Adventure Assault #5 - EEE - 12/13 Jan 08

[Crisis management]

Sweet. The trail wings (fondly known as deathwings on ADVrider) seem to be pretty good on my bike, despite their bad rep on larger bikes.

Don't be too put off the deathwings....Bass foolishly let me ride his bike for a while returning from Raglan last weekend and I thought them quite acceptable. The rear slid out readily and controllably and when I pushed the front hard enough it too slid in a controllable (generous description of my riding style) manner. I know they are marginal on wet seal but for gravel work I was pleasantly surprised. All testing on Klondyke road which is tight, small gravel and muddy surface and for reference I run TKC80's on my bike.

[clint640]

What say you Clint?

Bring it on I reckon. Just get a bit of practice first. The Waikaremoana road is 100km of windy gravel, but we'll have all day. If Kanny is all gravelled out on the Sunday she can just bypass the gravel bits, I'd recommend leaving out the Waipunga section, that's probably a little bit rough for a road bike.

Cheers
Clint

[ducatijim]

'Deathwings' eh.....yeah, I like that!! Theyre crap, anything with Michelin on it will deliver; I have used Sirac ( smaller sizes than Anakee) and found them a great 50/50 tyre. And, T63 knobs really do hang on both on gravel and seal( I even did a Suzuki 'trailblazer' trail ride on them and tractored past many bogged Katies etc on slipery uphill!!).......at the moment, the T63 will be my tyre of choice when the DR is not on road tyres as I am not finding any place now for the adventure tyres.
Can't wait to go over the Waikaremoana rd again, thats an adventure!!

[Bass]

Don't be too put off the deathwings....Bass foolishly let me ride his bike for a while returning from Raglan last weekend and I thought them quite acceptable.

Yeah........
Bastard pissed off into the middle distance right smart and on my bike too!

[Rosie]

Sorting through the tyre situation already. The 18" front rim requires a 3.00" aggressive tyre, and the range is limited.

If you are low on inspiration on the tyre front, have a scratch around in the Thumpers forum on ADV rider. There are a few threads on smaller (<250cc) adventure bikes, and you may find someone else with an equally interesting set up.

[tri boy]

He he,
Did a fair bit of research last night, and this morning, and the gravel munching Volty will be a reality.
I have secured one of the last 18" 100/90 Trail Wing TW35 in NZ. (1 left).
Will probably put a TW42 120/90 -17 on the rear.
I have the correct size fork gaiters in the garage, and a fresh bottle of 10wgt fork oil.
Have also ordered a Ventura Pack Rack bracket assy, and thats about it.
Will get all but the pack rack fitted up over the next week, then a good shake down run out the back of Kawhia, staying at the Bach for a base.

Adv Volty. Look out KTM's, your time is running out.

[deanohit]

Haha, nice one Triboy, sounds like Kanny and bumble are gonna be having some REAL fun!

[Bass]

'Deathwings' eh.....yeah, I like that!! Theyre crap, anything with Michelin on it will deliver;

But you are an unabashed fan of anything with the Michelin brand on it.
I could point out that you are even starting to look like the Michelin man, but you would just tell me to go and look in the mirror.

[tri boy]

Pic's of tyre choices are in tyre thread.

[clint640]

He he,
I have secured one of the last 18" 100/90 Trail Wing TW35 in NZ. (1 left).
Will probably put a TW42 120/90 -17 on the rear.

Adv Volty. Look out KTM's, your time is running out.

Good work! I reckon that setup will go well. Talkin' road tyres, but my 'ol RZ had a 100/90-18 on the front & that handled well in gravel, a lot better than my TDR that had a 120-18 & a higher CoG, although the TDR did absorb the bumps a bit better.

Might be a good idea to slide the forks as far down in the triples as possible to give some stability, esp if you're jackin up the back.

Cheers
Clint

[tri boy]

Might be a good idea to slide the forks as far down in the triples as possible to give some stability, esp if you're jackin up the back.

Cheers
Clint

Yep, onto that. Can lower them safely about 15-20mm, but the Scrambler OE shocks are about 45-50mm longer than the Volty ones. So I'll try both shocks and see which is the best suited. If its too jacked at the back with the scrambler ones, i'll stick with what it's got. How cool would a raised, and treaded Volty look?
Only other small mod will be raising the chrome fr wheel guard slightly for better clearance.

[deanohit]

Only other small mod will be raising the chrome fr wheel guard slightly for better clearance.

Not quite, you still need some scrambler pipes on there!

[tri boy]

Hmmmm, DR250 headers flowing into a Super Trapp, or maybe a Pro Circuit.
Chrome heat shields, and chrome the headers.
All mods need to be quickly converted back to standard Volty trim in short time, so Kanny can get her retro crusier look back for road use.

[deanohit]

have to be the Supertrapp to keep in style with the bike.

Hmmmmmm, I may have to start looking for a cheap GN, would be a fun project!

[ducatijim]

But you are an unabashed fan of anything with the Michelin brand on it.
I could point out that you are even starting to look like the Michelin man, but you would just tell me to go and look in the mirror.

If you have ever had the oppertunity to operate as many differant vehicles both with Michelin tyres and without, as I have, you too would be a fan.
The ride quality and wear differance is probably most noticable on Ag tractors...and I mean real ag tractors, not your townie 'lawn' tracs....160+ Hp...you just would not belive there could be such a variation between brands-Michelin ride like you have cab suspension.No flat spotting, no power-hop.
I have experianced back to back Michelin v Conti on a car and again; much quieter and smoother ride with the Michelin. And you know how they work on my bikes- having been behind me on many occasions, Bass!
Differant strokes for differant folks I realise.
They ring my bell. AND...look after my safety.