From the Long Beach Motorcycle Show this weekend:
My impression of the new Busa colors. Gorgeous. Both of 'em. (But I'm really happy with my black beauty.)
Explanation from the Bridgestone tire rep: The BT56J Hayabusa tire is a 3-ply carcass instead of the standard 2-ply Battlax carcass. Also instead of a dual compound tread (harder in the center, softer on the edges) it has a single compound, harder only. Both of these features are to withstand the heat generated by sustained high-speed riding on a bike that heavy. Running at lower air pressures, about 35 psi, instead of owner's manual 42 psi, will cut tire mileage about 20% but probably stick better. But use the higher pressure if two-up, or unusually heavy or carrying a heavy load.
Riders who ride hard in the canyons, or do track days, should try the SS model, which is a 2-ply race-oriented street tire with the same load-carrying capacity of the BT56J and sticky rubber. It costs the same as the BT56J. He thinks its as good as Dunlop 207s, but not as good as Michelin Pilots.
From the Dynojet Rep: K&N is about to come out with a replacement airbox for the Busa, for K&N filters. When they do, Dynojet will post a new fuel/ignition map on the web for its Power Commander II.
And he explained the fundamental difference between Power Commader II and the Yoshimura box, which I have never understood. The Yosh box permanently alters the fuel settings of the bike's electronic control unit. The Power Commander II does nothing to the ECU but instead intercepts its signals, applies its own corrections according to whatever map is in use, and forwards the altered signals on to the devices being controlled, i.e. fuel system AND ignition system (which Yosh box doesn't alter). That's why it is critical that a bike that has been altered with the Yosh box be reset to factory settings with the Yosh box before a Power Commander II is installed. Otherwise the PCII will be starting with unknown changes in the incoming signals and its alterations can't possibly result in what was intended.
The PCII design also insures that all the corrections built into the ECU computer, such as for altitude and temperature, are passed right along without being suppressed or overridden.
So what should I expect the PCII to do for me with my Two Brothers slipons? Better acceleration, but no change in top end, he said. And cleaner running at the low end.
My impression of the ZX-12R: Really ugly mirrors. Really nice windscreen. Tank is a lot narrower, but the fairing below the tank seems just as wide as the Busa. Weight feels about the same, but really hard to tell sitting there. The airscoop isn't as obtrusive as it appeared in the pictures, especially on the red bike. Riding position seemed about the same, and the seat felt good. Would I trade? Not a chance.
How many more bikes would I like to be able to buy? Oh, at least two or three per manufacturer.
My impression of the new Busa colors. Gorgeous. Both of 'em. (But I'm really happy with my black beauty.)
Explanation from the Bridgestone tire rep: The BT56J Hayabusa tire is a 3-ply carcass instead of the standard 2-ply Battlax carcass. Also instead of a dual compound tread (harder in the center, softer on the edges) it has a single compound, harder only. Both of these features are to withstand the heat generated by sustained high-speed riding on a bike that heavy. Running at lower air pressures, about 35 psi, instead of owner's manual 42 psi, will cut tire mileage about 20% but probably stick better. But use the higher pressure if two-up, or unusually heavy or carrying a heavy load.
Riders who ride hard in the canyons, or do track days, should try the SS model, which is a 2-ply race-oriented street tire with the same load-carrying capacity of the BT56J and sticky rubber. It costs the same as the BT56J. He thinks its as good as Dunlop 207s, but not as good as Michelin Pilots.
From the Dynojet Rep: K&N is about to come out with a replacement airbox for the Busa, for K&N filters. When they do, Dynojet will post a new fuel/ignition map on the web for its Power Commander II.
And he explained the fundamental difference between Power Commader II and the Yoshimura box, which I have never understood. The Yosh box permanently alters the fuel settings of the bike's electronic control unit. The Power Commander II does nothing to the ECU but instead intercepts its signals, applies its own corrections according to whatever map is in use, and forwards the altered signals on to the devices being controlled, i.e. fuel system AND ignition system (which Yosh box doesn't alter). That's why it is critical that a bike that has been altered with the Yosh box be reset to factory settings with the Yosh box before a Power Commander II is installed. Otherwise the PCII will be starting with unknown changes in the incoming signals and its alterations can't possibly result in what was intended.
The PCII design also insures that all the corrections built into the ECU computer, such as for altitude and temperature, are passed right along without being suppressed or overridden.
So what should I expect the PCII to do for me with my Two Brothers slipons? Better acceleration, but no change in top end, he said. And cleaner running at the low end.
My impression of the ZX-12R: Really ugly mirrors. Really nice windscreen. Tank is a lot narrower, but the fairing below the tank seems just as wide as the Busa. Weight feels about the same, but really hard to tell sitting there. The airscoop isn't as obtrusive as it appeared in the pictures, especially on the red bike. Riding position seemed about the same, and the seat felt good. Would I trade? Not a chance.
How many more bikes would I like to be able to buy? Oh, at least two or three per manufacturer.
