The new Avon Storm-ST tires arrived on Saturday, and I wasted no time installing them. While the front wheel was off and the fender removed, I decided it was a good time to relocate my fog lamps as well. An inspection of the brake pads revealed they are acceptable for this riding season and were added to my list of things to do this Fall. I will keep you updated on the performance of the new rubber. The odometer on the RT now stands at 53,000.
FYI
Often the grooves on tires are referred to as the SEA, and the surrounding area between the grooves are called the LAND?
Tonight the story is being released that the White House has forced General Motors CEO Rick Wagoner, to step aside as part of a deal concerning government bailout loans. Read story here..
” The industry’s first modern luxury boutique hotel geared toward business travelers and the growing segment of motorcycle enthusiasts is now open. see story here
My mom was a great cook and I must have inherited the gene, because today I am going to whip up aperfect Sunday! Get your 3×5 card out and write this one down.
Rick’s Perfect Sunday
Begin with a cool and rainy Sunday morning.
add 8 cups of strong black coffee, the morning paper, 2 eggs, and 4 slice of bacon (crispy)
let rest for an hour.
take 2 new m/c tires and Ipod to the garage
add a beer at this point (slowly)
place tires on bike
finally, incorporate 2 NCAA basketball games, and one CAO cigar
place in the easy chair for 5 hoursuntil chilled
There you have it! A simply yet very enjoyable recipe for a GREAT SUNDAY. I am certain you will love this recipe. Let me know what you think.
In an act of defiance against what he says is a ridiculous law, AMA Hall of Famer Malcolm Smith sold three youth OHVs on March 19 despite a federal ban on the sale of those vehicles. Read the Story here.
The American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) has made available a video public service announcement (PSA) regarding the ban on the sale of youth off-highway vehicles (OHVs) intended for kids 12 and under.
The 54-second video features AMA President and CEO Rob Dingman discussing the ban and encourages viewers to contact their representatives in Congress and the Consumer Products Safety Commission to end the ban.
Listening to: “When You Love A Woman” by Steve Perry
Time for tires again!I have been researching the endless sea of tires to replace the Continental Road Attacks currently on the RT.I have chosen the Avon Storm-ST. A long- lasting, all weather, high performance sport touring tire. Here’s the fit for the BMW.
Front Tires
» Storm-ST
Size 120/70ZR17 (58W)
2.5 bar (36psi)
RearTire
» Storm-ST
Size 160/60ZR18 (70W)
2.9 bar (42psi)
The Storms will cost me about $50 more than the Road Attacks, but I am anxious to try them.The Storm’s incorporate a “Reactive Footprint” where the contact patch actually changes size and shape depending on the lean angle, cool huh!The Storm-ST replaces the Azaro-ST.
It seems the wet weather performance of the Storms is outstanding, thanks in part to the tire’s Super-Rich Silica (SRS) compound. The extremely high silica content delivers optimum grip in the wet and dry. It also has the added benefit of warming up quickly.
On the front tires, the Storm-ST benefits from Inverted Front Grooves (IFG) that resist stepped-wear and cupping, ensuring smooth handling for the life of the tire and improving wet weather braking. The Enhanced Aqua Flow (EAF) pattern of the rear tire also increases your safety and confidence in wet conditions.One main factor in my decision was the “TUV” a tough German testing organization has given this tire numerous approvals.
The tires should be in on Thursday, and I should be ready for the road on Friday.Just in time for a road trip to Indiana!I will keep you updated on their performance.
Over half of all fatal motorcycle crashes involve another vehicle. Most of the time, the motorist, not the motorcyclist, is at fault. There are a lot more cars and trucks than motorcycles on the road, and some drivers don’t “recognize” a motorcycle - they ignore it (usually unintentionally).
Because of its small size, a motorcycle can be easily hidden in a car’s blind spots (door/roof pillars) or masked by objects or backgrounds outside a car (bushes, fences, bridges, etc). Take an extra moment to look for motorcycles, whether you’re changing lanes or turning at intersections.
Because of its small size, a motorcycle may look farther away than it is. It may also be difficult to judge a motorcycle’s speed. When checking traffic to turn at an intersection or into (or out of) a driveway, predict a motorcycle is closer than it looks.
Motorcyclists often slow by downshifting or merely rolling off the throttle, thus not activating the brake light. Allow more following distance, say 3 or 4 seconds. At intersections, predict a motorcyclist may slow down without visual warning.
Motorcyclists often adjust position within a lane to be seen more easily and to minimize the effects of road debris, passing vehicles, and wind. Understand that motorcyclists adjust lane position for a purpose, not to be reckless or show off or to allow you to share the lane with them.
Turn signals on a motorcycle usually are not self-canceling, thus some riders (especially beginners) sometimes forget to turn them off after a turn or lane change. Make sure a motorcycle’s signal is for real.
Maneuverability is one of a motorcycle’s better characteristics, especially at slower speeds and with good road conditions, but don’t expect a motorcyclist to always be able to dodge out of the way.
Stopping distance for motorcycles is nearly the same as for cars, but slippery pavement makes stopping quickly difficult. Allow more following distance behind a motorcycle because it can’t always stop “on a dime.”
When a motorcycle is in motion, see more than the motorcycle - see the person under the helmet, who could be your friend, neighbor, or relative.
If a driver crashes into a motorcyclist, bicyclist, or pedestrian and causes serious injury, the driver would likely never forgive himself/herself.
