Another New Dark Sider

[HansO]

just a dumb idea but anybody ever thought of mounting electric brakes on trailer like it is done on travel trailers ,considering the weight ratio vs the available braking on the bike it might mitigate the required force applied on the bike's brakes

I am actually in process of trying to track down a guy that has come up with a modified electric brake system that will work on a bike trailer as most set ups can not be adjusted light enough as to not lock the trailer wheels up, I am only looking into this as although I prepare for curves a the need to stop etc. I have only encountered twice (once on the Rocket) in over 40,000 km of towing where I have needed to do an emergency stop and if I had to rely on dominant front braking I would have been in trouble

 

[albertaduke]

I am actually in process of trying to track down a guy that has come up with a modified electric brake system that will work on a bike trailer as most set ups can not be adjusted light enough as to not lock the trailer wheels up, I am only looking into this as although I prepare for curves a the need to stop etc. I have only encountered twice (once on the Rocket) in over 40,000 km of towing where I have needed to do an emergency stop and if I had to rely on dominant front braking I would have been in trouble

goes to say you have superior skills.. front brakes cannot handle your bike yourself and a trailer behind all wrapped up we are talking nearly 2000lbs glad to know you used your superior skill ..seriously..

 

[dave64]

Never mind the other people on the road, animals crossing the road and hazards in the road, oh yeah they have none of those at the track. When expressing an opinion it shoudl have something to do with the actual subject matter.

Are you serious they only have 20 or so competitors trying to out corner out brake and besides that at very high speeds it has a lot to do with the subject matter , where do you think advancement in technology in tyres , frames , suspension etc comes from ? I would think not from so called experts on a Triumph forum or any other for that matter . You sir need to think before you type . Tyre manufacturers don't just release a tyre into the market to see how it performs when dodging a rabbit or a stick or braking to miss some numnuts on a phone . This would all be done on test tracks then into the race arena and then modified for the road.

 

[barbagris]

Some random observations.

1) Not all of us have put a CT on to save money or gain grip. My case is I need MILEAGE between changes. I was quoted a month wait for a Metzler. A Month! - now I am NOT prepared to wait a month - especially if I'm mid journey somewhere. I don't really care what the cost is - but I want it NOW. A suitable CT was available off the shelf.

2) I wore both front and rear Metlzers out in 7700kms from new including running in. And this included a session where I'd bust my arm so after I was riding Slow. How anybody gets 15000 miles is beyond me. 7700kms makes even a simple trip to the other side of Europe and back IMPOSSIBLE on one set of tyres. See the month wait argument.

3) Whilst there is NO DOUBT that Metzlers grip like ****e to a blanket in cool ambient temps (even on ice) - THEY DO OVERHEAT if you ride hard in warm-hot climates. If rubber is peeling off in little balls and going blue - they're overheating.

4) As per nº1 I went for a CT rear and was able to put an Avon Cobra front on (3 day wait). Steering effort reduced. I was surprised too as I'd read about increased steering effort. I'm not saying I did not notice a difference at the rear - but I've noticed more change in handling with different M/C tyres on other bikes. i.e Just replaced the Guzzi's tyres - from Metzler Lazer to Avon Roadrider - AMAZING improvement.

5) The Cobra front wore very oddly - one sided and also showed signs of overheating. I have a mate who builds and maintains track bikes (twisty circuits) - I'd ride to his shop and he'd stick temp probes in. I did this for almost a year - The cobra was getting 10-15ºC hotter than ambient - rubber peeling off in summer. This cruising at about 80-90mph on highways in 35-40C

6) Fitting a 140/80R17 Z RATED tyre on the front does more for handling than the CT rear ever could be accused of. This tyre rises about 3ºC in use. The CT rear (also Z) - about the same.

7) On Spanish roads I could happily spin a rear MC tyre in the dry - the CT - so far - not.

8) The rear brake can even lock a CT in panic situations - i.e Front on so hard the tail lifts. WILD BOAR btw.

It's just my 0.02. But the R3 is NOT like any other bike out there. It has massive gollops of torque, it's f*cking heavy. If you push it hard through bends then rubber WILL scrub off. This scrubbing increases tyre heat to beyond the design spec's of a V rated tyre in warm to hot climates. I have now been able to discuss tyres with technicians from several tyre companies - all say the same - an R3 will shred V rated rubber.

As has been stated (though I do not have first hand experience) - It is no real surprise that a C/T affects 1/4mile times. There is more weight to spin up. One up and running however - I find the increased rotational inertia makes maintaining steady speed easier.

Also I do not hold with the "Run them soft" thing - I run mine at around 34-35psi. Handles better (to me).

BUT If somebody produces correctly sized Z rated tyres for the R3 - I'll be back on MC tyres no questions asked.

 

[HansO]

hardly call it"superior skills" more like experience, fast reflexes and not panicking

 

[barbagris]

Tyre manufacturers don't just release a tyre into the market to see how it performs when dodging a rabbit or a stick or braking to miss some numnuts on a phone . This would all be done on test tracks then into the race arena and then modified for the road.

Actually - NO - Road tyres (according to the guys at avon, bridgestone etc) are designed differently from scratch. They're not designed to run anywhere near as hot as track tyres - They do not depend as much on heat cycling as track tyres. Sure they get tested off-road first - but on road simulation circuits like MIRA's track in the UK - not race tracks. The carcass, compound(s), tread patterns - all differ. I know Michelin for example perform SWERVE tests on their road tyres - especially rain tyres. I know this because a very close friend was there for 20 years.

 

[dave64]

But im sure that the manufacturers take technology from what is available and improve or change them .

 

[warp9.9]

Well.....stir the pot here

I love my car tire and my M/C tire.....I run both...I finally got a second rim and put a Bridgestone on. The M/C tire is a little easier on me riding the mountains here in NC. I am not as young as I use to be...

Art..I know you are the expert here on fast rockets....But what M/C tire are you running that is faster than a good sticky car tire on your monster. Unless you have traction control on your bike. I have never seen a Pro stock bike run a M/C tire

With no more HP than my bike has...it will spin the rear M/C tire most of the way through second and half way through 3rd gear. With the car tire it will carry the front end up in second and part of 3rd gear.......That was with the Metz tire..I have not cranked on the Bridgestone tire yet

Dave...the tires on a GP or F1M will NOT run on the streets...There are totally useless ...Those tires are made to run on a track and must be up to temperature to have any grip level with the track rubbered in.

Joey I am sorry but in my expereience if you canonot get the metzler to hook up you are doing something wrong.

anybody can over rev a launch and get there a tire to spin no matter what tire and or what type of tire/ CT or MC I can burn them all up. I can also get the metz to hook up or anyother MC tire. When it come to racing its about knowing how to launch not about relying on whether a square tire with lower weight loads then it is desgned for will hook up. You just have to work on it as much as you think you worked on the car tire. And if you did not just think how much better it will be if you did!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[IMFASTTOO]

Well.....stir the pot here

I love my car tire and my M/C tire.....I run both...I finally got a second rim and put a Bridgestone on. The M/C tire is a little easier on me riding the mountains here in NC. I am not as young as I use to be...

Art..I know you are the expert here on fast rockets....But what M/C tire are you running that is faster than a good sticky car tire on your monster. Unless you have traction control on your bike. I have never seen a Pro stock bike run a M/C tire

With no more HP than my bike has...it will spin the rear M/C tire most of the way through second and half way through 3rd gear. With the car tire it will carry the front end up in second and part of 3rd gear.......That was with the Metz tire..I have not cranked on the Bridgestone tire yet

Dave...the tires on a GP or F1M will NOT run on the streets...There are totally useless ...Those tires are made to run on a track and must be up to temperature to have any grip level with the track rubbered in.

WELL we run the stock METZ rear tire with no traction problems and have run 8.9 in the 1/4 AND a car tire will slow you down as it is heavy and offers no traction advantage

 

[joey fletcher]

Scott you and Art are The MAN when it comes to Rocket HP...I will never doubt that...for sure

I am not the sharpest marble in the bag, never claimed to be an expert in drag racing..I did run drag bikes back in the early 70's.....H1 & H2 Kaws..4 years of racing most every weekend and Wed. nights. In 1973 I went through the traps at 94 mph......before the motorcycle got to the traps....Not a good day. Thank goodness for Bates Leathers and a Bell helment

I am to old and fat to drag race now...I guess I am just over powering a not so warm Metz with full air pressure on a dirty hi-way road. My son is the one telling me I am leaving a blue haze off the rear M/C tire through 2nd and part of 3 rd gear. I am pretty sure if I was to go to the drag strip I could lower air pressure and heat the M/C tire up with a good burn out in the bleach box.

Next time I change out the rear wheel...I will weigh both tires and rims. My car tire is a 225x50x16 Goodyear Eagle F1 G3

I would give my right....you know what for Mr. Art to get his magic finger on my Rocket........**** being so good looking and poor....I rather be Ugly and rich....Like you guys...

But on Social Security....don't think it will ever happen...............YES I am Jealous.....Now I have said it..