Wooohoo! and a close one...

[Billy_pty]

Wohooo:

Thank you guys from AF1 racing and this forum! Thanks to you my 1,300Km Tuono feels like a new bike. You provided the parts (sproket change from 17/42 to 16/44) and the info (cable cutting, air restrictor and baffle removal).

The bike feels like a rocket and has a very well mannered deep sound. I had serious concerns about the noise, specially after I read other websites and some posts, but I cannot say there is a big noise increase, but there is a very nice new deep sound. And the acceleration...I was having the most fun in my life on that motorcycle (I even screamed like a fool). Really amazing. Its not about top speeds and HP, its about torque and acceleration. :D

The close one:

After I left the highway, my usual route takes me through a back road. I did not see any problems in the morning with the road, but tonight a big hole was waiting for me. There is little illumination so I could see it just a few feet before. I braked all I could (fortunately I was doing about 80Km/h at that time) and then I let it go. Just concentrated on the wheel, it brought flash backs from dirt riding. It felt like a strong tank slapper... gained back the control and then it was over. Almost ruined my day. I hit kind of hard but don´t think there is any serious damage.

:eek:

[Manu]

Glad you went through it without problems...;)

Question: Can you keep the stock chain after the 16/44 swap ?

[mfbRSV]

Bill,

I realize you didn't have much time to react this time.

Next time you encounter a similar situation the best thing to do is try to unload as much weight as possible off of the front wheel just before you hit the hole. Even though you let go of the brakes your bikes weight was still biased towards the front tire because you were decelerating,which loaded up the front end as you struck the hole...not good.

Just before you hit the hole you could have twisted the throttle to accelerate and raise the front end, this would give you max fork extension/travel. Let the rear tire take the hit, the swing arm angle is much shallower and would trail the sharp edge hole...less chance for damage, and a much better way to maintain control of the bike. Also, standing up on the pegs to transfer the rider weight as low as possible helps a bunch too.

I practice this technic just about every time I go over a railroad crossing.

Good habits yield positive results at crunch time.

Glag you made out OK. Enjoy your Tuono!!

[Billy_pty]

Originally posted by Manu
Glad you went through it without problems...;)

Question: Can you keep the stock chain after the 16/44 swap ?

Yes, you can. I read somewhere it was a problem for somebody who did not have stock tires. In my case, no problems.

[Billy_pty]

Originally posted by mfbRSV
Bill,

Just before you hit the hole you could have twisted the throttle to accelerate and raise the front end, this would give you max fork extension/travel. Let the rear tire take the hit, the swing arm angle is much shallower and would trail the sharp edge hole...less chance for damage, and a much better way to maintain control of the bike. Also, standing up on the pegs to transfer the rider weight as low as possible helps a bunch too.

I practice this technic just about every time I go over a railroad crossing.


Well, I guess I should practice that. As you said, no time for thinking. I suppose it should be practiced until your reaction is sort of a reflex...

[cornercarver]

It isn't the prettiest thing in the world (although hardly noticeable, really), but if you have lots of porrly lit roads that also have bad surfaces, and you do a lot of night riding, it is well worth investing in a set of motolights. They are small driving lights that attach to a front caliper bolt that really increase your visibility. I keep mine fairly well turned out, in order to allow me to see around a corner when my headlight is still not pointed where I am going. They add a lot of light straight ahead, too. I find them to be well worth the investment if you do a lot of night riding. They use standard automotive bulbs, so replacement parts should be easy to find, even in Panama. I am sure the URL is http://www.motolights.com , but if not, a web search should find them quite quickly.

--sam

[Billy_pty]

To increase the lights is definitely something to consider. It was easier to do for my former cruiser (many lightbar options, more space, looked better) than for the Tuono.

[cornercarver]

The URL I gave you was bad. Try http://www.motolight.com instead. They definitely mount easily to a Tuono, since they bolt right to your brake caliper. Pretty ease to move on and off the bike, too, if you don't want them permanently mounted. That is probably what I am oing to do.

--sam

[Billy_pty]

Those lights look good!
The $369 ea means each set of two, right?

[cornercarver]

Originally posted by Billy_pty
Those lights look good!
The $369 ea means each set of two, right?

yes