OPEM Bridgestone Battlax Adventure - >5k miles. Plenty of tread left. Went to
a "skills day" at Mallory Park this week - fast group - 4 sessions in the dry,
brilliant, confident. 2 sessions in the wet followed and the rear slipped
several times (am sure it felt far more dramatic than it looked) and on
different parts of the circuit. Confidence took a hammering and my overall
performance declined sharply. A guy went sailing past me on a 1250 GSA -
chatted to him afterwards, he's on Continental Trail Attack 3 (or 2 - not
sure) - and he had no slips at all.

Any of you had similar experiences on Bridgestone and is the Conti TA3 the
solution? BTW haven't noticed any issues when riding in the wet on the roads.

(I did post a similar message on a 1250 GS facebook group but seeking other
perspectives).

cheers,
j

--
jeremy

jeremy <jeremy0505@gmail.com> wrote in
news:khfib0F8bstU1@mid.individual.net:

> OPEM Bridgestone Battlax Adventure - >5k miles. Plenty of tread left.
> Went to a "skills day" at Mallory Park this week - fast group - 4
> sessions in the dry, brilliant, confident. 2 sessions in the wet
> followed and the rear slipped several times (am sure it felt far more
> dramatic than it looked) and on different parts of the circuit.
> Confidence took a hammering and my overall performance declined
> sharply. A guy went sailing past me on a 1250 GSA - chatted to him
> afterwards, he's on Continental Trail Attack 3 (or 2 - not sure) - and
> he had no slips at all.
>
> Any of you had similar experiences on Bridgestone and is the Conti TA3
> the solution? BTW haven't noticed any issues when riding in the wet on
> the roads.
>
> (I did post a similar message on a 1250 GS facebook group but seeking
> other perspectives).
>

the Contis are the clit tyre to be seen with at Starbucks according to
UKGSer.

If you are only road riding, bin the pretence of off road tyres and get
proper sport touring ones like the Conti Road Attack (4 I think it the
latest), Michelin Road 6 or Metzeler Roadtec 01.

I used the original Road Attacks on my R1150GS and they were excellent.
Transformed the bike from the Metzeler Tourance that were the previous clit
tyre.

On 15/07/2023 13:38, jeremy wrote:
>
> Any of you had similar experiences on Bridgestone and is the Conti TA3 the
> solution? BTW haven't noticed any issues when riding in the wet on the roads.
I've got round black ones on mine. Can't remember what they are. The
rear was replaced when I bought the bike in November. The front hasn't
got much left; I'm assuming it's the original, as the bike's only done
~6500 miles.

As we're off to Czechia in a couple of weeks, I suspect I should
probably change it sooner rather than later. Probably put the same thing
on again, then another similar rear, then swap them both for something
different.

Never been particularly confident in the front, but a lot of that's
possibly just getting used to the different handling of the Telelever
front suspension gubbins. I think I'm happier with it now; maybe I've
just worn the front to a shape that suits me.

Tempted to go for the Conti TAs, as I'm keen to try some gentle
off-roading (more than just Kielder Forest Drive, which is all I've done
so far).

--
Eddie eddie@deguello.org

On 15/07/2023 17:03, Eddie wrote:
> On 15/07/2023 13:38, jeremy wrote:
>>
>> Any of you had similar experiences on Bridgestone and is the Conti TA3
>> the
>> solution? BTW haven't noticed any issues when riding in the wet on the
>> roads.
> I've got round black ones on mine. Can't remember what they are. The
> rear was replaced when I bought the bike in November. The front hasn't
> got much left; I'm assuming it's the original, as the bike's only done
> ~6500 miles.
>
> As we're off to Czechia in a couple of weeks, I suspect I should

I hope it hs cooled down by then.

--
Bruce Porter
"The internet is a huge and diverse community but mainly friendly"
http://ytc1.blogspot.co.uk/
There *is* an alternative! http://www.openoffice.org/

On 15/07/2023 18:21, YTC#1 wrote:

> On 15/07/2023 17:03, Eddie wrote:

>> As we're off to Czechia in a couple of weeks, I suspect I should
>
> I hope it hs cooled down by then.

We went to Prague 20+ years ago [1] in late August. We got off the plane
into one of those greenhouse tunnel plane exits, we shot through as it
was so hot in there, not realising that the outside temperature was 35
degree+, it wasnt just hot in the tunnel.
We walked round in the shade for the week, it wasnt too bad, and the
weather was not unusual for them.

[1] It wasnt too touristyfied then. We went back 3 years later, and
found it was tourist central, and was totally rammed everywhere in the
centre. Looking back, to the first time, we wished we had gone sooner,
and seen it in its Communist form, it was a delight seeing some of the
remains of commie life, and before it became a destination.

--
Remove the '+' and replace with 'plus' to reply by email

Eddie <eddie@deguello.org> wrote:

> As we're off to Czechia in a couple of weeks, I suspect I should

.... expect a DM on the bird site.

--
FJR1300A, GL1000, KLR650A6F, EX250J9A, DR200SE, Vespa Ciao

On 15 Jul 2023 at 13:50:00 BST, "wessie" <willnotwork@tesco.net> wrote:

> jeremy <jeremy0505@gmail.com> wrote in
> news:khfib0F8bstU1@mid.individual.net:
>
>> OPEM Bridgestone Battlax Adventure - >5k miles. Plenty of tread left.
>> Went to a "skills day" at Mallory Park this week - fast group - 4
>> sessions in the dry, brilliant, confident. 2 sessions in the wet
>> followed and the rear slipped several times (am sure it felt far more
>> dramatic than it looked) and on different parts of the circuit.
>> Confidence took a hammering and my overall performance declined
>> sharply. A guy went sailing past me on a 1250 GSA - chatted to him
>> afterwards, he's on Continental Trail Attack 3 (or 2 - not sure) - and
>> he had no slips at all.
>>
>> Any of you had similar experiences on Bridgestone and is the Conti TA3
>> the solution? BTW haven't noticed any issues when riding in the wet on
>> the roads.
>>
>> (I did post a similar message on a 1250 GS facebook group but seeking
>> other perspectives).
>>
>
> the Contis are the clit tyre to be seen with at Starbucks according to
> UKGSer.
>
Is that a positive or a negative...?

> If you are only road riding, bin the pretence of off road tyres and get
> proper sport touring ones like the Conti Road Attack (4 I think it the
> latest), Michelin Road 6 or Metzeler Roadtec 01.
>
Having seen the performance of the GSA in the wet on a track I'm confident
that the TA is a great "street tyre" (and you may well ask why, if I'm
confident, am I asking for recommendations here?).

--
jeremy

On 15 Jul 2023 at 17:03:02 BST, "Eddie" <eddie@deguello.org> wrote:

> On 15/07/2023 13:38, jeremy wrote:
>>
>> Any of you had similar experiences on Bridgestone and is the Conti TA3 the
>> solution? BTW haven't noticed any issues when riding in the wet on the roads.
> I've got round black ones on mine. Can't remember what they are. The
> rear was replaced when I bought the bike in November. The front hasn't
> got much left; I'm assuming it's the original, as the bike's only done
> ~6500 miles.
>
> As we're off to Czechia in a couple of weeks, I suspect I should
> probably change it sooner rather than later. Probably put the same thing
> on again, then another similar rear, then swap them both for something
> different.
>
> Never been particularly confident in the front, but a lot of that's
> possibly just getting used to the different handling of the Telelever
> front suspension gubbins. I think I'm happier with it now; maybe I've
> just worn the front to a shape that suits me.
>
> Tempted to go for the Conti TAs, as I'm keen to try some gentle
> off-roading (more than just Kielder Forest Drive, which is all I've done
> so far).

I wouldn't have previously been too bothered, simply assuming that all tyres
are "good" and all tyres "far better than me" until my experience in the wet
on track ...

--
jeremy

On 15/07/2023 18:21, YTC#1 wrote:
>
> On 15/07/2023 17:03, Eddie wrote:
>>
>> As we're off to Czechia in a couple of weeks, I suspect I should
>
> I hope it hs cooled down by then.

It'll likely be cold and pissing it down once we arrive, almost guaranteed.

--
Eddie eddie@deguello.org

On 17/07/2023 09:26, jeremy wrote:
>
> I wouldn't have previously been too bothered, simply assuming that all tyres
> are "good" and all tyres "far better than me" until my experience in the wet
> on track ...

I dunno ... I've certainly had tyres that I just didn't get on with,
despite other people being very happy with them. And others that just
felt right as soon as they were fitted. There's a lot of individual
preference involved.

--
Eddie eddie@deguello.org

Eddie wrote:
> YTC#1 wrote:
> > Eddie wrote:
> >> As we're off to Czechia in a couple of weeks, I suspect I should
> >
> > I hope it hs cooled down by then.
>
> It'll likely be cold and pissing it down once we arrive, almost guaranteed.

I'm looking at 10-day forecasts and wondering whether to bin off next week's leave completely. Four days riding in solid rain doesn't appeal, and I only have until tomorrow to cancel a hotel booking.

Fucking summer.

On 17/07/2023 10:44, ogden wrote:
> Eddie wrote:
>> YTC#1 wrote:
>>> Eddie wrote:
>>>> As we're off to Czechia in a couple of weeks, I suspect I should
>>>
>>> I hope it hs cooled down by then.
>>
>> It'll likely be cold and pissing it down once we arrive, almost guaranteed.
>
> I'm looking at 10-day forecasts and wondering whether to bin off next week's leave completely. Four days riding in solid rain doesn't appeal, and I only have until tomorrow to cancel a hotel booking.
>
> Fucking summer.

Ah! That's why I like summer...

--
Rusty Hinge
To err is human. To really foul things up requires a computer and the BOFH.

ogden wrote:

> Fucking summer.

I'm going on a camping trip Wurzburg/Salzburg/Linz from the 26th July -
in the car.

Unfortunately a car with a marginal cooling system and it has the retro
winding down type of aircon.

Should be fine - I've replace the windscreen wipers.

--
Simon

Eddie wrote:

> > I wouldn't have previously been too bothered, simply assuming that
> > all tyres are "good" and all tyres "far better than me" until my
> > experience in the wet on track ...
>
> I dunno ... I've certainly had tyres that I just didn't get on with,
> despite other people being very happy with them. And others that just
> felt right as soon as they were fitted. There's a lot of individual
> preference involved.

I tend to put tyres in the former category as in good and better than
me. There's very few I couldn't get on with - perhaps if the bike was
overloaded or the suspension not right it's been a problem.

When I have over ridden the tyres and fallen off (there have been a
couple of occasions) it's been mostly down to the tyres being ancient
and the compound had gone off.

If I were to say what things have changed the most (for the good) since
I started on bikes in 1985 it's been tyre technology and textile
clothing.

Very wet and very scared on brand name tyres and wearing brand name
bike gear in the late eighties is something I don't wish to repeat.

There is, however, quite a few things in that era I'd like to repeat...

--
Simon

jeremy wrote:

> Any of you had similar experiences on Bridgestone and is the Conti
> TA3 the solution? BTW haven't noticed any issues when riding in the
> wet on the roads.

[absolutely nothing to do with the specific question]
I have Pirelli Scorpion Rally on my Husqvarna - absolutely bonkers
tyre. Works well on loose roads, super grippy on tarmac, doesn't
wander or slip in the wet, doesn't whiteline and last for over 9,000
miles.

Admittedly the Husqvarna is only a 900 (!) and a lot lighter than a GS
(isn't everything) but I'm impressed.

--
Simon

On Tuesday, 18 July 2023 at 08:52:16 UTC+1, sweller wrote:
> ogden wrote:
>
> > Fucking summer.
>
> I'm going on a camping trip Wurzburg/Salzburg/Linz from the 26th July -
> in the car.
>
> Unfortunately a car with a marginal cooling system and it has the retro
> winding down type of aircon.
>
> Should be fine - I've replace the windscreen wipers.

Take a spare fan belt. Make sure it's not the old broken one.

Stephen Packer wrote:

> > Unfortunately a car with a marginal cooling system and it has the
> > retro winding down type of aircon.
> >
> > Should be fine - I've replace the windscreen wipers.
>
> Take a spare fan belt. Make sure it's not the old broken one.

Heh, yes I have a new one in the spares box (and this time I'll take
the spares box). The old BL one has been fitted. I'm not sure a 40+
year old fan belt is going to have a huge lifespan - although according
to my records I've never changed one on that car before.

Apparently the new repo ones are pretty poor - but that might be a case
of "modern life is rubbish" from the older "in my day" types [1]. I
also think £40 for a fan belt is a bit strong.

[1] which I fear we are rapidly joining. Whenever I do any training I
tend to refer to the BR era of working conditions as the "olden days".

--
Simon

On 18/07/2023 09:01, sweller wrote:
> jeremy wrote:
>
>> Any of you had similar experiences on Bridgestone and is the Conti
>> TA3 the solution? BTW haven't noticed any issues when riding in the
>> wet on the roads.
>
> [absolutely nothing to do with the specific question]
> I have Pirelli Scorpion Rally on my Husqvarna - absolutely bonkers
> tyre. Works well on loose roads, super grippy on tarmac, doesn't
> wander or slip in the wet, doesn't whiteline and last for over 9,000
> miles.
>
> Admittedly the Husqvarna is only a 900 (!) and a lot lighter than a GS
> (isn't everything) but I'm impressed.
>

The 401 is even lighter. My days of exploring wet grip on a track never
mind a public road are well past. 9000 miles might well "see me out" or
the Pirellis it came with will be old and hard by then.

By sheer luck, I had occasion to ride on a wet road for a few miles on
the Morini going to Shelsley the other day. The Metzeler ME22s on that
seem excellent. Of no interest to the assembled audience, however, as
they only come in indecently narrow fitments.

--
Moto Morini 2C/375
Gilera 175 Sport, Husqvarna 401 Svartpilen
Honda CB250RS (Not Waynetta!)
"Do not adjust your mind, there is a fault in the reality"

On Tuesday, 18 July 2023 at 08:52:16 UTC+1, sweller wrote:
> ogden wrote:
>
> > Fucking summer.
>
> I'm going on a camping trip Wurzburg/Salzburg/Linz from the 26th July -
> in the car.

You're going to have a lovely time. Take wellies and a big brolly with a thick, plastic handle.

I did consider switching to the van for the trip, but it's between hillclimb weekends so I'd have had to unload it only to reload it as soon as I got back. And it would have massively added to the cost. So I cancelled everything instead. Got a week off in August and two weeks off in September, so I'll get a (solo) trip in at some point.

> Unfortunately a car with a marginal cooling system and it has the retro
> winding down type of aircon.

None of which you're likely to need next week.

> Should be fine - I've replace the windscreen wipers.

Prep completed!

ogden wrote:

> > I'm going on a camping trip Wurzburg/Salzburg/Linz from the 26th
> > July - in the car.
>
> You're going to have a lovely time. Take wellies and a big brolly
> with a thick, plastic handle.

I hadn't even looked. It's nice now so why won't it be in a week sort
of approach.

What are the long range forecasts you've been looking at?

--
Simon

On 18/07/2023 09:33, Pete Fisher wrote:
> On 18/07/2023 09:01, sweller wrote:
>> jeremy wrote:
>>
>>> Any of you had similar experiences on Bridgestone and is the Conti
>>> TA3 the solution? BTW haven't noticed any issues when riding in the
>>> wet on the roads.
>>
>> [absolutely nothing to do with the specific question]
>> I have Pirelli Scorpion Rally on my Husqvarna - absolutely bonkers
>> tyre.  Works well on loose roads, super grippy on tarmac, doesn't
>> wander or slip in the wet, doesn't whiteline and last for over 9,000
>> miles.
>>
>> Admittedly the Husqvarna is only a 900 (!) and a lot lighter than a GS
>> (isn't everything) but I'm impressed.
>>
>
> The 401 is even lighter. My days of exploring wet grip on a track never
> mind a public road are well past. 9000 miles might well "see me out" or
> the Pirellis it came with will be old and hard by then.
>
> By sheer luck, I had occasion to ride on a wet road for a few miles on
> the Morini going to Shelsley the other day. The Metzeler ME22s on that
> seem excellent. Of no interest to the assembled audience, however,  as
> they only come in indecently narrow fitments.

I have two 401s, one I found on someone's dustbin bags ans (with his
blessing) took home. The other I paid £90 for a long time ago. Se4ems
they sell for a grand, these days.

Oh - you didn't mean *Garrard* 401...

--
Rusty Hinge
To err is human. To really foul things up requires a computer and the BOFH.

On 18/07/2023 08:58, sweller wrote:

>
> When I have over ridden the tyres and fallen off (there have been a
> couple of occasions) it's been mostly down to the tyres being ancient
> and the compound had gone off.
>

+1. Or very very cold (looking at you, Maxxis)

--
/Simon

On 18 Jul 2023 09:52:29 GMT, "sweller" <sweller@mztech.fsnet.co.uk>
wrote:

>ogden wrote:
>
>> > I'm going on a camping trip Wurzburg/Salzburg/Linz from the 26th
>> > July - in the car.
>>
>> You're going to have a lovely time. Take wellies and a big brolly
>> with a thick, plastic handle.

>I hadn't even looked. It's nice now so why won't it be in a week sort
>of approach.

That's the approach I use, too. I'm going to SW France for 5 days on
Thursday, and I had the opposite concern, having seen that much of
southern Europe is suffering from 40+deg heat at the mo. Fortunately,
SW France over this coming weekend looks to be in the pleasant 24~26
range, dry, with sunshine

>What are the long range forecasts you've been looking at?

meteofrance.com, but I doubt that'll be much use to you for Germany

--
Champ
neal at champ dot org dot uk

I don't know, but I been told
You never slow down, you never grow old

On 18 Jul 2023 07:58:24 GMT, "sweller" <sweller@mztech.fsnet.co.uk>
wrote:

>If I were to say what things have changed the most (for the good) since
>I started on bikes in 1985 it's been tyre technology and textile
>clothing.

+1 on tyres - just a different world

>Very wet and very scared on brand name tyres and wearing brand name
>bike gear in the late eighties is something I don't wish to repeat.

I was too young and stupid to be scared, but I probably should have
been. And I didn't ever really bother with proper wet weather gear -
I just bought thin fold-up plastic waterproofs to wear over my jeans
and leather jacket. I persevered with that well in this century.
I've got some decent (ok, average, I guess) textile gear now, but only
were the jacket if it's not summer, and hardly ever wear the trousers.

I've never really felt that motorcycling is something I should dress
up for.

>There is, however, quite a few things in that era I'd like to repeat...

+1 on this too
--
Champ
neal at champ dot org dot uk

I don't know, but I been told
You never slow down, you never grow old

On 18/07/2023 12:41, Champ wrote:
> On 18 Jul 2023 09:52:29 GMT, "sweller" <sweller@mztech.fsnet.co.uk>
> wrote:
>
>> ogden wrote:

>> What are the long range forecasts you've been looking at?
>
> meteofrance.com, but I doubt that'll be much use to you for Germany
>

Wasn't much use in France during May/June/July

It just says "there will be a chnce of storms, somewhere , sometime,
here" (with a big wavy hand a shrug)

--
Bruce Porter
"The internet is a huge and diverse community but mainly friendly"
http://ytc1.blogspot.co.uk/
There *is* an alternative! http://www.openoffice.org/