Some people just don't listen...

[NITRO]

A neighbor of mine that owns a 2001 Standard dropped by this afternoon. He just got a new tire put on and wanted to tell me about it. I took one look at his "new" tire and said, "that's the OEM tire, the 206, right?" It sure was! He said he got a good deal on it at the local Triumph/Victory dealership because it had been sitting on the shelf two years. The date code said 4801, which works out to November 2001. He claims it handles better than his Avon Venom.

He then went on to complain about the poor mileage he's getting out of his rear Venom. The tread on the left side of the tire was pretty much shot. He's running 33 psi because it's what is listed in the manual. About a month ago I told him most people run 41+. The wear is obviously from low pressure, but he maintains that Avon makes a junk tire.

If that isn't enough, he also just bought a cycle lift. I told him he needs to buy/make an adapter, but he insisted it lifts the Valk just fine. He did say that "the front tire gets about a foot off the ground before the rear, but it's solid after that." Holy crap.

Looks like this guy will bump himself off by running a very old tire or by dropping his bike on himself. I just can't believe some people!

[JetDriver]

I'd say we who pay attention to these forums and try to learn from others about our bikes are above average enthusiasts.  We're not professionals, but we do know alot more about the idiosyncrasies of our bikes than most.  We are in the minority.  The majority of bike owners are mostly clueless about their rides, and what's worse are happily clueless.  Like you've done, Nitro, you can try to give advice and tips you've learned along the way, but when the recipients act like swine who have just been given a gift of pearls, you just kind-of bite your lip and watch them destroy their rides and endanger themselves.

Guess I'm feeling philosophical tonight- what's up with that??

[timk519]

Can't wait for "dude" to complain about the crappy tires Dunlop makes after it wears out in 5-8K miles.

If it doesn't blowout first....

[Smokinjoe]

I would'nt run DunFlops on my bike's if they gave them to me with free mounting . I had a E3 front slid out from under me three times the last time was on a hard right hander on The Cherohala Skyline with nothing but rock walls and guard-rails    I was very lucky I was able to " catch it " at the last second.I parked the bike that evening and replaced the DunFlop with a Avon Cobra.The only reason I went with the E3 was all the great things folks was saying about them I should have knew better when I got my bike in 1998 it had the D206 it was bald within 4,300 miles on a brand new motorcycle .

[cookiedough]

Sounds like my neighbor Nitro, although he isn't coordinated enough to ride a cycle.  He can't even wipe his 'you know what' without coming over or calling me all the time. At least he asks me for my opinion, but well over 1/2 the time he goes his own way and screws it up as usual.  It is like 'why bother' after 7-8 years, but he is my neighbor and unfortunately have to live with it or move.  The other neighbor is a HD rider and has 2 HD's worth twice as much as his 2 vehicles.  You can't set him straight either.  Boy, if I had tons of money, I'd move in the country to get away from it all! 

[Bill]

Sounds like the guy I bought my Interstate from. He put air in his tires once a year and never checked them until the following Spring. When I picked up the bike he had 15 psi in the rear and 12 in the front!