BobFV1....tire question

[Bones]

Bob,
I searched for the thread in which you discussed at length your shodding your GSA with new tires AFTER you went through your Tourances. I can't find the thread.

I recall you telling us that you liked the Tourances (as have I on my GS) but liked your new choice even better. But damned if I can remember what your newer choice was. I think I recall you saying they were a tiny bit more planted on dry roads but felt quite a bit better in the wet. Is that correct?

I ask because I will be planning on putting new tires on my GS in the Spring before taking a trip from Upstate NY to the Barber museum in Alabama and back. We will be staying on paved roads, but may encounter rain at some point and a fresh set of tires will be in order before going on a trip of that lenghth.

If you really liked the new tires better than Tourances, I would certainly consider trying them....though I have no complaints about the Tourances during the 9K miles I have ridden them (2 sets).

Thanks, in advance.


Jeff

[Wild Will]

I'd choose the michelin Anakees if there' a chance of rain. Absolute stickiness in the wet. But Tourances are just about as good. I get 500 miles less on a set of Michelins. There's a new tire that's more of a sport tire that has just begun being built for 19" fronts. I think it's also a Michelin.

[BobFV1]

Bones -

Anakees are the ones:

Bob's tire thread (http://www.motorcyclistcafe.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1600&highlight=anakee)

When are you going to Barber? Will you be passing through my neck of the woods?

I think the thread has a lot of good info. I really like the Anakees - they are as sticky as the Z-6's were on my RT!

[Bones]

Bob and Will,
Thanks for the info.

I will be leaving my home on either June4th or 5th, heading South to PA to pick up my riding partner, Perry and then Southward from there. Our plan is to blast South to get out of PA as quickly as possible and on towards Western NC where his son lives (near Ashville). That will likely take two days from Upstate NY. Last year when we got as far South as TN and KY, we worked on getting to W Va as quickly as possible because the real fun riding starts there. Then, we head South towards Barber and come back a different route.

Bob, I will have to look at a map to see where we cross. My recollection is that we came across the very Western border of MD (Oakland, I think it was) before getting into West Viginia (some of the best twisty riding on the planet) and later into parts of Virginia (some of the prettiest roads and scenery on the planet at that time of year). We could have gone farther that first day last year, but ended up staying in some tiny place in Virginia. The lady who ran the motel was very nice, very biker friendly and so obese that she drove across the parking lot to get us some extra towels. Wanna come?

Our touring style is to be void of any hard and fast plans for any given day. Our only formal destinations are Black Mountain (near Asheville, NC) and Barber. Other than that, we get up and on the bikes by 8-8:30 and take turns leading for a couple hours at a time. We confer on which routes to take, but never get very specific. We rarely stop for a formal lunch, usually snacking our way through the day. Usually about 4 p.m. we confer again about how the other is feeling. "Wanna go another hour or so, or should we start looking for a place to stay?" Most days are 9-10 hours on the bikes, depending on weather, locality and general tiredness. We usually stay in "Mom and Pop" motels, though those are drying up these days. Proximity to a place to buy a cold beer and some food is included in the decision. We try to stay away from chain restaurants and are usually successful. By dinner time we start debriefing on the day's ride and start making fun of each other. Back to the room, turn on the tube to check the next day's weather report and hit the sack. Wake up and repeat.

This particular trip will have us on the road for what I expect to be 8 days. I have never taken a two week vacation from work, ever. I have also not been away from my kids for that long. I am looking forward to the two weeks off. I am not so much looking forward to being away from my family for that long, though. It should be good trip.

I will try the Anakees. I will also be trying a camera mount so that I can take more pics along the way. We tend not to stop as much as we should for the purpose of taking pics.

Thanks again for the tire info. If you have any suggestions on things to see along that route, let me know. And no, we will not feel compelled to visit the Dragon on this trip. Been there, done that and didn't buy the T shirt.


Jeff

[DarthRider]

We rarely stop for a formal lunch, usually snacking our way through the day. Jeff

May I recommend the Bean Burritos Grande?:028:

[jamming]

May I recommend the Bean Burritos Grande?:028:

Oh man!!!! I'd hate to be the guy in back :fart:

[Sir Limpsalot]

Please, please take lots of photo's at the Barber Museum.

The "Sports" tyre refered to by Bob is the Conti "Road Attack" which is made in a 19" fittment for things like Tigers, GS's, Caponords etc. I have them on my 850 and they are first rate. No pretence at being in any way an "off road" type tyre though.

http://www.conti-tyres.co.uk/contibike/tyres/road-attack.php

Hope this is of interest.
Si.

[BobFV1]

Jeff - you'll be passing through that little "triangle" of Maryland that sticks into West Virginia - pretty country. Maybe I can ride out that way when you guys pass through. Good luck with the Anakees!

[Bones]

Bob,
I will keep you posted this Spring as the details come together. I do know that the dates I mentioned are the ones that I will use for departure from here. It would be great to have you join us for whatever part fits into your schedule. Compared to the riding you usually do, any or all of this trip would be nothing more than a quick jaunt for you.

Darth.....I have a morbid fear of those "on the road burrito" things that appear in convenience marts. You all may remember my post about the GI incident I had last year on my trip. I generally stick to peanut butter crackers and power bars, some Gatorade, bottled water and such. It is quite boring and I get really tired of those things. But safe is safe, because getting the runs while riding is just SO awful! Now, enjoying torturing your riding partner with world class flatus after dinner, THAT is a treat.

Si, I think I will try the Anakees, but I have heard good things about the Road Attacks.

Jeff