Quick kinda funny story:

So I took my bike to a shop the other day to get new tires put on (Avon AM51/52... will review when I do some riding on them this weekend). The shop is about 30 min. from my parents' house, where I was staying for the weekend. So I got my mom to follow me to the shop in her car and drive me home.

Now, most of you probably remember the look on I love YOU's face when you broke the news that you have a motorcycle, and for most it was probably unpleasant. My mom has been very... mature in restraining her obvious displeasure with my riding, and in doing favors like this for me.

So we're on the way there, riding in some back roads to avoid traffic, she's following me. We come around a bend and suddenly there's a stop sign. I jump on the brakes and get what is probably the worst rear-wheel skid I've had yet. The back of the bike was moving around in all sorts of unnatural ways. I executed good braking technique and never lost control, but I knew my mom was a few feet behind me watching the wheel skid all over the road.

When we got to the shop I just said "that's why I'm getting new tires" and quickly changed the subject.

Quote from: miloWhen we got to the shop I just said "that's why I'm getting new tires" and quickly changed the subject.

Perfect execution!

:lol:

Well played.

It speaks well for you mom's driving.  I mean she was following you.  You had to make a sudden stop.  She didn't lock up HER tires.

Mad props to MOMs.  None of us would be here if moms weren't here first.


Yes I did intend the lame warm heartedness.  Gosh, I'm SORRY if I LOVE my mom!!!

I think the rear brakes are actually designed to lock up 95% of the time.  Mine locks with very little pressure on the pedal, even with new sticky Avon tires.

Tires have mold release compound on them ... very slick till you nicely scrub and break them in ... a few weeks ago when my Virago 1100 was leaking oil from  left side ... (no gasket under the case ... was too impatient to order and wait, too cheap to pay dealer $$ whihc was like $22 when I got it for $8+2 ...) so I was stopped at a T and waited a min or 3 ... and made a left and to get away from the car that was coming up 1/2 way through I hit the gas ... and I nearly slide the entire width of the road and once I got to the shoulder ... I almost high sided ... Yea took all of .000001 sec ...
Couple years ago I also almost high sided on the highway on ramp on my 750 vulcan in wet road conditions ... Heck the damn things hurt even if you dont fall ... that first one I hurt both wrists and clobbered the bars into my rib cage, and of course smacked the jewels into the tank ... Ouch ... The latest one ... I was already in so much agony from the leg pain/herniated disc ... I must have hurt ... but no extra ... at least not discernibly so ...
Cool.
Srinath.

Ya, I was going to ask about that preservative sludge on new tires -- do I just ride around carefully for a while? Or can I speed up the process, by rubbing them down with sandpaper or something? I want to take a trip this weekend and don't want to be on dangerous tires...

go play for about 50 miles or so taking it easy, and you'll be ready to roll

People use soap and water ... dishwashing soap ... sandpaper is a bit extreme ... OK that Gojo orange hand cleaner stuff maybe ...
Cool.
Srinath.