So I bought a new toy

[nerrrd]

Ausgezeichnet!

FWIW I've got Metzler Roadtec Z6s on the Beemer, have absolutely no complaints with grip in the wet (but then I don't push it either).

[Goblin]

Awesome girl! +1 for the sport demons! Hope to see you on the track next month.

[Maha]

Nah, that one is still there. I found one in Rotorua. Was a bit closer and and the bike had less k. About the same price though.

For the time being I will keep the GN. It is still a fun ride. And I'm not yet sure about that sporty riding position on the Spada. Will probably take a bit getting used to. So I will at least keep the GN for a few months more. My garage will look much nicer with two bikes in anyway

I will take a few days to get used to the different riding posture, then it wont be long and the GN will up for sale..only because the fun factor will be increased riding the Spada.

[Mom]

What a cool bike! And red too, that is the best colour, apart from blue

Ride a few kms and you will be surprised how easy it is to ride compared to the mighty Ginny.

Congratulations! Cant wait to see the pics.

[Grashopper]

(and please let me play on it)

Lol, we might be able to strike a deal there. Your Spada looked pretty neat. Especially that black frame
And it survived 130k, so you must be doing something right.

[ducatilover]

Lol, we might be able to strike a deal there. Your Spada looked pretty neat. Especially that black frame And it survived 130k, so you must be doing something right.

It was a fun little bike, and anything that'll put up with 130km of my riding is a good bike (or I'm nicer to my bikes than I think I am?)

[puddytat]

They're a cracker wee bike & handle really well.
Those tire sizes are fine,& on the Spada you'll wear your hero tabs pretty quickly (on the track of course)

I was told & so did so with my one, that tthe oil level in the sight glass is actually a little "low" & it should be filled so that the level is above the two holes & a tad under the top of the class after you've run it a bit...........'cause it can cause crank issues supposedly.
They go really well when thrashed mercilessly.
And are great the rest of the time.

[Drew]

Yes to the sports demons, best ones I have had on my VF so far.

You missed the boat old boy. ME33 compound K (back when you could get them) up front, ME55 on the rear. My VF was gorgeous to ride with that set up.

[unstuck]

You missed the boat old boy. ME33 compound K (back when you could get them) up front, ME55 on the rear. My VF was gorgeous to ride with that set up.

But how do they handle gravel?

[sil3nt]

My 2c

Bridgestone BT45 for lots of commuting as well as sporty riding (harder center/softer sides on the rear so should last longer).
Pirelli Sport Demons if your doing more sporty riding than commuting.

Both are excellent in the wet.

[Drew]

But how do they handle gravel?

Tough call. The ME55 would be all good, but given the front tyre size on the VF, I doubt there would be fuck all in it unless you got knoblies.

[Grashopper]

Hope to see you on the track next month.

Haven't registered yet, but that's the plan. It's the day before the L'sAngels ride, but should be all good. Not sure about which bike I'll be taking on the track though, yet.

[bluninja]

Congrats on the new bike. I'm sure you'll have fun.

[HenryDorsetCase]

Best wet weather tyres for it would be Metzeler Lasertecs.

(Edit: Except that they don't come in exactly those sizes).

Next best pick is Pirelli Sport Demons.

I'd recommend the Sport Demons also. I had Pirelli Angels on my CB400F and they were surprisingly good... that particular tyre has been superseded though.

I've got Michelin Pilot Roads on the Street Triple which are also good - they came on it and I would replace them with similar (though I would probably go for PR3's - wait for an inevitable tedious thread on it).

[Grashopper]

Took me ages to figure out how to post these pics. I can't believe it was that easy. Was trying to follow an old, incomplete description in the site stuff bit of the forum...

But here we go: The first pics of my new pride and joy.
I just picked the bike up in Rotovegas, but yeah, 80 km later, with spongy suspension, on old tires, and wet roads and I'm still pretty much ready to sell the GN... I pretty much carried the bike around, cause I was not sure about the tires, but it feels like the Spada has more acceleration in 6th gear than the GN has altogether. I also like that it is lower, which is nicer for me when I stop.

The only thing troubling me so far is that it is very difficult to check for blind spots, due to the angle in which I sit on the bike. My shoulders are always in the way. I did notice the same thing on the Katana ages ago. Is there a trick to deal with that?

Next week it will get new tires, looks like those will be Sport Demons. Thanks to everybody who commented on my tire question. And a very thorough service. It has been standing around mostly for the last few years. (What a waste ). Will wait until everything is sorted before I take it for a ride again. So tomorrow me and the GN will go for a nice ride. Maybe around the lake. Haven't done that one for a while. But I can't wait to be able to ride the Spada again.