FIM race from 1:00 to 3:00) and work at setting the compression/rebound, with these new parts.
Focus the forces, Be The ForcePost Edited (louemc) : 3/13/2009 7:07:56 PM GMT |
| Posted By : louemc - 3/16/2009 9:28 AM | Took the Road Inhaler out yesterday for it's maiden workout with the Race Tech suspension.
Tony at Race Tech's R&D dept did just what was asked for, (that's not easy given the range of choices possible).
This workout, spanned the range of road surfaces, from wall to wall pot holes (just a short road through a ranch) to roads that don't have pot holes but after decades (maybe a century) of patches on top of patches, and weren't smooth to start with, because they are slow roads, And, the smoother roads that civilized people use.
The bike now takes me to an experience, that wasn't attainable before, (and it's highly illegal).
At a higher speed over undulating road surface that keeps the bike airborne with the road coming up to meet the bike in rapid repetitions, the bike becomes a Magic carpet ride, smooth, and level. Totally confident, amazing.
I doubt if any other suspension choice would do better, and a biker would be lucky if something else was done to their specific needs as well.
Focus the forces, Be The Force |
| Posted By : GAJ - 3/16/2009 10:25 AM | Congratulations.
Lindemann and Ohlins gave me the same sensations.
Stock the old TL was a herky jerky beast over broken surfaces, no matter how you twiddled the adjusters.
New springs, valving and shock made as dramatic a difference as you describe...but it cost me about $1,000 total if I recall correctly, (it's been quite a while) and I'm guessing you spent a lot less for similar results.
As you say; the difference is night and day when done right. |
| Posted By : louemc - 3/16/2009 11:46 AM | Umm, no I spent more, but.... the transformation in raising the bikes ability to this level, makes it a bargain.
Focus the forces, Be The Force |
| Posted By : RedDog - 3/30/2009 12:14 PM | I assume that you are in the hunt for the lightest gear out there, what do you got? Also, how do you load up your bike? And, did you get yourself a good camera? For still shots and even short movies the Lumix FZ28 is my favorite. This little PowerZoom camera is just second to none.
I also helped a buddy with a Rocket III here installing a helmet cam on one of these newer HD driven video cameras. That failed cause now there are cameras out there without Video Input. That means, you can't tape direct from a VCR, DVD or Helmet cam - which of course sucks. So watch it if you are in the market, Lou.
I know talked about a new thread, but, but.
RedDog
Think Ahead! Travel Light & Leave Your Fears Behind You!
Normal People Scare me! Travel Light and Leave Your Fears Behind You!
|
| Posted By : louemc - 3/31/2009 10:12 AM | | Even if there was a new thread, we would be the only ones on it . For this trip, I'm improvising a lot. Previous longer trips, I carried more for wider range weather events, and the lightest smallest packing (like climbing Mt Everest stuff). That gear is worn out, and this trip is only 10 days, so...
Little cheap Dome 2 man tent, (that means, this one man and his gear going inside the tent) Large Therma-rest, sleeping pad (they are 24 inches wide, so the "roll" is 24 inches long. Mummy bag isn't arctic, but, OK for this weather, and it's warmth is very adjustable. (like be in the tent if it's too cool to not be in the tent, wear the thermal long underwear if that's needed).
For a bag (Luggage), to carry the stuff, a while ago I bought a set of Milwaulkee battery powered tools (saws, drill, light) and a large, extremely tough bag came with them. I had already removed the upolstery&foam pad from the passenger seat and used the base of that seat as the mounting platform for a custom shaped day bag. Well, I took the day bag off and mounted the Milwaulkee bag (its Red, kinda looks right on the back end of the bike, and OK with the Green, as well. Then I have a Tourmaster tank bag, so...confining myself (load wise) to that.
The camera I've been using for a couple years (and I really really like) is a little Canon Powershot G7, easily fits in any pocket.
For foul weather gloves (my good day gloves are Racer High end gloves), someone gave me a set of really fat, fabric covered, thermal gloves, which, are sorry crap as is because although they are fat with insulation, the fabric passes air at a light breeze blowing through them, and keep the wet out? Ha Ha, what a joke. But.... I just picked up huge industrial strength "rubber" gloves at the hardware store, and those gloves over the thermal gloves is...bring it on, nothing is bothering that combo.
Anyway, I'll carry those gloves so if they are needed, no cold fingers.
I (not long ago) got a new set of boots from AlpineStars, in the crossover design of dual sport/Trimmed up MX, Hella tough & Protective style, called Tech2. And Havoc pants from (crap I forgot who from) I'm sure you know what I'm talkin about though.
Helmet (got that about a year ago) is HJC Carbon Fiber, That's working real well, but I need to add a Sun block to the top of the face shield.
I have a new rear (touring) tire to put on before leaving. Actually right after tomorrows ride with a friend, so I can check that tire out, and be sure I want it, for the trip. So.... pretty set to go
Focus the forces, Be The Force Post Edited (louemc) : 3/31/2009 7:00:16 PM GMT |
| Posted By : Triumph Guy - 3/31/2009 6:56 PM | June in southern Utah is hot, very hot. Sun block, Gater Aid, high altitude, your ZX-10 will become a whimp. Density altitude is 7k.
Ride like you want to make it home |
| Posted By : louemc - 4/2/2009 11:11 AM | |
Wow, , hearing from You Smax, I'm always wondering how Your doing, what You're up to. (so what are you up to?)
Focus the forces, Be The Force |
| Posted By : Sexy Beast - 4/2/2009 11:16 AM | Sounds like a great trip.
Those rubber gloves sounds like feel at the throttle would be nil though. After my hands froze over 200 miles, I looked for warm gloves, they all have perforations or mesh between the leather fingers. My A-Stars gloves are terrible in the cold but I don't want standard thick winter gloves either. No trips til summer for me so there's time.
Lou do you pack a rainsuit also or is the jacket and pants waterproof?
2008 CBR-1000RR Silver/Black |
| Posted By : Triumph Guy - 4/2/2009 11:52 AM | On long trips, flat tire repair kit, been there done that 3 times.
Ride like you want to make it home |
| Posted By : louemc - 4/2/2009 11:56 AM |
Sexy Beast said...Sounds like a great trip. Those rubber gloves sounds like feel at the throttle would be nil though. After my hands froze over 200 miles, I looked for warm gloves, they all have perforations or mesh between the leather fingers. My A-Stars gloves are terrible in the cold but I don't want standard thick winter gloves either. No trips til summer for me so there's time. Lou do you pack a rainsuit also or is the jacket and pants waterproof?
Your right, the industrial rubber gloves failed the usable test Yesterday morning before getting the bike turned around in the driveway (only calling a driveway because I don't know what else to call it). Took the rubber gloves off the fat insulated fabric gloves, and rode off wearing the fabric's, and the Racer High End gloves in my tail bag, to get on my hands after breakfast.
For the Sun blocker on my face shield (This sounds Getto, but it works super fine) I made a paper pattern, the width of Gorilla tape (like Duct tape but shiny black and more tough) and taped the pattern to the shiny side of a stripe of tape, cut the curves needed on both sides, and stuck the tape to the top of the face shield.
Left home yesterday morning just before the Sun started to come up, and rode straight East, into it as it broke above the horizon. Absolutely perfect. Now that I've tried it, I wouldn't do it any other way, if another way is available (besides my Helmet is shiny black-ish, Carbon fiber, so... the black Sun blocking stripe, looks right-ish)
For rain gear, for just this one shot trip, and not knowing if it will be needed anyway, I'll just carry one of those lame sets in a little bag, and for the gloves, see if black silicon seal will smear on, and coat the fabric OK (if not the gloves are worthless anyway, no loss to junk them), and buy great insulated leather gloves and grease them up good with Snow Seal.
On a previous serious road trip (it was 4 1/2 months long) I carried a snow machine riding suit, and quality rain suit, and, used (wore) everthing, one night (Had to ride all night) when in the Colorado Rockies it was so cold, the air just sparkled with ice crystals floating in the air. The rain suit, gave additional protection to the insulation, stopping that penetration of the air blast.
This time I have Heavy leather (race quality) and body armor that is very insulating, so, just rain gear over that should be fine if needed.
Focus the forces, Be The Force |
| Posted By : louemc - 4/2/2009 12:09 PM |
Triumph Guy said...June in southern Utah is hot, very hot. Sun block, Gater Aid, high altitude, your ZX-10 will become a whimp. Density altitude is 7k.
Oh by the way....I ride in the Sierra passes, 8,000 ft - 10,000 ft. There is no such thing as Wimp with a ZX-10, That's one of the reasons for having an insane amount of power, it's always there, when wanted.
Lots of riders say... You don't need that much Power, I say.... have fun behind that land barge that is just crawling along with a string of cars behind it because they can't pass quick enough to make a pass at high altitude, and short visual distances (mountan roads tend to have blind corners), and you can't pass either.
I can and do, light the fuse, on that Crotch Rocket, and, make the pass.
Focus the forces, Be The Force |
| Posted By : louemc - 4/2/2009 1:21 PM | Very Cool Shoei Sun Blocker strip. If you can send a picture of your Helmet/visor/black strip, combo..... I'd like to see it.
Focus the forces, Be The Force |
| Posted By : Sexy Beast - 4/2/2009 3:11 PM | Will do. I ordered from Shoei's website so no telling when it'll get here. Part was a whopping $1.95, I wish I ordered more for the other visors. They come in white too.
2008 CBR-1000RR Silver/Black |
| Posted By : Smax - 4/3/2009 12:50 PM | lou: not much time right now - I'll get back on here soon. Still on the xz19 board/
latr
Scoot-jockey. gsx-r 1100 |
| Posted By : Sexy Beast - 4/10/2009 5:45 PM | Got the sunstrip in today, just a rubbery vinyl sticker but works well. It wasn't the smoothest installation, it took few tries to get in lined-up evenly and still needs a hair trimmed at the top of the visor with a razor blade. It helps in the direct sunlight, like a baseball cap visor, you can tilt your chin and it will keep the sun from blinding you. Except for the logos, a similar strip with a couple of rows of electrical tape would be just as effective. The Hi-Viz orange visor can't be beat at dusk or when it's overcast, was a good buy.
2008 CBR-1000RR Silver/BlackPost Edited (Sexy Beast) : 4/11/2009 2:40:51 AM GMT |
| Posted By : louemc - 4/13/2009 12:50 PM | Did an interesting check-out on how a touring tire felt on the 10, yesterday. I put a 170/60 Dunlop touring tire on, and went out very apprehensive & tense (just what I preach not to be) and the tire moves around (a lot on gravel) but after quite a bit of tight and knarly road, (and finding the moving around wasn't getting worse) I went to faster smoother roads and had gotten confident as well.
The tire works pretty Damn good, it was just me. I had to get comfortable with the feeling.
Bottom line, it's staying on for the 10 day trip, but once back home, that sucka is coming off for the big show
Focus the forces, Be The Force |
| Posted By : RedDog - 4/13/2009 1:39 PM | The sport touring tires are pretty good. My Pirellis Strada rear works good enough for most of my riding, but that's a 190/50. Up front I still use Corsa III since they wear as bad/good as the rest.
RedDog
Think Ahead! Travel Light & Leave Your Fears Behind You!
Normal People Scare me! Travel Light and Leave Your Fears Behind You!
|
| Posted By : louemc - 4/14/2009 11:51 AM | I'd like to checkout the Pirelli Strada's. If there was a tire shop in this area that carried top shelf tires, and had the volume to sell at attractive prices, Pirelli Strada's would be on the bike right now (for this trip anyway).
Thing is, there is only one tire shop (Honda Yamaha Dealership) and their tire prices are astranomical. I just happened to have this Dunlop (so it was free) and I mounted it myself (what a bitch, that tire is super stiff, and the Kawi rims don't have a real dip in the middle area, for the tire bead to get into during the wrestle of getting the bead over the rim edge). For a while I wasn't sure if I could get the tire on or not.
If I could find a set of Race quality rims with a serious groove in the middle area to accept a tire bead..... That would be a very good reason for new rims... If they were Gold colored.... I'd be defenseless.
Focus the forces, Be The Force |
| Posted By : louemc - 4/14/2009 11:59 AM |
Sexy Beast said...Got the sunstrip in today, just a rubbery vinyl sticker but works well. It wasn't the smoothest installation, it took few tries to get in lined-up evenly and still needs a hair trimmed at the top of the visor with a razor blade. It helps in the direct sunlight, like a baseball cap visor, you can tilt your chin and it will keep the sun from blinding you. Except for the logos, a similar strip with a couple of rows of electrical tape would be just as effective. The Hi-Viz orange visor can't be beat at dusk or when it's overcast, was a good buy.
Looks real good on that helmet. I like Orange shields, especially on gray days, It makes them look like sunny days and the green of the trees/Grass, jumps out stronger, as well.
That's a great looking helmet
Focus the forces, Be The Force |
| Posted By : Sexy Beast - 4/14/2009 7:33 PM |
louemc said...
Looks real good on that helmet. I like Orange shields, especially on gray days, It makes them look like sunny days and the green of the trees/Grass, jumps out stronger, as well.
That's a great looking helmet
Thank you sir!
Shoei RF-1000 Diabolic 3
The photos from yesterday's gp, show Pedrosa using an orange visor under the visible lights.
2008 CBR-1000RR Silver/Black |
| Posted By : Triumph Guy - 4/14/2009 7:39 PM | More snow on Wednesday in SLC. 
Ride like you want to make it home |
| Posted By : louemc - 4/15/2009 8:43 AM | Thanks for the weather report Triumph Guy. I'm searching for reports from people juat like this. The kind of reports from the Weather channel etc, leave me wondering if I'm missing something. And... given the span of where I'm going, the weather changes are jumping all over the place right now. I hope it will settle down, real soon.
Focus the forces, Be The Force |
| Posted By : Triumph Guy - 4/16/2009 5:38 PM | It snowed this morning but the weather forecast is real good for St. George and SLC for this weekend.
Ride like you want to make it home |
| Posted By : Smax - 4/17/2009 7:27 PM | louemc said...
... groove in the middle area to accept a tire bead..... That would be a very good reason for new rims... If they were Gold colored.... I'd be defenseless.
That would be 'sweetness on a stick'. Saw a green 10R w/gold rims that looked oh, so mean!
lou, there's a new guy on a black 10R I've been seeing lately while I'm walking on the sidewalk (haven't flagged 'im down yet...) that's sporting shorty exhaust(s??) that look like they're off a gsxr750 - the "GP"-style. Sounds great and looks damned tight - function over form, they fit so lovelly, cleaning up the tail end-look nicely.
'Ve you seen any 'shorty-ed' 10Rs?? Damn! Made/makes me smile... Just like I smile when seeing an 'old' man toolin' around town on his clean, stock H-D, with the RARE stock/otherwise quiet pipes... Sorry - I'm rambling...
Later. PS where're Ian, 636, bunch'o, et al???
Scoot-jockey. gsx-r 1100 |
| Posted By : 636ADAM - 4/18/2009 6:53 AM | Whats up SMAX, I saw some of the shorty pipes on the 10r site..They call em growlers. Hows the west treating ya these days?
|
| Posted By : louemc - 4/18/2009 9:20 AM |
Smax said...
louemc said...
... groove in the middle area to accept a tire bead..... That would be a very good reason for new rims... If they were Gold colored.... I'd be defenseless. That would be 'sweetness on a stick'. Saw a green 10R w/gold rims that looked oh, so mean! lou, there's a new guy on a black 10R I've been seeing lately while I'm walking on the sidewalk (haven't flagged 'im down yet...) that's sporting shorty exhaust(s??) that look like they're off a gsxr750 - the "GP"-style. Sounds great and looks damned tight - function over form, they fit so lovelly, cleaning up the tail end-look nicely. 'Ve you seen any 'shorty-ed' 10Rs?? Damn! Made/makes me smile... Just like I smile when seeing an 'old' man toolin' around town on his clean, stock H-D, with the RARE stock/otherwise quiet pipes... Sorry - I'm rambling... Later. PS where're Ian, 636, bunch'o, et al???
Shortied pipe is hard one, Engine performance wise, and sound wise.
No problem in MotoGP , but for the rest of us. I have a strong suspicion that the Suzuki peg pipe, even though created in the most instrumented engineering joint a bike can get developed, was taking a hit in the mid range on the 750 (not so much on the 600).
I did see (picture) of a tight pipe from Muzzy, that is something I'd like to see in the flesh. (I'ts Beautiful) It's their MotoGP line.
I checked the Muzzy site, and they don't make it for the 1st Gen ZX-10's Though. (can't imagine why).
If you want to see a picture (better than Muzzy site) it's on the ZX-10R.net site, under What was the best mod you've made (or something like that) and in the ZX-10R section.
Haven't checked this morning, but it's a current thread, first page, easy to find :-)
Focus the forces, Be The Force Post Edited (louemc) : 4/18/2009 7:46:23 PM GMT |
| Posted By : Smax - 4/20/2009 7:29 AM |
Hey, Adam636. Happy 420 !!
lou, I know the 'shorties' kill some stages of power, but they just looksound so mean. Correct, ifyaknowwhatImean...
Scoot-jockey. gsx-r 1100 |
| Posted By : louemc - 4/20/2009 9:04 AM | I do Know whatYamean, they do look mean in the rightest way
Focus the forces, Be The Force |
| Posted By : 636ADAM - 4/21/2009 7:49 AM | sMax Happy 420 to you my man! You 2 lou although i bet its a bit wasted on you...but this is your thread. I saw a used 04 10r orange in color. locally with 400 miles for 7gs firm. I hope its still for sale when Im shopping.
|
| Posted By : Smax - 5/4/2009 12:11 PM | You're slackin; Mr Lou... What's been up w/you and Mr 10?
Not been to 10.net, lately (last year?). I'll ck. it out and see what's up w/those power-mad loons...
Cheers, Sm
Scoot-jockey. gsx-r 1100 |
| Posted By : louemc - 5/4/2009 1:57 PM | Been in Limbo Smax. There is the Winter limbo, but with an extention this year (at least it seems extended). I have a friend in the next town that wants to take a 10 day trip (Death Valley, Grand Canyon, Sedona NM, Southern Utah erosion scenery, vast open vista country) and the weather hasn't settled down enough to know it will be good weather to travel in.
Big item (several months ago) I had Race Tech R&D come up with internal suspension parts, to be more akin to dirt bike behavour than Road Race behavour, favoring the super rough roads I ride. That transformed my bike, and .... all things concerned, it is one of a kind, and light years ahead of anything from other brands on the market or promising to come on the market.
This Ninja is out to kill
Focus the forces, Be The Force |
| Posted By : Smax - 5/4/2009 7:28 PM | I'm liking those susp. mods, lou. Tailoring one's susp. is so often overlooked, even on elite sportage bikes. The difference(s) are prob. astounding, and once completely sorted, incredibleosity!
Re weather: we were blessed to have an early max. summer preview a few wks. ago (75-85-degrees), but it's cool for the last wk. or so and mucho rain. My steed's put up in the barn with injuries, but friends are kickin' in w/sport rides.
Hope the weather breaks and you enjoy your team ride (thought you were like me, lone-wolf on the scratchin' roads? You must trust this guy... a lot!
Speaking of trust, I'm on the verge of re-locating my best/only/trust -w/my- life riding bud from '67-78. A few in our old friends-circle of that era were home for a funeral and I met-up w/then by chance. They tell me my then-Tridents, X-75 Hurricane-ridin'-most-trusted-bud is now living in Cali and owns a Laverda, among others. I expect to hook-up by telephone w/the trusted one this week. If he ain't comin' East shortly, this means I will DEFINATELY be headin' to Cali in the near future, he was/is that much of a close friend. I'm sure he'll have a 'loaner' sportbike of some interest for me to use... How close are you to Hollywood?? Just may get to meet ya soon... Damn!
Scoot-jockey. gsx-r 1100 |
| Posted By : louemc - 5/5/2009 8:40 AM | I Like the sound of you coming to California. I have a major dislike for Southern California (the parts where people live anyway).
Check with your Best Bud, and see what his thoughts are for a ride into the Majestic scenery of California (I'd hook up there). While you have a California map out, I live just East of Modesto, close to Angels Camp. That's a little town on hwy 49 and hwy 4 intersection.
Yeah I do trust this guy (and that's almost un-heard of). I've rode with him a couple times, following him, watching his lines, and speeds. He doesn't make mistakes, doesn't do risky/sketchy things, just fast and safe.
He has a high tech Machine shop, full of computer driven machines, no employee's, just automation and robotics, untill a couple weeks ago.
He has hired a guy to run the joint while My Best Bud gets away from the joint.
Even though I can ride with him, when he can get away from his business, it's primarily to enhance his ride. My other than do a ride with him, is "lone Wolf" Very intense, focused on my moment, it can only happen when I am alone. It's like a drug, and an addiction to it.
But, if you and your best Bud can get to some place (Pacific Coast Hwy (hwy 1) or into the Sierra, Yosemite? It would be a high point in my life to get together
Focus the forces, Be The Force |
| Posted By : louemc - 5/11/2009 12:06 PM | | Had an awesome ride Saturday I just have to talk about and .
Setting is... a waitress tells me Ebbetts pass opened yesterday... so I beat feet home and get my bike out.
I'm riding just a tad slower than usual because the main item is inspecting the road surface. There is sand in spots, and getting higher, there will be water running across the road, when getting into the snow. I'm in a very good visability area, just lower than the Ski resort, and another bike blows by me like I'm sitting still.
I like the idea of someone running interference for me, so I pick it up to his speed. It's immediately obvious, this guy absolutely knows what he is doing. We gain about 1,500 ft elevation and the road gets tight twisties and water running across the road. He slows where slow is needed, so I'm hoping he stops somewhere, I'd like to meet someone that can ride like that.
He does stop at a lake, and we hit it off great. He had been keeping tabs on me in his mirrors. He takes a few pictures, I put on a sweat shirt, and we go into the knarly part of the ride with lots of real blind corners because of the snow banks (walls from the snow removal process), and sand and water.
He is German, on a tricked out (Ohlins suspension and steering damper and Staintuned Pipes) BMW 1200, He says he wants to be like me when he's 70 years old .
We just had an extremely high energy day, and he bought lunch at Markleeville, then he went on the road he needed to go, to get back home and I doubled back on Ebbetts to get back home.
He lives in the San Francisco Bay Area, and... pretty sure we will get together from time to time, whenever he can get to the Sierra.
He also wants to get a new BMW now that they have ramped up the performance and dropped weight. So....that should happen pretty soon.
Focus the forces, Be The Force Post Edited (louemc) : 5/12/2009 8:17:53 PM GMT |
| Posted By : Smax - 6/8/2009 10:16 PM | I'm so happy I could *&^%!! The old, trusty gsxr blew its engine mid-summer last year, well, I blew its engine, and I've been on 4-wheels (save a few mercy rides f/friends) since. 'Til last week!
Long/short, a younger bud of mine 'inherited' his dad's pleasantly-modified '99 Bandit 12; needed repairs (brakes) after sitting 2-years, I fixed it and 'had' to ride it to the (very, very distant, per my request) cycle shop nestled in the mountain ranges for State Inspection (he's not licensed).
She's a beaut. Almost what I want/need in a 'cycle:
Bunches of linear low-and mid-range power (orig. owner thought it lacked grunt and did the right mods). :glee!:
Moderately-safe handling (:eek!:). (He wasn't that concerned abt. handling - still has the factory suspension, etc).
Stealthy looks (stock, 1/4 fairing) and sound (a baffled Yosh, jetted correctly).
Decent riding position.
Simplicity - ease of repair/modification, etc.
Parts availability.
I really like this machine, although it feels rather heavy. It is really a fun ride. I may end up with this cycle, through attrition, if ya know what I mean... (Dude's not a real confident rider, but has agreed to take the 'class').
Sorry ta hijack yer thread, lou, but I feel like I 'belong' again now that I'm back on 2 ...
PS: I attempted to do an all-day ride last wknd, but it was cut short with severe inner-thigh muscle pain. Had trouble walking the next day and can still feel muscle pain. Can't really move the pegs down... Hmmm. What to do??
Scoot-jockey. gsx-r 1100 |
| Posted By : 636ADAM - 6/8/2009 10:22 PM | Sweet Smax. I have heard nothing but praise of the bandits.I have a hard time believing YOU cant move anything on that bike to suite your needs.
|
| Posted By : louemc - 6/9/2009 9:17 AM |
Smax said... Sorry ta hijack yer thread, lou, but I feel like I 'belong' again now that I'm back on 2 ... PS: I attempted to do an all-day ride last wknd, but it was cut short with severe inner-thigh muscle pain. Had trouble walking the next day and can still feel muscle pain. Can't really move the pegs down... Hmmm. What to do??
Not a hijacking at all Smax, welcome anything you add to this thread.
About the inner thigh muscle pain (did it ever feel like a cramp, or cramping, was going on?) When I was an extreme skier, and especially when a hard workout in the Mogals, I'd get upper leg cramps. To conditon before ski day (and prevent those cramps) I'd do (at home) squat jumps. How many days of a few minutes of that depends on how the muscles are to start with. But... just a few minutes of that, is significant.
I wouldn't consider moving pegs down (so, I'm glad to hear your not considering it )
Focus the forces, Be The Force |
| Posted By : louemc - 11/19/2009 6:34 PM | Some excitement mounting here. Have no firm idea how it will go just yet. Sato Racing makes Carbon Fiber Engine case covers for R1's and CBR's, I want em. The person to tell me if they will be making them for the ZX10 is out of the office for a week. So....stay tuned.
Their ad in Sport Rider shows the R1 covers, and...If they add ZX-10 to their line...since I don't have lower fairing plastic...those covers will jump out in full glory at ya (along with the exhaust system).
Focus the forces, Be The Force |
| Posted By : Smax - 11/19/2009 9:27 PM | http://www.oppracing.com/images/335-macmoto-series-clutch-cover-zx10r-2004-2005/#image_1
Scoot-jockey. Nomad-trash. gsx-r 1100 (in pieces. Tempa-ride: Bandit 12) |
| Posted By : louemc - 11/20/2009 7:34 AM | Thanks for that link Smax. If this turns out to be a Carbon Fiber addiction and I end up on a street corner with a sign that says Will Work For Fiber,.....Well actually it won't be much of a change, come to think about it.
Focus the forces, Be The Force |
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