Do you Ride like a Knob revisited. Bonneville inexpensive tip and can I just change the front Tyre?

[@TheMatlockBiker]

Ey up I’m one of those who’s lucky enough to be retired and can choose when to ride their bike. Or rather the weather decides when I get out 😂 I don’t go out weekends if I can help it, not just because of all the Knobs riding their sports bikes, but mainly because everywhere is busy with tourists. Matlock and Matlock Bath become mobbed when the sun comes out. I generally take a flask and find somewhere quiet to sit with a nice view away from busy cafes I really enjoy riding round the Peak District, how can you get bored - the colour of the trees in the 4 seasons, even riding the same road in the opposite direction gives you new views Keep em coming Si thee

[@shottostravels]

Thanks for commenting bud. All makes sense to me. Ride Safe mate 👍

[@bankruptpensioner]

Hey Keith, changing the front tyre alone should not be a problem. However, check the age of the rear tyre and if it is say 5 years old (can't remember the age of the bonnie) then swap both out maybe 👍

[@shottostravels]

Hi Richard. A very good point. Hadn't thought of that. Ride safe bud👍

[@AliasMrHackenbacker]

Valid points raised Keith. I think you and me are on the same page. In a lot of the Peak District there is a 50mph limit on most main roads (and the road surfaces are not great )and I'm happy cruising at that speed taking in the scenery. Overtake only when it is safe and legal. For me the journey is the main part with the destination the "Treat" at the end whether it be a farm icecream or something from a cafe

[@shottostravels]

Thanks for commenting Mate. No arguments there. Ride safe👍

[@233kosta]

I went to Switzerland a year ago. Their rural speed limit is also 50mph. Honestly didn't ever feel the need to go faster. On the straight bits the scenery was simply stunning, and the fun bendy bits were so fun and bendy that it was very difficult to get near that limit at all, never mind break it 🤣... and that's trail braking into every corner followed by powering out of it as hard as the tyres would allow! Plus no pressure to speed from cars up my chuff 🤔

[@PhilipBallGarry]

Nice to see you Keith. Great video 😊. Kel's and I continue to put miles on the T120 and are enjoying it again. Had a lovely ride yesterday to Monsal Head. We returned via Baslow and Chatsworth where we were fortunate to witness loads of hot air balloons taking off. A few had a bit of trouble with the cold air layer which had formed but most got off ok. It was one of those serendipitous moments as we'd no idea about it beforehand. Chippy tea at Matlock Bath and a spirited but safe ride home from there. Great to see another video from you. 😊

[@shottostravels]

Thanks Mate, I was at the country fair but missed the balloons. Bet your loving the Bonnie. Let's get together after your hol👍 Enjoy. Ride safe👍

[@Bigbaldybear]

I dont mind small group rides as you know Keith. If everyone's of the same mentality it's enjoyable. No one speeding off and no pressure to keep up at the expense of safety. Carry on riding safe mate, see you soon 👍

[@shottostravels]

Thanks for commenting Mate. Ride safe👍

[@233kosta]

I love a good modular helmet. You can pop it open to cool down around town, then close it before hitting the nationals for better wind (and obviously crash) protection.

[@shottostravels]

Fair enough. Ride safe Mate👍

[@nicholasjarrold8649]

Great video Kieth true everything you say I ride on my own and I ride defensively even if there was room with them 2 bikes you only need one to make a false move and it’s a impact of was it 140mph if you survive that it will bring life changing injuries and if the on coming rider was killed you’ve got to live with that for life if you remember it it’s just not worth it take your time keep to speed limits and enjoy the ride great video take care ride safe

[@shottostravels]

Thanks for commenting. It seemed closer than it looked on Camera but the key thing was he went just because his mates had gone. If he'd been on his own he would of maybe seen the bike coming and waited till.it had passed. But then again, who knows. It's a bit of Russian roulette if you ride like that, and one day your luck, or the poor sod coming towards you luck runs out. Ride safe buddy👍

[@carltonwittland1300]

Hi Keith. You are correct in saying that most bike accidents will occur during the weekend when most bike enthusiasts have a chance to ride. I speak through experience with being a retired motor patrols officer. On the weekends we would do high visibility patols in the rural area of Northumberland where i worked, with the sole purpose of slowing bikes and cars down. It truly wasn't about prosecution it was road safety. I dreaded working weekends in the summer and i could recount many horrible stories. I was a FLO. ( family liason officer ) and i had the job of informing the next of kin that their son or daughter had been killed. It really was a shit job attending a fatal road traffic collision. Some bikes are so powerful and like you said in your video , a twist of that throttle and its so easy to do twice the speed limit on a rural road of 60mph. Then if the rider is confronted by any hazzard you have to lose that speed to prevent that horrible accident. I think we have all been there including myself and its a wake up call. I'm now 63 and i go out to enjoy the ride with no hurry to get there. Hopefully for at least another 10 years of riding. I enjoy your videos and ride safe.

[@shottostravels]

Thank you Carlton. And at the risk of sounding a bit American" Thankyou for your service". I guess you can never unsee stuff. Who'd be a Police officer in this day and age? Enjoy your retirement Mate, tickling around a wonderful part of the world. Ride safe👍

[@mikerider58]

I second that thanks. Thank you Carlton for your service, extremely difficult job. We need more Police officers back out on bikes patrolling roads.

[@carltonwittland1300]

@@shottostravels Thanks Keith.

[@carltonwittland1300]

@@mikerider58 much appreciated. 👍

[@FGRides]

I'm glad to see you're back, Keith. You presented what is one of many, many reasons to avoid group rides (excepting Distinguished Gentlemen's, of course). Many (not most) of the group rides here in the USA seem to be, essentially, posses formed to hunt down barrooms. Regarding tires, when I was young and destitute I mismatched every sort of tire on my motorcycles according to which one absolutely had to be replaced at the time. The only strict qualification was that the replacement needed to hold air long enough for me to get to my next destination - there were no significant ill effects suffered. So, I think it's just fine to throw a different brand of tire on the front of the Bonneville; it's not as though you're going to spin down the lane like a whirligig after you take the first sharp bend. Um, if that happens, though, please have your camera on. Take care and thank you for the video!

[@shottostravels]

Ha, thanks Mate, I'll make sure the cameras on! I'm with you on the tyres. And the strict qualification. Ride safe bud👍

[@raydean9330]

Self-preservation Society members tend to be of the older generation And no, we don't bounce as well as we used to ! Well done to you for this video

[@shottostravels]

Thanks Ray, let's not test it out! Ride safe Mate 👍

[@leejones9726]

I live in the Bannau Brycheiniog and have given up riding on Sundays for the most part. It’s just crazy coming back home from Brecon on the A40 or A479 from Talgarth. If I do go out on a Sunday it’s very early and home before 11am. I sometimes pop over the border to Herefordshire to ride the lanes there where it’s quieter.

[@shottostravels]

Thanks for commenting. Ride safe Mate 👍

[@AlanClemence]

Thanks Keith, appreciate your videos.

[@shottostravels]

Thankyou Alan. I'm glad that you find some value in them. Ride safe Mate 👍

[@garryclarke-kray4071]

Well said Keith I totally agree with what you said regarding safe riding

[@shottostravels]

Thanks Bud, enjoy your trip Ride Safe mate 👍

[@frankiepitt9135]

Never experienced vibrations on my t100, very smooth bike.

[@shottostravels]

Thanks for commenting. I wonder if it's my front Tyre🤔 Ride Safe mate 👍

[@wallybuettner]

Another great chat Keith! I have been watching for your video. I love the topic and scenery as we listen and think about the topics. Glad you are safe and well! I have replaced one tire at a time due to a nail and had no trouble, but the other still had a lot of life in it. Helmet laws are hit and miss depending on what state you are in. Here in Ohio (stupidly) it is not required after 18 years old or one year after obtaining your motorcycle endorsement. As I said before, I would be dead and my riding days would have been over in 2005 without it due to a "Knob" in a van. Trust me there is no time to put it on as you are flying over the handle bars. They require seat belts, but no helmet....no logic there. I pick my riding mates carefully and if I do get in a group and don't like the way they ride, I break out on my own. Stay safe my friend!

[@shottostravels]

Good to hear from you Wally and thanks for commenting. As I said to one of your compatriots it seems strange to us in the UK that there should be different laws for different states but then again we only a little island so maybe it does make sense. I didn't understand why the front wore out before the back, apparently it's because it's not a radial Tyre. Didn't realize. Anyway, I'm glad you find my little rambles worth a watch and as always wish you well! Ride safe Mate👍🇬🇧🇺🇸

[@lauriebloggs8391]

What a lovely ride and music................

[@shottostravels]

Really Glad you enjoyed it. Ride safe Mate 👍

[@grahamsgoodies7531]

If your happy with the tyres you have replace front with the same. My T100 needed both tyres so brought a pair of Avon road riders from Daemon Tweeks and fitted them myself. Great tyres, do not track, grip in all weathers. But that’s by personal preference.

[@shottostravels]

Thanks for sharing your thoughts. Ride safe Mate👍

[@bsabiker-d7z]

Hi Keith, there should not be any problems changing the front tyre only - I chose Avons as replacements because of the poor grip and tracking troubles of the original Pirelli's. The handlebar risers are a great improvement over the standard position, I'm only 5'-8" on a good day so it was good for me. Never really noticed the vibes thru the handlebars but had Grip Puppies because of arthritis in my hands - they helped a little bit. As I've before its not worth riding my bikes at the weekends because the idiots over here are out and about then, some are riding well beyond their capabilities and on country roads you never know what's round the corners. So for me on normal days it's not worth riding beyond a sensible speed.

[@shottostravels]

Hi Morgan, Thank you for your comments. The seat has been a game changer. Many thanks. Ride safe Mate👍

[@supercomp7078]

2 rears for every front tyre seems to be the go, I am on my second rear sport Demon and half way through the front Sport Demon on my Interceptor. I have a couple of simple rules, served me well over 40yrs of high performance driving, at the end of every long straight is a blind corner and all blind corners are blocked until you can see it is clear. Apply to large dips and brow of hills as well. I now apply this to riding my bike. I won't ride in a group, I did once and some prick slammed the throttle shut to argue with a car that went to move into our lane, all he had to do was open up and get past the hazard but no, he wanted to argue, slamming a throttle shut does not bring on a brake light, got a bit exciting for a bit.

[@shottostravels]

Interesting, I get it I agree with the tyre stuff too, I can't really get my head around the front wearing out first but hey ho. Thanks for commenting. Ride safe Mate 👍

[@bonnie2020]

Mixing different brands of tires on my T100 was never problem. Cheers from Germany 🇩🇪

[@shottostravels]

Thanks for commenting. Ride safe Mate👍🇩🇪

[@shottostravels]

Many thanks for sharing your thoughts. Ride safe Mate 👍🇩🇪

[@theodavies8754]

Thanks for sharing the stunning scenery, would be just as interested in the place names. Went around the block for the last day of August. Became very aware of the different character of the bike with each gear. It's a 25 year old Harley with 5 to choose from. 50 or top gear is an ambitious target in east Devon when it's packed with grockles.

[@shottostravels]

I'm a Grockle,👍 Thanks for commenting. Ride safe Mate 👍

[@ianhalliwell8604]

I had to put 4 new tyres on my car even thought it had only done 10,000 miles in six years because in that time they had deteriorated to the stage that they were beginning to split even though they had loads of tread still left on them.

[@shottostravels]

Thanks for commenting Ian. I can't argue with any of that. Ride safe Mate👍

[@billcaveny9495]

I ran a T120 for over 40k. The biggest issue regarding tyres on my 2016 bike was the fact that Triumph ran a bias-belted tyre on the front, and a radial on the rear. I swapped to a pair of AVON sports touring radials and found an immediate improvement.

[@shottostravels]

Thanks Bill, I wasn't aware of the difference till I googled it. Many thanks for your input. Ride safe Mate 👍

[@hectorshouse7348]

Michelin Road 6 back and front…you’ll be amazed at the results😀👍

[@shottostravels]

Thanks for your advice. A distinct possibility. Ride safe Mate👍

[@MrVinnyh]

You have raised a few good questions Keith. 1/ Crash Helmets fit and comfort are most important, back in the late 70's early 80's most fitted like a good dustbin lids (we had ill-fitting Kangol or Stadium back then)! also gloves should be like France compulsory after all the first thing will all do when tripping over, is try to grab something either to stop or break a full! 2/ Recently I lead two other bikers up to Monyash then to Winnats Pass, (neither had been to the area before) just stuck to the speeds of cars ahead of us one bike could pass safely on the A6 from Derby but I didn't want to pressure the other two into making forced overtaking moves which I would regret if they had gong wrong for them, (one of my mates said he would made his way through whatever 😵‍💫The other had been rear shunted on the M6 by a van two months earlier said he was glad I kept it steady). 3/ Tyres my V7 Moto Guzzi has the front down to 1mm but the rear has about 3/4 but is going square, I am changing both. Like C/helmets & Gloves as stated they are a vital safety equipment and also the only part of a vehicle bike/car/HGV/pushbike to be in contact with the ground (braking-cornering-straight line) is effected by wear and tear and will transform the handling, and your confidence in the Triumph with a bit of safety.

[@shottostravels]

Thanks for commenting Mate. Can't disagree with any of that. Others have said the front on mine, maybe yours is not a radial That's why it wears out before the rear. That just seems odd to me but seems to be right. Thanks for commenting. Ride Safe mate 👍

[@trevjones1315]

I always thought the standard phantoms on my t100 were fine, until I put a set of Avon roadriders on. It were like night and day. I also put the same bar risers on, but paid double that from Tec.

[@shottostravels]

Thanks for commenting Trev. Lots of people seem to go for the Avon's I might well too. Ride safe Mate 👍

[@ness-ee]

Seeing how close that last rider was has made me be very wary of groups. I do see them a lot where I am, and yes, they’re usually riding in the centre of the road despite oncoming traffic 🤦‍♂️

[@shottostravels]

Thanks for commenting, it looked close in real time, maybe the camera didn't quite show it. Ride safe buddy👍

[@geoffbroderick403]

taking of bar risers install flat track wider bars it has transformed bike more sportier,turns quickly

[@shottostravels]

Thanks for sharing your thoughts. Ride safe Mate 👍

[@DeanLynch-m9o]

Good video done same putbar rises on made world of difference dont get no vibes on my street twin front tyre does track

[@shottostravels]

Thanks for commenting. Ride safe Mate 👍

[@PeterHolland-mu7yn]

Evening Keith good vid mate yep fit is everything. Yeah ride your own ride don’t get sucked in by other riders antics, although I’ve been there done that and still have a detached collar bone as a badge of stupidness and a hole in the hedge near Newtown in wales 😢 and you even had a demonstration of the very subject go past you 😂 thanks for putting my pics up I was out riding this afternoon instead of on holiday in the camper van 🥴 ….pete🇫🇷

[@shottostravels]

Hope you're away now, It'll be snowing soon! Enjoy. 👍🇫🇷

[@PeterHolland-mu7yn]

@@shottostravels 😁just been paddling

[@SteveBernard42]

A week or two ago up here in the north highlands, there were three fatalities from two bikes colliding….. what’s the saying? There are old riders and bold riders, but no old bold riders…

[@shottostravels]

No issues there Mate. Wise words indeed. Ride safe👍

[@derbyshireruralrider9398]

That shows how 2 bike head ons (like recent ones in Derbyshire) can easily happen 😢

[@MrVinnyh]

Yes I also heard about one of the head-ons just north of Buxton! feel sorry for the family who lost a father/husband/son who was riding sensible, but to the other rider was he he/she trying to play catch up or riding out of their skill zone? who knows 😒

[@shottostravels]

Tragic isn't it. Ride safe👍

[@jefflambert8603]

Fantastic Roads. Anywhere near The Long Mynd Shropshire?

[@shottostravels]

Hi Jeff, no Mate, Staffordshire moorlands. Ride safe 👍

[@jefflambert8603]

@@shottostravels I will have to go & Ride there 👍

[@rogerchambers1309]

G’day from Australia, i enjoy your videos, great to watch common sense content. I have a T120 too and put the same risers on mine 👍👍 Regarding tyres, the T120 seems to be particularly sensitive to front tyre choice. I changed the original Pirellis for Michelin Road Classic and am happy with the performance apart from a persistent wabble around 80-90 kph. If I let go of the bars and decelerate, they shimmy noticeably. The balance has been checked twice with only marginal improvement. It seems likely just a dodgy tyre. However there are KZbin videos about this front wobble, mostly to do with the Pirelli tyres…anyway I’m fitting Avon Trailmasters after these as I like a bit of dirt road travel. For your situation if you’re happy with the Pirellis, just fit another front one and change to another brand when they’re worn out. My thoughts on “nob” riders, yes the characteristics seem the same world wide. I’m 72 y/o and ride every day to work then day rides on the weekends and so see all sorts. Most of the country roads around here have had the speed limits dropped by 20kph…

[@shottostravels]

Thank you for your kind words Roger. I agree with your thoughts. Ride safe buddy👍

[@jonathanmanhorn]

Those grp puppies gwve me carpel tunnel in my wrist so i took em off and put cycle bar tape on.

[@shottostravels]

Thanks for commenting. Just shows, were all different. I love them. Ride safe Mate 👍

[@tomolitravels2276]

Fitted handlebar risers from Tec bike parts on my T100. A little bit more money but very happy with the quality. I would fit a front tyre separately without hesitation.

[@shottostravels]

Thanks for sharing your thoughts. I agree Ride Safe mate 👍

[@reddog8145]

Morning Keith. Front tyre replacement. Well that’s a dilemma. Personally I replace them in pairs but you don’t have to , it’s choice. Front wearing out before the back. That’s interesting. It happens on the big BMW’s primarily down to the BMW front suspension system but it could be indicative on some thing like a Bonnie to breaking a bit more on the front than back. I’ve owned all sorts of makes including 2 Bonnie’s and a Thunderbird, in 40 years of riding and that’s been virtually every day, and it’s always been the back first. However on my BMW’s it’s always been the front first. I have a 2022 K1600b at the moment which was bought new and after replacing the front tyre at 4000 I’ve adjusted my breaking style from 70/30 to 50/50. The bike also has linked brakes so that could also be a factor. One thing I have noticed is that tyres that come with a new bike don’t seem to last as long as the next set. Well at least with BMW. I wonder if manufacturers are scrimping on tyres on new bikes to keep the cost down. I know this was identified as being some thing that was happening with certain Indian owned companies. (There is a video out there showing this). Whatever your decision stay safe on the roads. By the way when I retired and got insurance for my bike my premiums went through the roof, now I have a part time job on week days my premiums have gone down again. This kind of flys in the face of the fact that most accidents occur on weekends. Might be something you might llke to look at. All the best.

[@shottostravels]

Hi Mate, that's interesting isn't it I am sure you are correct, aftermarket Pirellis are not the same as the original fitment Pirellis Someone likened it to buying a printer. The ink you get with it gets you started, prints 10 pages then you have to buy another cartridge which gives you ? 100 pages. Another thought is that the front is 100/90 18 Rear is 150/70 R 17. Someone said the front is not a radial Tyre and was questioning why Triumph fitted non radials. boce my pay grade I'm afraid but might explain why lots of people have noticed a big improvement when they have both been changed. Great to hear your thoughts, ride safe Mate👍

[@Grumpy-Goblin]

I'm surprised you found the vibrations bad enough on the Bonnie to need Grip Puppies. I do have Grip Puppies on my GS1200 and they are very good but I never felt the need on the Bonneville. I can't offer suggestions on tyres because I only had the Phantoms on mine and I swapped to the Thunderbird before I needed new tyres. Helmets is a very tricky one Keith, I looked into this and read as many independent studies as I could possibly find and the only genuine firm conclusions you can find says that a properly fitted certified helmet is better than no helmet but everything else is a very grey area and any benefits of one type of helmet or another is almost impossible to quantify. There is clearly evidence that a full face offers some level of facial protection over an open face but even that is slightly clouded because, as far as I could tell, the majority of facial impacts tend to be in the cheek area and some open faces do offer some protection from that. I think Helmets are a bit like insurance they are marketed to us with doomsday levels of fear "what price your head" kind of stuff in order to scare us into buying the "best" we can but as we have standards in europe that every helmet has to comply to ece22.06 (used to be ece22.05) then every helmet should be up to that standard and there is no real proof, that I could find, that proves that a £700 helmet is "safer" than a £100 helmet. So far as I can tell, anything after ece22.06 is all marginal, at best so. we all have to make decisions about safety, comfort etc. and I would say the most important thing after ece22.06 is the fit because a well fitted helmet is better than a badly fitting one.

[@shottostravels]

All agreed. I think it's worth mentioning the Sharp index that tests helmets and that indeed does prove that cheaper helmets are not necessarily inferior. Others have also said their Bonnie's don't vibrate, maybe it's that front Tyre? Many thanks for sharing your thoughts Ride safe Mate 👍

[@233kosta]

Yeh, I guess I do sometimes 😅

[@shottostravels]

Thanks for commenting. Ride safe Mate👍

[@nigelmorgan1824]

Hi Keith Just wondering if the Grip Puppies have an effect on the performance of your heated grips.

[@shottostravels]

To be honest I think they might do, even though the advertising blurb says they won't. I can still feel the heated grips but maybe a tad less warm, if that makes sense. But, I haven't used them on a really cold day yet . Thanks for commenting. 👍

[@robgerety]

Its funny, I have zero discernible vibration when riding my Bonneville. I wonder what is causing your bike to vibrate like that? I wonder if people have less fear when they are younger and that results in high speeds? In the US the helmet rules very State to State. In Vermont where I live helmets are required. In New Hampshire - which I can see from my upstairs windows - helmets are not required.

[@shottostravels]

Thanks Rob. It does seem strange to us in the UK how laws can change state to state, like there is no national consensus but I guess that's because we are such a small island. One or two have suggested that the worn front Tyre might be causing the vibes. I'm going to swop it very soon. Thanks for commenting 👍

[@nickaxe771]

Triumph fit a cross ply on the front.....cant find out why.....they just dont give good miles like the rears radial. Just changed the front on mine.....its the tyre it came out of the factory with 7600mls. I see Triumph fit Michelin Road Classics now.....I fitted one of those a few weeks ago to my 2020 t100...bough new by me....to replaced the Pirelli....yes they did track a bit no big deal at the end of the day.....but what I didn't like....the side wall had started to get cracks in them.....I dont like that. I just could not see how a tyre from a different maker with the same profile could feel different.....but it does.....only done around 150mls.....tracking seems to have gone....so upto now happy with my new Michelin....cheaper than a Pirelli which surprised me..... The rear Pirelli is only half worn.....they are Radials on the rear.....radial prob give twice the life of a cross ply. Cant feel any prob with the mixture of tyres.....when the Pirelli wears out I will fit a Michelin. Its not just triumph who fit cross plys to the front on some bikes.....RE do.....I suspect its mainly on Classic Retros. No idea why....but the are a VERY VERY STIFF WALLED TYRE....I do wonder if its to act as protection in case of a complete deflation.....I feel they are so stiff you may almost be able to carry on at slow speed with the X-ply.....just a guess. You can id a cross ply as the rim size will be like -18 rather than R18....that all. Who remember x-plys on cars.....in the wet???? horrendous things.....wore out just looking at them.....not seen them on cars since the 70s I took my front right down to the wear bar....1mm on a bike compared to 1.6mm on a car. Open face for me....a Bell.....not found a full face where I didnt feel I had blinkers on.....its white. What with all this black gear.....inc black bikes.....I also wear full length arms.....a florescent waist coat. Yes may look naff.....but if it makes me more visible....so be it......REMEMBER WE SHARE THE ROADS WITH SOME DRIVERS......RIDERS WITH VERY BAD EYESIGHT. I am considering ditching my riding buddy.....I know I am trying to keep up with him at times....I do resist most of the time....but not always......he likes to ride fast.

[@shottostravels]

Thank you Nick. Particularly for your thoughts on the tyres. That never occured to me but I checked and you are correct. Wise words. Shame you have to ditch your buddy, maybe a chat is in order. I don't think any of us should feel pressured to keep up. Ride safe Mate👍

[@pooley6858]

If you ever needed somebody to prove a point…….. there they were!

[@shottostravels]

Indeed, like it was done to order. Ride safe Mate 👍

[@233kosta]

Eh... This isn't a car and you're not riding like a w@nker, so I wouldn't worry about mismatched tyres. As long as everything is OK with the rear tyre, I see no reason not to keep it.