Fitted NoCo lithium to the zed....lucky - took the old JMT out - looks like some of the cells had failed/swollen. It had a good innings so im not worried.
Dropped the Pikes Peak off to Tim at MotoVation Racing for it's Desmo service this morning. Counting my blessings yet again for having him on my proverbial doorstep. Still wont be cheap, quite a bit less than a franchised dealer though and I know he'll do a competent and thorough job. It's not just the Desmo check but all fluids (brake, clutch, oil), filters (oil and air), new plugs and a good check-over. The belts were done by Riders of Bridgwater last year when I bought the bike as part of the deal, I've asked Tim to have a look and make sure that they're OK all the same. Should have it back later this week all being good.
Discovered there is a specialist vehicle upholstery trimmer just up the road from me. Popped over and had an encouraging conversation with the owner about modifying my Scrambler Icon seat. He understood my coccyx (or lack of) issue and is happy to work with me on the bike to get the foam/gel balance/size and density before covering. Even got a choice of material. Oh yes, and he owns a 996 BP Andy
Full report on them please. My conclusion on the Dunlop TT’s is the rear doesn’t last long enough. Very good but 1 round trip to the Pyrenees and it was toast. The front seems to be lasting as long as 2 rears though but it’s the front that makes the difference in twisties and flip flops. That was on the Monster 1200s so a lot lighter bike than a Multi PP. At present, my honest conclusion is a Dunlop TT on the front and a Metzeler M7RR or M9RR on the rear. Ooh! Mixed tyre brands?
Still not quite gelling with the front end of the V4 Pikes Peak at pace. I was going to go back to the Roadtec 01SE but the Dunlop was a bit of an eye opener on the Scrambler so thought I’d give it a go. Time and 2000 miles in the Pyrenees will tell. Andy
Can I ask why you went with the GT's? I had this dilemma with my Multi 1200 and Dunlop recommend the SP's so when with them, the GT's seemed to me to be for heavier tourers. https://www.dunlop.eu/en_gb/motorcy...2ODUwMzIkbzEkZzEkdDE3NTI2ODUxMzQkajYwJGwwJGgw
I’d personally avoid mixing a soft carcass rear with a stiff carcass front tyre as the handling traits maybe a bit odd under tyre duress situations & my understanding standing of Metz tyres are they er towards softer carcass & TTs are not, happy to be corrected if needed.
Very interesting point about mixing carcass stiffness, hadn’t thought about that. I’m now wondering which was the stiffer carcass but thinking it through I think you’re correct the Dunlop is the stiffer carcass. I know I have to run the Dunlops at lower pressure because of the stiffness so you must be right. I’ve really enjoyed the Metzeler M7 and M9 for years but the Dunlop TT front is a better tyre on a more upright bike. The majority of my riding is dry so maybe the Dunlop Roadsmart 3’s next time.
The Dunlop GT's are the stiffer carcass for heavier bikes in comparison to the Dunlop SP's, a quick look on the their site gives recommendations for all bikes.
Set up the best I can get for my preferred riding style. The extra weight of the Pikes Peak doesn’t give me the same front end bite my 1200 did. I’ll see how the Dunlops go, if they work, great, if not, I need to decide if I can live with modifying my riding style or look for a different bike. Andy
The weight, the height and the overall size are the reasons I’m hovering around and not pulling the trigger on a V4. The PP is obviously the sportier version, which is good but the size concerns me. On my present DVT I’ve added lightness with a titanium Akrapovic full system and Marchesini wheels and it has more torque than a V4. Then again I’ve frequently toured on my Panigale 1199s, now that is small and light however riding that on Britain’s overcrowded potholed roads is becoming less and less appealing. I’m sure you know Ducati claim to have solved the front end issue with the 2025 version by adding more rake and some other tweaks. More expense. I’m very interested in your conclusions after the Pyrenees trip. The Dunlop Roadsmart TT’s were fantastic on the Pyrenees trip I’ve just done but then again it was on a lightly loaded Monster 1200s. They certainly wouldn’t last on a V4PP. I’ve just worked it out and the Monster is 32kg lighter than a 2025 Pikes Peak! Christ! No wonder there’s a difference. You could always start by disciplining yourself and laying out all your kit on a bed and cutting it in half. You don’t need it all…..and you know it!!!!!!!!!! I took 1 bag and wanted for nothing.
At 6’ 4”, 17 stone and UK size 12 feet, a pair of my shoes don’t fit in a Kriega US 10 and add a pair of my jeans and you are half filling a Kriega US 20. Carole is an awesome packer (years of experience of travelling with work) but even she needs a US 10 and a US 20 and she is tiny compared to me You skinny, lightweight, short arse gits never had it so good, you don’t know the half of it Andy
Thanks. Why not use panniers? That’s what they’re designed for but for Christ’s sake don’t get the ones that look like kettle drums. You know, those metal things that the GS boys love going down to the shops with.
