Great day to ride - NOT!

[gordonv]

Started out nice, meet up with Mike and George at the monthly breakfast. Left for a shack down ride up the Fraser Canyon to Lytton, and back, but only made it to Chilliwack!

I lost the air in the rear tire AGAIN! Talk about scary! 70 MPH and bring to an emergency stop without using the brakes and trying to control a speeding bike with the rear end flopping randomly from side to side and fish tailing. All with the spouse on the back, and holding onto the handle bars saying to myself, Oh crap, Oh crap!!

A few times I though the bike was going to lay right down. But I got it to a stop on the side of No. 1 Hwy, just before the Chilliwack exit.

It was a God Send that nothing happened. A flat tire. Some brown stains. That was all. Got Tess off the bike, and onto the grass off the road, incase anyone made my bike a target.

Flat tire, can't use the kick stand, rear too low. Which side to lay it down on? Why the side that didn't have the loose gravel, so I could pick it up again, as I would need to do that after the tow gets there, if I can get one.

Thank God for GWRRA Road Side Plus. Took a while, they said my membership had expired (good till 5/18, 3 years prepaid). Get the location and contact info, and now to find a provider. Back to me with an ETA of 45 min. Not bad for the first day of the 1st long weekend of the summer months, and it was a dry warm sunny day to. Usually it's raining the May long weekend.

Had it flat decked all the way back to Motorcycle World on King George. They figure a new set of tires will be here Wed, 1 day after the order goes in on Tuesday (Holeshot Honda didn't even want to touch it, over 10 years old). Calling from the McD down the road, no one had a tire in stock for the GL1500 anyways. So I choose the guys I dealt with 2 years ago and was like 1/2 hr drive from home, to make it easier to pick it up. About 50 miles/80 Km tow.

Not bad for an $80 USD annual family membership, covering 5 people. Giving me a membership in GWRRA/magazine, and the extra Roadside Plus package. 2nd time I've used it in 5 years. Both times, happy with the service.

Next ride, alone, to break those tires in. And it was really such a nice day for a ride too... 

In the end. Happy we both walked away without injury.

[Earl43P]

Whew, you dodged a bullet there brother, glad you got it it hauled downed to zero mph without mayhem.

I can't even imagine having my wife on the back with an incident like that. She'd never get back on again and that would break my heart (even with as little as she does ride, typically an hour or so each way, RTE or to the beach).

I think you got your money's worth with the GWRRA plan, which makes me think.....since I ride so many miles. My miles are mostly close to home (commuting 700 miles/week), but certainly not all.

[msb]

Wow Gord...must have been just after I passed you and George. Great job of bringing her under control on the freeway...glad you guys escaped unscathed.    Any idea what happened to the tire....pick something up in it, or just  let go?

[icandoitfaster]

Oh man.......I'm so glad to hear you're both OK!!!! Yikes! 
paul

[gordonv]

Thanks all for the thoughts.

Mike, not really much after. George turned off at Huntington for the Mission Bridge.

No notice. Passed a slow moving car, got back in the right lane left side, rear was a little wobbly, wondered if it was the road, moved into the right side of the lane, it continued, and I started slowing down to 60 mph.

Rear went worse, and I backed right off the throttle, no brake, no down crap, just held tight to the handle bars. I saw the van behind me back off, and I continued to slow. The slower I went, the worse it got till I was maybe fish tailing (felt like it to me, I wonder how much worse it was for the passenger further back?), onto the shoulder and rolled to a stop.

Sat there for a few minutes, scared shitless, knowing how bad it could have been for use both.

Paul, now that is the second rear tire deflate at speed I had, one on the ACE T and now on the Valk. Both without further incident.

Have a set of tires now on order. Going to match the front/back.

I'll get a report on the rear tire fault. Unsure what it might have been. I did have that flat I fixed, working fine, air held. Maybe there was another puncher, or one missed? Bead might not have been great, and the second passenger added weight wasn't liked very much. I'll not speculate further till I know for sure.

I hope to have the bike back by next weekend. Then I'm off to Desert Palms (Palms Springs) for a week. Will then get another chance on June 10 to go for a ride. Most likely being the second Sat, down to Seattle which I missed last week.

[icandoitfaster]

Gord,
Put 3D Cycle's number into your contacts. They're in Abbotsford and their two mechanics are top notch. It would have been a short tow to there given where your flat occurred. Were both flats CT or MT? 

[gordonv]

Put 3D Cycle's number into your contacts. They're in Abbotsford and their two mechanics are top notch.

I didn't even think about them, that would have been better than Holeshot. I would trust the more than Holeshot and the place I took the bike too.

Were both flats CT or MT? 

Both MT. I know on the ACE wore them down to the cord, but it was only one spot, the rest looked good enough to ride on still.


Tess is taking it all in stride, I've got to give it to her, no recrimination to me. I know it's my fault, it happened. Could I have done anything else, sure, but would I have? I check the pressure not too long ago.

Now wondering about a car run flat tire. But that mine I could still drive on a flat tire, and not know it. Something to look into.

[msb]

To me, it's only money (albeit a fair bit, to keep the Valkyrie properly shod in MC tires)....I always switch them out when they get down to or just past the wear bars, and I check pressure each time I take her out of the garage... both for safety reasons and the fact that this beast eats rear tires in particular, and fully inflated  tires wear better and last longer. I'm glad it all turned out OK for you Gord and it only cost you new tires. Not much beats the feel of spankin' new tires on smooth pavement, so that's a good way to get back riding after your adventure for sure
And.... to 3D. ...first time I used them just this month,  won't be the last

[icandoitfaster]

Today was an outstanding day for a ride. Rode my girl out to Hope for lunch on Hwy #7. What a great road......I never get tired of looking at those beautiful mountains, Lake Errock and the meandering Fraser River. It was amazing!!!

[msb]

Today was an outstanding day for a ride. Rode my girl out to Hope for lunch on Hwy #7. What a great road......I never get tired of looking at those beautiful mountains, Lake Errock and the meandering Fraser River. It was amazing!!!

Yup...that's my commute when I go into the office Next time turn up on Highlands Road just before the Woodside Inn on #7 and see if we're home
Went fishing up at Weaver Lake this AM, then came home and it was pretty warm to throw on jeans and boots for the bike, so we spent the afternoon at Green Point. Went for my first swim of the season, a refreshing but very bearable dip in the cool clean waters of Harrison Lake. Summer is HERE

[icandoitfaster]

Oh man, I didn't even know there was a road there.........I'm usually travelling about 110 kph there passing a crap load of cars!!!   
I'll have to slow down next time I'm passing, keep in the right lane and pull in to say hi. Sure did pick a beautiful area to move to.
paul 

[gordonv]

Just a follow up.

I picked the bike up Tues. Was told there where 2 more screws in the tire. I had already removed one earlier.

Had them swap out my rear wheel dampeners and shock bushings, with the Gary's neoprene (?) that I bought before he passed.

Now just need to get some miles on those new puppies!

Boy, does it feel strange on the front wheel. Maybe because a new tire is so round?

[icandoitfaster]

Have you checked the front tire too......might need changing also?

[gordonv]

Yup! It did, and it's done also. It wouldn't have survived the trip, maybe gotten me there only.

When are you leaving for your trip (school finished)?

[icandoitfaster]

Last day is June 30th. I'll hang around to see the July 1st fireworks from our deck here in White Rock and head out the next morning.
One week down the coast and over to Vegas to pick up our girls. Two weeks making the big loop up to Moab hitting all the National Parks and back to Vegas to drop the girls off for their flight home. One more week to get home riding up through Nevada and Idaho.
I can't wait. 28 days on the bike.

[StrikingViking]

Just reading through this thread.... WOW... I am so glad to hear no one was injured!

Disappointing to hear that Holeshot won't touch our bikes; it's not like they're antiquated or anything.

Having been in Abbotsford all my life I just noted last month that 3D have moved from the location they have been since I was a kid.  Noticed they'd closed doors months ago and thought they went out of business altogether.  Looks like they just ended their dealership status with Honda, but continue to operate as a good old fashioned motorcycle repair shop.  Very good to know as I will be needing tires at the end of this season.

[gordonv]

After of course, Mike and Paul mentioned that they both deal with 3D now. I didn't think about it at the time, it was more of the thought, glad not to have wiped out.

Which tires you thinking of?

[msb]

Nice guys at 3D,  both appreciative and knowledgeable of 1500 Valkyries and a good option for mechanical service ... I trust them  for work that I can't do. Pretty honest and reasonable as well... I had  new tires and rear end service done earlier this year while I was of town before our ride to Billings and they took photos of everything and sent them to me.... have  also  helped me over the phone when doing some work myself at home. 
Not the best place for parts though, with respect to cost. Purchase your tires and other major  parts elsewhere (2nd Gear in Coquitlam is great for tires)  to save $$... they'll still charge you same reasonable rate if you supply parts.

Holeshot hasn't been good since Service Manager Mike Rensbey  left years ago. No one there knows anything about Valks or 1500 Wings. All sport bikes and ATV service guys there.

[StrikingViking]

Nice guys at 3D,  both appreciative and knowledgeable of 1500 Valkyries and a good option for mechanical service ... I trust them  for work that I can't do. Pretty honest and reasonable as well...
Not the best place for parts though, with respect to cost. Purchase your tires and other major  parts elsewhere (2nd Gear in Coquitlam is great for tires)  to save $$... they'll still charge you same reasonable rate if you supply parts.

Glad to hear that they don't mind doing the work even if you supply the parts as I found their retail prices to be high when they were on Clearbrook Road.  How does 2nd Gear compare with online?

[StrikingViking]

Which tires you thinking of?

I don't know yet... haven't researched it.  I'm open to suggestions.  I'll be changing both front and rear and will be going with MC tires.  Much of my riding is two-up.  Also, I would rather have something that handles excellent and is predictable, over some super hard thing that will last the longest but compromise handling in the process.

I know... I don't ask a lot... lol.

[msb]

Which tires you thinking of?

I don't know yet... haven't researched it.  I'm open to suggestions.  I'll be changing both front and rear and will be going with MC tires.  Much of my riding is two-up.  Also, I would rather have something that handles excellent and is predictable, over some super hard thing that will last the longest but compromise handling in the process.

I know... I don't ask a lot... lol.

There is only one option for MC tires for the Valk as far as I am concerned....Avon Cobras. I've tried them all over the past 15 years and the Cobras are by far the best/longest wearing, with no  cupping or excessive flat spot appearing... which really makes them ride well as they near the end of their life. Good traction on wet roads and overall as well. Mostly 2 up on my Interstate... 45-46 lbs in the rear and 42 in the front.

I like to purchase through a dealer as opposed to online, as it's easier to go back for replacement or reimbursement if tires are faulty or don't come as ordered. 2nd Gear has been less expensive by up to 25% I've found over the past 6 years. You have to pay a small  annual member's fee of 25.00 or something like that, then you get their discounts on parts and also a special labour rate. They also are familiar with 1500's...I would be comfortable there as well except for the logistical  inconvenience of them  being where they are.

[gordonv]

I bought my MC tires from Motorcycle World in Surrey. They pretty much match online prices. Find what you want, price online, then go to either one and see how close they match.

I need to look my new Bridgestone tire over, which I put on before InZane/Valhalla Rallies, and have over 3K miles on already, to see how much it wore. Have an Excedra on the front, by recommendation of our fellow rider in Vernon.

Personally, I bought an Auston Taxi Tire already, have a spare rim I'm going to mount it on. Expect 30-50K miles out of it. I had it on my GW GL1500 and felt it as good as a MC tire. It is a larger diameter tire than OEM size, so you can either go 5mph fast and at the same rpm, or run the same mph you like, but about 2-300rpm slower, and get more MPG. You just need to remember you need to service every 10K miles.

[StrikingViking]

There is only one option for MC tires for the Valk as far as I am concerned....Avon Cobras. I've tried them all over the past 15 years and the Cobras are by far the best/longest wearing, with no  cupping or excessive flat spot appearing... which really makes them ride well as they near the end of their life. Good traction on wet roads and overall as well. Mostly 2 up on my Interstate... 45-46 lbs in the rear and 42 in the front.

I like to purchase through a dealer as opposed to online, as it's easier to go back for replacement or reimbursement if tires are faulty or don't come as ordered. 2nd Gear has been less expensive by up to 25% I've found over the past 6 years. You have to pay a small  annual member's fee of 25.00 or something like that, then you get their discounts on parts and also a special labour rate. They also are familiar with 1500's...I would be comfortable there as well except for the logistical  inconvenience of them  being where they are.
[/quote]

Good point, re faulty/replacement.  And thanks for the recommendation.  Ya, Agassiz is a bit of a distance.  I'm in Abbotsford (basically Aldergrove) so it's only 30 minutes away... or 45 if I take the Pattullo to avoid the Port Mann toll

[StrikingViking]

Personally, I bought an Auston Taxi Tire already, have a spare rim I'm going to mount it on. Expect 30-50K miles out of it. I had it on my GW GL1500 and felt it as good as a MC tire. It is a larger diameter tire than OEM size, so you can either go 5mph fast and at the same rpm, or run the same mph you like, but about 2-300rpm slower, and get more MPG. You just need to remember you need to service every 10K miles.

I've read about the Auston's having stronger sidewalls.  How did you find it for cornering on your GL1500, compared to a MC tire?  I think I would feel sketchy, imagining the square corner and skinnier contact patch in the corners... but maybe that's my imagination.

[murraypeart (bandit)]

Personally, I bought an Auston Taxi Tire already, have a spare rim I'm going to mount it on. Expect 30-50K miles out of it. I had it on my GW GL1500 and felt it as good as a MC tire. It is a larger diameter tire than OEM size, so you can either go 5mph fast and at the same rpm, or run the same mph you like, but about 2-300rpm slower, and get more MPG. You just need to remember you need to service every 10K miles.

gordonv  - Where did you buy the Auston?

[gordonv]

I placed the Austone on my GW. Before putting all the plastic back on, I took it for a short try out in the neighbourhood, and felt the tire was the same as the just removed MC tire.

The one I have now, I bought used, shipped to Blaine. Prior, I bought a new one from Universal Tires online, get free shipping on their many sales, and also had it shipped to Blaine. $152 USD.

https://www.universaltire.com/175r16-austone-taxi-black.html#

The edges are round enough that it did not fight with me at all while cornering, slow or fast.

My prior IS had a very flat CT on it, and I did not like it at all. But 2 weeks later riding it, I didn't even concisely know it was there, I just rode the bike. It was different.