Tuesday 31 January 2012

What a Great Way to start 2012

You know you’re in for a fantastic weekend when its starts on a Thursday.


Why Thursday you ask, simple! That’s the day Lee at B&C fitted Mr. T’s new tyres. Yes I know it’s a little sad (OK a lot sad) that I would be so chuffed but it was the first time I have ever stayed and watched anyone fit a set of tyres for me.


The job ran like clockwork, rear first after removing the brake calliper, torsion bar and ABS censor Lee removed the wheel. Then off with the old squared off tyre and on with the new.

As quick as you like, the rear wheel was
removed with skill.

Balancing the tyre was all done by hand by mounting the wheel a spindle and suspending it between two stays with rollers on top, marking 12.00 O’clock and allowing the wheel to turn slowly of its own volition until it stopped, marking the area and adding enough weight which in turn slowed and evenly stops the wheel from turning. Adding weights either side of the spokes distributed the weight evenly ensuring a perfectly balanced rear wheel.


“If it’s good enough for Valentino Rossi its good enough for me”
 Were Lee’s exact words.


The front took a little more time due mainly to the fact I have a “Fender extender” fitted which prevented Lee from moving the front wheel far enough back to remove the ABS Censor from the wheel hub. So the hole front mud guard, brake callipers and everything  had to be removed. With the wheel out it was a smooth and well practised manoeuvre to cut off the valve, remove tyre and remaining valve, fit new valve and attach new tyre. Balance the wheel, which in the case of the front needed a mere 5 grams. The tyres were inflated to, rear 42psi and front to 38psi.



Mr. T looking a little forlorn.
Now I would really liked to have had a ride out on Friday and scrub the tyres in but was a little pushed for time so the day passed without doing so. However what did happen was it snowed, profusely. Between 5.00pm and 7.00pm we had almost 4 inches of snow on the drive and it was not melting leaving me wondering if the IBA RTE at John and Sonia’s near Cannock and the Manc Riders Annual RTE at the Moorcock would still be on!



Out with the old,
In with the new!
Ben was getting a little upset having already tried on his gear ready for the ride down through Macclesfield, Leek, Stafford and on towards Cannock. Luckily I’d posted my route the night previous on the IBA UK forum and was chuffed when “Slowpoke” posted up that two of the roads I was planning on riding were closed due to the weather. So the M6 it was going to have be then, that was if indeed we could go. A restless night was had by both Ben and I but we were both chuffed Saturday morning to see the main roads were passable and once I’d cleared the drive of snow and gritted the ramp we were on!


The ride down was a steady one with the vast majority of drivers taking it steady in the slush around Rochdale. As ever there was one “White Van Man” in a Salford Van Hire Van (wish I could get that “How’s my Driving?” number, registration, time date, location info into my head) who I saw in good time, come flying out of the petrol station just before the M62. He just drove straight out in front of us with total disregard for us or anyone else, only himself. The plank got a good bib on the horn and a flash but as per usual he chose to totally ignore us. That’s if he even knew we were there, some drives really do need to sort the vision out, not everything on the road has four wheels you know!
Ben was happily chatting away as we cruised across the M62, M60 then left down the M6 to junction 14. We stopped at Junction 20 Lymm Services just after getting onto the M6 as this was exactly half way and 45 minutes into the ride. A couple of medium sized “Costa Coffee” Hot Chocolates’, loo and away again after re-heating nicely. Temperature when we left home was a nippy 4 degrees rising to all of 6 degrees all the way down until we got to Stafford turn off where  the temperature rose to a nice 9 degrees peeking at 10. We arrived at 12.35 just in time to be told food was ready to be served.




IBA UK Riders from all 4 Corners of the UK
and Switzerland
The meeting was very well attended as we were all eager to see John’s new garage and what a garage it is. To be truthful it is more akin to a Triumph Trident Mini Museum than a typical garage. With such a fantastic collection of bikes and memorabilia John has created a Triumphant Masterpiece (sorry John no pun intended), It is a credit to one man’s drive and determination. We all thought it was amazing and like so many I was very envious of such a collection mind they are Triumphs after all.



Now that's what I call a garage.
Ben was eager to have a ride on the “Trocket” but sadly it was off site so had to be satisfied with a downhill blast on the Trike Go-cart and he loved it. John took the first run down the hill then it was my turn, it was brilliant!



It just had to be done!


John showing Ben how it's done



Then it was Dad's turn...........
I loved it almost as much as Ben
I had a wonder around chatting to a few members who I have come to know and befriend over the last 3 years (my word is it that long since the RBLR1000 2009). Lynn spent a little time having a look at Mr. T’s panniers and top box; I had a good look at Kevin’s expanded FJR petrol tank which he informed me he’d bought from a guy in the USA. It’s so well finished to the un-trained eye it would be so easily missed, now that’s a compliment indeed to its maker and current owner.  It’s always good to see Ron and have a catch up chat and to top it all off Philippe was in attendance from Switzerland which was fantastic. The list of people goes on but to see so many new faces there is testament to the strength and camaraderie felt by this unique group of Long Distance Riders.




Looking good Kev, looking good
Sonia did herself proud as ever with a great curry, chill and rice plus other dishes which I didn’t get chance to savour but wish I had. So a massive thank you goes to Sonia for feeding all of us and to Arsenal Deb’s who provided the fruit cake which everyone barring “yours truly” devoured. Sadly I cannot stand dried fruit of any kind which is known as “Rabbit Droppings” in our house, sorry Deb’s (Chocolate cake for me next time please).
Phil the IBA UK President gave us all a rundown of how things were progressing and what was happening where and when. This was followed by the obligatory IBA UK RTE Photo. Shortly after which it was time to hit the road again and get home hopefully before dark and the all expectant fresh fall of snow. I had to smile as when I was telling folks about the snow almost everyone thought I was winding them up.



IBA UK January 2012 RTE
"The Grand Garage Opening Meet"
Once on the M6 north bound Ben decided he wanted to head straight home without stopping and so one and a half hours later we were riding through Rochdale looking up at the snow covered Pennine Way.


“Do you fancy popping up there to take a picture for the IBA folks so they know we were not winding them up?”
“Will it take long”


“No, ten minutes tops”


“Ok, as long as Lilie Rose is still up when we get in”


“Ben it’s only 4.45 so she won’t be in bed for a long time”


“OK, that’s cool, let’s get a picture then”



Happy to be "Back up't North"
even if it was 2 degrees C
Stopping in the car park just before the White House Pub on Halifax Road I found it was covered in sheet ice so rode straight back out with the tyres doing a great job of gripping what bit of gravel was available. The pub car park had been cleared so it was off the bike; two photos and back on the bike and away. Ten minutes later we were back in the house to thor out in front of the fire.
Sunday saw a leisurely start to the day with everyone getting up just before 9.00am. Ben was exited, Lilie Rose giddy and me well I was just hoping not too many of the Manc Riders would call it a day after seeing the picture of Ben in front of Mr. T outside the pub only 100 yards up the road from our meeting place, The Moorcock for the first Annual Manc Riders RTE.

The idea had popped into my head about 7 weeks earlier when I was checking last year’s diary of events and noticed it was a year to the day almost that I’d organised the first Manc Riders RTE at The Moorcock.  It would have been a shame to not try and get the guys (and Gal’s) together again. As ever the response was fantastic and within a few days we were into double numbers.

Ben chose to ride up to the pub with Jeannie and Lilie Rose in the VW. I set off on Mr. T at 12.30 and was really chuffed to find a few of the “Die Hard’s” had beaten me to it. Lefty, Martin, Phil and Big RedOne who I’d not met before were there waiting. I popped in to see that all was ready in the restaurant only to find they had not arranged the tables for a party of 20.



Good to see I was not alone like last year
Later when my mobile had charged up and I had rang a “missed call” number back I found out it was Alan the owner calling to see if we were still going to turn up due to the snow ever where, we both had a laugh about it being as we had already been and gone.
The Riders all arrived barring a couple of “Thick Headed Folk” suffering from having a good night out the night before (you two know who you are, I won’t name and shame). Jeannie arrived and I could hear Lilie Rose as they pulled into the car park as she was so happy to be seeing everyone again. She’s a real “Biker Chick” is our Pobsey!



Good to see a touch of Class


and Style
As ever the meal at The Moorcock was spot on, Pauline, Alan’s wife ensured we were well looked after.  The conversation flowed as well as the beer, cola, coffee‘s and juice. It was nice to see so many of the Riders again and to meet a few new members too. Phil got busy with his camera, as did Ben. Steve who had brought his brother came over from Huddersfield, which was nice as we had not seen him since the birth of the little one 9 months previous. Unfortunately we ended up on two tables as there were 18 of us in attendance. As it happened the second table was for the “late arrivals” having had a few issues en-route. The less said about that the better but being one week early is no excuse for being late. Mind dodgy indicator fitting and flat BMW Bus battery, are no better.



Good food, good company
Great Manc Riders RTE
All that was left to do was for the Obligator Manc Riders RTE Photo to be taken (is there a pattern forming here or is it just me?) and then fond farewells to be said. Mind Steve and Dave did follow me back to the house just to have a peep at Trinity, Oh and pick up a tow rope (nothing to do with the BMW Bus I must add).



Manc Riders First Anniversary
& 2nd RTE at The Moorcock


And so a folk as they say that is that! January is all but over and February beckons with the Rossendale Kawasaki New 2012 Bike Launch Part on the 2nd of February followed by IBA UK Waterloo RTE looming large at the end of the month and so it looks like it is going to be another busy bike month. The final word has to go to my good friend BadBoyBez, take it away maestro.




An Outstanding Month
January 2012
DONE!










Wednesday 25 January 2012

Tyre Time for Mr.T

Well with all of 7,500 miles on the clock it's time to get a new set of tyres for Mr. T.

The bike came with Metzeler Tourance EXP tyres fitted as standard the sizes are

Front - 110/80R 19 - MC59 V

Back - 150/70R 17 - MC69 V

After 7,500 miles most of which have been two up, all be it a very small Ben sized two, and on motorways the wear is

Front - 3mm tread left in the centre
Rear - 2.5mm left in the centre

Now I always like to try out a few different sets of tyres before I find the one that suits me personally.

It's  amazing the numbers of different manufacturers, style, tread pattens, speed ratings not even looking at sizes available, so finding the right set always starts off with a fair bit of home work on my behalf.

First job for me is always ask other like minded riders with the same bike. Now with the Tenere being so new that option is severely reduced but as ever the Internet opens up a whole world of information.

So first it was a post on my three favourite sites.

1)  Manc Riders forum to ascertain WHERE the guys purchase their tyres.
2)  Iron Butt UK forum to get like minded Long Distance Riders opinions
3)  Yamaha Super Tenere forum to find out which tyres Tenere owners across the USA & UK are using.

That done it was onto Google to search out a decent site to "have a virtual look" at the tyres.
The best site I found for this was the Bits 4 Motorbikes site which gives a mass of information and a long list of manufacturers, model and prices.

Make Model(More Detail Click on Links Below) Front Rear Normal Price Buy the set now and
save 5%
Click to buy now
Metzeler MCE KAROO £73.94 £93.10 £167.04 £158.69 Out of stock
(details Click here)
110/80 R19 59R
(details Click here)
150/70 R17 69R
Metzeler Karoo 2T £75.74 £99.34 £175.07 £166.32 Out of stock
(details Click here)
110/80 R19 59Q
(details Click here)
150/70 R17 69Q
Metzeler Enduro Street £94.34 £116.69 £211.02 £200.47
(details Click here)
110/80 R19 59V
(details Click here)
150/70 R17 69V
Michelin Anakee £94.34 £117.40 £211.73 £201.15
(details Click here)
110/80 R19 59H
(details Click here)
150/70 R17 69H
Bridgestone BW-501/2 £90.06 £121.85 £211.91 £201.31
(details Click here)
110/80 R19 59H
(details Click here)
150/70 R17 69H
Continental Conti Trail Attack £89.62 £124.14 £213.76 £203.07
(details Click here)
110/80 R19 59V
(details Click here)
150/70 R17 69V
Bridgestone BW-501/2 £93.10 £121.85 £214.94 £204.20
(details Click here)
110/80 R19 59V
(details Click here)
150/70 R17 69H
Michelin Anakee £94.34 £121.27 £215.60 £204.82
(details Click here)
110/80 R19 59H
(details Click here)
150/70 R17 69V
Bridgestone BW-501/2 £90.06 £128.30 £218.36 £207.44
(details Click here)
110/80 R19 59H
(details Click here)
150/70 R17 69V
Metzeler Enduro Street £101.92 £116.69 £218.60 £207.67
(details Click here)
110/80 R19 59V
(details Click here)
150/70 R17 69V
Continental ContiRoad Attack £96.85 £122.85 £219.70 £208.72
(details Click here)
110/80 R19 59V
(details Click here)
150/70 R17 69W
Michelin Anakee £102.50 £117.40 £219.89 £208.90
(details Click here)
110/80 R19 59V
(details Click here)
150/70 R17 69H
Pirelli SCORPION TRAIL £99.92 £119.98 £219.89 £208.90
(details Click here)
110/80 R19 59V
(details Click here)
150/70 R17 69V
Bridgestone BW-501/2 £93.10 £128.30 £221.39 £210.32
(details Click here)
110/80 R19 59V
(details Click here)
150/70 R17 69V
Continental ContiRoad Attack 2 £100.47 £121.56 £222.03 £210.92
(details Click here)
110/80 R19 59W
(details Click here)
150/70 R17 69W
Avon DISTANZIA £93.54 £129.14 £222.67 £211.54
(details Click here)
110/80 R19 59H
(details Click here)
150/70 R17 69H
Avon DISTANZIA £93.54 £129.14 £222.67 £211.54
(details Click here)
110/80 R19 59V
(details Click here)
150/70 R17 69H
Michelin Anakee £102.50 £121.27 £223.76 £212.57
(details Click here)
110/80 R19 59V
(details Click here)
150/70 R17 69V
Continental TKC80 Twinduro £96.85 £128.01 £224.86 £213.62
(details Click here)
110/80 R19 59Q
(details Click here)
150/70 R17 69Q
Continental ContiRoad Attack £96.85 £128.01 £224.86 £213.62
(details Click here)
110/80 R19 59V
(details Click here)
150/70 R17 69V
Pirelli SCORPION TRAIL £99.92 £125.72 £225.63 £214.35
(details Click here)
110/80 R19 59V
(details Click here)
150/70 R17 69V
Pirelli SCORPION TRAIL £105.79 £119.98 £225.76 £214.47
(details Click here)
110/80 R19 59V
(details Click here)
150/70 R17 69V
Metzeler Enduro Street £94.34 £132.88 £227.21 £215.85
(details Click here)
110/80 R19 59V
(details Click here)
150/70 R17 69V
Metzeler Enduro Street £111.53 £116.69 £228.21 £216.80 Out of stock
(details Click here)
110/80 R19 59V
(details Click here)
150/70 R17 69V
Continental ContiRoad Attack 2 £100.47 £128.01 £228.48 £217.05
(details Click here)
110/80 R19 59W
(details Click here)
150/70 R17 69V
Pirelli SCORPION TRAIL £105.79 £125.72 £231.50 £219.93
(details Click here)
110/80 R19 59V
(details Click here)
150/70 R17 69V
Dunlop Trailmax TR91 £104.94 £128.30 £233.24 £221.57
(details Click here)
110/80 R19 59V
(details Click here)
150/70 R17 69V
Metzeler Enduro Street £101.92 £132.88 £234.79 £223.05
(details Click here)
110/80 R19 59V
(details Click here)
150/70 R17 69V
Metzeler Enduro Street £111.53 £132.88 £244.40 £232.18 Out of stock
(details Click here)
110/80 R19 59V
(details Click here)
150/70 R17 69V
Dunlop ROADSMART £121.85 £133.46 £255.30 £242.54
(details Click here)
110/80 R19 59V
(details Click here)
150/70 R17 69W
Dunlop ROADSMART £121.85 £136.04 £257.88 £244.99

This is the Super Tenere Tyre Listing
(Courtesy of Bits 4 Motorbikes)


Bits 4 Motorbikes  are a mail order delivery only company with a great selection. So armed with this information on prices I could then get onto the local guys and see what it was going to cost me, supplied and fitted.

Now choosing tires is never straight forward. I have information from three very good sources, my best mate Ron recommended the Metzeler Tourance but not the EXP as the originals where more hard wearing, The Tenere lads in the US raved about K60's which after asking a few more questions turned out to be a German tyre made bye Heidenau K60's. The other influence was obviously my past experience with Continental Road Attack (which just by coincidence I have fitted to Trinity). Looking into the Continental tyres I chose to go with the Continental Trail Attack as used by Nick Sanders on his recent 55,000 mile end to end ride of the United States. I was given a couple of free DVD's with the books I bought from him at the NEC show this year and saw the terrain he was ridding on in South America. O thought "Raymondo, if there good enough for Nick, there good enough for you!"  So who says freebie's at shows don't work. Plus the fact I'd covered 40,000 miles on Road Attack ones and two's on the FJR really added weight to my decision. So choice made Continental Trail Attack it is.


Next, the leg work,  calling four local motorbike dealers starting with the guys who supplied Mr. T Keith Dixons in Accrington, All Bikes in Rochdale, Robinsons of Rochdale and finally B&C in Farnworth as recommended by Dave on the Manc Rider forum.

Having told all four dealers which tyres I wanted all came back to me with their prices which were, in same order, £261, £252, £276 and £241. No prizes for guessing which I opted for B&C in Farnworth

Now remember there are TWO different fitting costs - one to a loose wheel, i.e. remove wheel from bike and take it along with your tyre to the workshop and have the old tyre removed and the new fitted. The second is to one I always choose to go with Ride in Ride out. So arrive on the bike and have the fitters take the wheel off the bike, remove old tyre, fit the new tyre and re fit the wheel then ride away. 

Cost vary from place to place but a rough guide in the Rochdale area is

All Bikes of Rochdale charge £12.50 to fit and balance tyre to a loose wheel or charge one hours labour for both wheels when you just ride in and have everything done then ride away with new tyres. (Costs also include disposal of old tyres).


So folk's Mr. T will be shod with his new Continental Trail Attack Tyres Thursday, all ready for me to enjoy a few more miles out and about.

Forthcoming rides 

28th Jan - IBA UK January RTE (Ride to Eat) at John & Sonia's in Staffordshire (with Ben)

29th Jan - Manc Riders Anual RTE @ The Moorcock near Littleborough (with J, LR & B)

24th - 26th Feb - IBA UK European RTE Waterloo in Belgium  (with Ben)

31st March - IBA UK National Meeting (location TBC)

28th April - IBA UK Europen RTE Colmar France - Statue of Liberty 

11th - 13th May - Touratech Weekend Camping in South Wales

25th - 27th May - IBA UK Brit Butt Rally a 36 Hour Endurance Rally (with Ron)

1st - 5th June - Super Tenere Network Workshop Weekend in Ashford, Kent

22nd - 24th June - RBLR 1000 starting at Squires, near Shelburn on the B1222

30th June - IBA UK European RTE Gdansk in Poland


With more to follow. Here's to a great 2012 Riding Year.