Tyre basics

- this isn't a 'i need a new tyre and didn't bother searching thread' - :P

I was just wondering about the terminology used. When people say they're (tyres) confidence inspiring is this in terms of how much easier people find them to ride with? or a case of they don't find the tyre slipping. i certainly don't find myself slipping in corners, otherwise i'd carry a spare pair of boxers with me!
But after 4500 miles - mainly motorway miles on the stock D220s i don't find the bike that comfortable when hanging off the bike, it just doesn't seem as planted, and needs alot of convincing to go over. My only thought is since all my miles are winter motorway miles, maybe i've just squared them off a fair bit.

A confidence inspiring tyre to me is one that gives plenty of feedback about the road. Suspension can help with this too (as I've recently proven by changing my suspension), as can pressures.

For me, it's all about knowing when the tyre will let go. If you can feel it just before it goes, you know not to push harder. If a slip catches you unaware, it's time to change trousers!

The lack of confidence you're feeling is probably due to squaring as well, but the D220's are pathetic compared to other rubber. When the tyre goes square, and you go from the square part to the rounded part (mid corner) it can feel a little lumpy, and the rear especially can squirm around a fair bit whilst it gets comfy at the lean angle.

Talking from a fair amount of experinece, my last rear was showing canvas by the time it got changed (please, change your tyre before this folks, I was idiotic & didn't keep checking!)

brilliant cheers. Did you turn the suspension up a notch? i'm thinking of doing the same when i find the 'safe place' i put the manual - oops!

Originally Posted by gettin2dizzy

brilliant cheers. Did you turn the suspension up a notch? i'm thinking of doing the same when i find the 'safe place' i put the manual - oops!

Pre-load front & rear up a notch. By that, rear shock adjustment is obvious, up a click. Front pre-load adjusters screwed in one full marker.

A word of warning though!

I'm going to be dropping mine down on the front (backing the screws out a little). It's way too hard in bumpy corners, it's increased the number of minor tankslappers I encounter, and the front is VERY easy to lift under heavy acelleration!

Treat with liberal doses of caution!

right- i'll do that this weekend and compare notes! back ends so wallowy at the moment, and the front i can almost bottom out on a dry day- its terrible!

[Sid Squid]

There's a problem with suspension terminology too - changing the preload doesn't make the suspension harder or softer, it simply and only changes the position in the suspension's travel that you are at under any given load.

Wallowing won't be affected by preload changes, that's a function of damping rates, which isn't a setting that can be changed on standard SV suspension, apart from in a crude way by changing the oil in the forks for that of a different weight, (thickness).

so is their any benefit in doing it? other than if carrying alot of luggage/pillion

As another example of why my suspension setup will be changing (not on the subject of tyres, sorry! ).

On the way home from work tonight, I was following a 4x4 (just so happens he was towing a trailer with a trike on it). Came up to a corner, I knew there was a long straight coming up next, so dropped a gear more than usual. I saw the exit was clear so indicated whilst mid bend & opened the throttle when it was safe to do so.

This was at the mid-top of 3rd gear, with a pretty agressive roll on (for a bend). The bars gave a little wiggle as the front was struggling to come off the floor (it didn't, but it was very light).

She didn't do this before I messed with pre-load. Careful how you ride after changing suspension matey!

wow! How much difference does it make with that sprocket? I've just notched the rear up to 5, definately gives more of a kick on acceleration! but no wheel lifting at all. Dunno if i'd change the sprockets though, look for 7th enough as it is. Does one mark on the front suspension translate to 1/6 of a clockwise turn on the screws on the top yoke?

Originally Posted by gettin2dizzy

wow! How much difference does it make with that sprocket? I've just notched the rear up to 5, definately gives more of a kick on acceleration! but no wheel lifting at all. Dunno if i'd change the sprockets though, look for 7th enough as it is. Does one mark on the front suspension translate to 1/6 of a clockwise turn on the screws on the top yoke?

The sprocket change didn't make that much of a difference at first, but it is noticable. I think the wheelies are more due to suspension (it's only started doing it since I played with pre-load). I think the front pre-load has more to do with this than the rear. I'm more to the top of the suspensions travel by default, so when the front lifts (even if the tyre doesn't come off the floor) there's less suspension travel left.

Look at the screws, on a stock setup, you'll be able to see 2 lines (and a 3rd will be in line with the yokes). That's the markings I mean, and one "notch" was about 3-4 complete turns clockwise IIRC.