Taking the GT plunge

Tires?! I was hoping for some motorcycle porn ;-)

I read the thread title and thought someone else bought a BMW. :D
 
Howasat (my ST mentor) and I mounted the GT's today. Howasat "took one for the team" and tackled the rear tire mounting. I did the front and it went and very easily. I plan to install the wheels after my front break pads arrive from Keel Brothers (none of the local shops stock them).
 
I put 1700 miles on my GTs last week (2000 total now). No flat spots, no uneven wear. It almost doesn't look like I put miles on at all. VERY happy so far.
 
Chromy said:
Howasat "took one for the team" and tackled the rear tire mounting.
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I'm not so sure I'd take credit for that. My intent was to show how each step is done using the rear tire, and let Chromy do the same step using his front tire. I think it was a good hands-on experience for Chromy so he can determine if it's something he wants to undertake later on. Using tire irons is a little labor intensive, but the results are the same. Another buddy came over for his front tire change, so tire irons were waving back and forth for awhile. I was a little concerned a couple times in fear that someone's face might get accidentally whacked by one. All in all, it was a great way to spend a rainy Sunday, build up a sweat, and enjoy the comraderie with fellow riders. <Ken>
 
hoowasat said:
Using tire irons is a little labor intensive, but the results are the same. Another buddy came over for his front tire change, so tire irons were waving back and forth for awhile. I was a little concerned a couple times in fear that someone's face might get accidentally whacked by one. All in all, it was a great way to spend a rainy Sunday, build up a sweat, and enjoy the comraderie with fellow riders. <Ken>
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We sure were flinging those irons around. Sometimes we had six hands in the mix, not including the no-mar monkey grips. We had a great "man day" wrenching in Hoowasat's garage.

On another note... I was glad I came across the 2008 set-up procedure http://stwiki.notonthe.net/twiki/bin/viewfile/ST13/SetupInstructions?rev=1;filename=2008-setup.pdf
I pulled the front wheel apart and retorqued it all with this alternate procedure to avoid the wobble/pull that I've read so much about.
 
Received the front 2 sets of brake pads from Keel Bros yesterday and got to scrub in the GT's... Wow they felt solid, can't wait to take it out for an extended ride possibly this weekend (in the rain).
 
I ordered a set of GT's from Keel Bros. for my 06 1300A...haven't put 'em on yet...but soon. Tim was great in his response and knowledge; I took his recommendation and went with the GT's. After I get 'em mounted, I am off on a 10 week, 10,000 mile, ride. If that doesn't test them, nothing will. I'll probably need a new set by the end of that one.
 
Just got back from 4 days and 1,754 miles on the GT's carving up the Great Smoky Mountains. I got caught in a very heavy down pour on I-95 between Emporia, VA and Rocky Gap, NC and the GT's were impressive! The rain was coming down so hard that motorist had their four way flashers on, but the GT's did not once lose their grip on the road. I was also very impressed with the grip in the extreme curves of the dragon and other equally challenging roads in the area. I plan to measure the wear and will be sure to share.
 
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