Messages

Hi Lord Rusty -- Amazingly we had really unseasonally warm weather in Spain at the end of Feb. It mad for some great riding time. But unfortuantely it's raining now and it should continue until next week. At least it's still 13 degrees !!!

I was in Gibraltar on Monday with my summer gloves on !!!

And my vibration has never come back since the engine mounting bolts were torqued up.

Good luck after you have finished the running-in !!

Sahagun

I had exactly similar problems with my bike "dropping" into the corners when I had 021's on. Scary.

I followed the tyre advice here on the Forum and fitted Michelin Road Pilot 2's. They are fantastic and really inspire so much confidence while cornering. It is like a totally different bike. I now take the same corners faster, and still legally, and just hang on and enjoy the ride !!

Please note though I live in the south of Spain - so my tyres are usually warm and dry.

Hi there. I've been away from the Forum for a while. Glad to hear you replaced the front tyre.

To add my bit - I had exactly similar problems with my bike "dropping" into the corners when I had 021's on. Scary.

I followed the tyre advice here on the Forum and fitted Michelin Road Pilot 2's. They are fantastic and really inspire so much confidence while cornering. It is like a totally different bike. I now take the same corners faster, and still legally, and just hang on and enjoy the ride !!

As stated before - never skimp on the rubber - that's all that keeps us from a whole other world !!!

I now have the Michelin PR2's fitted - and Norman you are right - it does feel like a new bike. Gone is the tendency for the bike to "fall into the corners" (especially slow corners like roundabouts)

On all corners now, the bike now stays beautifully on line and keeps the same lean angle all the way round the corner.

Great tyres - and thank you for your recommendation!!

I haven't had a chance to try them in the wet. It doesn't get wet too often in the south of Spain!!

Norman - Please can you explain what you mean by "turn in"?

Thanks

I hope it's not going to be green !!!

An outside temperature sensor would be useful on the display panel.

I did suggest "Auto Hold" brakes to Kawasaki last year. They already have these on the BMW X5 car. For those who are unfamiliar with this - when you stop with the "Auto Hold" activated the brakes stay on, even without holding your foot on the brake pedal. The brakes release the instant that the accelerator increase is detected. This I think would be a great safety feature for heavier bikes and totally avoid the need for any hill starts and holding the bike on the brakes when stopped at lights, passengers getting on / off, etc. This "Auto Hold" in the X5 can be activated or deactivated with a switch as required.

Just ideas.

Alan

Calsci make a screen with one pressure equalising vent and MRA with two equalising vents. Has anyone tried both of these screens?  What is better? One vent or two? 

OK - so colour aside for a minute........(we could always respray if we have to)


What are the latest and greatest technological advances and safety features Kawa have added?

Any ideas?

I was able to take the bike today for a much longer ride on both highways and two way roads with twisties - and the vibration (actually a very high frequency buzzing) has all but disappeared and makes the ride so much more comfortable and enjoyable.

It seems that the cause was the engine mounting bolts being wrongly torqued.

Great news for me !!!! Looking forward to putting on new tyres now !!

Alan

So when your panniers are full of waterproofs, clothes, shoes, beer, wine, bread, cheese, etc...............how do you put the pins in and take them out?

Still not a bad idea though!!

Alan

thanks Norman,

I live in the very south of Spain and it doesn't really get cold here like the UK in January !!

So I'll try the PR2's this time.

Thanks,

Alan

I have the 021 Bridgestone original - but please see the PR2's thread.

Thanks

alan

Hello Rawman,

Obviously you are a big fan of the PR2's.

I am about to replace my tyres and currently have the original 021 Bridgestones. they feel really 'skittish" in the wet on road paint, arrows, etc and they don't inspire lots of confidence.

And for me confidence is what it's all about. Safety is paramount.

I don't wear out my pegs at anything like the same rate you do with your tyres but the PR2's must surely be excellent.

I noted Norman Bates has used PR2's but is considering Pirelli Angels............

So from the confidence and safety perpective......what would be your recommendations?

Just to be clear - getting the best mileage is not a priority for me. I'd rather "stick onto the road in both the dry and wet"

Thanks

Alan

Hello Norman & Lonewolf,

I have just got the bike back from the mechanics - AND IT'S 100 TIMES BETTER !!!!

They re-torqued all of the engine mounting bolts which were about 3/4 of a turn too loose. Plus some other stuff - but the engine mounting bolts seemed to be the biggest culprit.

They also noted a slight uneven wearing of the front tyre, (8,500kms on it) and they adjusted the front suspension and damping back to the "standard" positions (5 clicks and 14mm)

The final result is that the annoying vibration has gone at pretty much all speeds - except those well in excess of legal speeds............but by then vibration is the last thing on my mind!!!

I have a 200km trip to make tomorrow......so I will give a better analysis afterwards.

Thanks to you all for your input and help.

Alan

But this vibration feels like a very high frequency buzzing, that can be felt all over the bike.

Hope they find something today!!

Alan