Had the front tire replaced and on Tuesday (09-Jan) got out for the first ride with it.
Went from an IRC tire (Factory?) to a Dunlop 404 ($69.95 + $24 for mount & balance). I was going to mount it myself but then looked at my fingers and like the way they look now (healed). Didn't want all the pinched finger marks and brusies to come back. Plus had them check the bearings for play while I was there.
The ride to work was damp and foggy
, but they predicted 65 deg F temps, so I rode . Also, I can now say that I've ridden in January which for Eastern PA is unusual because it's normally 10-20 deg on January monings.
My first impression leaving the house and going to the main drag, was not much different. Beacuse of the dampness I really didn't open it up on the very few twisties on the way to work.
BUT.... the four lane road in front of the office campus I work at has rain grooves that aren't cut in a MC friendly way. ( Uneven and slightly wavy) The new tire was a big improvement over the old tire. It barely felt the grooves. Yea!!
Next test, ride over to I-78 where the guy cutting the grooves must have fallen asleep, 50 - 100 feet of wavy grooves (3 to 4 inch back and forth). The old tire wobbled like the bikes you see on videos just before total loss of control. What I call a
monent....