What up boys? Your thoughtS are appreciated.

[barbagris]

Doesn't one have a peon for such things?

The tend to keep the orange ime.

Somewhere in Germany there is a traumatised family who, in the mid 80's, happened upon a Guzzi owner on the A61 nr Koblenz.

Said rider unzipped a tank bag - rummaged about - found, peeled and ate a banana (oranges screw up your gloves) at a constant speed of 80mph (indicated) with occasional waves to the rather stupefied driver.

 

[Navigator]

Thanks for all these excellent suggestions. I'm not set up for some of these things, but I'm gonna take another look and probably take her back to the shop to put her up on the ramp and rebalance and check these things you suggested. GPM and Rocketsprocket : did you both experience drifting? Mine starts veering right away. Not sure how concerned I should be. Rkt88 says his tracks like it's on a rail. I'm not expecting that, but dont think I should have to override. Then again, dont really notice it much. Would you all be concerned or ignore it ifmit rides fine?

Mine also tracks like a rail and has not diverted from that through several tire changes, all Metz', to include new front calipers. I've experienced tracking problems like you now have but they have all been with chain bikes with the cause being rear wheel alignment. This normally doesn't apply with shaft driven bikes. Just by the process of elimination, if things like checking torque, tire balance, and rotor runout doesn't resolve it, one must assume that it is a problem in one of the tires.

It would also be interesting to see if one of our front calipers is grabbing more firmly than the other. I lubed the pistons and all of the mating surfaces per the R3 manual when I replaced my pads, finding that everything was bone dry. Just a thought.

 

[Fishbein]

Thanx boys - I read every post and they were all helpful. Getting chilly here but will take for a ride soon and peak at these things and try some of the suggestions, but not as concerned now (hopefully it's not a bad tire and I won't have to deal with a blowout).

 

[yogi1]

Just a thought, did you verify that they mounted the tires in the right direction? I had a similar issue when the clown mounting the tires (me) didn't pay attention when mounting the front wheel.

 

[barbagris]

After maybe just under 400 miles I love the Cobras: they hug the corners and seem angled for twists yet feel stable on flats (they lean quick though w all that weight). .. Thoughts?

I'm getting feedback over on the German site that Cobras are most certainly a better bet for sporting riders. By that I refer to European type sporting (hard sharp curves) and FAST unrestricted Autobahn. Also they are recommend for warmer climates over the Metz. Downside seems to be that Cobras dislike the wet and cold in comparison to the Metz. Makes sense - The Metz may warm up easier than Cobras.

The "veering" - could be that the front Metz (on my bike anyway) is a pinch fit. This gives you a long thin contact patch. Better straight line - not so good in tight bends.

 

[leigh_m_gardner]

The bike seems to ride great w the Cobras; however, when I take my hands off the handlebars the bike immediately veers to the left (no matter the grade of the road I.e the road could lean right and the bike still veers left pretty quickly). Also get some vibration at low speed. Bike feels fine riding (hands on bars).

Called the shop that put on the tires and they say doesn't sound like improper balancing but more like a bent stem. The only other thing I pointed out to the shop when getting tires was that Rivco risers looked slightly uneven, but shop said was just how they clamp on I.e. Should not affect performance. Thoughts?

Hi Fish,

A couple of us in the UK have experienced "problems" with the Avons. I experienced the same thing - vibration at low speed but fine with hands on bars; and another friend had the veering off, so much so he wont use Avons now. Yes, the axle nuts are torqued correctly, and the pinch bolts. I do think there is an issue with Avon rubber.

 

[Fishbein]

that would b insane. I didn't notice that but will check. [

QUOTE=Yogi;399153]Just a thought, did you verify that they mounted the tires in the right direction? I had a similar issue when the clown mounting the tires (me) didn't pay attention when mounting the front wheel.[/QUOTE]

 

[Fishbein]

Good point. My Metzlers were good until they wore down Then I was slipping on sharp curves. But the Metz, though they hugged much better than the stock Bridgestones when newer, cannot compare in the mountain twists to the cobras. I think any slight problem might be accentuated by the avons because they are more aggressively angled like sport bike tires.

QUOTE=barbagris;399155]I'm getting feedback over on the German site that Cobras are most certainly a better bet for sporting riders. By that I refer to European type sporting (hard sharp curves) and FAST unrestricted Autobahn. Also they are recommend for warmer climates over the Metz. Downside seems to be that Cobras dislike the wet and cold in comparison to the Metz. Makes sense - The Metz may warm up easier than Cobras.

The "veering" - could be that the front Metz (on my bike anyway) is a pinch fit. This gives you a long thin contact patch. Better straight line - not so good in tight bends.[/QUOTE]

 

[Fishbein]

Interesting, I'm really reluctant to give up on the cobras because my touring is handling like a 650 with the power of a 2300cc! I love them, but I'm all about safety. Ill keep checking them out.


UOTE=LMG;399159]Hi Fish,

A couple of us in the UK have experienced "problems" with the Avons. I experienced the same thing - vibration at low speed but fine with hands on bars; and another friend had the veering off, so much so he wont use Avons now. Yes, the axle nuts are torqued correctly, and the pinch bolts. I do think there is an issue with Avon rubber.[/QUOTE]

 

[Fishbein]

By the way. Been to Spain 3 times and had a blast each time. Great place. Could I plan a motorcycle trip with my wife thru Spain?

UOTE=barbagris;399155]I'm getting feedback over on the German site that Cobras are most certainly a better bet for sporting riders. By that I refer to European type sporting (hard sharp curves) and FAST unrestricted Autobahn. Also they are recommend for warmer climates over the Metz. Downside seems to be that Cobras dislike the wet and cold in comparison to the Metz. Makes sense - The Metz may warm up easier than Cobras.

The "veering" - could be that the front Metz (on my bike anyway) is a pinch fit. This gives you a long thin contact patch. Better straight line - not so good in tight bends.[/QUOTE]