ST1300 on Z6s

[Hitcher]

With a couple of hundred km now on the STeed's new Metzeler Roadtec Z6s, they are well and truly scrubbed in.

1. I must have a word with Motorad's workshop, as they consistently under-inflate the tyres on the ST -- usually about 33psi front and 36 psi rear, when these should both be 42psi. Reinflated at home prior to excurting yesterday, therefore no harm done.

2. However a big ups to the same workshop crew for taking the time to clean rims and zorsts.

And what about the ride? It's hard to believe there can be so much difference between makes of tyres. I know that the old Battlax 020s were getting a bit tired and shabby, but they were still legal. The Battlax 020 is widely regarded as the "gold standard" for sports touring tyres. But as I discovered on my ZRX1200R and again now, the Metzelers are a significantly better ride.

They ride smoother and the front feel is noticeably less harsh than the 020. They feel a bit like the rebound settings have been eased a bit, which they can't have been, as Mr Honda has seen fit to provide no front suspension adjustments whatsoever on an ST1300.

Nice and grippy when cornering. The bike feels very planted and predictable. There were a few damp corners up and over the Takas yesterday. The bike drops into the corners better and doesn't want to stand up quite the same if you need to brake in the corner. No front wheel hum while cornering is nice too (the 020s are good at this, given the front tread pattern, and get worse/louder as the tyre wears).

The Z6s are nice under hard braking. No stoppies yet though and, being a shaft drive, the ST can't wheelie anyway...

So, on the whole, a very impressive package. I am well pleased with my purchase.

[marty]

was watching le tour this morning, and saw the ST following lance had both its mirrors hanging by the wiring. someone's got a sore hip.

[Hitcher]

was watching le tour this morning, and saw the ST following lance had both its mirrors hanging by the wiring. someone's got a sore hip.

I've done one side like that. Some nong in a Corolla swerved at me whilst I was splitting my way into town one morning. Our mirrors clipped...

[geoffm]

I have a Z6 on the front of the Beemer (and a slightly squaring off Z4 on the back). Th eZ6 replaced teh Z4 and the tyre people said they are compatible. ANyway - damn good tyres, seem to be wearing well, and grippy enough to scrape the pegs in the dry. Wet seems ok as well.
The Dunlop D205 I had before chewed out the tread blocks, and the Z6 is much better for this.
Geoff

[pete376403]

..and, being a shaft drive, the ST can't wheelie anyway...
So, on the whole, a very impressive package. I am well pleased with my purchase.

Just out of interest, which side of the wheel is the shaft on? Ie left side the shaft must rotate clockwise, right side = counterclockwise. This, and the hemisphere of the earth that you are riding in, has a significant effect on a shafties ability to wheelie.

[Hitcher]

Just out of interest, which side of the wheel is the shaft on? Ie left side the shaft must rotate clockwise, right side = counterclockwise. This, and the hemisphere of the earth that you are riding in, has a significant effect on a shafties ability to wheelie.

1. The shaft on an ST1300 is on the righthand side.
2. My reference for the inability of a shaftee to wheelie is the former jrandom, renown physicist, wry commentator on the human condition, and occasional bullshit artiste...

[pete376403]

I first encountered the "shafties can't wheelie (or countersteer)" thread on the usenet forum rec.motorcycle way back in the 9k6 modem, pre-www days, when bbs's were all the go (I was on WelCom). It's been around for a while.
I was going to mention the coriolis effect, for extra credit.

[Ixion]

I first encountered the "shafties can't wheelie (or countersteer)" thread on the usenet forum rec.motorcycle way back in the 9k6 modem, pre-www days, when bbs's were all the go (I was on WelCom). It's been around for a while.
I was going to mention the coriolis effect, for extra credit.

Oh yes, it is well established that shaft drives can't countersteer. Stands to reason, cos there ain't no handle bars attached to the shaft drive, it's down the back innit, and the handlebars are up the front ain't they.

[sAsLEX]

2. My reference for the inability of a shaftee to wheelie is the former jrandom, renown physicist, wry commentator on the human condition, and occasional bullshit artiste...

1.jrandom is not the former, just the MIA, like all bikers when the little ones have reduced their sponging of the wallet he will return triumphant....maybe
2.hes a software geek hence any physics from him could be wrong
3.i think its the type of person who rides a shaftie that limits there ability to wheelie and hence challange WT to get the front of a ST lofted to prove me right

[vifferman]

But as I discovered on my ZRX1200R and again now, the Metzelers are a significantly better ride.

They ride smoother and the front feel is noticeably less harsh than the 020.

That's partly because the Metzelers have softer (thinner?) carcases than the Bridgestones. Also the 020s are a slightly older design than the Metzeler - Bridgestone has brought out several new sports tyres since the 020s were first introduced, but not new STs.

The bike drops into the corners better and doesn't want to stand up quite the same if you need to brake in the corner.

That's good to know. The VFR doesn't stand up when braking into corners, but I don't like the tip-in with the front 020 - the 012F was better, being a less rounded profile.

No front wheel hum while cornering is nice too (the 020s are good at this, given the front tread pattern, and get worse/louder as the tyre wears).

Yeah, I hate that. When wheeling the bike backwards with the 'bars turned, you can feel as each tread block contacts the concrete/road, and when riding even a slight lean makes the front tyre hum. Also, I dunno if you noticed this, but on the VFR if the tyre pressure is even slightly low, the front 020 makes it wander all over the place, particularly on chip seal.

Thanx for that, Hitcher.
Good to know this stuff.