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Ruralman
2nd September 2006, 20:55
I'm wondering whether any Transalp owners have tried changing the gearing to gear it up a little from standard - I know Oldrider says he has dropped his a tad. I had hoped to get out today to check what revs mine is doing at 100km/hr - I think its 5000 - but it was blowing a bloody gale here all day so I stayed at home.
I often go looking for another gear after an overtaking manoevre etc or after leaving town and getting up to the highway speed again.
MIne is the 650 but looking at the figures for the 600 the shape of the torque and power curves are pretty similar with the 650 just having a bit more. Peak torque is at 5500 revs but the curve is quite flat and most of it is there at 4500. The power curve is certainly more peaky off the 7500rpm peak.
The guts of this is that it feels to me that the bike could stand the gearing a little bit higher, reducing the revs and fuel use (?) at highway speeds and I don't think it would hurt too much off the mark.
Has anyone tried this or have any advice/opinions to offer?

Motu
2nd September 2006, 21:13
The Transalp motor just loves to rev,why not let it.My XLV750 was doing 5,000rpm at 100kph,and at first I thought it was a bit low,but it just loved to howl.

Ruralman
3rd September 2006, 21:41
Wish I'd waited to have a ride to check those revs firgures before putting up the post - I used Oldriders figure of 5000 revs at 100km/hr. I took mine for a good ride this morning and the gearing on it has it doing 4500 revs @ 100, 5000 @ 110, and 120 is a shade under 5500 revs - so it doesn't need raising the gearing at all. Seems the times I have felt the need for another gear have been at revs and speeds that probably don't need to go down in writing.
So apart from awarding myself the dick of the month award, I am even more curious to know what Oldrider's fuel consumption has done since lowering his gearing and why you did it John? Maybe you do a lot of 2 up riding with gear?
Best day in ages for a ride down here - warm, blue sky, no wind, no frost/ice but still care needed to look out for grit in a few places.

XP@
4th September 2006, 01:30
Wish I'd waited to have a ride to check those revs firgures before putting up the post - I used Oldriders figure of 5000 revs at 100km/hr. I took mine for a good ride this morning and the gearing on it has it doing 4500 revs @ 100, 5000 @ 110, and 120 is a shade under 5500 revs
Na mate, cheers for the post.
Mine (06) is stock and I am +500 rpm on all of your numbers.
I am seriously thinking about swapping the front by a tooth to get your numbers.

After making her sing through a few sets of curvy tings on friday night I was looking for another cog until i looked down and remembered my licence.

But I think 80% of the time I have enough accelleration to spare so I would be gaining a bit of eco (I still have a cat crammed in to my pipe). But I think I would be looking to change down a bit more often.

Going a tooth the other way the other way would be interesting...

warewolf
4th September 2006, 08:42
The problem with gearing up in an attempt to create an 'overdrive' for better top-end cruising is the commensurate taller first gear - an issue for a dual-sporter.

I've geared down the KTM to get away from a hole in the power curve at semi-legal cruising speed and a lower first gear for the tight stuff. Seems to work better all round even in the middle gears. I've geared down my Triumph Trophy to get away from a similar hole, plus to reduce the load on the clutch when getting underway fully loaded with a pillion. It is nicer when riding sedately but in GLF mode you top out the gears too quickly. (This with a much improved engine.)

In both cases the fuel economy has not changed. It's common for people to say to gear up for fuel economy, but gearing down can have the same effect if the engine is loaded down in the first place. But note that I try to avoid steady-state riding. I'd rather be in the hills & corners where you are manipulating the throttle. Steady-state I get slightly improved fuel economy no matter the gearing.

XP@
4th September 2006, 11:43
Na mate, cheers for the post.
Mine (06) is stock and I am +500 rpm on all of your numbers.
I am seriously thinking about swapping the front by a tooth to get your numbers.
Never post late at night! Never post late at night! Never post late at night!
Never post late at night! Never post late at night! Never post late at night!
Never post late at night! Never post late at night! Never post late at night!

i am talking out of my bum, totally confused and all that.

Mine is the same as yours... Doh!

The question now stands on the fuel economy... If i gear down then surly my economy will improve ? If not why not?

oldrider
4th September 2006, 12:15
Hi guy's, I concur with you about the feeling of needing another overdrive gear but I also found I needed another lower gear!
This has left me thinking that the TransAlp is a bike that should have been built with a 6 speed box.
My fuel consumption on the original setup was tested from absolutely full tank to dry tank on several different occasions to get good cross sectional riding and conditions.
I also needed to get to grips with the crazy bloody fuel gauge so that it couldn't fool me into running out of gas in some god forsaken place!

360-365 km every time. I don't go over 300km without looking for fuel.

I changed my chain and sprockets at 27K, just because I wanted to, there is still a lot of life in them yet too, I have them as a spare set.
I tried to go from 49 to 50 teeth on the back to gear it down so that I had a lower 1st gear because loaded up touring I had to slip the clutch too much and too often.
It was too high geared for some of the off road tracks as well.
I thought the compromise at the top end wouldn't be a great advantage because we do less of the top end than we do at the bottom.
I was unable to procure a 50 tooth sprocket but did manage to get a 49 tooth.
I may have been lucky because the change has panned out just about right.
I don't have as much bother down low and get just a fraction better response rolling on and passing.
Rev range at set speeds not much different, top speed about the same and fuel yet to be tested on a dry tank run.
I haven't noticed any real change, still can go to Christchurch 300klm and fill up at Rolleston BP but sweating in case they are not open!
She has got 41K on her now and still running the same plugs as when I bought it at 7000km, I just clean them test them and put them back.
She doesn't use any oil between changes and seems to run sweet, is very reliable and easy to start in any weather.
I don't get left behind when riding in groups (so far) and don't get overtaken very often unless by design.
This little T/A has earned our respect. Mrs O/R reckons it is the best bike we have had from her perspective. :yes: Cheers John.

Ruralman
4th September 2006, 16:30
[QUOTE=oldrider;741728]
I changed my chain and sprockets at 27K, just because I wanted to, there is still a lot of life in them yet too, I have them as a spare set.
I tried to go from 49 to 50 teeth on the back to gear it down so that I had a lower 1st gear because loaded up touring I had to slip the clutch too much and too often.

I was unable to procure a 50 tooth sprocket but did manage to get a 49 tooth.

Sorry John but you're confusing me - you started with a 49, tried to get a 50 but could only get a 49 and it still changed the gearing??????????????

Ruralman
4th September 2006, 16:38
Never post late at night! Never post late at night! Never post late at night!
Never post late at night! Never post late at night! Never post late at night!
Never post late at night! Never post late at night! Never post late at night!

i am talking out of my bum, totally confused and all that.

Mine is the same as yours... Doh!

The question now stands on the fuel economy... If i gear down then surly my economy will improve ? If not why not?

OK thats now 2 of us with the dick of the month award!!
Anyway the gearing won't necessarily affect fuel consumption unless the motor requires less fuel/power to hold a certain speed - if it is revving needlessly then gearing it up should improve economy, if it is struggling to hold a speed a certain revs because it is below the revs required to generate enough power/torque (ie you're twisting the throttle more than you would have to at that speed compared to if it was geared a bit lower) then economy would be improved by lowering the gearing. Depending on what you are doing regards load, speed etc there is a band withing which small alterations to gearing look like they'll make bugger all difference to economy but may make the bike a bit easier to ride.
Regarding your exhaust system - I tink I may have mentioned to you that I took mine to an exhaust specialist and got the subchamber in front of the swingarm removed - it breathes easier, sounds better but only a little bit louder and it lost about 3.5kgs

oldrider
4th September 2006, 17:09
Sorry guys, typo. I started with a 48 tooth back sprocket must be getting too old. Cheers John.

Edit: Question, what have you guys got on your bikes? The sprockets are stamped with the number.

Ruralman
4th September 2006, 21:09
Sorry guys, typo. I started with a 48 tooth back sprocket must be getting too old. Cheers John.

Edit: Question, what have you guys got on your bikes? The sprockets are stamped with the number.

I've just been up and scraped the crud off the sprocket and it has 45 stamped on it - are you sure your 48 tooth was an original?
Just out of interest what tyres do you use on the back of yours and how many kms do you expect. I've done about 5000km since I bought mine (second hand). When it arrived it looked like it had never been around many corners as it was pretty flat in the middle but heaps of tread on the sides. I'm not sure how many Kms it had done but probably not more than 1500-2000.
Now the centre has very little tread depth left but there's still heaps on the sides. Its a Michelin SIRAC. I reckon maybe another 1000 km max will see it finish the tread in the middle and I'll have to change it. I had hoped to get 10,000 kms but maybe thats unlikely??

Transalper
5th September 2006, 00:30
well, i got a 49 tooth put on about 3 months after getting the bike, think it had more like 47 when i bought it. The front is the smallest listed for transalps that i could get... (behind that chain guard so maybe sometime i pull off the guard and have a look but not tonight.)
I pull 5000rpm at 100km/hr and am very happy with that setup. I love the way it rolls along in the tight or slippery stuff or when i am headding down a steep hill.
Lastly i don't reckon there was and fuel economy change. At least i do not believe it got worse, but then i didn't do any full to dry tests to be sure either way.
I was running the Mitas E07. Cost me $105 front, $120 rear and looked to be going to go 16,000km to 18,000 km out of rear. It's off at 13,000km because i went more knobblie (mitas E09) for the muddy season and will put them back on to finish em off in summer. The E07 is the best wet (buller gorge pissing down rain), and pea-gravel covered (various places) road tyre i've ever had too... on any of my bikes. Better than the Tourance's or Trailwings i had on the F650. Last as long with better all round grip on and off road (IMO) at half the price.
The E09's are same price as the E07's. Still very good on all sealed road conditions but better than the E07's in the mud and look like they may only be good for 6 or 7,000km (still riding on em so waiting to see)

Transalper
5th September 2006, 10:27
.... The front is the smallest listed for transalps that i could get... (behind that chain guard so maybe sometime i pull off the guard and have a look but not tonight.)......
Ok, the front is a 15 tooth.

Maybe if i find time, i'll be able to dig up a recording of a Transalp on a track with the sweeping needles latter for you. Something like a top gear roll on, 50 to 100km/hr+ on a Transalp with same gearing as mine.:whistle:

oldrider
5th September 2006, 11:00
Ok, the front is a 15 tooth.

I have just been out to the shed and checked the chain set and sprockets that were on the bike when I bought it.
Front 15 tooth, back 48 tooth.
I went to a Ulysses club meeting last night and asked a friend, who has just bought a brand new TransAlp 650, to check his back sprocket size and he has just rang and said it is a 48 tooth.
He hasn't checked the front but we guess it will be a 15 tooth (probably standard size)
I had a fantastic ride into Oamaru and back last night, just wished it could go on forever, quite disappointed when I arrived home, felt like going on over the Lindis and back just for the hell of it! (Was eleven o'clock and her indoors would not have appreciated that!)
I am very happy with the current gearing of 15/49, to go to 50 at the back might be a tweak too much but I would like to try it some time.
I just have to get the tyre combo right and get my windscreen just how I want it and this bike will be perfect for our needs, I still like it more every time I ride it. :ride: Cheers John.
PS: Sorry about the confusing post above. :rolleyes:

Ruralman
5th September 2006, 21:43
I was running the Mitas E07. Cost me $105 front, $120 rear and looked to be going to go 16,000km to 18,000 km out of rear. It's off at 13,000km because i went more knobblie (mitas E09) for the muddy season and will put them back on to finish em off in summer. The E07 is the best wet (buller gorge pissing down rain), and pea-gravel covered (various places) road tyre i've ever had too... on any of my bikes. Better than the Tourance's or Trailwings i had on the F650. Last as long with better all round grip on and off road (IMO) at half the price.
The E09's are same price as the E07's. Still very good on all sealed road conditions but better than the E07's in the mud and look like they may only be good for 6 or 7,000km (still riding on em so waiting to see)

Is that Mitas a tyre brand or a type of tyre made by pirelli or someone?? I have been looking at a tyre catalogue at my local today - they recommended a Pirelli ST something. Waiting to hear back on what price but he expected them to be high 200's. These E07's sound like they would be worth a look for me.
cheers

far queue
5th September 2006, 21:58
Is that Mitas a tyre brand or a type of tyre made by pirelli or someone?? I have been looking at a tyre catalogue at my local today - they recommended a Pirelli ST something. Waiting to hear back on what price but he expected them to be high 200's. These E07's sound like they would be worth a look for me.
cheers

Mitas is the brand ... http://www.lmsimports.co.nz/history.php
And here's a pic of the E07 ... http://www.lmsimports.co.nz/products.php?cat=2
We get them from Dirt Action Service in Chch, pop in for a look the next time your up.

Ruralman
5th September 2006, 22:11
Mitas is the brand ... http://www.lmsimports.co.nz/history.php
And here's a pic of the E07 ... http://www.lmsimports.co.nz/products.php?cat=2
We get them from Dirt Action Service in Chch, pop in for a look the next time your up.

Hey thanks for that. It looks a very flat profile ? does it tip over OK and hang on alright on the seal?
Looks like its got plenty of rain grooves but I'm amazed that Transalper got 14,000km out of it.
I'll get my local bike shop to follow it up as well.

Ruralman
5th September 2006, 22:19
I have just been out to the shed and checked the chain set and sprockets that were on the bike when I bought it.
Front 15 tooth, back 48 tooth.
I went to a Ulysses club meeting last night and asked a friend, who has just bought a brand new TransAlp 650, to check his back sprocket size and he has just rang and said it is a 48 tooth.
He hasn't checked the front but we guess it will be a 15 tooth (probably standard size)
I had a fantastic ride into Oamaru and back last night, just wished it could go on forever, quite disappointed when I arrived home, felt like going on over the Lindis and back just for the hell of it! (Was eleven o'clock and her indoors would not have appreciated that!)
I am very happy with the current gearing of 15/49, to go to 50 at the back might be a tweak too much but I would like to try it some time.
I just have to get the tyre combo right and get my windscreen just how I want it and this bike will be perfect for our needs, I still like it more every time I ride it. :ride: Cheers John.
PS: Sorry about the confusing post above. :rolleyes:

Just goes to show that you need to look at both sprockets (and no I haven't checked my front one) - the key thing is the revs at certain speeds. What revs is your mates new T/A pulling at 100km/hr?

oldrider
5th September 2006, 23:44
Just goes to show that you need to look at both sprockets (and no I haven't checked my front one) - the key thing is the revs at certain speeds. What revs is your mates new T/A pulling at 100km/hr?

I think they pretty close to the same as mine but I will ring him tomorrow and get him to check and let you know soon as I can..
Him and his wife toured about 12000 miles around Britain and Europe a while ago on a Honda 900? They are not noobs.
His last old bike was a Honda CB 750 and he just loves his TransAlp.
He's a couple of years older than me, had bikes all his life. Cheers John.

Transalper
6th September 2006, 00:36
Hey thanks for that. It looks a very flat profile ? does it tip over OK and hang on alright on the seal?
Looks like its got plenty of rain grooves but I'm amazed that Transalper got 14,000km out of it.
I'll get my local bike shop to follow it up as well.
How far over do you think your going to go? They tipped over just fine for me. I may not be the fastest rider around (especially on the straights) but i'm also no snail in the twistys. The tread is quite deep to start with so you get a lot of tyre for your money. At the price they are, i reckon they'd be worth a try unless you specifically wanted a block pattern (and by the sound of it you don't). I'm sure you wouldn't be dissapointed.
To make the E07's work well off road (not really for mud) you do need to lower your pressures. But then you have to do that to all the road bias duelsport tyres i've seen and/or tryed.
With these things around i don't know why anyone would bother paying more (other than the fact i've only seen Dirt Action stocking them).
No doubt when we finally meet (assuming its summer and i can't find mud anymore) i'll have my old half used E07's back on.

Ruralman
6th September 2006, 08:42
How far over do you think your going to go? They tipped over just fine for me. I may not be the fastest rider around (especially on the straights) but i'm also no snail in the twistys. The tread is quite deep to start with so you get a lot of tyre for your money. At the price they are, i reckon they'd be worth a try unless you specifically wanted a block pattern (and by the sound of it you don't). I'm sure you wouldn't be dissapointed.
To make the E07's work well off road (not really for mud) you do need to lower your pressures. But then you have to do that to all the road bias duelsport tyres i've seen and/or tryed.
With these things around i don't know why anyone would bother paying more (other than the fact i've only seen Dirt Action stocking them).
No doubt when we finally meet (assuming its summer and i can't find mud anymore) i'll have my old half used E07's back on.

Local shop knows nothing about them but I'll try a couple of Dunedin outlets. Thanks for your help on this, and you're right it does sound like the sort of tread pattern I want, as I regard my bike as a highway and gravel road bike and keep the off road and rough stuff for my dirt bike.

Ruralman
6th September 2006, 21:02
Local kawa shop has followed up and can get those E 07 Mitas (apparently theres a 7 day wait for more stock so someone is obviously buying them other than just Transalper!)tyres.
They will do them at $140 rear, $110 front + freight. The Pirelli we looked at was going to be $340 and the Michelin $320 just for a rear. Huge difference in price and from what Transalper says maybe not much, if any, difference in performance.
Nothing much cheaper about running a bike if you were going through tyres at that price every 5000km eh, then I suppose saving $ is sometimes a justification we might give for riding a bike, but its nothing to do with the real reason we ride - its 'cos we bloody well want to.

oldrider
6th September 2006, 21:45
Ruralman, I have asked my friend with the new T/A about the revs and he thinks his is the same as mine but he will check it out as soon as he can.

Carl, those Mitas tyres. Do you use a heavy duty inner tube with them?
What sort of speeds have you done on them?
You say you find they hang on well in all conditions, they certainly look like a good tread pattern, just what I fancy for my bike actually but I like to beat it up on the wrigglies when I'm on my own and the one thing I need to be able to trust the most is the bit that touches the ground. Can't beat good tyres.
I was keen to get a set of those Pirelli Scorpions but they have never been available just when I need them.
You certainly cant blink too hard at the price of the Mitas but.......it leaves me just a little nervous...you pays peanuts you can get monkeys.....ouch!
Interesting kind of profile on the Mitas, shaped like the old fashion tyres in the 50's, are they radial or cross ply? Cheers John.

PS: Have any of you heard of a bike accessory supplier in Auckland called "Desmodromics"? I have been trying to E-mail them about another windscreen for the bike but no response so far. They are listed as the NZ agent!

far queue
6th September 2006, 22:00
You say you find they hang on well in all conditions, they certainly look like a good tread pattern, just what I fancy for my bike actually but I like to beat it up on the wrigglies when I'm on my own and the one thing I need to be able to trust the most is the bit that touches the ground. Can't beat good tyres.

Interesting kind of profile on the Mitas, shaped like the old fashion tyres in the 50's, are they radial or cross ply? Cheers John.I've got the Mitas E09's on my bike, a more off road/mud oriented tyre than the E07, and I find they stick well to the seal as well. My mate has the E07 on the back of his KLR650 and has found the traction good on the road also. Although I haven't used the E07 myself, I would trust it on the road. Mitas are great tyres and great prices.

The E07 profile in the pic on their site looks kind of square, and indeed the profile of the ones I've seen on the rack in the shop look the same, but they have the correct rounded profile when on the bike.

oldrider
6th September 2006, 22:19
I've got the Mitas E09's on my bike, a more off road/mud oriented tyre than the E07, and I find they stick well to the seal as well. My mate has the E07 on the back of his KLR650 and has found the traction good on the road also. Although I haven't used the E07 myself, I would trust it on the road. Mitas are great tyres and great prices.

The E07 profile in the pic on their site looks kind of square, and indeed the profile of the ones I've seen on the rack in the shop look the same, but they have the correct rounded profile when on the bike.

Thank's Owen, I will take a serious look at these Mitas tyres, if I can find an agent handy. The Tourance tyres are good on the road but very limited as you move further off it. Treacherous on wet green grass.....ouch! I canned off, bent the bike and my bloody leg, it's still bloody sore too!
What about my other questions? :shutup: Cheers John.

far queue
6th September 2006, 22:53
What about my other questions? :shutup: Cheers John.Oh all right then, if you insist


Do you use a heavy duty inner tube with them? Yes

What sort of speeds have you done on them?150kph - me on the E09, my mate on the E07

radial or cross ply?Black and round with hole in the middle.

PS: Have any of you heard of a bike accessory supplier in Auckland called "Desmodromics"?These people ... http://www.desmodromics.co.nz/ ? No, never heard of them.

I have been trying to E-mail them about another windscreen for the bike but no response so far. They are listed as the NZ agent!Really? Good luck.

oldrider
6th September 2006, 23:01
Who was that masked man! Thanks (x six) again Owen, your kindness is only exceeded by your obvious good looks! :shit: Cheers John.

Transalper
6th September 2006, 23:13
...can get those E 07 Mitas...will do them at $140 rear, $110 front + freight. ...Those prices sound about right, was almost a year ago i got the e07's. I look foward to hearing if they satisfy you. If they don't then i'd consider taking em off ya hands.


...Do you use a heavy duty inner tube with them?
What sort of speeds have you done on them?
You say you find they hang on well in all conditions, .... but I like to beat it up on the wrigglies when I'm on my own ....
Interesting kind of profile on the Mitas, shaped like the old fashion tyres in the 50's, are they radial or cross ply? Cheers John.

PS: Have any of you heard of a bike accessory supplier in Auckland called "Desmodromics"? I have been trying to E-mail them about another windscreen for the bike but no response so far. They are listed as the NZ agent!
arrr... the one on the front had a standard tube in (E07 was on bike when i bought it) untill i put a new E07 tyre on, then i used a extra heavy duty tube. The rear got a extra heavy duty tube when i first got the rear tyre on. I tell you the extra heavy duty part don't help when you run over a large fence staple in the Lake Tennison area and the tyre spins on rim while flat.
What speed you ask... well i think the bikes been to around 160km/hr on them
but i generally cruse at 105 and don't consider anything that requires me to get the speed up in a big way to be worth passing, hence the "I may not be the fastest rider around (especially on the straights)" comment of mine. Also... im not sure if you had a specific set of circumstances in mind so find that to be a tricky question.
Might just be easier to put them back on and go chase you somewhere to find out if i can keep up. Is that a trip south comming on i feel?

I think they be cross-ply but do not quote me on that.

As for the windscreen... i replaced my old CBR1000F one once thru a place called ummmm... Visual plastics...maybe... ummm... crap i can't remember, but it wasnt the place your asking about. I sent them my old one and they made a nice new copy but with a higher double curved area then sent them both to me..

Ruralman
7th September 2006, 12:27
Ruralman, I have asked my friend with the new T/A about the revs and he thinks his is the same as mine but he will check it out as soon as he can.

PS: Have any of you heard of a bike accessory supplier in Auckland called "Desmodromics"? I have been trying to E-mail them about another windscreen for the bike but no response so far. They are listed as the NZ agent!

Look forward to hearing re that new bike & revs.
I put a higher windscreen on mine - the honda Dunedin crew got one in and it didn't fit, can't remember the name now, but they wanted to send mine up to make a copy and basically I didn't want to be without any screen at that time. I asked at Hasler Honda in Balclutha 'cos I thought Joan Hasler had a higher one on hers - she did and they got one for me. Its a GIVI screen and it went straight on with all the holes etc lining up well. Its not a 5 min job changing it over and some of those rubber things you screw through are a pain to get back in but it has been worth it. I don't get any buffeting and it certainly keeps a lot more wind & weather off my chest.

Ruralman
7th September 2006, 12:31
[QUOTE=Transalper;744805]Those prices sound about right, was almost a year ago i got the e07's. I look foward to hearing if they satisfy you. If they don't then i'd consider taking em off ya hands.


arrr... the one on the front had a standard tube in (E07 was on bike when i bought it) untill i put a new E07 tyre on, then i used a extra heavy duty tube. The rear got a extra heavy duty tube when i first got the rear tyre on. I tell you the extra heavy duty part don't help when you run over a large fence staple in the Lake Tennison area and the tyre spins on rim while flat.

I'll let you know but from your recommendations I think they'll be staying on.

Just out of interest what do you take with you to fix a flat tyre out in the wops?? What have you used and what worked/didn't. I usually take a repair kit,tools, levers etc with me on trail rides but its a big job on the side of a trail compared to some of those quick patch up kits - providing they work OK

Transalper
7th September 2006, 15:59
Just out of interest what do you take with you to fix a flat tyre out in the wops?? What have you used and what worked/didn't. I usually take a repair kit,tools, levers etc with me on trail rides but its a big job on the side of a trail compared to some of those quick patch up kits - providing they work OKI take the same kit on Trail rides and on Adventure Rides. In some ways an adventure in to the wops has less support than a trail ride where there is a couple of hundred other helpful (sometimes) hands circulating with you. In fact on the transalp i carry a couple more tools than i do on the CRF. For flats i carry a spare 19inch (fits either wheel if needed) tube, or two if i don't have PLUG or Lemans along (who also carry spares), and all the tyre leavers, spanners, pump etc needed to change a tyre or do basic matenance on the road. When i got my flat (my first ever adventure ride flat and by myself) at Lake Tennyson i never saw another person untill i was rolling again, and he might not have stopped (except he did check on me on his way out because he saw me from a distance on his way in and i was still there when he left an hour latter)

Oh yea, and i thought those quick patch up kits were for Tubless tyres only. If you get a flat with a tubed tyre then that tubes got to come out...wether you going to find the hole and fix it, or replace the tube. And finally don't pinch that sucker... especially if it's your only spare. Taking a kit like pushbikers use, with patches and glue as a extra backup as well as a tube is also a good idea. The XT with us on the Brass got a flat in the middle of no-where and we saw no one while there patching the hole. He had a small hole so just used a patch. My flat at the Lake was a 7cm tear so had to replace the tube.

Ruralman
7th September 2006, 18:03
I

Oh yea, and i thought those quick patch up kits were for Tubless tyres only. If you get a flat with a tubed tyre then that tubes got to come out...wether you going to find the hole and fix it, or replace the tube. And finally don't pinch that sucker... especially if it's your only spare. Taking a kit like pushbikers use, with patches and glue as a extra backup as well as a tube is also a good idea. The XT with us on the Brass got a flat in the middle of no-where and we saw no one while there patching the hole. He had a small hole so just used a patch. My flat at the Lake was a 7cm tear so had to replace the tube.

I hadn't thought about that tube/tubeless thing. Jantar has one of those kits for his V Strom but its tubeless on alloy wheels - looks like I'll have to take tubes + tools on the Passes ride and hope I don't need them.
Had a vibration problem with my KDX which I eventually took to my local to get diagnosed 'cos I couldn't figure it out - turns out the tyre must have moved on the rim during one of the rides where I had the pressure a bit lower and the heavy duty tube got lumped up by the valve. They couldn't get any air in or out and wondered whether I'd put some of that goo stuff in the tube. The big lump of tube is enough to put the whole tyre out of balance and when you get some speed up the whole suspension would start to bounce and vibrate. At least its a cheap fix!!

warewolf
7th September 2006, 18:04
The Pirelli we looked at was going to be $340 and the Michelin $320 just for a rear.That sounds like it must be the high-speed radial MT90 S/T - designed for the R11xxGS and the like. Is that the correct tyre for the Trannie? The 640 Adventure uses the more dirt-worthy MT90 A/T. $180 or something like that, and that's in the biggest size they make.

Ruralman
7th September 2006, 18:11
That sounds like it must be the high-speed radial MT90 S/T - designed for the R11xxGS and the like. Is that the correct tyre for the Trannie? The 640 Adventure uses the more dirt-worthy MT90 A/T. $180 or something like that, and that's in the biggest size they make.

I don't do dirt with my T/A (and don't you f'ing dare call them trannies!!!!) - I have a flying KDX for that stuff. I want the T/A for gravel raods and highways so the more roadie s/T looked to be the best tyre for my needs and would have hopefully given me a good mileage - but compared to the Mitas and Transalpers experience it looks rather overpriced. Maybe the A/T was worth a look - too late now, tyres ordered.
Do you know what mileage the A/T would do?

oldrider
7th September 2006, 18:32
I have just had a reply back from a Denise Adlington, LMS imports, advising they have agents in Christchurch and Dunedin>
I am off to Dunedin tomorrow so will call into McIver and Veitch's and get the low down on the Mitas tyres from them, hopefully.
The prices quoted for the Mitas is just too inviting for this old miser. Cheers John.
PS: I don't mind anyone calling my bike a "tranny" just don't show it any unwarranted disrespect! I :love: my bike, John.

oldrider
7th September 2006, 20:12
Just goes to show that you need to look at both sprockets (and no I haven't checked my front one) - the key thing is the revs at certain speeds. What revs is your mates new T/A pulling at 100km/hr?
Ruralman,
Hot off the press: 100kph..4500rpm. 120kph..5500rpm. No opportunity for him to go higher apparently. (locked private roads are hard to find in Oamaru)
If his front sprocket is a 15 tooth that's 500rpm difference with one extra tooth on the back!
I am very happy about that for the low gear advantage and the little bit more lively feel to the bike on the road. (IMO).
I am definitely going to do another full/dry tank run too now. Curious, John.

Ruralman
7th September 2006, 21:50
Ruralman,
Hot off the press: 100kph..4500rpm. 120kph..5500rpm. No opportunity for him to go higher apparently. (locked private roads are hard to find in Oamaru)
If his front sprocket is a 15 tooth that's 500rpm difference with one extra tooth on the back!
I am very happy about that for the low gear advantage and the little bit more lively feel to the bike on the road. (IMO).
I am definitely going to do another full/dry tank run too now. Curious, John.

Thats great thanks John 'cos thats exactly the same as mine - I was beginning to wonder whether the previous owner had already geared it up.

Ruralman
7th September 2006, 21:54
I have just had a reply back from a Denise Adlington, LMS imports, advising they have agents in Christchurch and Dunedin>
I am off to Dunedin tomorrow so will call into McIver and Veitch's and get the low down on the Mitas tyres from them, hopefully.
The prices quoted for the Mitas is just too inviting for this old miser. Cheers John.
PS: I don't mind anyone calling my bike a "tranny" just don't show it any unwarranted disrespect! I :love: my bike, John.

My local bike shop is the Kawasaki agent in Milton - he had never heard of the Mitas but followed up and is able to get them so your local agent should be able to do likewise.
Are you staying down in Dunedin? You could come out here and I could ride with you over the back roads past Lake Mahingerangi, Middlemarch etc on Sat morning - didn't take much notice of the weather forecast tonight, what's the weekend looking like?

oldrider
7th September 2006, 23:13
My local bike shop is the Kawasaki agent in Milton - he had never heard of the Mitas but followed up and is able to get them so your local agent should be able to do likewise.
Are you staying down in Dunedin? You could come out here and I could ride with you over the back roads past Lake Mahingerangi, Middlemarch etc on Sat morning - didn't take much notice of the weather forecast tonight, what's the weekend looking like?

Thanks for the invitation, I have sent you a PM. The weather is of no real consequence, you gets what you gets, nothing we can do about that.
I will have to go and put my bike back tidy ready to go, I was going to go in the car with her indoors she thinks your idea is a better one, so do I. Cheers John.

PS: Edit, do I go to South Otago/ Lawrence, pubs and just ask for "Ruralman from KB?" Been down this road before at the Moto Guzzy rally at Otematata, not a good look, Skyrider can testify to that, eh Bernie. I will ask at Milton bike shop!

Beemer
8th September 2006, 00:17
My husband has just put a Mitas E07 front on a friend's 1994 400 Transalp and found it very good in the rain over the Rimutakas. He was still scrubbing it in at the time but didn't have one slip on it, even while passing ZXR1400 Kwakas around the outside (skite!). Also good on gravel up the Turakina Valley enroute to the Cold Kiwi.

Incidentally, the 400 is pulling 6000 revs at 105kph. Now he wants one for himself, although he prefers the power of the 650 that he swapped with on the way home.

Transalper
8th September 2006, 07:46
Glad to hear it's not all in my imagination...how well the tyres do that is.

Ruralman
8th September 2006, 08:59
Glad to hear it's not all in my imagination...how well the tyres do that is.

when you had to fix your flat out in the wops did you have a centre stand on your bike - if not how did you get on?

Transalper
8th September 2006, 09:29
when you had to fix your flat out in the wops did you have a centre stand on your bike - if not how did you get on?No centre stand, still no centre stand. From what i've heard they are a bit of an after thought design wise on Transalps. My one anyway. I looked at getting one but decided it was not worth the money.
I layed my bike on its side against a bank and wipped the wheel out. Actually got photos here somewhere...on other PC. Will post em latter.
It made the job a bit harder doing it by myself like that, brake pads and stuff are harder to line up when reinstalling the wheel when it's on it's side with no help. Then I just pushed it back up. I got crash bars so no extra scratches to the Fairing. Laying it against a bank meant I didn't have to pick it back up from absolute horizontal.

oldrider
9th September 2006, 22:14
Got a centre stand on mine, was on it when I got it. Bloody handy but bottoms out a bit on big stones and in river crossings!
Not very worried about that as I don't do it very much, perhaps with the new Mitas tyres??????? Who knows! :innocent: John.

oldrider
10th September 2006, 10:34
My husband has just put a Mitas E07 front on a friend's 1994 400 Transalp and found it very good in the rain over the Rimutakas. He was still scrubbing it in at the time but didn't have one slip on it, even while passing ZXR1400 Kwakas around the outside (skite!). Also good on gravel up the Turakina Valley enroute to the Cold Kiwi.

Incidentally, the 400 is pulling 6000 revs at 105kph. Now he wants one for himself, although he prefers the power of the 650 that he swapped with on the way home.

Hi Beemer, thanks for the post re Andy's experience with the Mitas tyres.
I presume he knows the importer is in PNorth, so did he get the tyre from them? The reason that I ask is because I am not finding it easy to get them, even from their stated retail outlets!
I value Andy Carl and Owen's comments so am definitely going to get a Mitas on the back (it's due now) and give them a whirl.
I reckon Andy would have really enjoyed the ride I had Friday and Saturday with Ruralman, if he enjoys TransAlps, I am sure he would have enjoyed the ride home yesterday. Cheers John.

Beemer
10th September 2006, 14:15
Nope, the tyres were actually bought from the motorcycle shop in Levin - and were a lucky accident, happening to be the only tyres in stock that were the right size!

Yes, Andy is hankering to buy a Transalp now, reckons it would replace three of his bikes! Have to wait and see if Santa is generous this year... ha ha!

Ruralman
10th September 2006, 18:21
Oldrider and I had a good ride, (I've just posted a report with pics on the ride/tour report section), and tried our best to finish off our tyres before the Mitas arrive.
I will be interesting to see the variation in mileage we get as I think the roads I am on, lots of hilly stuff, probably have a significant effect on the mileage over and above riding style.

Transalper
10th September 2006, 18:42
Hi Beemer, thanks for the post re Andy's experience with the Mitas tyres.
I presume he knows the importer is in PNorth, so did he get the tyre from them? The reason that I ask is because I am not finding it easy to get them, even from their stated retail outlets!The guys at DAS, Christchurch (http://www.actionadventures.co.nz/) usually keep some in stock. If you talk to them they might be able to send one down to you.

And i just got back from a blast from Chch to Greta Vally, to Parnasus and the Leader Valley (a hard out run thru there), to Hamner and back to Chch.
I ran on to reserve at 282.76km and filled when i reached 290.8km taking 14.43litres of fuel.
Based on that its doing about 20.15km/litre on an open road run with some hooning.

Ruralman
10th September 2006, 18:48
The guys at DAS, Christchurch (http://www.actionadventures.co.nz/) usually keep some in stock. If you talk to them they might be able to send one down to you.

And i just got back from a blast from Chch to Greta Vally, to Parnasus and the Leader Valley (a hard out run thru there), to Hamner and back to Chch.
I ran on to reserve at 282.76km and filled when i reached 290.8km taking 14.43litres of fuel.
Based on that its doing about 20.15km/litre on an open road run with some hooning.

Was it windy up there today?

Transalper
10th September 2006, 19:09
Nope, we got lucky, clear blue sky, no wind to speak of, just a little cool but by no means freezing. Even in the Leader Valley where we expected grit the road was clear.. hence the hooning.

far queue
10th September 2006, 19:09
Was it windy up there today?
Real calm in Chch all day.

Ruralman
10th September 2006, 19:29
Looks like the rest of this week will be good too - shame when work interferes with good riding days!

Transalper
11th September 2006, 09:20
Just out of interest what do you take with you to fix a flat tyre out in the wops??
Heres some pics i pulled from the video i made while in the rainbow fixing the flat.

oldrider
11th September 2006, 23:01
Hey there Carl, what is that in there a galvanized flat head clout or a piece of rock chip?
Would a Tyre Pando have sealed it enough to get you home again?
I just can't quite make it out with my old eyes!
What size tyre did you use?
120/80 x 17 or the 130/80 x 17 on the back? they are offering both, I was thinking the latter.
Oamaru Kawasaki dealer Colin Clyne motorcycles didn't hesitate, just said, "You want them, I will get them for you". Customer focus!
I think they have just got themselves a new customer, I was impressed, I don't even deal there normally, guess what happens from now on! Cheers John.

Transalper
11th September 2006, 23:44
I'm afraid it was a nail gone straight in. It made a tear in the tube 7cm long. No tyre panda on earth was going to seal that up.
I think it either went flat just before i stopped or while i was stopped. When i took off again with a bit of gusto, the tyre moved a bit on the rim dragging the nail along turning a hole into a tear. Then i noticed the rear was moving more than expected or than it had been moving on the shingle before, so stopped again and found the lack of air in the rear.
I would think that if i had the valve nuts done up against the rim i might have had my valve torn out too, but i do my nut up against the cap nowdays, since some advice from a trusted source.

I believe i have a 130/80-17 on the rear. At least thats what i wrote in my note book.

warewolf
12th September 2006, 11:21
I don't do dirt with my T/A (and don't you f'ing dare call them trannies!!!!) - I have a flying KDX for that stuff. I want the T/A for gravel raods and highwaysI was thinking, "gravel = dirt", as in "gravel != seal."


Do you know what mileage the A/T would do?Hopefully around 5000km on my 640A. That's more than the Metzeler Enduro 3 Saharas did. Clint did better on his 640E.