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| "OK, maybe this place isn't all bad" "Thanks for giving it a chance, Triumph." "You know I need new shoes, right?" "Yes, Triumph. Soon." |
Anyway, I'm contemplating what to do for the next set of tires. Here on the Middle Coast, I will not be riding all year the way I did in Phoenix. Where some people cannot tolerate desert heat, I cannot tolerate arctic cold.
Yes, I know the Middle Coast isn't actually arctic. It's still pretty darned cold.
Perhaps, if I had a Ural, or some kind of enormous, plush, touring bike with things like heated grips and a hot chocolate dispenser, not to mention appropriate gear for snowmobiling, I would try riding in the winter. But I don't. For now, anyway.
Which means that I have approximately six to eight months during which I can ride, depending on the weather.
So I'm wondering if I should go for full on sport tires, instead of sport-touring tires. I do think stickier tires would be better on the, frankly, crummy roads here. On the other hand, I've got a lot of exploring to do, and I'd hate to have bald tires before the end of the season.
A dilemma.
I would love some input.
14 comments:
Sport Touring, they'll only seem like compromise. Slow down 10mph and ride 3000 miles further is what I always say :)
Yeah, sport touring tires are a compromise, but I have to admit the Pilot Road IIs did "sport" a heck of a lot better than the original Pilot Roads did...
On the other hand, feeling like you're on rails around curves is the best.
Not sure I know what language you're speaking at the end there. What is this, "slow down" you speak of? ;)
rails need curves. um did that come out right?!..
i'd opt for touring and enjoy the miles. i don't know how expensive your tires are, but, one rear here damn near broke my bank, so... w/o curves in sight, i say, go for distance.
suddenly seeking hot chocolate dispenser...
mq01 - There definitely aren't any curves here like the ones you get to enjoy there on the west coast.
I haven't started shopping for tires yet, but I suspect they're not cheap. There is some wisdom in going for tires that will last.
One of the other bloggers (RichardM, I think) recently went to a motorcycle gathering where there was a sidehack carrying an espresso machine built into a hard bag. So a hot chocolate dispenser could be done...
Actually, I think that should be done. To the drawing board...
mmm... espresso, with sweetened condensed milk!!!...yummm... dang it... :) suddenly seeking espresso maker now...
Yep, Boxer Metal put an espresso machine into an aluminum case on the back of a custom sidecar. Picture here. Really nice sidecar.
I have no opinion on tires as even when on two wheels, I looked for dual sportish tires to deal with the dirt, mud, and gravel roads that we seem to have a lot of. Now, I look for tires that I can add studs to for riding in the winter.
Espresso w/sweetened condensed milk! Mq01, you are evil for mentioning that....
mq01 - An espresso w/ sweetened condensed milks sounds pretty wicked...
RichardM - That's it, thanks! The Triumph has informed me it wants nothing to do with dirt, mud, or gravel roads, so I think I'm going to have to skip on the dual sport tires.
What's this about tire studs? Like what ice racers use, or something else?
No, the studs are closer to automotive rather than racing. Last winter, I used hardened screw in studs but the heads on the rear tires would wear down after only a few hundred miles. This year, I ordered GripStuds, which are carbide, screw in studs. I'm hoping for longer life. It is impossible to get the rig out of the driveway once there is even a little bit of snow. Not falling over in the winter is the main reason I put on the sidecar...
BTW, even an old airhead RT does just fine on the gravel if you have the right tires.
You are in the land of all-weather gear -- the home of Polaris and Aerostitch. I think I'd be tempted to try to ride through the winter. Though, having said that, I can think of plenty of times when I've put a 4x4 into a spin in Minnesota. So, maybe not.
Check out the Bridgestone Battlax BT023.
I've run mine in pouring rain, scorching heat and even light snow and they've been great.
RichardM - Cool! Yeah, I believe that the right tires would help any bike on gravel.
Chris Cope - But can I afford all that gear? ;)
I admit to being tempted to ride in the winter. However, riding in snow and ice on a 2-wheeler means accepting that you are going to hit the ground at some point. I'm not willing to do that with the Triumph. Especially here in the land of tailgating during ice storms...
If I had a sidehack, I'd be all over it. I've read big, heavy cruisers are pretty decent (this is all relative) in snow too.
Nothing is good on ice.
Red - Thanks for the recommendation. I think the Triumph actually came with Battlax tires when it was new... I will look into them again.
I don't know squat about tires and less about geography. What part of the world are your referring to as the "Middle Coast?" Are there orcs and balrogs there?
- Joe at Scootin' da Valley
Never mind that last question. I Googled the phone number on the sign behind you and found the exact place on Google Maps, sign and all, using the street view. You are gonna freeze your toppings off!
It's worse than orcs and balrogs... Lifted trucks and riders in flip-flops.
Yes, it gets pretty doggone cold here in the winter.
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