Discussion
I woke up early on Sunday, enough to step outside and see the market sellers setting up
and to hear them bemoaning having been booted out of the square thanks to the mairie securing the space for club bikes
I was given a nudge for the naughty boys’ ride on Sunday — knocking on for a three hundred mile round trip with no aim to visit any destinations or sites. Just ride briskly and have fun.
There were some really interesting places, however. Suisse Normande was really very surprising for mostly flat Normandy and catered for all manner of outdoor activities on land and water. The coffee was crap, however.
Not the greatest photos, but this image off t’interweb is similar to the first view that we got from the top
The rising was just brilliant, such a good pace with competent riders, it really gave me an opportunity to fine tune by riding at speed and with excellent curves. I was noticing that it was difficult to gauge the accuracy of my turn in and to hold a line.
Still, the weather was scorchio, the food and company good and it was a carefree day. Bliss.
and to hear them bemoaning having been booted out of the square thanks to the mairie securing the space for club bikes
I was given a nudge for the naughty boys’ ride on Sunday — knocking on for a three hundred mile round trip with no aim to visit any destinations or sites. Just ride briskly and have fun.
There were some really interesting places, however. Suisse Normande was really very surprising for mostly flat Normandy and catered for all manner of outdoor activities on land and water. The coffee was crap, however.
Not the greatest photos, but this image off t’interweb is similar to the first view that we got from the top
The rising was just brilliant, such a good pace with competent riders, it really gave me an opportunity to fine tune by riding at speed and with excellent curves. I was noticing that it was difficult to gauge the accuracy of my turn in and to hold a line.
Still, the weather was scorchio, the food and company good and it was a carefree day. Bliss.
Edited by bolidemichael on Tuesday 2nd July 23:54
It is indeed. The basic accommodation, variable at best, is almost out of necessity as there are few places to accommodate such a large cohort with appropriate parking. We’ll be looking at other options, too, particularly since they’ve been bought by a chain called Brithotel and the chef changed for the worse.
However, should the food improve I’d say that it’s perfectly adequate and the weather is commensurate to the distance travelled south and also, proximity to the Atlantic Ocean.
What’s your status with respect to membership, moved away, lapsed etc?
However, should the food improve I’d say that it’s perfectly adequate and the weather is commensurate to the distance travelled south and also, proximity to the Atlantic Ocean.
What’s your status with respect to membership, moved away, lapsed etc?
I joined to do my IAM training and test. I became aware I don't like clubs very much, or group riding or many of people who frequent IAM type clubs. When I passed I ended my membership. I did during the time go on two European trips with the club. They do what they do very well it's just not for me.
Yes, that’s the way it goes sometimes. I didn’t really get on with the club thing first time around, the second coming however saw me attend the french trip last minute (there’s a theme here) and was fortunate enough to be buddied up with a couple of guys with whom I got if off straight away. That really made the difference for me this time around.
Following on from Sunday’s ‘secret squirrel’ ride, one of the adjustments that I had made successfully in order to get a little more control over the line, from the front end, was to remove the tank bag which has been an ever present for me ever since sourcing via FB. What a difference that made in tight left to right hands flowing bends at pace. All of a sudden, rather than having to lift my head up and over the bag i.e. an awkward trajectory, I could just move from side to side, sliding across my seat or by ‘squatting’ on the pegs.
On to Monday for the return leg and the run leader had taken our feedback on board and generated a more flowing run. Boy, was it fun and fast!
As it was Monday and he wasn’t so confident of finding places open for lunch, we opted for old school and stopped at a boulangerie. Watching these baguettes strapped to the back of his GS across the panniers was hilarious, wondering when I’d be called upon to catch a flying piece of pain.
Eventually we stopped for coffee, were greeted by a buxom waitress which was delightful and I wondered to pick up some fillings for the flyingbaps baguettes.
One thing that was a common theme throughout our rides within Normandy was the proliferation of villages with signs turned upside down.
One of the chaps said that this was a protest by / in support of French farmers who had recently been railing against what they claimed was a excess of bureaucracy, restrictions and unfair competition imposed by the EU overlords.
As we’d stuck exclusively to small roads, stopped in small town, shopped in small shops and eaten our baguettes on a picnic table on a public lawn on the side of the road (as is commonly available in France), it had felt like such a proper French road trip. Discovering hidden gems is not hard when travelling on the quiet lanes.
The bike was superb throughout.
I did have a moment where my mate noticed my headlight wasn’t working, but then it was working fine..?
950 miles covered in total… a good weekend.
On to Monday for the return leg and the run leader had taken our feedback on board and generated a more flowing run. Boy, was it fun and fast!
As it was Monday and he wasn’t so confident of finding places open for lunch, we opted for old school and stopped at a boulangerie. Watching these baguettes strapped to the back of his GS across the panniers was hilarious, wondering when I’d be called upon to catch a flying piece of pain.
Eventually we stopped for coffee, were greeted by a buxom waitress which was delightful and I wondered to pick up some fillings for the flying
One thing that was a common theme throughout our rides within Normandy was the proliferation of villages with signs turned upside down.
One of the chaps said that this was a protest by / in support of French farmers who had recently been railing against what they claimed was a excess of bureaucracy, restrictions and unfair competition imposed by the EU overlords.
As we’d stuck exclusively to small roads, stopped in small town, shopped in small shops and eaten our baguettes on a picnic table on a public lawn on the side of the road (as is commonly available in France), it had felt like such a proper French road trip. Discovering hidden gems is not hard when travelling on the quiet lanes.
The bike was superb throughout.
I did have a moment where my mate noticed my headlight wasn’t working, but then it was working fine..?
950 miles covered in total… a good weekend.
When I returned, I thought that I should give Darren at MCT Suspension a buzz; after all, the suspension was serviced in December and was working absolutely fine in all but the bumpiest roads -- and I knew that my riding was alright once I'd finessed a few riding techniques -- dropping the inside elbow, looking through the bend, being smooth and loosing grip on the handlebars etc... but I just wasn't getting feedback from the Michelin from 0 thru 15 or so degrees of the initial lean. Once leant over it was fine, but not enough to get it really nice and also comfortable keep up with the smoothest and swiftest riders.
He knew of the issue and was quite familiar with it -- apparently, they run ZZR1400 with the same tyres and they take up to 42psi at the front! So he recommended trying 38psi to begin with and see how I get on. Well, it has been two rides and a couple of hundred miles now and I can say that at 38psi there is an immediate difference to how the bike rolls in to bends... enough to convince me to get the same tyres again, since they've covered 9,000 miles but are excellent and sure footed in most conditions -- though the roads were quite slippery this morning. However, when I have encountered gravel, they've always given me a lot of feedback as they break away.
In other news, I've dropped the as-new expensive 45L Honda top box with Doble's in order to match the barrel to my key. I don't envision using it too much, but it may be handy on occassion if I go touring with a pillion once again.
He knew of the issue and was quite familiar with it -- apparently, they run ZZR1400 with the same tyres and they take up to 42psi at the front! So he recommended trying 38psi to begin with and see how I get on. Well, it has been two rides and a couple of hundred miles now and I can say that at 38psi there is an immediate difference to how the bike rolls in to bends... enough to convince me to get the same tyres again, since they've covered 9,000 miles but are excellent and sure footed in most conditions -- though the roads were quite slippery this morning. However, when I have encountered gravel, they've always given me a lot of feedback as they break away.
In other news, I've dropped the as-new expensive 45L Honda top box with Doble's in order to match the barrel to my key. I don't envision using it too much, but it may be handy on occassion if I go touring with a pillion once again.
After chatting to a mate about the Pilot Road 6, he made a good point — ‘why would you run a tyre that hasn’t been designed to be over-inflated’? So I ordered the Metzeler Roadtec 02, motivated also by curiosity and that I tend to enjoy Metzeler tyres — exclusively Sportec until now.
First impressions are that they’re stable and neutral with a more consistent turn in.
I also picked up the 45L top box from Doble’s, having matched the barrel to my key and fitted the back rest pad.
I’ve also ordered a now discontinued foam and pad interior kit for it from a retailer on ebay.
First impressions are that they’re stable and neutral with a more consistent turn in.
I also picked up the 45L top box from Doble’s, having matched the barrel to my key and fitted the back rest pad.
I’ve also ordered a now discontinued foam and pad interior kit for it from a retailer on ebay.
bolidemichael said:
After chatting to a mate about the Pilot Road 6, he made a good point — ‘why would you run a tyre that hasn’t been designed to be over-inflated’? So I ordered the Metzeler Roadtec 02, motivated also by curiosity and that I tend to enjoy Metzeler tyres — exclusively Sportec until now.
First impressions are that they’re stable and neutral with a more consistent turn in.
I also picked up the 45L top box from Doble’s, having matched the barrel to my key and fitted the back rest pad.
I’ve also ordered a now discontinued foam and pad interior kit for it from a retailer on ebay.
I've not yet tried the RoadTec 02 so will be interested to hear what you think. I currently have the RoadTec 01 SE on my bike and I think it's superb. More grip than I'll ever need on the road, loads of feel and a decent range. First impressions are that they’re stable and neutral with a more consistent turn in.
I also picked up the 45L top box from Doble’s, having matched the barrel to my key and fitted the back rest pad.
I’ve also ordered a now discontinued foam and pad interior kit for it from a retailer on ebay.
I did like the Road 6 when I tried that though I thought the 01 SE was slightly better ... but only slightly!
I think your friend is slightly missing the point. Believing that either all tyres on a bike should be set to the same pressure or all bikes using the same tyre should use the same pressure is naïve. Different makes and models of tyre are different, just as different bikes are different. Your bike does not need a Road 6 to be "over inflated". Yes, the Road 6 needs more pressure than some other tyres but the pressure in the Road 6 is still within the range applicable to that tyre even if it is more for a bike that weighs less.
black-k1 said:
I've not yet tried the RoadTec 02 so will be interested to hear what you think. I currently have the RoadTec 01 SE on my bike and I think it's superb. More grip than I'll ever need on the road, loads of feel and a decent range.
I did like the Road 6 when I tried that though I thought the 01 SE was slightly better ... but only slightly!
I think your friend is slightly missing the point. Believing that either all tyres on a bike should be set to the same pressure or all bikes using the same tyre should use the same pressure is naïve. Different makes and models of tyre are different, just as different bikes are different. Your bike does not need a Road 6 to be "over inflated". Yes, the Road 6 needs more pressure than some other tyres but the pressure in the Road 6 is still within the range applicable to that tyre even if it is more for a bike that weighs less.
I'm inclined to agree tbh. It does seem weird that 36 42 is practically universal once you get to a certain size.I did like the Road 6 when I tried that though I thought the 01 SE was slightly better ... but only slightly!
I think your friend is slightly missing the point. Believing that either all tyres on a bike should be set to the same pressure or all bikes using the same tyre should use the same pressure is naïve. Different makes and models of tyre are different, just as different bikes are different. Your bike does not need a Road 6 to be "over inflated". Yes, the Road 6 needs more pressure than some other tyres but the pressure in the Road 6 is still within the range applicable to that tyre even if it is more for a bike that weighs less.
Biker9090 said:
black-k1 said:
I've not yet tried the RoadTec 02 so will be interested to hear what you think. I currently have the RoadTec 01 SE on my bike and I think it's superb. More grip than I'll ever need on the road, loads of feel and a decent range.
I did like the Road 6 when I tried that though I thought the 01 SE was slightly better ... but only slightly!
I think your friend is slightly missing the point. Believing that either all tyres on a bike should be set to the same pressure or all bikes using the same tyre should use the same pressure is naïve. Different makes and models of tyre are different, just as different bikes are different. Your bike does not need a Road 6 to be "over inflated". Yes, the Road 6 needs more pressure than some other tyres but the pressure in the Road 6 is still within the range applicable to that tyre even if it is more for a bike that weighs less.
I'm inclined to agree tbh. It does seem weird that 36 42 is practically universal once you get to a certain size.I did like the Road 6 when I tried that though I thought the 01 SE was slightly better ... but only slightly!
I think your friend is slightly missing the point. Believing that either all tyres on a bike should be set to the same pressure or all bikes using the same tyre should use the same pressure is naïve. Different makes and models of tyre are different, just as different bikes are different. Your bike does not need a Road 6 to be "over inflated". Yes, the Road 6 needs more pressure than some other tyres but the pressure in the Road 6 is still within the range applicable to that tyre even if it is more for a bike that weighs less.
Another downside of getting Metzeler over Michelin is that only Michelin officially recognise and authorise repairs to their tyres. The other manufacturers cover their arse.
This weekend, my club organised a weekend for training ‘Observers’ in Cirencester. The meeting point was Blackbushe Airport at a leisurely 8.45am but almost everyone arrived early and enjoyed breakfast in the vibrant cafe. The ride there was extremely foggy in parts and it was quite amusing to experience vapour on the front of my visor but, turning my head to the side and it was clear. I daren’t not’ve tried to wipe it off with my summer gloves as it would’ve just smeared.
Speaking of gear, I decided to take my leather trousers and rukka jacket which is actually my favourite and most comfortable combo; it’s a drop liner which has served me well for many years and has excellent and well laid out pockets, external, internal and concealed. As the conditions were potentially sketchy, I brought along a spare pair of summer gloves and by Scott overproofs, too.
There was also some sort of super car meet for hairdressers taking place
We meandered through various counties, observing, opining, posing… you know, all good stuff. Highlights were our lunch stop at a hostel on the Lambourne Downs near Wantage — Court Hill Centre, which frankly sounds like a retirement home. There were glimpses of excellent views over Uffington. Despite the uninspiring name, it had a generous garden and simple fare — as we’d consumed a large breakfast, I settled for two scoops of excellent ice cream.
We weren’t the only ones of our group that stopped there (snigger). Since when did bikers become so homogeneous?!
Another highlight was entering Bibury via Quenington. Bibury was lovely and charming, but the Disneyfication of it reminded me of complaints from a chap I know that lives in the village in which Downton Abbey is filmed, Highclere. His domestic ambience was assaulted daily by coachloads of tourists, sitting on his bike, peering through the windows etc.
Our destination was the Royal Agricultural University in Cirencester; a pleasant site with a bar and dinner, can’t complain about being surrounded by bikers and the ensuing chat that follows.
Nursing a fuzzy head the next morning, I sat through the presentations until eventually, it was time to leave. Layered up, we set off and pretty soon I realised that I’d massively overdressed for the warm conditions, so I unzipped the jacket and at the first ‘debrief’ stop, removed a layer and the thermal lining from the jacket.
Still, I was fairly warm and riding with the zip down; thankfully, whilst there was clearly heavy rainfall ahead as evidenced by flooded roads, we were fortunate enough to be riding in its wake and at time by a handful of minutes which was lovely as the air was clean and fresh. A relief to my slightly beleaguered head stuffed in the Arai.
After some lovely roads which just flowed very well at the posted limits (I was absolutely not in any mood to be racing), we stopped at Vernham Dean — a pub we happened across named The George Inn.
A thatched roof, low ceilings, a friendly welcome with fetching bargirls and a favour roast beef lunch was something pleasantly welcome. From there, we meandered through bucolic villages and countryside until arriving at Tongham Services where we parted company and after a quick coffee, headed home.
The Metzeler Roadtec seem decent but not as performance oriented as the Michelin. We’ll see how I get on with them as they seem pleasantly neutral but not as inviting as my previous iterations of the sportec.
I notice that in recent rides I’ve struggled with numbness in the fingers, in either hand. When I remove my hands from the bars, they sway gently from side to side (the bike doesn’t). I wonder what that could be… front wheel bearing?
Anyway, I managed to give the bike a good wash as it was filthy from the rain and mud soaked roads and tucked it away for another day. I still really like this bike and it’s very handsome. At some point over the weekend, it must’ve ticked over 40,000 miles and it feels fresh.
Speaking of gear, I decided to take my leather trousers and rukka jacket which is actually my favourite and most comfortable combo; it’s a drop liner which has served me well for many years and has excellent and well laid out pockets, external, internal and concealed. As the conditions were potentially sketchy, I brought along a spare pair of summer gloves and by Scott overproofs, too.
There was also some sort of super car meet for hairdressers taking place
We meandered through various counties, observing, opining, posing… you know, all good stuff. Highlights were our lunch stop at a hostel on the Lambourne Downs near Wantage — Court Hill Centre, which frankly sounds like a retirement home. There were glimpses of excellent views over Uffington. Despite the uninspiring name, it had a generous garden and simple fare — as we’d consumed a large breakfast, I settled for two scoops of excellent ice cream.
We weren’t the only ones of our group that stopped there (snigger). Since when did bikers become so homogeneous?!
Another highlight was entering Bibury via Quenington. Bibury was lovely and charming, but the Disneyfication of it reminded me of complaints from a chap I know that lives in the village in which Downton Abbey is filmed, Highclere. His domestic ambience was assaulted daily by coachloads of tourists, sitting on his bike, peering through the windows etc.
Our destination was the Royal Agricultural University in Cirencester; a pleasant site with a bar and dinner, can’t complain about being surrounded by bikers and the ensuing chat that follows.
Nursing a fuzzy head the next morning, I sat through the presentations until eventually, it was time to leave. Layered up, we set off and pretty soon I realised that I’d massively overdressed for the warm conditions, so I unzipped the jacket and at the first ‘debrief’ stop, removed a layer and the thermal lining from the jacket.
Still, I was fairly warm and riding with the zip down; thankfully, whilst there was clearly heavy rainfall ahead as evidenced by flooded roads, we were fortunate enough to be riding in its wake and at time by a handful of minutes which was lovely as the air was clean and fresh. A relief to my slightly beleaguered head stuffed in the Arai.
After some lovely roads which just flowed very well at the posted limits (I was absolutely not in any mood to be racing), we stopped at Vernham Dean — a pub we happened across named The George Inn.
A thatched roof, low ceilings, a friendly welcome with fetching bargirls and a favour roast beef lunch was something pleasantly welcome. From there, we meandered through bucolic villages and countryside until arriving at Tongham Services where we parted company and after a quick coffee, headed home.
The Metzeler Roadtec seem decent but not as performance oriented as the Michelin. We’ll see how I get on with them as they seem pleasantly neutral but not as inviting as my previous iterations of the sportec.
I notice that in recent rides I’ve struggled with numbness in the fingers, in either hand. When I remove my hands from the bars, they sway gently from side to side (the bike doesn’t). I wonder what that could be… front wheel bearing?
Anyway, I managed to give the bike a good wash as it was filthy from the rain and mud soaked roads and tucked it away for another day. I still really like this bike and it’s very handsome. At some point over the weekend, it must’ve ticked over 40,000 miles and it feels fresh.
Thanks for checking and for pre-empting my post!
Minor service just completed and MOT passed with a clean bill of health. I also asked them to dismantle, clean and lubricate the side stand which was sticking despite regular application of PTFE lubricant.
In addition to this, I’ll return in a couple of weeks for a fluid change including shaft drive, rear brake pad replacement and steering head bearings.
In other news, the zip on my VFR specific tank bag gave up, so I managed to source an as-new replacement for ebay for far too much.
The old one
I’ll try and get the zip replaced and sell it on or more likely, keep it as a spare until the sell the bike.
Minor service just completed and MOT passed with a clean bill of health. I also asked them to dismantle, clean and lubricate the side stand which was sticking despite regular application of PTFE lubricant.
In addition to this, I’ll return in a couple of weeks for a fluid change including shaft drive, rear brake pad replacement and steering head bearings.
In other news, the zip on my VFR specific tank bag gave up, so I managed to source an as-new replacement for ebay for far too much.
The old one
I’ll try and get the zip replaced and sell it on or more likely, keep it as a spare until the sell the bike.
I was due to go out for a ride this morning, meet at Tongham Services and blast those Xmas cobwebs away. It was fairly cold and whilst I layered up well, I took a gamble and opted for inner wind stopper gloves under my summer gloves for feel innit bruv.
Additionally, smartalec here took his beeline for charging at some point and couldn’t find it, so I was flying blind. No problem, as I’ve been to Tongham a few times and would be following the leader after that.
It was misty, really misty and I’d soon realised that I’d gambled incorrectly with the summers. Thankfully, the A3 has a proper hard shoulder so I pulled over and exchanged the summers for the winters I should’ve had on in the first place, complete with the inner gloves. Much better and with half an hour to spare, I should make it on time.
Onto Guildford and continued onto the A3, down through the Hindhead tunnel… this didn’t feel right! I stopped and checked google maps… I should’ve taken the A31 and it was 8.30am!
Texted my apologies, baffled as to how they’d even ride in the countryside with visibility as atrocious as that and turned around. Seventy miles covered up and down a foggy, chilly A3. Thank goodness that I’d spotted the cameravan on the opposing carriageway whilst I’d been headed south. Waze didn’t warn me, I think that I need to change the audio settings on my bluetooth app.
Additionally, smartalec here took his beeline for charging at some point and couldn’t find it, so I was flying blind. No problem, as I’ve been to Tongham a few times and would be following the leader after that.
It was misty, really misty and I’d soon realised that I’d gambled incorrectly with the summers. Thankfully, the A3 has a proper hard shoulder so I pulled over and exchanged the summers for the winters I should’ve had on in the first place, complete with the inner gloves. Much better and with half an hour to spare, I should make it on time.
Onto Guildford and continued onto the A3, down through the Hindhead tunnel… this didn’t feel right! I stopped and checked google maps… I should’ve taken the A31 and it was 8.30am!
Texted my apologies, baffled as to how they’d even ride in the countryside with visibility as atrocious as that and turned around. Seventy miles covered up and down a foggy, chilly A3. Thank goodness that I’d spotted the cameravan on the opposing carriageway whilst I’d been headed south. Waze didn’t warn me, I think that I need to change the audio settings on my bluetooth app.
cliffords said:
Do you mean stainless caliper pins?
Brake pistons are an alloy that react to heat like the caliper does. You would not want to put SS pistons in an an alloy caliper.
No, stainless pistons. I didn't have a single brake issue whatsoever since changing them from OEM - in the VFR or any other bike. Brake pistons are an alloy that react to heat like the caliper does. You would not want to put SS pistons in an an alloy caliper.
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