1,000

Finally, the XT has 1,000 miles. I swore I'd remember when I rolled over the first 1,000 miles on the FJR, but that time has long, long passed.

In memory of this small milestone, I shall recount how the triple-zero transpired.

I was returning home from the grocery store with a gallon of orange juice, several liters of sprite, some mint tea and theraflu. The wife has been sick since Friday, puking and running a fever. I was beginning to feel it myself. She asked me to grab some beverages from the store, so I took my favorite grocery-grabber.

On a side-note, I calculated that a trip to Big Bend would cost less than $40 in gas (at $4 per gallon). Now that I've seen gas for just over $2 per gallon, I'm thinking I might have to save up those sick days (and try not to call in tommorow) to make my annual visit.

The XT has served well as a daily commuter. I'm still trying to get a feel for what its "normal" sounds are... I found a lot of loose bolts from the factory when I repaired her after the accident. I hope this is not a sign of long-term quality issues...

On the other hand, if gas costed $2.50 per gallon, a $1,000 would net about 28,000 miles. Likewise, 1,000 miles only costs $35.71 at $2.50 per gallon. Either way, 1,000 would go a long way on the XT.

Well, I Did It... Again

On the way to work yesterday, I decided to push the limits of the little XT. I discovered it alright, and it could have been very, very disastrous.

I took a very sharp corner - I was on the inside of the turn - and the bike slid out from under me. The bike and I then hit a truck heading the other way. I discovered later that I pretty much hit is square from the side. The bike and I tumbled a bit and came to rest pretty quickly.

Naturally, I freaked out the other driver, who stopped to see if I was alright. Actually, I was more concerned for her than anything. (After all, I hit her vehicle.)

We both determined that other than the psychological shock, we were both okay. She went on her way and I had the bike towed to the shop.

We discussed our professions; it turns out that she teaches at the high school right around the corner from where I live and I'll be teaching at the high school right around the corner from where she lives! I might even teach her daughter next year! That's ironic.

I'll post pictures of the XT before too long; but the bike started right up, though the rear wheel apprears to be messed up along with the normal scrapes from a low-side.

My only physical injuries was some road rash on my left calf (probably abrasion from my jeans) and a small spot on my right knee. I'll have a nice bruise on my lower back near my right hip which made it painful to walk yesterday. My armor absorbed the rest. I definitely have to replace the helmet and jacket (which worked amazingly well). I've never appreciated what a helmet can do until yesterday... I had been meaning to get some lower-body protection since my last set of riding pants developed a zipper problem in the crotch... This would have definitely alleviated the hip/back injury.

To say I was lucky is an understatement. Stupid? Probably. I'll have some time off from riding - again - to consider my next move. There goes my 70 mpg commuter...

As for road rash, this is pretty mild.

Moving Forward

Caitlin is taking a nap on

Papa after a good meal.

Moving Forward can seem so slow at times.

But sometimes it's just better to take it easy than to crash.

It's little moments like the ones above that help me appreciate all the junk I deal with. She's a blessing - not a curse. She's a light, not darkness. She brings me hope, not despair. New life makes life easier to understand.

I love my family. I'd give up motorcycles for them. Thankfully, that doesn't seem to be the case. So, let's keep the rubber side down!

Farewell to FJR; Welcome to XT

The somewhat dreaded day has come and gone: The FJR has left the stable. The day after my lovely wife and newborn daughter returned from the hospital, I took the sport-touring hooligan machine to the dealership where I (essentially) traded it in for a new 2008 Yamaha XT 250.

Both machines are dual-purpose in their own way.
The FJR (above) is a capable sport machine and tourer.
The XT (below) is a capable on and off road machine.

For most people, this would make absolutely no sense. Experienced riders tend to trade upwards – to bigger and faster or more capable bikes. Many people consider the XT a beginner’s bike. In car terms, I traded in a Corvette for a Geo Metro.Using the car analogy, why would a person give up a sports car for one of “lesser” performance? Many reasons, all practical:

• lower value means less depreciation for resale,
• higher mileage,
• lower maintenance costs,
• lower insurance costs,
• greater utility for practical matters.

All the above considerations came to mind when I considered the switch.

• The XT will likely never drop below a value of $1500 to $2000 (35-50% of original cost). The FJR is currently worth about 40% of its original value with its “high” mileage (60,000 miles young) and nearly six years old.
• The XT gets incredible mileage as it is a small displacement, lightweight bike. The first ride showed over 70 mpg and the bike isn’t even broken in yet! To the contrary, I averaged 40 mpg on the FJR, which varied with use of throttle and luggage.
• There isn’t a single maintenance task I cannot perform at home with my existing tools, and the maintenance parts (and chemicals) are few and inexpensive. A single major maintenance for the FJR puts me back between $400 and $600 every 25,000 miles, not including oil changes and tires. The XT won’t require replacing $400-$500 in tires every 10,000 miles either. I won’t need a special machine to mount the tires, either!
• I now pay one fourth the insurance – full coverage – as compared to the FJR. It’s cheap enough to be a no-brainer. Why not have it? I know people that pay two or three times a much each month for their car or motorcycle!

I had to make compromises for utility:

The FJR is great on the highway and makes an excellent commuter for longer distances. The hard luggage serves as an excellent place to store a helmet and riding jacket. It has a nice luggage rack and back seat for all kinds of additional luggage capacity. The adjustable wind screen reduces rider fatigue by limiting wind blast on the rider. But the FJR has several disadvantages: It gets hot in the summer time and even hotter in summer highway traffic. Having a radiator blast heat onto your legs and a fuel tank simmer in your crotch does not strike me as a good time. It’s top-heavy, making it a handful at slow speeds. I did manage to become very confident handling the bike, but that didn’t make it any more fun on slow back roads. The FJR wanted to be out in front – always, inspiring aggressive riding.

The FJR (above) is a blast two-up on fast roads.
The XT (below) is a blast on trails and unpaved roads.

The XT doesn’t have lockable luggage or the ability to eat up miles easily at 70+ mph. But it can carry luggage on the tank and luggage rack. The seat is narrower, though not necessarily more comfortable. The XT is air cooled but won’t cook the rider even in slower traffic. Its light weight makes handling easy at any speed and can travel on any road, paved or not. Both bikes are “buzzy” in the handlebar, though the FJR offers more comfort and protection from the elements.

The FJR lockable luggage (above) comes standard on all US models.
The XT (below) has excellent grab rails and other spaces excellent for attaching soft luggage.

For an experienced rider to move to a much, much smaller bike requires a certain fortitude of character that says it doesn’t matter how big or flashy the bike is, a rider is a person out on two wheels. For me, I’m moving towards a simpler riding lifestyle. I want to commute more. I want to appreciate the world around me instead of flying by it. I want the freedom to travel down a dirt road without fear. I’m ready for the lower costs of low-tech transportation.

The FJR dash (above) has all the instrimentation you'd expect on a sport-tourer.
The lightweight digital dash on the XT (below) provides the bare necessities.

The FJR and I have parted ways. It was a good run with its share of spills and thrills. I did a lot of things that could not have been done with any other bike. I’m grateful for the experiences I never would have otherwise received. I’m a better rider for all of it. Now I’m heading off to a new chapter in my riding life. The lifestyle which has tested me so much has not gone away, but instead morphed into a new expression. I look forward to the street and dirt roads in my future!

---

Thanks and apologies to:
FJR Info
Yamaha Motor Corp

Solitude and other thoughts

It's been a while since I've posted. I usually try to keep this blog about riding even if I'll occasionally throw something in about education, too. On the other hand, my life is going to change dramatically soon: I have a baby daughter on the way! So that combined with the summer heat, I'm less prone to riding - and I've had less to talk about.

When my beautiful wife posted about the Spurs ending their run for the national championship, she placed a picture of a Spurs onesie instead of a picture of the team members. So in that spirit, (with apologies to motorsport.com) I present to you my regret for the heat of summer making it too hot to ride during the day:

Quick thoughts on riding

It's been a while since I've posted. Considering that I'm selling my bike and my riding career has an uncertain future, you may understand why I've been a bit quiet lately.

That said, I've had a few quick thoughts I wanted to share:

I just had lunch for less than one gallon of gas. The dollar menu at Wendy's is awesome, but I don't ever remember having to pay less than $1 for a whole meal back in the day!

I'm precariously close that that $20 fillup. I used to get mad when I had to pay more than $10 at the pump to fill up - on premium. A $20 weekend went a long, long way just a few years ago. Now, motor sports has become much more expensive and I'm less likely to "blow away" so much money to go for a ride.

Road rage lives on. I rarely get so upset at another driver for driving recklessly that I feel something needs to be done. When I saw a Jeep Wrangler consistently endanger another rider, I knew I had to take action. I got a good look at the driver and memorized the license plate. I reported the @#$% to the local police department and filed a complaint. One of the people (read: the driver) in the vehicle was using a cell phone and didn't seem to notice that he was driving 20+ mph over the speed limit and tailgating everyone.

Having to sell the FJR got me riding this week. I've enjoyed every moment of it (even though I got very upset at the aforementioned incident). Riding for the sake of commuting really is fun, even if the temperature isn't regulated. It's nice to just be "out there." And getting more miles for the money is a good feeling, too.

Not that'd I'd be opposed to a smaller bike with even better mileage!

Sentiments

As I've been preparing the FJR for selling, my neighbor has dropped by occasionally to check on my progress.

He told me recently that if he won the lottery, he'd buy my FJR. He'd even keep it in my garage. He just didn't want to loose his riding partner.

That was very nice of him to say.

But I replied with, "If you were a true friend, you'd buy me a new KTM Adventure."


Good thing we're friends since I was just kidding! What a great guy!

Getting Ready: The first step

So I've decided to sell the FJR. Yes, it's come to this, but I know that it's the right thing to do and for once I feel good about it. In the best case scenario, I get to keep the bike, but it doesn't look like that's going to happen.

But before I sell, I need to accomplish a number of tasks that all boil down to one simple concept: bring the bike back to as close to stock as possible.

So all the blue fairings have to go. The glove box has to go. I get to keep the PIAA 4000's! (Yay!) The handguards and bar ends have to go. The heated grips will probably have to stay. The custom wiring with the battery monitor, cigarette lighter and controls for accessory lighting will probably have to stay (because it will be very difficult and time consuming to remove). The car horns have to go. (Now, that was a blast!)

The FJR has no clothes!

It wasn't easy, but I managed to leave the radiator
on and still have access to the headers.

I had recently acquired a replacement exhaust, so I'm adding that to the bike. The old set is dented, scratched and worn. This new set will make this six year old bike with 60,000 miles look much newer. (I brought the old gal home in October of 2002!)

Aren't those new pipes pretty?

I removed most of the plastic last weekend. I couldn't stay in bed this morning, so I decided to "get productive." I removed the old exhaust and replaced the headers. I had to drain the coolant (I'll have to replace it; It was old anyway. Besides, recommended replacement is every two years!) My father taught me that if something is worth doing, it's worth doing right. So I replaced the exhaust gaskets, too. But I did manage to save myself some work by leaving the radiator on the bike.

With the new exhaust on the bike (okay, it's actually "low mileage") and a solid cleaning, the FJR will look her best since a long, long time. Only one more thing to make her perfect: the right saddlebag needs to be "touched up." A bit of road rash has taken its toll cosmetically. Next paycheck may get this painted.

I wrapped the headers a few years ago, which really
cut down on the heat cooking my legs.

Yeah, there's some discoloration there.
Riding in the rain has worn some of that wrap, too.

Soon she can stroll onto Craigslist and I'll finally get my asking price.

A Monday Ride

One of the nice things about working at a motorcycle shop is having Mondays off. You get a weekend day and a week day to do... well, those things that need to be done.

For me, Sundays are still Sundays. But Monday is my Saturday. This Monday, I took my first real ride in over a month. So much for the chronic rider, eh?

I started off taking Loop 1604 to Bandera Road. (After seeing the terrible traffic there, I'm a bit surprised that I took that same path to school for 3 1/2 years...) Bandera West dead ends into Scenic Loop Road. A left onto Toutant Beauregard drops you off at Tx 46 and I-10, next to Starbucks.

Taking 46 west to 16 north, I took a quick break Bandera. A little farther north, I caught 470 west, which I don't take very often. It's a pretty ride with a semi-technical turn or two, but it has a few straightaways that are good for... stretching my legs.

View Larger Map

I passed Tarpley and turned south on 187 and dropped into Lost Maples Cafe for lunch. The place was full of locals. They all stopped talking to turn and stare. Though it was somewhat awkward, I went and found a table and relaxed a bit for lunch.

Once I was ready for the ride home, I headed back up 187 to catch 337 east. My brother and I caught this road once and spent some time taking pictures. Even with the greyness of winter upon the hill country, this road was scenic as ever.

I caught 16 south, passing through Medina and the apple orchard. Pretty soon an apple festival will be under way. It seems in Texas, all kinds of festivals are held for all kinds of food. (We just had the rodeo in San Antonio. The strawberry festival is coming up, too.)

I detoured and took 2828 east and 173 back into Bandera. 173 really is highway, even though it goes to two lanes near Bandera. Taking 16 back to loop 1604, it alternated between two and three lanes until it finally settled upon four. Naturally, I caught 1604 to return home.



I had the odd feeling that there was a certain lack of "special" in the ride itself. It was nice to get out and get some sunshine (which is a rarity in and of itself). But, the roads we so very familiar. It struck me how I used to be filled with awe every time I rode highway 16 into the Hill Country and see the hills unfold before me. I used to marvel at the sweepers and tight turns of those back roads. I appreciated how lightly traveled those roads are during the week.

I did appreciate the light traffic this time. But the ride itself fell a little flat. I didn't really enjoy the scenery so much this time. There was a spot or two that felt really good to concentrate on the technical parts. But for the whole, it was lacking something.

Perhaps the wonder of the ride is gone. The mystery of unexplored places left. My favorite stops no longer had familiar faces. The $15 in gas seemed a little less worth it. The best part of the ride was feeling my lower back straighten itself out; it felt better after the ride than before it.

I've determined to sell the FJR. It will cover expenses when my beautiful wife is unable to work when she has our baby girl. I will miss the sportiness of this ride, but not the expense.

I'll probably pick up another bike - a small dual-sport - when time and money permits. The economy and fun factor of those bikes still amazes me. I am NOT giving up riding... just putting a little time aside for more important things.


The past month or two has shown me that I can live without riding all the time. In some ways it's even better. (Air conditioning is a good start!) The motorcycle has been a way of life for me for... at least seven years. I will still support organizations like the AMA, even when I'm not riding. I think perhaps it's time for me to grow up a little and reorganize my priorities.

Has the bike become an idol for me? Perhaps. Has it allowed an emotional escape for me? Surely. Are there other, healthier pastimes I can take up? Yes.

I'm thinking I should get into better shape so I can do more hiking. And on a side note, it's a lot easier to transport backpacks, hiking boots and walking sticks in a car than a motorcycle!

Riding Pants

Riders start out with two or three basic articles of protective gear: the helmet, jacket and gloves. The additional "coverage" comes from shoes or boots and blue jeans, which are considered par for the course.

However, riding pants and boots tend to arrive much farther down the line. They require a much more specific fit, cost a lot more than their non-riding counterparts and may not be used much by a casual rider. These items just aren't justified to many people.

Most non-riders will notice the "spaceman" - a biker with a helmet and a textile jacket. But only another rider will really pay attention to riding pants and boots.

I called up my neighbor today. "Have you looked outside? Isn't it gorgeous!" He agreed to a short ride after work. We just tooled around town, visiting a couple stores he works with. Afterwards, we parted and I headed to a non-remarkable fast food joint, hoping to grab a taste of their "Big Deal."

I pulled in to discover a BMW 1200 GS parked out front. Among my circles, BMW riders are an odd lot, and supposedly the GS riders are the quirkiest.

I came in and ordered my sandwich. The other rider was sitting in a corner, talking on a cell phone. I let him ignore me; It was the polite thing to do. After he hung up, he called across the room, "Hey! What are you riding?" This spurred a friendly conversation that lasted much longer than either of us anticipated. He told me of how his desire to leave cruisers behind led him to the big dual sport, of some of his off-road adventures, and how he lusted after the new KTM's - but was disappointed in the short supply of quality dealers. I shared the story of the older gentleman who traveled all over on his old BMW R-bike, logging hundreds of thousands of miles, yet never had the desire to draw attention to himself by writing a book, posting on the internet or even bragging about it.

Eventually, he pointed out that I was wearing riding pants. I told him, "Might as well be comfortable." I noticed his riding pants and boots as I passed him in the restaurant; we were both decked-out in full riding gear. It gave a certain measure of validity to each of our stories and added to our respect for one-another. We both admitted to our hooligan sides, but we weren't squids. After a while, we both headed our own way, edified by the company of a civilized rider.

We notice the little things that separate or unite us. This time, the riding pants were more important than the ride.

A Balanced Approach

Should I keep riding or sell the bike? This choice bothered me for months. I found my answer where I least expected it.

I could use these excuses to quit:

• Deer. They want to get me.
  
• Money. I spend a lot just to ride.
  
• Time. Riding keeps me from other responsibilities.
  
• Pain. I don't want to die or get injured.
  
• Family. My family should come before riding.
  

Since I'll soon become a father, I have doubts about whether my family can afford my motorcycle addiction. I don't want to take time, money or presence away from my wife and baby because of a personal commitment to wants rather than needs.

People tend to tell me one of two things:

• I should sell the bike and quit riding. I hear this all the time. This knee-jerk reaction really gets old. These people don't care what I do - they just hate motorcycles!
  
• I should keep the bike. They say I deserve to indulge myself occasionally. This approach ignores the fact that I must meet my family's needs before my personal entertainment.
  

I mentioned some of my thoughts to a recently acquired friend.

I said, "I struggle with the thought that riding may have become an idol in my life."

He replied, "It is good that you struggle."

Finally, someone demonstrated genuine insight without passing judgment! He reaffirmed my passion for motorcycles and my commitment to family. For the first time, someone provided a response - not a reaction - to my riding.

When the time comes, I will make the decision - one way or the other - to keep or sell the bike.

In the meantime, I will ride conservatively, enjoy my commute and take smaller rides. After all, a balanced approach will avoid the trappings of judgmental reactions.

Fortune Cookie

"You will step on the soil of many countries."

I really don't know what to say about this one. Perhaps it should have read:

"You will ride the backroads of many counties."

Yeah, that's more like it!

Periodontitis

I usually write about motorcycle-related topics, but this one is differnt.

I had been experiencing painful headaches for several months now. I suspected that these headaches came from temperature differences where I worked with an air conditioning system that always made my work area uncomfortable. But with ruling out the likelihood of an ear infection (after several pointless doctor visits) I decided to see a dentist.

In retrospect, I had a number of warning signs:

• My teeth felt loose when I ate;
• Hot and cold foods occasionally made my gums and teeth hurt;
• I had bad breath that never seemed to go away.

The headache probably came from an infection under my gum line.

Looking back, I can see how this problem developed:

• I spent long hours at work without brushing (frequently between 10 and 14 hours);
• several LAN parties that skipped brushing altogether while consuming sugar-laden sodas and energy drinks;
• I can only imagine the thousands of sodas I've consumed over the past few years;
• and in which time I've not visited a dentist for a regular cleaning.

A regular checkup with x-rays determined that I suffered from periodontal disease. According to the dentist, I was in the early stages of the disease. If treated, it could likely be reversed. If left untreated, a regular cleaning could actually "trap" the offending bacteria and tartar buildup and make my situation worse.

My treatment involved some local anesthesia and scaling of the teeth above and below the gum line. One side was done at a time, for which I was grateful. I wouldn't be able to talk or eat anything if my whole mouth had been numbed! I experienced some soreness for a couple days after each treatment. Afterwards, I followed up with a salt rinse the day of the treatment (as an antiseptic) and regular brushing, flossing and rinsing with Oxyfresh. According to my periodontist, the follow-up maintenance has worked very well. So with regular at-home maintenance and a few checkups confirming my progress, I should be well on my way back to health.

I made a few minor lifestyle changes which will help me continue improving my dental health:

• I bring a "dental kit" with me to work so I can brush and floss after lunch;
• I floss at least once a day;
• I use the Oxyfresh mouthwash treatment at least once a day;
• I make it a point to brush my teeth at the very least twice a day.

I've noticed that I don't feel well, even uncomfortable when I've not brushed my teeth after eating, so it reminds me if I've been neglectful.

If my experience helps someone get to a dentist - or encourage a lifestyle change (like brushing after grabbing a meal before hours of more riding!) then this post is worth it.

Salúd!

---

Useful Links:

Wikipedia
Studio Dentaire
Thomas H. Holmes
National Dental Centre

The Sunrise Ride

There are times I intentionally ride without a camera. I can focus on the ride and enjoy the moment without forcing myself to be distracted by possible photographic "opportunities." As I let my mind focus on riding, I push aside photography and all my other thoughts. In recanting the story, you must use your mind's eye to experience what I felt.

Last Sunday I headed to the far west of the Hill Country, starting in Junction and heading south and east to return to San Antonio. I left early in the morning to beat the traffic and maximize my quality riding time. By the time dawn began to break, temperatures had dropped below 50°. I began to wish I had brought warmer gloves...

But as the sun approached the eastern horizon, stealthily pursuing the night-time stars, a crescent moon lay buoyed above layers of gray, purple and blue. Above the open crescent of the moon shone a bright star - probably Venus - suspended in the cloudless interim of night and day. A gentle breeze could have pushed it off its shelf, landing in the moon's cusp. So delicate this morning procession! Yet, after just a few minutes, the purple and blue turned to orange and the moon and the stars faded away in the procession of the sun's glory.

Revelling in this fading display, I pressed onward through Rock Springs down highway 674, which I've not visited in several years. Familiar scenery brought back memories of carving through corners, dipping through little valleys crossing easily flooded bridges, and resting along the side of the road, mesmerized by the grand valley to the east. A river cut through this semi-arid valley. A mist shrouded the hills in the distance. This area soothed my soul.


View Larger Map

I approached my next series of challenges. I narrated my plan. Go up and down a hill. Go up and sweep right. Sweep left around a blind turn. Got it. The elevation changes were uneventful. Nice. Right sweeper - felt a little off. Let's go through the left a little slower, ensure a nice, steady line. Ah, this is good...

As I'm beginning to straighten the bike and look through the turn to the straightaway, a sudden horror siezed my attention: a large deer in mid-air right in my path. I backed off the throttle and reached for my brake, but it was too late. As soon as my hand touched the brake, the rear hoof had already cleared my front tire - and barely! I let out a loud, embarassing expletive. Damn those suicidal deer! I was extremely fortunate this time! Thoughts of an accident on this very empty road (I didn't see a vehicle traveling in the opposite direction the entire time I was on 674!) left me thinking about how my unborn child would have had to live without his father, or how I would have to care for myself until help arrived if anyone managed to find me! I eased away from my previous enthusiasm to settle down and enjoy the rest of the ride for the getaway I meant it to be.

Those deer - the bane of safe riding - nearly spoiled my otherwise normal ride. I could have done without the scare, though it did make me think about my priorities. I returned to San Antonio via 337 and 16. If I was fortunate, I could make church on time (I did). Given the relevance of the message, I suspect that God intended for me to make that service.

Though I'd like to travel a little farther west, I'll probably put that off for a couple more months - and not ride quite so early in the morning. And maybe next time I'll stop for a few fresh pictures.

Here's a few pictures of the area I took back in November of 2003:

Route 674 looking northeast.

Route 674 looking east.

Route 674 looking south.

Route 674 looking south.

Route 674 looking north.

Route 674 looking east.

Soaking in the scenery.

The Cost of Riding: Tires...

Many people get into bikes thinking that it's cheap to own and operate, that they're great for commuting and a blast to ride. Well, not all that's true.

Dollars

One of the most expensive maintenance (and safety!) items on a bike is tires. A full set of tires with installation can run anywhere between $300 and $600. Higher performance tires are stickier and have shorter lives. Touring tires are not necessarily less expensive, but last longer on heavier touring and cruiser bikes than their performance-oriented cousins.

Duration

How long should a motorcycle tire last? This is a multifaceted question: it depends on the compound of the tire, the kind of riding done, the weather in which the tire experiences "break in," the weight of the bike, the air pressure run and so forth.

Front tires tend to last longer than rear tires. Consider this: the output of the engine forces the rear tire to turn against the road, whereas the front tire merely rolls along. The friction generated by the rear tire is much greater, causing a shorter lifespan. This is partly why automobiles require tire rotation on a regular basis: it maximizes tread life by spreading out the wear across all the tires; Motorcycles have no such option.

Generally speaking, a Goldwing (800 lbs) will get 3,000 to 4,000 miles out of a common rear tire. My FJR (600 lbs) gets between 6,000 and 12,000 miles out of a tire. My old Nighthawk (400 lbs) could probably eke out 20,000 miles from a rear tire.

Destruction

This is an example of a tire ridden waaaaay past its useful life... Pictured is a Yamaha Roadstar with 6,000 miles on the factory (original!) tire.


The technician noted that

• The metal cords were showing,
• The center of the tire (for where the bike is ridden most - upright) had no tread left and
• The tire was under-inflated by more than fifteen pounds!

In short, this is a dangerous tire condition!

• The cords help provide the structure and integrity of the tire. So if the mechanism that maintains the structure of the tire begins to wear, the tire could lose structure (dramatically deflate = blowout) and result in personal injury and damage to the motorcycle.
• The lack of center tread reduces useful traction on most street surfaces as it cannot handle surface irregularities like rocks and small animals. Nor can it push water out of the way. Loss of traction due to water (hydroplaning) will result in personal injury and damage to the motorcycle.
• Finally, low tire pressure in a motorcycle tire causes heat buildup, tire deformation and possible catastrophic failure (hey, that blowout thing again!).

When prompted, the owner confessed to the bike handling poorly. However, he was "outraged" that the tire didn't last longer! He was more concerned about the tires warranty than his personal safety. Most riders for that style of motorcycle/tire combination get 4,000 to 5,000 miles. That he survived the 6,000 on this one is a testament to good fortune (and embarrassment to this inexperienced rider). Hopefully, he left a little bit wiser (and with a fresh set of tires!)

Detection

With experience, a rider can detect a pressure loss of a few pounds. Normally, I can tell down to about two pounds loss on the FJR... But the best (and safest) policy is to check tire pressure regularly, particularly if your rides are farther in-between.

Legally, tire tread depth must have at least 2/32", though you may want to replace them earlier if you intend to do a longer trip. Having both tires changed at the same time will give the bike a "fresh" feel and improve handling. Using two rears to a front results in poorer handling during the duration of the second tire and a less enjoyable ride. Replacing one tire at a time is less convenient and less satisfactory.

Final Thoughts

So you will replace motorcycle tires much more frequently than on a car or truck. If you ride 3,000 miles a year on a heavyweight bike, this could mean an easy $500 in tires every other year.

Think bikes are cheap? Think again!

---

References:

Dunlop Tire Tips

Wikipedia: Radial Tires

Two Weeks: Happy New Year

I find it hard to believe that two weeks have gone by. So much has happened, yet so much has stayed the same.


Riding in the cool.

My neighbor Doug and I took off about a week ago to do this ride north of San Antonio, stopping at Kendalia to chat and chill. Doug discovered that a good pair of winter gloves goes a long way. I carried a spare pair of Olympias which he used after his hands began to numb (after about 15 minutes). They are now on permanent loan. :)


The kindness of strangers.

I witnessed a single-vehicle accident on Evans Road where a truck nearly flipped after losing control. The lady driving it was okay but shaken up. Selma's first response team is probably three or four times faster than San Antonio's. Never underestimate the kindness of strangers or family. I remember the time my car spun out (thanks to an aggressive driver approaching me on an on-ramp). I ran up on the barrier, destroying both wheels on the right side. The driver did not stop to check on me. Nor did anyone else for that matter. It would have been nice since the temperature was dropping rapidly and I couldn't get the car started!

Misery can be the lack of company.

Christmas and New Year's was spent alone with my wife. It was good to be around her, but we really missed our family. Probably our least favorite holiday season together.

Holiday traffic.

The lows have consistently been in the low 30's, making for some "interesting" rides to work in the morning. It's nice that school is out for another week in our neighborhood; the lack of traffic makes the commute a lot less stressful.

Now I'm back to getting ready for yet another day. It's 30° and I'm ready to ride!