Scuffed in a new front tire

[Mike Ramos]

Hello everyone,

Okay, at the risk of the tire air pressure discussion turning into another Oil Thread debate, allow me to state my observation(s).  I have had the Fork Valves from RPM for many a mile - towards the end of last year I installed the rear shock as well, currently with just over twenty two thousand miles on it - they are an excellent combination.

As always it took convincing, however after increasing the tire pressure as suggested by RPM tire wear was increased by a noticeable margin.  What I actually run is 42 psi rear and 40 psi front. 

For over the road journey's the suspension is hard to beat; likewise with back country riding. 

I live in the mountains so (for those who are anathema to straight roads) it is excellent riding both coming and going.  For over the road aficionados once I descend into the valley or climb into the high mountains and deserts, the ride remains exceptionally comfortable.

To illustrate: the ride to the ECFR: last month I left California on a most pleasant Sunday evening and initially taking secondary roads & highways, headed east on Highway 44 and picked up the old Highway 50, eventually heading north and into the great Yellowstone Park the next afternoon.

Then there was an enjoyable spirited ride from the Yellowstone east into Cody and south into Casper.  From Casper into Omaha and then on mainly Interstates south to Kansas City and east to St. Louis, and finally from there into Tellico Plains.

While in Tellico, there was the opportunity to ride the "Tail of the Dragon" and visit Deal's Gap.  Later that day the Cheolola Skyway was traveled as well.  After I left the ECFR I traveled the Interstate back to California.

The tires utilized on the ride to the ECFR and still on the motorcycle are the Pilot Power 3's.  These should not be confused with the Pilot ROAD 3's which are an excellent rain tire and which are installed during the winter (rainy) season.

The Pilot Power 3's are a soft compound tire and normally would have been worn and ready for replacement; however in this instance there remains a lot of life in them. The ECFR journey was 6,200 miles round trip and I have another 800 miles since then.  Many different types of road conditions were encountered, all of which were taken in stride. 

No doubt there will be debate over whether it is the suspension or the tire pressures or both that lead to increased tire life.  Above is my experience and it is unlikely I will comment further.

In closing: tire life as it applies to my situation is demonstrably increased. Normally I go through three sets of tires per year; so perhaps there is merit to my comments.

Ride safe,

Mike Ramos.

[ribbert]

Okay, at the risk of the tire air pressure discussion turning into another Oil Thread debate

You're right, I've been biting my lip all day.
Hopefully after a good nights rest the urge to post will have passed.

[ribbert]

.... how could you ever justify using the motorcycles "manufactures" suggested settings. Today's tire were not around when the bike was made, so why would you use the Yamaha's recommend setting, did they design or test the bike with the tires you use today?

Randy -RPM

I have no idea. Ask Michelin. It's a direct quote from their current tyre blurb.

[baldy3853]

Mark
Your a fat bastard you need to be running at least 38 in the front and 44/45 in the rear!!! I run 40Front and 45 rear just do it!!!

[Pat Conlon]

45psi on a tire with 42psi sidewall markings, yea sure, why the hell not? 

[baldy3853]

45psi on a tire with 42psi sidewall markings, yea sure, why the hell not? 

Same as servicing carbies in of the middle of the desert yeah hell, why not!!

Have run my tyres with that pressure in them for the last 13yrs with absolutely NO trouble!!!!

[Flynt]

air up those tires

Randy - RPM

+1 from the Dunlop NorCal rep I met the other day...  she (very cute young lady btw) told me to run my Q2/Q3s and Roadsmarts  at sidewall pressure to get best wear and traction.  I've been in the 34f/36r camp for several sets and they wear very evenly, but quickly (rear gives me ~3K miles each for 3 tires straight).  The front appears about 75% gone at the same point.

I'm putting on another set within the next couple of weeks and will go with the higher pressure for comparison.

Frank

[Mike Ramos]

air up those tires

Randy - RPM

+1 from the Dunlop NorCal rep I met the other day...  she (very cute young lady btw) told me to run my Q2/Q3s and Roadsmarts  at sidewall pressure to get best wear and traction.  I've been in the 34f/36r camp for several sets and they wear very evenly, but quickly (rear gives me ~3K miles each for 3 tires straight).  The front appears about 75% gone at the same point.

I'm putting on another set within the next couple of weeks and will go with the higher pressure for comparison.

Frank

Yep.... AND TRACTION....

Boy, I am sure glad it was not the Wizard I worked on yesterday...

Midget Mike.

[Pat Conlon]

You're making me nervous Mike......

[racerrad8]

I have no idea. Ask Michelin. It's a direct quote from their current tyre blurb.

I do not have or need to ask Michelin, or another tire manufacture for that matter, as I am the manufacture of the RPM fork valves and rear shock. Thus as the manufacture of those suspension components specifically designed for the FJ1100/1200, I recommend running the maximum tire pressure rated on the sidewall of the tire of your choice. That way you get all of the benefits of the tire and not compromise the performance, tread life or fuel mileage.

There is no question, I am making a direct quote and not a blurb.

It now appears Frank has spoken to a Dunlop tire rep and they have the same recommendation; another direct comment.

+1 from the Dunlop NorCal rep I met the other day...  she (very cute young lady btw) told me to run my Q2/Q3s and Roadsmarts  at sidewall pressure to get best wear and traction.

Frank

You're right, I've been biting my lip all day.
Hopefully after a good nights rest the urge to post will have passed.

Noel, I am not sure why you have to bite your lip all day and why it is you have to disagree with many of my technical postings. You are a customer of mine and a man who is confident in his ability as a trained mechanic and willingness to share your observations and experiences. I replied to this thread based on the picture Mark posted and what I see in my  experience as the manufacture of the components used.

I have hundreds of thousands of miles racing cars and the goal of a race car is to go around the track as fast as possible. That means horsepower for the straight line and cornering grip for the corners. That all happens due to the tire contact patch, the only thing connecting the machine to the surface it is riding on.

It has long been known that tires react to changes in the slightest air pressure change drastically. I have learned over the 30+ years of building, racing, setting up and driving race cars how tires work. I attended a chassis school several years ago and BF Goodrich was there and they put on a day and half of tire education and how tires are affect by air pressures.

I then have taken this skill, experience and knowledge to apply to the FJ1100/1200 suspension and brought the bike out of the 80's & 90's to be comparable to many current bikes of today. This has been done working with people who are smarter than I am when it comes to shock & fork valving design, but between them and I the results have been beyond my greatest expectations and those who have purchased these components are telling me the same thing.

Now, I offer Mark the advice as he, just like you is a customer of mine. I know what Mark has in the front forks of his bike and I can tell him with 100% confidence, experience and knowledge that the tire is not inflated enough. If you had the same components and posted the same wear characteristics, I would have told you the same thing.

But instead, just like the double clutch spring, engine oil level, the reserve function of the 86-88 petcock, etc. you choose to argue, contradict and give your observations while the majority of the time you take the position you are right no matter. Based on your comments, from your view point you are correct.

But how can you comment about something, such as this thread due to the fact you do not own, use or have used the RPM suspension components due to the fact you have no experience, knowledge or technical information about what Mark is using.

If you have something that you can bring to this thread of a technical manner that you can provide based on education, knowledge or experience with the specific components used in Mark's bike please, pass that information along. Just like I said was back in the reserve thread, bring the technical proof, not...

...Michelin recommend the bike manufacturers pressures.

Because Mark's bike has been modified and what was recommended acceptable for the stock FJ is no longer applicable.

So here is Mark's tire with the improper air pressure:


Here is Mike's tires front & rear running the proper pressures:



Now, if Mark would have been running a different fork valve, or fork design I would have never commented about the wear, but since he is using RPM components and I know how they are designed to work, I passed along the manufactures recommendation; after all I am the manufacture.

I know I never commented on Alan's worn out tire when he posted his picture because I seem to recall he has another fork valve brand in his forks and I have no experience (other than removing them) and only minimal knowledge of the product, so anything I would recommend about what he should do in the case with be pure speculation and not knowledge or experience and that is not what I am here for.

I provide guidance & recommendations based on my experience, knowledge, training and skill on everything I comment about. I know there had never been a post on this or any other forum from me about ABS brakes as I have zero experience with them. I posted to you and everyone else in the reserve argument, that I cannot answer if the reserve has a dual function because I do not have the skill or knowledge to know how to dissect the CDI and know if it works the ignition cycle. But your are convinced based on your observations, but you still have not provided the technical information to support it nor do you fell you ever need to.

Am I ever wrong, sure I am wrong all the time, just like everyone else. But, right now, based on my knowledge, experience and skill there are 5 FJ's in my shop to be worked on, not counting my personal bikes. The racing season has ended as well and the engines are starting to come in the door too.

If you want to debate/disagree/argue with me then all I ask is that you bring the technical & visual support with your comments. If I am wrong on something and there is written and visual proof then, I have learned more that I can put into my knowledge base.

You do not have any issue posting pictures of how you align your wheels, knock your fuel bowls, weld your frame, pinch off your fuel line, and on & on & on

But on the technical stuff...

...I didn't make any claims, I simply posted my observations. There is nothing for me to prove.

You want proof? you'll have to look elsewhere. It's a bit sad If you are only prepared to believe what I say if it is corroborated by video. After all, we are only talking about a test light going on and off.
I've never seen a demand for information you have posted to be verified in such a manner.

Noel

Without some sort of proof, which I have now said several times, I am unable to provide on certain topics it really is just your word against mine or anyone else for that matter. Then that is what destroys forums, the arguing back & forth over who is right or wrong.

I will continue to offer recommendations based on my experience, knowledge and skill and if anyone needs me to post anything for proof, I will gladly do that as it supports my position. This forum has provided my the opportunity to help a lot of people around the world both with the written word and by offering the components that keep the FJ on the road as well as make it a better performing bike. That does not mean I am right on everything; no, but I have established through many forums of credibility of my word being solid advice & recommendations. I do read all other input from others and look at the problem from their point of view to see if there is something I am missing and possibly can learn from for the future.

It has even been brought up by you a couple of times.

So that's it?  Randy declares the topic closed with an open verdict and everyone just drops it?

What amuses me is, a week of campaigning from me with you fighting me right up to the last, then one call with Randy and suddenly that's exactly what's happening.

Man, I've REALLY got to work on my credibility, or start using deodorant, or.........

Noel

Maybe it is your deodorant...



Randy - RPM

[CanDman]

   gary glitter - im right your wrong i win





PS......ANYONE HAVE ANY SUGGESTIONS ON WHAT SYNTHETIC OIL WOULD WORK FOR CAND?   

[ribbert]

Noel, I am not sure why you have to bite your lip all day

Can't win!

Randy, is was a light hearted acknowledgement to what Mike said, about its potential to become another "oil" thread, and my intention not to participate or encourage it.
You are reading things into it that simply weren't there.

BTW, it's never about who's right or wrong but what, and, it's never personal.

It's a shame that having different views is seen as argumentative. Much of what I know is from being corrected or having long held views challenged. Everything I learned first time round wasn't necessarily right and technology is an ongoing process.

Yes, arguing for the sake of it is a destructive force on the forum but the sharing of information, new ideas, debate and having a laugh (sometimes at yourself) are it's lifeblood.

Noel

[FJmonkey]

I have been away from the keyboard for a few.... Wow!!!! When I ran on the Avon radials I kept the pressure towards the recommended side wall posted pressures. I still had this issue. I don't ride like Mike, I don't put a blend of slab with twisties on my tires. The Crest is 2 miles from my driveway and when I need a quick fix when I "Jonesing" I make the 60 mile round trip to Newcomb's Ranch and back. Other rides go longer but I really spend more time leaned over than upright...

I will run my new front at 38psi and my nearly new rear at 40psi  and report back like Frank offered. And if Baldy thinks I am a fat bastard, he can make the next WCR and tell me in person. I am guessing I will be a few pounds lighter than he was during his last visit. But he has more to loose so I might be wrong on that side of things. Growing old as disgracefully as I can. I feel the love Doug...

[baldy3853]

Mark
lol way things are going may not make next years rally, with Randy coming here for ours may not have the leave up my sleeve to do it justice, which would be disappointing, oh and by the way you better get on the tread mill I'm down 8lb under the 100kgs 
Baldy

[FJmonkey]

Mark
lol way things are going may not make next years rally, with Randy coming here for ours may not have the leave up my sleeve to do it justice, which would be disappointing, oh and by the way you better get on the tread mill I'm down 8lb under the 100kgs 
Baldy

Fair enough, perhaps I can jump the pond and join me mates for a good rousing round of "Waltzing Matilda" while having some good XXXX or other beer on tap.