'Chicken Strips' Are they important to you?

**Ixion** · 8th October 2008, 18:07

Originally Posted by madbikeboy

It's logical to have some on the front tires, unless you do track days, in which case you'll tend to work the front much harder.

'Taint always that simple. von Klunken's rear has strips about quarter inch wide. But none at all on the front, to the point where last WoF the tester dude insisted on writing "Front tyre worn at sides" on the check list. And was umming and ahhing about whether it could pass or not, and only let it through on the basis that there was heaps of tread in the middle. So getting rid of the rear ones would almost certainly be too much for the front .

**blue eyed savage** · 8th October 2008, 18:11

Originally Posted by Ixion

'Taint always that simple. von Klunken's rear has strips about quarter inch wide. But none at all on the front, to the point where last WoF the tester dude insisted on writing "Front tyre worn at sides" on the check list. And was umming and ahhing about whether it could pass or not, and only let it through on the basis that there was heaps of tread in the middle. So getting rid of the rear ones would almost certainly be too much for the front .

are the forks in good condition or are they stuffed

**Ixion** · 8th October 2008, 18:30

Yes, it's all good and straight. it's just an oddity of the geometry of the bike. And maybe a bit riding style I tend to push the front down hard.

**madbikeboy** · 9th October 2008, 08:19

Originally Posted by Ixion

'Taint always that simple. von Klunken's rear has strips about quarter inch wide. But none at all on the front, to the point where last WoF the tester dude insisted on writing "Front tyre worn at sides" on the check list. And was umming and ahhing about whether it could pass or not, and only let it through on the basis that there was heaps of tread in the middle. So getting rid of the rear ones would almost certainly be too much for the front .

I'm making some assumptions here, late model sportsbike, 600 or bigger, wide-ish rear tire (180/190), riding on the road most people don't push their fronts that hard...

Assumptions are the mother of all fuck ups...

**avgas** · 9th October 2008, 08:33

Originally Posted by madbikeboy

I'm making some assumptions here, late model sportsbike, 600 or bigger, wide-ish rear tire (180/190), riding on the road most people don't push their fronts that hard...

Assumptions are the mother of all fuck ups...

Yep - my ZXR400 had slick on the sides of the front. But i did push that bike bloody hard on the piha loop. Really nose deep.
FZ1 was a drifter so the chicken strips were pretty big on it - but i used to get full respect when i kicked it round a corner.
Completely different bikes really.
Likewise i felt that the carvers DRZ400 i could ride both ways. Which made me very confused as it didn't like sliding slower than 80kph (or mabey that was me and my addiction to hp?)

**Brett** · 9th October 2008, 21:09

I don't know...I haven't had any for quite a while...However, when I did have them I was self conscieous about them...so I guess I do care.

**Whynot** · 9th October 2008, 21:49

Originally Posted by iwilde

How about a wave so that KBers can tell eachother apart from the rest?

how about a salute instead?
I've heard some people on certain bikes dont wave back though ....

**scumdog** · 9th October 2008, 22:12

Originally Posted by iwilde

How about a wave so that KBers can tell eachother apart from the rest?

idb is organising that, the 'KB wave' HQ is in Arrowtown.

**NighthawkNZ:Me** · 9th October 2008, 22:14

Originally Posted by scumdog

idb is organising that, the 'KB wave' HQ is in Arrowtown.

Oh crap is he still trying to organise that

**CB ARGH** · 10th October 2008, 08:13

Some dude on a suzuki 150 commented on my strips, he said they were impressive. I felt gangster, then thought why the fuck should we care? Being out on the open road on the bike is the best thing ever, tyre wear on the sides won't make my ride any better, it'll just get me home with shit in ma nickers!

**CB ARGH** · 10th October 2008, 08:15

Originally Posted by Whynot

how about a salute instead?
I've heard some people on certain bikes dont wave back though ....

I do the best dramatic salute to other bikers. Had somebody shake their head with disbelief one time.

The KB wave should be to hump the fuel tank.

Very noticable

**Dare** · 11th October 2008, 03:50

Originally Posted by CB ARGH

I do the best dramatic salute to other bikers. Had somebody shake their head with disbelief one time.

The KB wave should be to hump the fuel tank.

Very noticable

Female members too?
Why the fuck not!

I'd do it if everyone else did...
Baaahh

**JohnR** · 11th October 2008, 08:40

Originally Posted by PirateJafa

Depends on the tyres - the curve of some tyres will allow them to be worn right out to the edges relatively easily.

However on my RD it is impossible to scrub out the chicken strips without removing the exhausts, pegs, peg mounts and probably some of the engine covers.

Excuses, excuses