VentureFar

You will lose lateral stability in heavy cross winds but that is the only negative I have found with the narrow front tire. The positive is you will now have "power steering". You went from a non assisted truck steering to non assisted vw steering. With the narrow front tire you now get the equivalent of power steering. That's my analogy. Tell me how close it is when you get that front tire. Enjoy the easy steering which also allows for easier tight uturns. My uturns went from whole two lanes to about 1.25 lanes or less. VentureFar...

OK here is the answer from Michelin about fitment of the MC 2 on the second Gen. The reason they don't recommend the MC2 on the back of the second Gen is because they do not have a stock front tire to match 150/80-16 Front - do not have. 150/90-15 Rear - have Michelin will not suggest fitment to a bike unless they have both the front and back stock sizes. NO OTHER REASON. So, when/if my Shinko wears out in 6500 miles ( unless it goes 8000+ ) I am going to buy an MC2 for the rear because I don't care as much as they do about same tread pattern front and rear. - I guess that is a topic for a whole other discussion - what do you think as this fitment issue that I raised is put to bed. I love getting answers from the source. VentureFar...

Friends. I am going to phone Michelin and ask personally and report back. VentureFar...

Djh3. Condor told me about this. I want one. What do I need to do besides give you a hug when we meet :-) ? VentureFar...

Thanks for the reply and staying with us. You have a great trip planned. Enjoy! VentureFar...

My two cents. I wanted to put MC2 on my RSV. I called my motorcycle tire only store yet I have been using for 10 years. I called to make sure they had the 2 in stock for my rear- just wanted to make a change from Metz. I was told he had first hand experience with mc2. An RSV customer had them mounted and they started cupping at about 3000 miles. The customer called Michelin and they advised him that the MC 2 was not rated for the RSV and to take it off immediately. In addition Michelin recommend the RSV owner mount the Shinto tourmaster. They did and about 3+ thousand miles. But the Shinto is expected to last about 6500 miles vrs the Metz 8500 I got on the 880 but it is $100 less cost. My 2 cents. VentureFar

To start with, I was right. Dirt bike experience. Everyone take note- practice in the dirt. It could save your life. Now about the lean angle. I didn't have a protractor with me when I rode a 2004 wing on skyline drive near half moon bay, Ca but I was very surprised to scrape left and right on every turn. I am not that aggressive a rider. Although I haven't take. My RSV on skyline I have ridden a lot of and I have only scraped a few times even before adding the leveling links. So I question the huge difference in lean angle described above. Guess I need to take my RSV to skyline. Only 360 miles away. Anyone ridden skyline on their RSV and aggressively ? VentureFar...

Speakerfritz - that's the point - Cowpuc loads his bike up like a pack mule and rides off road so he feels a trailer would crimp his style- even though he carries so much stuff on the rear end of the bike. Others on the forum are trying to convince him that a single wheel trailer would be better than OVER loading his bike. Cowpuc is a very experienced rider and is really good at sharing info on this forum. VentureFar...

Wow- you sure know how to start a discussion ( welcome to the forum) - If you are on a two wheel vehicle going over 10 mph and you want to make a right turn and you turn the bars to the right - you will go left. Sorry - that's physics. Read this to understand - http://biketrackdayshub.com/how-to-turn-a-motorcycle You only think you are turning the bars to the right to go right - you aren't -it is just second nature and you aren't thinking about it. If you are turning the bars right on on 2 wheel bike to go right over 10 mph - as many say - this thread isn't any good without pictures. VentureFar...

Keysyrider I know why you didn't actually crash - your avatar tells me you are a dirt rider. Only a dirt rider could have pulled that one out. I rented a 2004 wing for about 1100 miles and rode Skyline Drive near san francisco - I scraped on every turn and it was my 2nd day on the bike. I have put the leveling links on my 07 RSV and only scraped 2x since - the extra inch makes a big difference. I have to differ with you about the RSV not being worthy in a overspeed turn situation. I was going WAY too fast and feet up on i70 westbound about 15 miles West of Green River Utah when I came into the only "decreasing radius turn on a superhighway" I have ever come across. It decreases starting at the apex. I was running out of room but there was no shoulder- just K rail. I had to go off the gas ( a normal no no) and pull on the front brake ( another no no leaned over) while repositioning my feet to the floorboards to hit the rear brake. It was one of those slow motion times in life. I remember thinking that I am really leaned over far and wondering why I am NOT scraping at 85 mph in a climbing, tight right hander with a decreasing radius that I didn't see or expect ( fyi - 55 mph zone) - I credit the lean angle of the bike and my dirt biking experience with pulling me through that. I credit my laundry for the clean underwear I changed into. Glad you came out of that one ok but I disagree about wing - assuming leveling links on the RSV ( and quite possibly understeer from the weight in the back due to your trailer) Thank you for sharing - I know it is tough to admit to this group that a mistake was made, but you help all of us by sharing. And the rest of you stop bidding on the bike - that's just wrong. VentureFar...

I will let you know when I have some, grand kids that is. Both my daughter's are close to marrying great guys so I may have a couple of grand kids sooner rather than later, I hope! Glad you are enjoying yours Puc! and just so you don't feel un-needed when we all meet up in The Dalles how about you help me grease my swingarm....gramps?

Hey Puc. That bare skull colored helmet had me fooled at first .... Off roading gives a whole different perspective on the scenery. I sold my dual sport when I bought my RSV but even on a dirt bike I never considered riding two up on the dirt. I don't know how you walk with 'brass beach balls'..... VentureFar...

didn't your Mother tell you it isn't polite to stare! It is a pretty bike but I have a mistress already and yes my RSV knows about my 'wife'. VentureFar...

Timing is close but they are not traveling to a "schedule". We can all only hope. VentureFar...

I found this online to answer that question: ( I was curious too) This will be an event to break the Guinness World Record for longest line of continuously moving motorcycles. We are trying to get 5,000 bikes to smash the record. There will be a donation of $25 to support Northern Illinois Homeless Students. Everyone will need to stay a couple of hours while the record is verified and officially counted. We will have a free concert and lots of BBQ you can purchase for lunch. You will also be able to purchase from Guinness a certificate of participation in breaking the record to put in your man cave or hang in you local watering hole. When: Aug 30th, 2014 Where: Pecatonica, IL fairgrounds When: 10am sign in/ 11:30 ride

Everyone keep an eye and ear out for these great folks. I got the privilege of meeting Gray Ghost and his wonderful wife today in my garage as they needed a safe place to dismantle their Spider. Seriously "dismantle" just to change the oil. They are great people and you will be better for having met them on their 48 state journey. Here is a selfie just before they took off North from Southern California. http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v468/ihavethespirit/photo1_zps4b61f5aa.jpg VentureFar...

search this forum for Baggershield. I love mine and most do. Convertible 10 inch to 17". Get best of both worlds. They are an advertiser on this forum. Make sure to mention the forum for a 10% discount. VentureFar...

Remember if it gets too hot buy a 10 pound bag of ice and set it on your lap. Get one for Tippy to hug. Safe travels. VentureFar...

Maybe think about stepping up to Bluetooth. ? Sena smh10. Intercom and Bluetooth music from your smartphone. I paid $260 for two online. VentureFar...

Puc are you hitting Los Angeles before going north? If so, let's all connect. VentureFar...

Gray ghost I live 30 miles north of Santa Monica. I just saw this thread Friday night. Not sure where you are but I have a house and happy to help. I will phone you sat am. VentureFar...

I guess I am just a fatty. Didn't have any issues for 8500 miles on the metz880 at 50 pounds. Some had reported cupping and chunking. I had neither. I was religious about 50 pounds. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

So then it is correct that the 74 load rating of the mc2 for my use is too low. The installation of the Shinto tourmaster at $60 is half the price of the tire. I will report. It is rear only. Front is Metz 888 VentureFar...

I have mine in the rear so when the gremlins drop out of the bell they fall behind me. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk