Mike G in SC

Like dodging flying bowling balls! Had one weekend before last launch right in front of me. I ducked. Swear I felt his toe nails on my helmet.

Have put a set on my last 4 bikes. They also make the same with half length standoffs.

I just got 20K miles out of my Michelin Commander II rear. Still had 4/32" left (could have gone about 2k more). 12/32" is new, 2/32" is fail. Replaced it cause I was on a trip, pulling a trailer. It wore even, no noticeable flat patch (at 40-42 PSI). Perhaps some cupping you could barely feel in sweeping turns near end of life, but okay. I like Avons too but get more like 13-15K miles on rear. So, now I have Michelin Commander II rear and Dunlop E3 on front of both RSV and RSTD. Wish Michelin made the stock front. I have tried the small front and don't care for it. Tread on Michelin II, Avon Venom and Dunlop E3 are similar. I don't mind mixing brand with 2 wheels of similar tread and make. Have seen the Metz 880 fail on big bikes (RSV & Valkery). Was okay for my Road Star. I did recently have a younger TN rider (maybe harder rider) say he didn't like the Commander II. Said it broke loose for him. I have not had that happen. Else everyone seems happy. Mike G

I have a Slime Sport Pump in both bikes and I have given at least 10 as Christmas gifts and door prizes. Never heard of one going bad. But like others, I max out rear at about 42. Sure would not use it for RSV or RSTD fork pressure. 17 lbs is above max too. (or is that normal for First Gen?) This one. Usually find at O'Rileys on the shelf, about $30. http://www.gadgetjq.com/slime_box.jpg

Can't reach Jerry now, but per his Facebook, he is back on the road. Will update when I hear from him. And Squidley, thanks for the call too (I'm home in SC, he's in CO). Mike G. Got a text,, said master & slave (repaired or replaced?). Not disks (so not Amsoil). Also did not get the Victory CCT they were enticing him with! Or if he did he forgot to mention it. He's crossing the Rockies right now, Estes Park to Grand Lake.

Interested,,, hell yes. Make it,,, nope! Wish I coulda/shoulda/woulda. Mike G.

Got a buddy, Jerry M (also a VR member) stuck on the road at Ft. Collins, CO at a dealer. His 06 (70 k miles) RSV clutch won’t shift when it gets warmed up. Will run okay cold but gets hard shifting, then none when warmed. Just started doing this yesterday on a road trip, 1500 miles from home, TN. Dealer (before opening it up) is saying that it’s the Amsoil (10w40) he put in before his trip from TN. Says the Amsoil is too slippery for the Barnett plate and is overheating the disks. Jerry did switch to Amsoil just before the trip.. Think it probably had YamaLube before that. (Previous owner had installed a Barnett but don’t know about the disks.) They’re working on it now, so should find out if it’s the disks or the master cylinder. First time I’ve heard someone blame Amsoil for not shifting. I’ve been using same Amsoil for years on my Barnett plate in my RSTD (for 45k miles). Without starting oil wars,, anyone up on this? Mike G in SC and Jerry M in CO

S=chrome

I just replaced a Michelin Commander II rear with about 20k miles,,, with another same. Great ride. Still had 4/16 tread but was on a trip pulling a trailer. I used to get 15K miles out of Venoms.

Turn the glass inside out and use WD40.

Not likely to see a used one for sale,,,, unless it's broke. Don't know if anyone ever took one back off.

Ride safe and keep focused. I-81 is full of trucks on the week days. They seem to do that to avoid I-95! Just rode up and down to Harrisburg, PA. Monday up, trucks. Saturday back, not so. Prayers with your family. Mike G

Ron, Welcome,, and here's to using your own name! You did indeed get a deal. So,,,, now you can spend all that money you saved on CHROME add-on's. Needs passing lamps, foot pegs, luggage guards, Stebel horn. haha. Mike G

Happy Birthday Tom. Mike G

I' m at STAR Days in PA and decided to replace the rear Michelin Commander II rear before heading back to SC. Could make it fine but, when you say that,,, then it's time. Re-looking at the mileage, it is in the 20,000 (miles)neighborhood, with 4/32" left. Dealer said they fail inspection in PA at 2/32. (They measured my new tire for me at 12/32.) They were impressed with the mileage. Pretty happy with that mileage as my previous Avon's usually ran 13-15,000 miles. Also, the wear was very even and no cupping at all. The rode great, rain and shine. And held the road well for my riding. (I did talk to a RSV rider from TN last night and he said he did not not care for the Commander II he had, did not hold corners for his riding on his RSV. But he did have the small front, cause Commander II does not come in stock size front. I forgot what he runs now, Venorms or E3. I figure he's young and lives in TN. Probably pushes it harder.) Anyhow, that's what I got out of my first one. So, I put on a second one. Oh, and the dealer here said they did put a Michelin Commander II rear on the front of a RSV last week. They actually called Michelin factory and they okayed it. (150/80/16) Mike G

Been using Purolator Pure One for a few years. But have been reading warnings on other forums about them not being made for bikes. Saying that, as they are for cars, the oil pressure on bikes are not strong enough to push through them. I did an oild change last week before a trip and went with a bike filter this time. Anyone got thoughts on that? Mike G in PA

I knew a guy in SC who wrote his 1st choice on a form. For 2nd choice he put NONE. Yep, he rode around town with NONE.

I'd take the replacement at ship cost. Fair offer as it did not ship defective. Mike G.

The two replies above sum it up pretty good. If it's price driven,,,, A friend had a 97, all red and sold it for about $4000 a few months ago. Guessing the 07 is closer to $8k. 07 "might" have some warranty left if it was a late seller (say, sold in 09). Both great bikes. But John did point out the differences for the RSTD's. I think the 07 may have more wind protection. (but I might have to see a 97 again) And, I have a 09 RSV (55K miles) and a 06 RSTD (98K miles). On a daily basis, my comute is the RSTD. Same for solo day rides. Distance trips and any two up. I ride the RSV. I personally think the RSTD is more "fun" to ride.

Nice pick up on the cup. But I think if you tried that with a Venture,,,, someone behind you might bring you a bike part that looks like yours!

If you were hitting flying monkeys with the antennas, then maybe. Spray WD40 on the antennas and move on to another dealer. Edit: re read you post. This happens at stop, like in the carport. Yeah, neck bearing loose? Else, fold the antennas down and try again. (They have a sleeve you can loosen to drop them for covers.)

Yep,,, I need to check my glasses,,, they were fogged. Replaced the picture with one that looks to be JR. Mike G.

About 10 miles or maybe 12-15 minutes. SO, I go home for lunch. I get 40 miles out of it.

Too many people are probably wondering who we are talking about. SO,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, EDIT: Sharp eyes spotted that the full picture I had below was not JR. SO, replaced it with the one below. Globewalker, yeah, the girl in blue was a pretty good double. Mike G. More current: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/1c/Jeri_Ryan_%282012%29.jpg/457px-Jeri_Ryan_%282012%29.jpg http://outcaststudios.com/forums/uploads/monthly_11_2012/post-1756-0-56505400-1354050180.jpg Any questions?

Didn't mean to steal a thread. Have received a PM today requesting purchase. Thanks Mike G