A Motorcycle Thread About Absolutely Nothing!

[purplecatty]

Just today, The weather was unusally warm in late Dec. I decide to ride out my motorcycle but the road was wet from dew and drizzle. I was really leery cuz my bike just slipped a bit when I applied front brake. I really did have a doubt that I bought correct tires for wet road riding. Mine is Metzeler 880 Marathon (front and rear). Front is 130 and rear is 170. Its tire groove is well spaced apart.

My biggest concern are that if I am riding on highway and turning on curve (just like any riders normally do), I don't want slip off on wet highway at 60mph .

Actually, I DO NOT have any experience or training on wet road riding.

Personally, Would it be any difference if tires with more grooves handle wet road or not?

Catty

[Jiro]

Originally Posted by purplecatty

Just today, The weather was unusally warm in late Dec. I decide to ride out my motorcycle but the road was wet from dew and drizzle. I was really leery cuz my bike just slipped a bit when I applied front brake. I really did have a doubt that I bought correct tires for wet road riding. Mine is Metzeler 880 Marathon (front and rear). Front is 130 and rear is 170. Its tire groove is well spaced apart.

My biggest concern are that if I am riding on highway and turning on curve (just like any riders normally do), I don't want slip off on wet highway at 60mph .

Actually, I DO NOT have any experience or training on wet road riding.

Personally, Would it be any difference if tires with more grooves handle wet road or not?

Catty

your tires are fine. you just need to build confidence with rain riding but don't push it. you can always wear a full-body armor and be daring

[purplecatty]

Originally Posted by Jiro

your tires are fine. you just need to build confidence with rain riding but don't push it. you can always wear a full-body armor and be daring

I agree with you 110% Thankyou for confidence!!

Ok I will try a bit harder. I know I won't push it. I read other blogs related wet road ridiing, they said if you press rear brake and if it slides, you'll know it's slippery but if it stops but slide a bit, it's OK but ride with caution, like you said, don't push it. I know how it feels when bike drops.. I've dropped moped many times over slippery pavement (leaves, oil, wet road, smooth shiny cement pavement (commonly in garage ect.) So given idea that motorcycle are many time heavier than moped, I would just be careful.

Like I said recent post, the road isn't washed by rain, it's just dewed and that make matter worst, dews don't wash off oil, diesel, ect.

If there are rain and I bet I would feel better riding after half day of rain after dry spell.

The review on Metzeler ME 880 Marathon have 5 stars rating on all condition. Several riders experienced downpour for two hours and had no issue riding through it and they said that tires sticks on wet road well.

I admitted that I forgot to check tire pressure after I had tire changed last July. Yesterday, I checked the pressure on front and rear, YIKE!! Front was 20psi and Rear was 32psi. It's well under Metzeler's recommended pressure for this size of tire. After reading about tire pressure requirements, Extracted from Metzeler's website. METZELER - Recommended_tire_pressures

ME880 Solo 2 Up Light 2 Up Heavy
Front 38-40 40-42 40-42
Rear 44-46 46-48 48-50

For bikes with the following rear tire sizes: 170/80-15, 180/70-15, 150/80-16, 160/80-16, 180/60R16, 180/70R16, 200/60R16, 240/50R16, 140/80-17, 160/70-17 D spec, 170/60R17, 210/50R17, 150/70-18, 180/55ZR18, 200/50R18, 210/40R18, 260/40R18, 280/35R18, 300/35R18, 260/35R21.



Do not follow motorcycle's DOT tire pressure requirement on side of motorcycle. It's for STOCK tires came with it. Common sense are that if you use different brands of tires, It require you to follow tire's manufacture pressure requirement so you won't wear out tires quickly or cause bike to weaving sideway if pressure was too low.

So I filled both tires according to Metzeler's requirement and rode the bike, Yes, I noticed BIG difference! much smoother and sticks road better. My daughter's friend happened to be at my place when I test the bike, She asked me if she can ride with me, I told her SURE!! She's chubby and a bit big. My bike handle passenger much better and steering seem stable before.. Leaning around the bends seem solid and stable too.. When my wife rode with me month ago, my wife isn't heavy, my bike seem a little difficult to handle with passenger, not realizing that tire pressure was too low.

When weather warms up and if there's rain, I will try riding on it

Catty

[Chevy57]

YouTube - BlackvDevil Moscow R1

YouTube - BlackvDevil Moscow R1

[blank canvas]

How fast do you think he is going?

[CougarKat]

IMI, Bandimere, Canyons... what do you pefer?

[purplecatty]

Originally Posted by Chevy57

YouTube - BlackvDevil Moscow R1

I wasn't sure if it's a or saw it in youtube. It's rather scary

catty

[Jiro]

January 10, 2011. ugh... if it's just like last year, my riding season should be back in 2 months - late March... UGH I can't take it anymore!!!

I NEED TO RIDE!!!! RIDE MUST!

the way weather condition is right now.... I foresee early March. I'm surprised that this winter season isn't as bad as I thought it would be. But then... I may have jinxed myself that the winter may get more brutal at much later date and my riding season may be in late April

[Asleep]

^^^ I am feeling your pain.
I rode for two years and stopped for about a year and a half. I still have my bike and try to have him running again maybe in the summer. There is nothing wrong with the bike besides a dead battery. I just ran out of money to pay for 2 vehicles and also couldn't find the time to ride it as much in my senior year of college.

[purplecatty]

Originally Posted by Asleep

^^^ I am feeling your pain.
I rode for two years and stopped for about a year and a half. I still have my bike and try to have him running again maybe in the summer. There is nothing wrong with the bike besides a dead battery. I just ran out of money to pay for 2 vehicles and also couldn't find the time to ride it as much in my senior year of college.

Yup, I undy. Perhap very soon when gas price goes up, you'll want to use bike for transportation unless you have hybrid car

You can try recharge battery using slow charger that you can purchase at Harbor Freight for $6.

If not then perhap getting new one would be good.


Catty

[purplecatty]

Originally Posted by Jiro

January 10, 2011. ugh... if it's just like last year, my riding season should be back in 2 months - late March... UGH I can't take it anymore!!!

I NEED TO RIDE!!!! RIDE MUST!

the way weather condition is right now.... I foresee early March. I'm surprised that this winter season isn't as bad as I thought it would be. But then... I may have jinxed myself that the winter may get more brutal at much later date and my riding season may be in late April

Same here.

I ride when weird weather happens in middle of winter. I finally rode my bike nearly all day last Friday, Jan 7th. The temperature was hoovering 47 degree and was dry, then in the afternoon, temperature dropped to 41 degree but I was already comfortable tho. It's matter of grabbing chance when weather warms up. It was DARN WINDY!! Wind blew my bike on side and I was somewhat leaning against side at 70mph

Remember I mentioned about tire pressure on my bike, I filled front 42psi, rear 45psi. I realized that It's kinda overinflated cuz my bike seem somewhat skittish during windy day. I would have to lower to exactly 38psi front, 44psi rear for solo ride. Just experimenting tho

I am looking forward for spring time. If gas price ever gone up to $3.50 to $4, I would be using my bike as often as weather permits, rain or shine but ice, sleet or snow--

I went to Suzuki Motorcycle store and saw 2011 Suzuki Boulevard 1800cc. Very nice bike with size 250 rear tire. But the seat was HARD!!! sheesh!! It cost $11k on sale. I was there just to ask few qq's about synthetic oil for my Volusia and also a carburetor rebuild kit. Dealer said they have line of Suzuki 10w40 oil for motorcycle and he warned me if I use regular one, It would damage clutch and transmission. Of course I know that As for Carburetor rebuild kit-- $250 for it , OFC I just want to know how much anyway.

My carburetor is acting up now and noticed that tweaking throttle a bit tend to lurch my bike often. It's time to rebuild tho.

I can always find cheaper elsewhere online. I believe I saw rebuild kit for $60 to $120. The pump (not fuel pump, it's a throttle push rod some kind I forgot what exactly it called) and several major part of carb needed to be replaced so that's why it cost more. There are lot of other mostly jet rebuilding but no major parts like I mentioned cost around $40 to $50.

Catty

[blank canvas]

Originally Posted by purplecatty

Yup, I undy. Perhap very soon when gas price goes up, you'll want to use bike for transportation unless you have hybrid car

You can try recharge battery using slow charger that you can purchase at Harbor Freight for $6.

If not then perhap getting new one would be good.


Catty

Or just jump start with your car but his idea is better considering how long it has sat...

[purplecatty]

Originally Posted by blank canvas

Or just jump start with your car but his idea is better considering how long it has sat...

It's nothing wrong if jump starting from car battery as long as bike's battery is 12vdc.

Catty

[blank canvas]

I know I have done it a few times but when its been sitting that long slow trickle might be the way to go

[Jiro]

Originally Posted by purplecatty

It's nothing wrong if jump starting from car battery as long as bike's battery is 12vdc.

Catty

lol it's kinda risky to jump-start motorcycle battery with a car cuz car battery's amp is way too high. Some huge bikes could handle it but for mine? not recommended.

Do it as last resort.

[Jiro]

Originally Posted by blank canvas

I know I have done it a few times but when its been sitting that long slow trickle might be the way to go

or disconnect the battery

[Asleep]

I have a batter charger also
Oh it's a Suzuki gs500f '04. It's my first bike, and still is the only one I have

[purplecatty]

Originally Posted by Jiro

lol it's kinda risky to jump-start motorcycle battery with a car cuz car battery's amp is way too high. Some huge bikes could handle it but for mine? not recommended.

Do it as last resort.

Let's see if it can do damage to bike or not. UNLESS if bike use 6volts system then you'll blow the fuse or burn down the bike My Suzuki Volusia uses 12v and its battery is about 1/2 of automotive battery.. I can tell it can be jump started with automotive battery.

IMHO, It's best to jump start WHEN car is NOT running cuz battery voltage range 12.5 to 13.5v while not charging. If alternator is running, it'll boost to 14.5 to 15v which MIGHT hurt few bikes. IF Bike alt provides same charging voltage as automotive then it's no biggie. Motorcycle do not take much to start than car do. Any bike with Carburetor, just pull choke, twist the throttle two or three times (similar to pressing gas pedal on car) then fire up. It'll roar to life or sputter first time then roar 2nd time whichever it depends. My bike fires up really quickly just a quick crank (quick press starter button).

EFI Bike, it should fire up cuz it doesn't need choke, PCM would make FJ to provide more fuel to fire up.

Catty

[Jiro]

Originally Posted by purplecatty

Let's see if it can do damage to bike or not. UNLESS if bike use 6volts system then you'll blow the fuse or burn down the bike My Suzuki Volusia uses 12v and its battery is about 1/2 of automotive battery.. I can tell it can be jump started with automotive battery.

IMHO, It's best to jump start WHEN car is NOT running cuz battery voltage range 12.5 to 13.5v while not charging. If alternator is running, it'll boost to 14.5 to 15v which MIGHT hurt few bikes. IF Bike alt provides same charging voltage as automotive then it's no biggie. Motorcycle do not take much to start than car do. Any bike with Carburetor, just pull choke, twist the throttle two or three times (similar to pressing gas pedal on car) then fire up. It'll roar to life or sputter first time then roar 2nd time whichever it depends. My bike fires up really quickly just a quick crank (quick press starter button).

EFI Bike, it should fire up cuz it doesn't need choke, PCM would make FJ to provide more fuel to fire up.

Catty

it's the amperage that can damage the bike, not voltage. Both bike and car use 12V battery but the amp is a huge difference.

[The Highlander]

Originally Posted by Jiro

it's the amperage that can damage the bike, not voltage. Both bike and car use 12V battery but the amp is a huge difference.

Jiro's right. Amp do matter, that's why there is spec for volt/amp on anywhere for electronic.

[blank canvas]

I have used my truck to jump start my bike a few times along with a few others never had a problem, yes it is advised against but so are bikes in general...

[purplecatty]

Originally Posted by Jiro

it's the amperage that can damage the bike, not voltage. Both bike and car use 12V battery but the amp is a huge difference.

Yup. Thats why most bike have fuse. If my bike battery went dead at friends home or camp ground ect. I am willing to take risk jump start it.

Catty

[Jiro]

Originally Posted by purplecatty

Yup. Thats why most bike have fuse. If my bike battery went dead at friends home or camp ground ect. I am willing to take risk jump start it.

Catty

that's my point. it can blow/melt the fusebox. if fusebox's gone..... do do do do??? hope you have a dozen of spare fuses

but then... if your battery went dead in middle of nowhere.. do do?? yep take a careful risk to jumpstart it w/ a car.

[purplecatty]

Originally Posted by Jiro

that's my point. it can blow/melt the fusebox. if fusebox's gone..... do do do do??? hope you have a dozen of spare fuses

but then... if your battery went dead in middle of nowhere.. do do?? yep take a careful risk to jumpstart it w/ a car.

I ever wonder if anyone will prove that on Youtube?

Catty

[Jiro]

Originally Posted by purplecatty

I ever wonder if anyone will prove that on Youtube?

Catty

let's find out!

[Steinhauer]

YouTube - a BMW motorcycle story

YouTube - a BMW motorcycle story

[Jiro]

not being able to ride for 3 months makes me scream "I'M A PEACOCK! YOU GOTTA LET ME FLY!!!"

on the side note.... can't wait to go to NY Motorcycle Expo tomorrow!

[blank canvas]

Originally Posted by Jiro

not being able to ride for 3 months makes me scream "I'M A PEACOCK! YOU GOTTA LET ME FLY!!!"

on the side note.... can't wait to go to NY Motorcycle Expo tomorrow!

[Jiro]

got my small motorcycle fix..... went to motorcycle expo today

[Jiro]

lol @ the first pix in my post. sheila pointed out that 3 guys were staring at me. they're like "wow.... I wish I look so cool like you on that bike"

*smug face*