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bolty.net is my blog about riding my motorcycle — with a little bit of news, gear reviews, and snarky commentary thrown in along the way. You can learn more about me here, if you want.
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Hi Stacy,
Excellent review! When it comes time to put on that new rear in your garage, I recommend mounting and balancing it yourself- it’s not as tricky as many of us think it is. Here’s a little write up of the tools and procedure for do-it-yourself tire changes: http://ghostridethenews.com/2009/10/18/diy-motorcycle-tire-change/.
With the money you save, treat your SV to a romantic, candle-lit synthetic oil change.
I’m riding a much heavier bike than your SV (a Connie 14) and I ran 2 sets of Stradas. I liked them a lot and got nearly 11,000km out of them. Changing to PR2′s was even better – great feel and an extra 1,000km per set. I have heard that some people find that they misbehave a little in the wet (my mate on a 1200 Bandit doesn’t really like them in the wet) although I haven’t had an issue (that heavy bike thing helping out here).
I’ve just put Angels on and absolutely love the feel. The bike just loves corners and the feedback is great. If they last as well as the PR2′s then I’ll be using them again. Although the new Metzler Z8′s are available now…
@David: You’re braver than I for running tires from two different manufacturers at the same time! I think you’ll find the Stradas even better when you get the matched set.
@Joe: I’m glad to hear more good things about the Angel STs. I’d have a set now if this front tire didn’t have so much tread left.
@Forest: Thanks for the link. There’s a lot of great info there for the DIYer.
@Andrew: I lost so much confidence in the PR2s that it’s doubtful that I’ll go back. I definitely have the minority opinion when it comes to those particular tires. Thanks for the info about the longevity of the Diablo Stradas on a heavier bike.
Hi Stacey,
and thanks for your response.
I do love my SV as well the only downside I think is the suspension. I mean it’s not that bad but to make a real step forward with an upgrade is quite costy as well. And there’s the front that limits the upgrades. I have changed the fork oil recently and it’s better now but it’s difficult to really upgrade them because the most I could do is to change the oil and spring.
I never really considered building a GSX-R front in there as it is far to expensive and complicated to do.
The thing is that I’m only doing twisties with my bike and so a good suspension a brakes are the most importan to me. And that’s exactly the point that the SV doesn’t really meet.
BTW, I have tried a Monster 696 recently and I really liked it. The sound – even with the stock exhaust – was beautiful, the gearbox was just as good as on the SV. But it felt more comfortable to me, the brakes were in a different league and the seating position was sportier, much more active than on my bike.
I was trying it at one of the two Hungarian Ducati dealers and undortunately I wasn’t able to take it to some twisties but from what I’ve read and heard it should perform very well there as it’s very light, supsension and brakes are superior to the SV.
And there’s the looks. To me the Monster 696 looks so much nicer than the SV. It’s a really cool bike and my favourite right now.
That doesn’t mean I don’t like my bike. No, in no way. But at the moment my plan is to sell the SV as the season is getting to its end here (maybe two months left to ride), save up some money and get the 696 around April/May next year. Two upgrade the SV to my like (exhaust, suspension upgrade) would cost quite a lot money that I will rather invest in the new bike.
Oh, another topic: you two did really beautiful tours in the summer. Must have been really wonderful.
Cheers
Peter
I actually wondered about that, the two different manufacturers. But I couldn’t think of a reason why that would be bad… And actually, if you know of a reason, don’t tell me. Haha. Wait, no. Tell me. Ignorance isn’t bliss here.
@David: Well, I’m not a tire engineer, but what I’ve heard is that motorcycle tires are designed and tested with the intent of being in a matched set. I’ve also heard a few anecdotes of unpredictable behavior from running mismatched tires — but remember anecdote does not equal fact.
Stacey is currently running two different tires from the same manufacturer on her Striple, as she’s in the same situation as I am with the Stradas. Dunlop has discontinued the tire she was previously using, so she has the next-gen tire on the rear until the older front tire wears out.
Dear Bolty:
My tire selection is limited by the product that is currently available for my bike’s odd-sized wheels. My choice is Metzler and maybe one other. But, I am curious about the age of the tires you are getting by collecting the survivors of a discontinued line. A year or two is no big deal, but after that, I’m told they start to dry out. Any concerns there?
@Jack Riepe: That’s an excellent point and the reason why I wouldn’t recommend “stocking up” on discontinued tires in the traditional sense of the word.
However, if you’re a high-mileage rider, it never hurts to have the next set of tires ready to go. Even I run through a rear tire around every 7 to 8 months or so. This new tire has the code “1809,” meaning it was made early last year.
Great post!
Just want to second the recommendation on the REI Half Dome – with a small caveat. For a viking-sized man, it is a one person tent with room for a bit of your gear. I might have been able to cram someone I really, really liked in there with me but it would have been snuggly to say the least.
Also, I rented the REI Polar Pod (20 degree) sleeping bag recently. It’s a synthetic bag, only weighs a couple pounds, and is cheap. I think it’s around $80.
That’s a pretty comprehensive list here. That’s great information! Some experiences from my side:
For our motorcycle camping we have decided to take a 3 person tent as the big jackets, pants, boots, and so on take much more space and we like to have some comfort – getting older, you know …
Still looking at the REI tent though when traveling alone.
Also one hint when traveling in cold weather: a stove with liquid fuel works better in really harsh conditions (where you normally don’t want to be on the motorcycle anyways, but you really need a hot cup of tea). I use an MSR Dragonfly that can also use the same fuel as my motorcycle. So, if I’m running out of gas on either one I can refill with the reserve from the other.
Dear Stacy:
This was one of the best, and most concise, motorcycle camping columns I have ever read. I was very impressed. Before I blew up to the size of a parade float, I used to hunt, fish, and backpack throughout New York State’s Adirondack Mountains. You are so correct in your statement that camping gear is a compromise. There is no such thing as “cheap” gear. Just an invitation to purchase all new stuff when the cheap garbage leaks, rips, or breaks.
I do not do as much camping as I would like anymore, because the discomfort I face from arthritis at the end of even a short ride robs the joy of bending over a fire or setting up a tent. But I hsve five specialty tents in the garage at the moment, over the Kevlar canoe. And I liken motorcycle camping to canoe camping in that it is possible to carry an extra luxury or two. For me, this was a slightly larger tent, where I could easily weather two days or more of rain, without becoming a psycho killer.
Once again, this was a great post.
Fondest regards,
Jack • reep • Toad
Twisted Roads
I agree with Lucky and Jack about the quality of this camping post. If Colin Fletcher rode motorcycles I could see him writing this.
I’m supposed to go camping with a friend after Labor Day and I have been looking at my backpacking gear and the Vespa but my brain just starts to itch. This may help. Worst case I remove the credit card from my wallet and ride towards a motel.
Steve Williams
Scooter in the Sticks
I am in agreement with everyone. Very cool post that makes me just want to camp, not necessarily on the moto. Haha. Now tell me if you’ve covered this before, but before the moto I used to love taking exploration drives, find a road and see where it leads. On the moto I find myself less inclined because of dirt and gravel roads. I know you’ve ridden them, but I have some kind of block about doing that. Seems like taking a road bicycle on a mountain bike trail, you know? I fear the tires will impale themselves on some piece of bric or a piece of brac, and that I will pretty much be tractionless. Yeah, going onto to a dirty or gravelly shoulder I can handle, but can’t imagine piloting my bike the way I do on dirt and gravel for any extended period of time. I should just shut up and do it, huh?
Again, awesome post. As usual.
EXCELLENT script, thanks!
@Lucky: When I estimate the size of a backpacking tent, I conjure a mental image of a typical backpacker: one of those skinny types that subsists on algae and granola. It’s why I chose a 2-person tent rather than a 1-person one for this guide.
@Guido: Good point about liquid fuel stoves performing better in cold weather, and indeed they do. However, my Snow Peak stove worked just fine during a snow camping trip, complete with a stay in an igloo.
@Jack Riepe: You’ve described perfectly why I find myself moto-camping more than backpacking these days — the luxury of a pack-mule. I’ve gone from weighing my gear on a postal scale before backpacking trips to deciding which bottle of wine.
@Steve Williams: I pictured Colin Fletcher in my mind while writing this piece and I’m honored by the comparison.
There’s never shame in deciding to stay in a hotel.
@David: I understand your fears about punctured tires and lack of traction. You ride a street bike and the idea of extended gravel doesn’t appeal to you. That’s normal. There are campsites that don’t require any off-pavement riding to get to.
However, think for a moment what you would do if you were out on a ride and you encountered unexpected gravel. Maybe a road construction project ripped out all the pavement and left nothing but dust and marbles. Would you turn around?
What if the destination was important? Just yesterday I was faced with a quarter-mile of gravel to get to the go-kart track where an Advanced Rider Training course was taking place. Imagine yourself in my place. Would you turn around?
There’s nothing wrong with avoiding gravel while riding a street bike. There is, however, no excuse for being unprepared.
This is a mental block. Nobody’s going to hold your hand. Get on your bike, find a gravel parking lot, and do it.
I agree with the others about this being an excellent post. I’m always looking at different gear options for camping and really appreciate being able to learn from the experience of others. I must admit that I haven’t gone backpacking in years. I guess the extra 10 lbs for the rifle (bear protection) has made it less fun. The last trip, we ended up bringing rope, crampons and harnesses in addition to the rifle. It was a great trip but the heavy load meant slow going.
I have a MSR multi-fuel stove that has proven to be great on all my trips. I’ve been burning unleaded car gas for thirty years in that stove and it still works great and burns very hot. I looked at that tent but opted for the slightly smaller Kelty Teton 2. The fly doesn’t go down to the ground so it really is a summer only tent but it is still roomier than my home-made copy of the Stephenson Warmlite. The new tent is much heavier (4.6 lbs) than the Stephenson copy (2.25 lbs) but it doesn’t really matter for motorcycle camping.
I like your comments on gravel. I’ve been practicing on our many gravel and dirt roads but still find it challenging when the dirt gets soft or the gravel deep. I’m looking for tires with a bit more aggressive tread now that I need to replace the tires. It may help but the bike may just be too heavy for the skinny tires these old bikes use.
Again, great post, thank you!
Richard
@RichardM: I vaguely remember hearing of Stephenson Warmlite tents during my backpacking days. Tarptent makes a similar series of ultralight tents, and I heartily recommend the Cloudburst 2 in particular. It’s hard to beat 39 ounces in a 2-person shelter. The downside is that it’s a tent for more experienced campers, and that’s why I didn’t recommend it for this guide. (Maybe in another post for advanced campers?)
Soft dirt, sand, and deep gravel are conditions in which I would turn around if I had the option to. As much as it amuses me to take my SV to inappropriate places, I know my limits — especially when I’m traveling solo.
Perfect timing! I’m heading down to a friend’s house in Molalla on Saturday to replace the rear tire on my ride. (It’s a sfv-650, but close enough.)
Thanks for the well-written description and tips!
UD
Two thoughts on getting the axle nut (or countershaft sprocket nut) loose…
I personally would really discourage using PVC pipe as a cheater bar; if it gets old, it gets brittle and can shatter. Almost any metal pipe (other than copper) big enough to fit over the wrench should do the job should be fine.
I also try to avoid using my ratchet driver for those tasks where you need a cheater; more leverage than one might get from the handle of the wrench can strip the ratchet gears.
@DeanW: I try to make do with what I have, but I guess I need to add a 24mm wrench to the wishlist. Good thing my ratchets are the cheapest Chinese crap available. The day my PVC pipe shatters, I’ll let you know you were right.
One thing that should always be done too is to grease the rear axle. SV’s are notorious for having the axle seize when you get dirt/dust in there over time.
It’s also not too hard to remove/replace the axle without loosening the chain adjusters nuts…plus it makes life easier when you put everything back together.
@Joe:
Do you have a source for this info or is it anecdotal?
I concur with the REI Half Dome tent. I got one as a present in ’02 and I still use it today. I’m almost 6′ tall and there’s always room for a second person. I’ve set it up in the middle of Utah at night in 30-40 mph winds as a flash flood was coming…so a testament to how easy it is to do by yourself.
Thanks for the info!
Hello! I check here from time to time and I really do enjoy your writing and subjects.
And thank you so much for sharing the joy of living with an SV650.
It’s a treat to read your blog! Once I saw the rear Strada on one beautiful pic of your bike, and the thought just sprang to mind: “gotta love them tires!” Usually I retire the rear Strada at 12.000km and the front at 18.000km, but after 10 days twisting wonderfully in the Gerês region here in Portugal, they finally got some well-deserved wearing on the sides (1cm chicken strip still on reserve, though) and are ready to pop out and make room. Thanks for the precious info on it’s successor, the Angel
One thing I didn’t pay too much attention to when I removed my rear wheel and put it back on: alignment.
I had a passing thought about alignment and then decided it was silly to worry about that. I caused the center of my tire to wear early from the angle. It’s like sliding the tire ever so slightly away from my path of travel and skidding it across the pavement everywhere I go.
I ended up measuring the axle to the hinge of the swingarm and being very careful with the adjustments. I also used an alignment tool like this:
http://www.amazon.com/Motion-Pro-Chain-Alignment-Tool/dp/B001DDH3CG
Another tip is to get the axle snug on the adjusters of the swingarm for measurement: Put an alan key in a tooth on the sprocket and rotate the wheel in reverse so it pulls the wheel in toward the engine. Then, adjust bolts, measure, repeat. The mallet also helps get the right side of the axle scooched up or you can tap the back side of the tire to help as well.
Can I use your name when I quit work today citing health concerns?
if you don’t have a rear stand i find a floor jack under the rear shock mount works well
Stacy when you going to do an engine rebuild thread?
@Mike P: Just tell them you heard it from Science.
@John G.: Good tips for those re-installing their wheels.
@kyle: Just as soon as someone buys me a donor SV I can rip apart.
I am a pencil pusher (these days rather keyboard pusher) myself, at least spending 40h a week on a desk, plus riding plus the occasional web surfing… Oh oh, I am doomed.
Check this out, you and the bike.
http://www.nomadtent.com/tents.html
Maybe you’re riding a bike that’s too comfortable. Try the Rebel 250 again. I squirm around on the Rebel as much as a 4-year-old in church. I wouldn’t say it’s uncomfortable, but it sure doesn’t lure me into sitting still, either.
So what do we have to do to have zero risk of dying? I thought everyone had a 100% chance of dying :-0
I spend a lot of time at a desk but try to get out at least a couple of hours at least three times per week walking either around the campus or at a health club.
@SonjaM: We’re in this together!
@HoosierCoot: What are you trying to do, shave years off my life?
@RichardM: According to the comments at Slashdot, standing = immortality.
“37% more likely to die…” Uh huh…so does that mean if I stand all day I run the risk of being immortal? Maybe this is how Vampires are REALLY created…
Stacy…that info came from some mechanics I have spoken to. Its also stated in the factory manual that those parts should be greased. The SV is particuarlly bad because of the torque the engine puts out (and other v-twins). They’ve had people come in for tire changes, etc and can’t remove the axle because someone forgot to put grease or anti-seize on it. Its a nice cheap insurance policy.
@Joe: Your comment prompted me to do some research. You’re right that it’s a good idea to keep the axle greased, reason being that if the wheel bearings fail, it’ll help keep the inner race of the bearing from welding itself to the axle.
The key phrase is if the wheel bearings fail. The maintenance chart doesn’t list a specific interval for checking the bearings, but I’d guess that a good rule of thumb would be whenever you have the wheel off the bike.
Time to ride off road then. I seem to stand a lot when riding the back 90, I’d almost say it is good exercise too.
Per your recommendation I bought a set today for $250. I’m anxiously awaiting their arrival!
“but chicken strips don’t show the death-grip on the bars, the tension in the muscles, or the lack of faith in the tires that accompanied thousands upon thousands of corners.”
Great statement!
It was awesome having everyone there.
I hope your corners are fairing well since class! Keep those toes tucked in!
I’m way jealous. Of both the opportunity to be able to take the class and for being able to take it with good friends.
I’ve enjoyed reading the various perspectives of the same class.
I still can’t get over how smooth you are on the bike. Nicely done! One of my high points is when you wanted to go for a ride with me. Jumping on the back of the bike, you said “Teach me to turn right”. After our two laps I followed you for the next one. All I can say is “You learn well, Grasshopper”.
@Raúl Vicente: Olá! Thank you for your kind words regarding the blog — comments like yours make it worthwhile. I’ve heard the riding in Portugal is excellent, and now I know someone I can ask about it.
@Jason: That’s a good price. I think you’ll enjoy them.
@kari: My cornering is much, much better. I rode Alsea Falls before and after the ART and the difference was profound. Plus, a deer gave me the opportunity to put that emergency braking practice to use on the “after” trip.
@RichardM: It’s definitely one of the neat parts of being friends with so many moto-bloggers from the same region.
@irondad:Aww, shucks!
I must say, I’ve been blessed with excellent instructors who got me started on the right foot from the very beginning.
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