Selecting a sportbike or sport-touring motorcycle tire

I read with great interest an editorial in a recent issue of Sport Rider Magazine in which Kent Kunitsugu laments extreme tire bargain-hunting among sport bike riders (We're a Legion of Cheapskates, Sport Rider, March 2008) - including buying 'cheap' off-brand motorcycle tires and used race tires ("take-offs") for street use.

Expensive skins

While I understand the need to put quality rubber between me and the road, I can sympathize with the bargain-hunters. The last time I bought a set of quality skins (Metzeler ROADTEC MEZ6 front and rear) for my '98 CBR1100XX, I paid close to $400 for the pair, including mounting, balancing, California and local sales tax, and the obligatory California tire disposal fee penalty. If I ride as often as I can, I can expect the pair of tires to last about a season.

Weary of uneven wear

And, as is often the case for those who commute to work, or live a long way from the twisties, I ride long stretches of straight-up highway or secondary roads - that being the case, I can expect to throw away over 2/3 of the useful rubber on the tire - the center strip wears out much faster than the edges, and I end up feeling like I'm throwing good money away. I live where there are lots of mountain roads, so I do try to get out as often as possible and 'balance' my riding style, and put some wear out at the edges - sadly, I'm not always able to ride the desired 'back road' miles...

I just received a set of controls from CRG - Constructors Racing Group for evaluation. The levers are the black models and standard length. I will be installing and testing these on my CBR954RR as soon as possible.

CRG Brake Lever: CRG Brake lever for Honda CBR954RR

CRG Clutch Lever: CRG Clutch lever for Honda CBR954RR

I came across this site while searching for photos of front tire wear. I didn't find any photos I was interested in, but I did find some interesting BMW lore. Information on BMW wheel balancing, tire wear, what those 5 dimples on the BMW rims are for, etc.

According to the information on the site, the site owner, Duane Ausherman, started BMW of Marin in San Rafael, which he sold in 1975.

If you are a BMW enthusiast, check out these pages.

I was searching the web for "motorcycle bank angle detection" because, for a few years now, I've been thinking it must be possible to have your headlights aim into a turn when you lean into sharp turn on twisty mountain roads.

Seems I'm behind the curve (ahem) yet again.