Thanks for your input. All good points, most of which I agree. However with age even road tyres go hard. I remember being contacted by a tyre distributor looking for someone to test a set of tyres in really hot conditions such as southern Spain and then cold conditions such as UK winter conditions. Apparently tyres had been going hard and taking on a blue hue. I’m sure someone on here who really does know about these things will be along to inform us soon but comparing like this really helps to build up a picture of what to expect from different tyres. I too found Bridgestone s22’s hard carcasses. I didn’t care for them at all when I tried them on my Multistrada. When I gently came out of the 1st roundabout with these new Dunlops they put me in mind of the Bridgestone’s but that thought soon disappeared, thankfully. You’re right about new tyres always feeling better of course. The front of the Metzeler had gone ‘Toblerone’ shape due to all the bends around here. When they dropped into a bend it gave you the feeling the front was going to wash out. In the later life of the Metzeler’s I’ve been sliding them around on some of the smoother surfaces. Not huge slides just small drifts but enough to change the colour of your underwear and absolutely ruin the enjoyment of a ride. Hence they had to go even though they weren’t totally on the wear bars. Today I’ll be giving the SportSmart TT’s a proper test. Incidentally, I think Dunlop are giving £40 rebate in the UK on various sets until the end of the month, which is tomorrow.
I found the TTs on my V4 multi gave more feel at lower pressures & felt a bit vague (front) when at full Ducati owners manual pressure. The main downside to TTs was the rear will wear the centre quickly if used on straight roads , I think they could have got away with a harder centre rubber on the rears , certainly in the Adv bike sizes.
The Scrambler is in for fork seals and just been told the battery has died 8 years isn’t bad for the original battery though. Fortunately I have a brand new YT12B that would have been fitted to the V4 Pikes Peak if I hadn’t gone for a LiFePo Andy
You're in luck, I recently cleared out my smalls drawer and have loads of new cloth based garage rags....
I have seen exactly the same on Michelin slicks, it just so happened that Michelin were at the track, a representative checked it and said it had been stored incorrectly
Spent about an hour getting most of the tar off the exhaust this evening. Then waxed the freshly degreased chain. Also removed the carbon heel guards and exhaust heat shields, as my mate is going to get rid of the scratches and re lacquer them.
maaaan ducati parts are eye wateringly rip off had two 'ducati' tank stickers delivered £35!!! thats 35 nicker for 2 stickers keeping them pristine just adds up, even the little white plastic washers are 26p plus vat plus delivery
Dropped the Scrambler off for a service and belts, picked up a Multi V4s to ride home on. A lot has changed in 10yrs, carries its weight low (with a full tank of fuel too) so not hernia inducing when lifting it off the side stand like my old one was. Lower and narrower seat too. Very capable bike but wouldn’t buy one. My riding nowadays is usually to the pub not Portugal, hasn’t stopped me having a nose at used prices though (the tank pocket seems pretty useless, too small for a phone but big enough to lose stuff down in the depths of the pocket?)
The tank pocket is perfect for a disc lock, visor cleaner and a pair of sunnies. Leave your phone in your pocket, or mount it to the handlebars.
