Fat Girl is ready ...Let's see if I am.

[Smokinjoe-VRCCDS#0005]

Been looking forward to this ride and had my doubts I would get to go since I took the chainsaw to my knee. The Hillbilly Highway Ride lives on . We had a awesome group show up last night at the local Mexican restaurant in my hometown  . Folks from South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Illinois and The Great State Of Tennessee. I'm thinking around 14 / 15 bikes will be in Pikeville, Kentucky this evening. Not bad for a scouting ride .

The main ride ( Hillbilly Highway ) will be over the Memorial Weekend . As of now we have a SOLD OUT for that one at ground zero. Couple of other motels in the area if anyone wants to ride that weekend. Google Pikeville Kentucky motels and pick one I make no recommendations.

[trout dude]

Hey joe i wanted to make this but life got in the way again. Y'all have a great weekend and tell everyone hello for me and i will see you soon. Hope your Knee lets you Ride on my friend!!!

[Bigwolf]

 

Joe,
May the ride make you forget about the damage to your knee.  Wishing you and all those that get there to scout the Hillbilly ride a great time.

Bigwolf

[Savago]

The rider in the photo... is that you?

Might consider getting yourself some riding gear (e.g. gloves, jacket, pants, boots, etc). ATGATT.


See the difference of a fall while wearing proper gear X not being prepared:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_dF32JYCJPw

[Gavin_Sons]

The rider in the photo... is that you?

Might consider getting yourself some riding gear (e.g. gloves, jacket, pants, boots, etc). ATGATT.

  I'm pretty sure joe will tell you where you stick it. Feel free to wear that stuff yourself if it makes you feel better. Some do not like all of that, so you should probably just look out for yourself.

[..]

Been looking forward to this ride and had my doubts I would get to go since I took the chainsaw to my knee. The Hillbilly Highway Ride lives on . We had a awesome group show up last night at the local Mexican restaurant in my hometown  . Folks from South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Illinois and The Great State Of Tennessee. I'm thinking around 14 / 15 bikes will be in Pikeville, Kentucky this evening. Not bad for a scouting ride .

The main ride ( Hillbilly Highway ) will be over the Memorial Weekend . As of now we have a SOLD OUT for that one at ground zero. Couple of other motels in the area if anyone wants to ride that weekend. Google Pikeville Kentucky motels and pick one I make no recommendations.

Good photo showing good contact patch of car tire and front bike tire.

[Jersey mike]

go get 'em Joe, no retreat, no surrender. just swing that leg over the saddle and ride on.

it's good to hear you feel good enough to ride.

[LTD]

That is my all time favorite Valkyrie picture. It shows the machine and rider in perfect control perfection.

[RainMaker]

Hope you can put that knee into some kind of kelvar wrap so it's protected, just in case.  Wish I lived closer to the great state of Tennessee.

[DDT (12)]

Joe,

I really, really enjoyed hanging with you and the gang last night... It was hugely special to see you show up this morning at the meet-place, too, and then share lots of wind over some great roads all the way to Pikeville... I know you're not all-healed-up yet, but one sure couldn't tell it from my vantage point. Thanks for inviting me along...

DDT

[Reb]

The rider in the photo... is that you?

Might consider getting yourself some riding gear (e.g. gloves, jacket, pants, boots, etc). ATGATT.

  I'm pretty sure joe will tell you where you stick it. Feel free to wear that stuff yourself if it makes you feel better. Some do not like all of that, so you should probably just look out for yourself.

You beat me 2 it bahahahaha!

[northernvalk]

Been looking forward to this ride and had my doubts I would get to go since I took the chainsaw to my knee. The Hillbilly Highway Ride lives on . We had a awesome group show up last night at the local Mexican restaurant in my hometown  . Folks from South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Illinois and The Great State Of Tennessee. I'm thinking around 14 / 15 bikes will be in Pikeville, Kentucky this evening. Not bad for a scouting ride .

The main ride ( Hillbilly Highway ) will be over the Memorial Weekend . As of now we have a SOLD OUT for that one at ground zero. Couple of other motels in the area if anyone wants to ride that weekend. Google Pikeville Kentucky motels and pick one I make no recommendations.

Good photo showing contact patch of car tire and front bike tire.

Looking at that picture just convinced me to never run a car tire.

[fudgie]

Been looking forward to this ride and had my doubts I would get to go since I took the chainsaw to my knee. The Hillbilly Highway Ride lives on . We had a awesome group show up last night at the local Mexican restaurant in my hometown  . Folks from South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Illinois and The Great State Of Tennessee. I'm thinking around 14 / 15 bikes will be in Pikeville, Kentucky this evening. Not bad for a scouting ride .

The main ride ( Hillbilly Highway ) will be over the Memorial Weekend . As of now we have a SOLD OUT for that one at ground zero. Couple of other motels in the area if anyone wants to ride that weekend. Google Pikeville Kentucky motels and pick one I make no recommendations.

Good photo showing contact patch of car tire and front bike tire.

Looking at that picture just convinced me to never run a car tire.

Why cause he leaned all the way over? 

[Gavin_Sons]

Been looking forward to this ride and had my doubts I would get to go since I took the chainsaw to my knee. The Hillbilly Highway Ride lives on . We had a awesome group show up last night at the local Mexican restaurant in my hometown  . Folks from South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Illinois and The Great State Of Tennessee. I'm thinking around 14 / 15 bikes will be in Pikeville, Kentucky this evening. Not bad for a scouting ride .

The main ride ( Hillbilly Highway ) will be over the Memorial Weekend . As of now we have a SOLD OUT for that one at ground zero. Couple of other motels in the area if anyone wants to ride that weekend. Google Pikeville Kentucky motels and pick one I make no recommendations.

Good photo showing contact patch of car tire and front bike tire.

Looking at that picture just convinced me to never run a car tire.

Why cause he leaned all the way over? 

I think he is refering to the 4" contact patch on the rear tire. Just another car tire hater. I thought it was illegal in Canuck country anyway.

[Jess from VA]

If you look carefully, you'll see that even at max lean that car tire has the same amount of contact patch as the front bike tire.  Then, when it's down flat, it's 6 times the contact patch of a bike tire.

[northernvalk]

it's not the contact patch, although the larger rear tire should have a larger contact, it's the "cam" actions that concerns me. Transitioning from the flat to the lean cannot be the same as a round profile tire. there must be some fall over feeling and the tire, because of leverage, is always fighting to get back flat. We jave all gone from a worn bike tire to a new bike tire before. Just doing that makes the old bike tire feel square.  Ill.have to try out a bike witha car tire but I have a feeling that my sentiments will.match that of others one here that have tried and gone back.
As for legality, Ive heard they are hard to find a shop.to mount them, but lots of guys darkside up.here too.

[Rams]

it's not the contact patch, although the larger rear tire should have a larger contact, it's the "cam" actions that concerns me. Transitioning from the flat to the lean cannot be the same as a round profile tire. there must be some fall over feeling and the tire, because of leverage, is always fighting to get back flat. We jave all gone from a worn bike tire to a new bike tire before. Just doing that makes the old bike tire feel square.  Ill.have to try out a bike witha car tire but I have a feeling that my sentiments will.match that of others one here that have tried and gone back.
As for legality, Ive heard they are hard to find a shop.to mount them, but lots of guys darkside up.here too.

If you're going to do a comparison, give several different "car" tires a shot.   If you're going to InZane, there will be a large number of different versions available.   More than happy to let you give the Taxi tire a shot on my fat lady.   Look me up, I'll be the guy on a sexy black fat lady. 

[Skinhead]

The ATT is by far the most MC like Car tire I ever used.  I just got tired of it bottoming out on severe bumps.

[Gavin_Sons]

it's not the contact patch, although the larger rear tire should have a larger contact, it's the "cam" actions that concerns me. Transitioning from the flat to the lean cannot be the same as a round profile tire. there must be some fall over feeling and the tire, because of leverage, is always fighting to get back flat. We jave all gone from a worn bike tire to a new bike tire before. Just doing that makes the old bike tire feel square.  Ill.have to try out a bike witha car tire but I have a feeling that my sentiments will.match that of others one here that have tried and gone back.
As for legality, Ive heard they are hard to find a shop.to mount them, but lots of guys darkside up.here too.

I dont ever feel the flat spot when transitioning from a left corner to a right. I also run 34 psi. The edge of the tire squishes down so you really are not riding on the edge of the tire. I know for a fact my car tire has saved my bacon 3 times on loose gravel Iin corners. If it had been a bike tire I would have been down.

[Jess from VA]

it's not the contact patch, although the larger rear tire should have a larger contact, it's the "cam" actions that concerns me. Transitioning from the flat to the lean cannot be the same as a round profile tire. there must be some fall over feeling and the tire, because of leverage, is always fighting to get back flat. We jave all gone from a worn bike tire to a new bike tire before. Just doing that makes the old bike tire feel square.  Ill.have to try out a bike witha car tire but I have a feeling that my sentiments will.match that of others one here that have tried and gone back.
As for legality, Ive heard they are hard to find a shop.to mount them, but lots of guys darkside up.here too.

I don't ever feel the flat spot when transitioning from a left corner to a right. I also run 34 psi. The edge of the tire squishes down so you really are not riding on the edge of the tire. I know for a fact my car tire has saved my bacon 3 times on loose gravel in corners.  If it had been a bike tire I would have been down.

I will ditto this.  You want a good all season radial with normal (not stiff, high performance, or run flat) sidewalls.  They really don't ever get on the actual edge at full lean, and this is always a smooth, not noticeable action at all from the seat.  

In middle size leans/turns, the low side side wall flexes, and the tread stays flat on the ground.  Only at max lean does half to two thirds of the tread come off the ground, but then the forces of the flexed sidewall do not exert as much force to straighten the bike up as at a half lean.  And a plus is that when up on half to a third of the tread (never less than a bike tire contact patch, mostly still more), you are actually a bit taller in back (than with a bike tire), and that extra inch or so of height translates to a greater lean angle before dragging pegs (than with a bike tire).

If you are interested, there are about a dozen good Utubes where guys have put cameras under the bike, and you can watch the tire through all ranges of motion.  The tread (even on rounded edge car tires) does want to stand you up in turns, but the force on the handlebars to keep it in the turn smoothly is only a few lbs of pressure, and not fatiguing (and not a fight), just different from a rounded profile bike tire.

Guys who have never tried them can offer any opinion they want, but they have no opinion based on personal experience (which is the only experience that counts).  The proof of the pudding is really the fact that probably only one in twenty who try it (if that), don't like it enough to stick with it.  

And I will freely admit that my first experience was not a good one.  I went out on the uber busy DC beltway at high speeds (which is always more like Talladega than a normal highway).  My good lead dealer tech told me he put 40lbs in it, but it only had 29-30lbs in it, and it was my own fault for believing anyone but myself.  At 40 lbs, and with a few weekends of riding all over in all conditions, I was sold forever.  And my first one got 37K miles, and was not shot.  I've got two more on two bikes, and neither is close to being worn out.  In the mean time, I continue to cycle through multiple (bike tire) fronts which I'm lucky if they get 8K.    

[Mr Whiskey]

You want a good all season radial with normal (not stiff, high performance, or run flat) sidewalls.

Most of the guys on the Wing board won't run a "soft" sided CT, it's ROF or nothing. The majority of 'em consider it a safety feature (that's why they switched) & think those of us that don't use run flats are living too dangerously
I always find it amusing how they consider me a "test pilot" (destined to go down in flames!) because I'm running the widest, softest, non runflat tire I can fit ("but what if you have a sudden loss of pressure?") & have been doin' so for well over 150k miles now
Run flat works jus' fine though, lots of stories 'bout 'em makin' it home with 0 air pressure, ¯\_(ツ)_/¯. Me, I jus' like the undeniable grip a 300 utqg 205 gives (even if I do only get 8/10k miles out of 'em).

[Jess from VA]

Yes Whiskey, an argument can certainly be made for run flats.  Especially if you get a flat out in the middle of nowhere.  And have no repair kit and pump to get back on the road.  I have not had a flat on a bike since my 1970 BSA, on a long, grate surface bridge (which was more exciting in that tube tire than I ever want to have again) (the rear end surfed back and forth like a slalom skiing event for about 250 yards, and I could not pull off or stop).  I'm not a superstitious person, but I hate typing I've not had a flat since 1971.  

But the discussion was about getting the best all around performing car tire you can.  And that's not a run flat.  And I don't get flats, and I do carry a full kit of string plugs, glue, full size reamer and plugger and an air pump (which I will happily go to my grave without ever using.... just like insurance).  

And face it, a lot of the Wing crowd do not spend their days cranking and banking in the mountains (their wives won't let them).  

[Mr Whiskey]

And face it, a lot of the Wing crowd do not spend their days cranking and banking in the mountains (their wives won't let them). 

Yeah, I'm Blessed...
it's the only way Sugar likes to roll

[Jess from VA]

And face it, a lot of the Wing crowd do not spend their days cranking and banking in the mountains (their wives won't let them).  

Yeah, I'm Blessed...
it's the only way Sugar likes to roll

You are!!  My fun governor could be expected to begin sounding off and smacking the side of my helmet (with surprising force for a small person) even before it got really fun.

Think a 120lb Mike Tyson. 

[Smokinjoe-VRCCDS#0005]

You want a good all season radial with normal (not stiff, high performance, or run flat) sidewalls.

Most of the guys on the Wing board won't run a "soft" sided CT, it's ROF or nothing. The majority of 'em consider it a safety feature (that's why they switched) & think those of us that don't use run flats are living too dangerously
I always find it amusing how they consider me a "test pilot" (destined to go down in flames!) because I'm running the widest, softest, non runflat tire I can fit ("but what if you have a sudden loss of pressure?") & have been doin' so for well over 150k miles now
Run flat works jus' fine though, lots of stories 'bout 'em makin' it home with 0 air pressure, ¯\_(ツ)_/¯. Me, I jus' like the undeniable grip a 300 utqg 205 gives (even if I do only get 8/10k miles out of 'em).

I'm with The Whiskey Man on this I run nothing but Ultra High Performance Z rated directional thread pattern . I wouldn't put a run flat or taxi tire on my bike if they gave them to me with free mounting. To each his own run on your bike what you like .

[bill-jr]

ONLY CAR TIRE WORTH RUNNING . . . .

[northernvalk]

it's not the contact patch, although the larger rear tire should have a larger contact, it's the "cam" actions that concerns me. Transitioning from the flat to the lean cannot be the same as a round profile tire. there must be some fall over feeling and the tire, because of leverage, is always fighting to get back flat. We jave all gone from a worn bike tire to a new bike tire before. Just doing that makes the old bike tire feel square.  Ill.have to try out a bike witha car tire but I have a feeling that my sentiments will.match that of others one here that have tried and gone back.
As for legality, Ive heard they are hard to find a shop.to mount them, but lots of guys darkside up.here too.

I don't ever feel the flat spot when transitioning from a left corner to a right. I also run 34 psi. The edge of the tire squishes down so you really are not riding on the edge of the tire. I know for a fact my car tire has saved my bacon 3 times on loose gravel in corners.  If it had been a bike tire I would have been down.

The tread (even on rounded edge car tires) does want to stand you up in turns, but the force on the handlebars to keep it in the turn smoothly is only a few lbs of pressure, and not fatiguing (and not a fight), just different from a rounded profile bike tire.

It's good to hear that I am not crazy and that this is real.  Just by looking at the tire in action I could see this. 
One of my most favorite things in motorcycling is the feeling you get with a brand new bike tire. The almost magic feeling of the bike effortlessly staying at an lean angle you put it in.  I realize we aren't riding the most agile bikes in the world, but it's still a bike and as long as I am riding it, it's going to be leaned over as much and far as possible(sorry highway pegs..). If I were planning a long tour or trip, especially two up, I would consider putting one on, but until then, I will ride it like I do and keep a bike tire back there to keep me happy.

[Rams]

I will ride it like I do and keep a bike tire back there to keep me happy.

Precisely what you should be doing.     Some folks push the envelope and that's fine as long as they don't take anyone else out but, knowing one's own comfort zone is the best way to keep the fat lady and her rider(s) safe.   Nothing wrong with that.  

My last two trips on the Dragon's Tail were less than comforting.   Opposing traffic traveling way too fast had to use my lane to stay on the asphalt.   Gave me very few options to avoid a potentially very bad situation.    Needless to say, I was not very happy with them.

Rams

[Jess from VA]

Yes, Northern, do what you want to do.   

I was never trying to sell you on a car tire (at all), just trying to explain that riding on one is not evidence of a mental disease or defect. 

[northernvalk]

To be 100% honest, I really like the idea of a car tire. I love the wear and durability increases and if I was riding all year as my main transportation I would switch right away.
Right now, however, my bike is my escape and I cannot afford to run two bikes at this moment.  At some point, i will relegate the valk to touring duties only and have a "play" bike to push on. Until then, the valk will fill both roles and to do so with 100% confidence, I will keep a bike tire out back.

[northernvalk]

ONLY CAR TIRE WORTH RUNNING . . . .

??? When I searched that tire I got a directional and LS/RS specific tire...How do you choose a side to run? Are you kidding around with this post?

[old2soon]

Yes, Northern, do what you want to do.   

I was never trying to sell you on a car tire (at all), just trying to explain that riding on one is not evidence of a mental disease or defect. 

Iz ya certain we ain't got a mental defect?  Some folks have questioned my sanity just BECAUSE I still Choose to ride.  RIDE SAFE.

[Willow]

Guys, this thread was about Joe pulling himself up from injury and going for a ride.  It's been hijacked long enough and with enough ignorance.  Let's walk away unless we have some encouraging words for the Smokin' Joe.

[Pappy!]

Way to go, Joe!
Now....where were we on this car tire thread??  

[Mr Whiskey]

Glad that knee was up to scrubbin' off some UHP/Z directional
Smoke 'em if ya got 'em

[Bighead]

Attaboy Whiskey
Dont send Lawdawg out on none of them like you did me

[Rams]

Guys, this thread was about Joe pulling himself up from injury and going for a ride.  It's been hijacked long enough and with enough ignorance.  Let's walk away unless we have some encouraging words for the Smokin' Joe.

Carl,
I hope you know that I have a lot of respect for you and what you do.   But, it's pretty obvious that threads take on their own life and where they go or end up may not be anywhere near where the original poster started off at.

Having said that, may I presume you will be addressing other threads in the same manner?

I wish Joe nothing but the best in his recovery but, even he contributed to the tire discussion.....

Rams

[..]

Guys, this thread was about Joe pulling himself up from injury and going for a ride.  It's been hijacked long enough and with enough ignorance.  Let's walk away unless we have some encouraging words for the Smokin' Joe.

Carl,
I hope you know that I have a lot of respect for you and what you do.   But, it's pretty obvious that threads take on their own life and where they go or end up may not be anywhere near where the original poster started off at.

Having said that, may I presume you will be addressing other threads in the same manner.

I wish Joe nothing but the best in his recovery but, even he contributed to the tire discussion.....

Rams

And as if by magic I got a notification of this post!!! Having had no notifications for the past 2 or 3 weeks.

Dunno what you did Rams but keep it up  

[Rams]

Guys, this thread was about Joe pulling himself up from injury and going for a ride.  It's been hijacked long enough and with enough ignorance.  Let's walk away unless we have some encouraging words for the Smokin' Joe.

Carl,
I hope you know that I have a lot of respect for you and what you do.   But, it's pretty obvious that threads take on their own life and where they go or end up may not be anywhere near where the original poster started off at.

Having said that, may I presume you will be addressing other threads in the same manner.

I wish Joe nothing but the best in his recovery but, even he contributed to the tire discussion.....

Rams

And as if by magic I got a notification of this post!!! Having had no notifications for the past 2 or 3 weeks.

Dunno what you did Rams but keep it up  

As I told my wife, I'll try.........   

Rams

[..]

Guys, this thread was about Joe pulling himself up from injury and going for a ride.  It's been hijacked long enough and with enough ignorance.  Let's walk away unless we have some encouraging words for the Smokin' Joe.

Carl,
I hope you know that I have a lot of respect for you and what you do.   But, it's pretty obvious that threads take on their own life and where they go or end up may not be anywhere near where the original poster started off at.

Having said that, may I presume you will be addressing other threads in the same manner.

I wish Joe nothing but the best in his recovery but, even he contributed to the tire discussion.....

Rams

And as if by magic I got a notification of this post!!! Having had no notifications for the past 2 or 3 weeks.

Dunno what you did Rams but keep it up  

As I told my wife, I'll try.........  

Rams

And just like that I didn't get notification of the reply above. Grrrr.