Dunlop Meridian Tyres | On the Bike and On Tour!!

[@TSH2020]

I am 71 and you echoed my thoughts on staying alive as a biker. Sensible riding is enjoyable and gets you home safely. Also like your review on the tyres! It takes time and mileage to trust a new make! Ride safe!👍

[@mikethebikemt07tracer]

Lovely area to tour. I have been there twice now and try to look around at the wonderful views. If you race around you can't possibly enjoy the countryside so you may as well be riding at home. As I have been touring Europe for over 20 years now I can say your touring advice is spot on and well worth listening to.

[@IanTed]

Good to see you back on the Continent, looking forward to it myself..

[@marcfalardeau6058]

My question: By comparison, what is your opinion on the Metzeler Tourance next 2? I have to choose for my GS 1250. Thanks, Marc Quebec, Canada 🇨🇦 😉🏍

[@RiderCamTV]

Both are fabulous tyres buddy. :)

[@krytenLister]

When listing bikes, how could you forget the RT after the honour of going pillion 😆

[@markholroyd5365]

Ah yes the pillion episode… ride safe!

[@justmejohn773]

Roads look fun Mark. Interesting report on the tyres. I've got a Grand Spanish tour booked for May.

[@garymasterson1174]

Nice one Mark. Thank you. I've been riding a F750GS as my first "big" bike as a mid-life crisis sort of person for almost one year. Not quite as plush as your 850 but I could not be happier. Perfect all rounder. Your talking during the video about sensible and safe riding takes me to my question. I am taking advanced lessons and enjoying the Roadcraft approach to riding but I am aware that others (particularly outside of the UK) advocate learning "trail braking". Although I am more than content and comfortable with the Roadcraft approach (which doesn't seem to include trail braking), there would appear to be some very decent reasons for learning how to trail brake as part of ones arsenal? Although approaching bends using the Roadcraft system is excellent, comfortable and effective I think there might be circumstances under which having the ability to trail brake would enhance safety? I might be wrong but I suspect the standard ROSPA or IAM answer to my question would be along the lines of "stop getting above yourself, novice, and simply do what Roadcraft tells you to do!". Apologies if I am making incorrect assumptions in my last sentence but I would be really interested in what you and Toby think about my question? I strongly suspect that others would be interested in your response. There might be a video in it? ATVB

[@markholroyd5365]

Gary thanks for the comments. The F750gs is an awesome bike!!! Trail breaking… a personal comment from me is I see no reason or need to trail break if you are doing the correct speed in the correct gear for a bend. If you are on a race track then that would be different. Lets be honest very few of us ride at speeds where we would need to use this system and the chances of it going horribly wrong is high. A question you could ask yourself is, ‘ is trail breaking taught in Roadcraft which is the bible for emergency services and what RoSPA and IAM training is based on?’ I know people will have a view on this subject so I don’t want to get into an argument over it. I don’t use it, I don’t need it and don’t know anyone who does use it… Ride safe.

[@krytenLister]

Interesting discussion. I was of the same mind that there is no need to be trail braking on the road, and that it is purely a track technique if you are religiously following "the system". However I recently had a Eureka moment with regards to Trail braking during some road training with ex Class 1 Police riders, BSB\TT rider instructors. I thought I understood trail braking, but turns out I didn't fully. I agree that if you are riding at "legal"?? road speeds then there is no need to trail brake. However if you are pushing along then trail braking INTO a corner is a valid and useful tool to your armoury. Even when pushing along you are still using the system, but determining early on that you need to scrub off more speed for a specific corner as dictated by the limit point, than Acceleration sense will allow. So rather than being on and off the brakes (Roadcraft style) and upsetting the balance\suspension of the bike before tipping in, you slowly load the brakes and ease off as you tip in to keep the bike balanced and at the same time ensuring that you can "stop in the distance you can see to be clear". The key thing is that it becomes a conscious decision to apply it to a corner early on, rather than an "oh sh1t" moment. Done well, at high speeds, it creates a smoother flowing ride rather than the ragged On\Off high speed riding you often see. I suppose I could just slow the F*ck down ....but occasionally I like to unleash the inner hooligan (safely) 😃

[@garymasterson1174]

@@krytenLister Mate, I think you've hit the nail on the head. Trail braking isn't usually necessary when riding on roads at legal speeds. It may be of value if riding faster when lever braking (as opposed to engine braking) is needed when approaching corners. I have now realised that I am currently (and probably forever) riding too slowly to benefit from trail braking. I suspect trail braking is a great tool for faster riders but is isn't where I am up to atm. Perhaps in the future? Cheers.

[@garymasterson1174]

@@markholroyd5365 Many thanks Mark. Really clear and helpful answer. The reality is that i don't rid fast enough to utilise trail braking and am happy to carry on with the Road Craft approach at this time. Thank you for injecting reality and stopping getting carried away with KZbin! ATVB

[@krytenLister]

@@garymasterson1174 IAM\Rospa is one of the best things you can do to make you a safer, smoother and progressive rider. However passing etiher test is only the 1st step on a long journey to becoming a better rider.

[@MillfieldWheels]

It would be great if you could put together a video detailing what is required to travel into Europe. ie. The paperwork, covid docs/tests etc. Can't wait to get back over there but not sure where too start. I'm another senior at 72 so need to get a move on.

[@markholroyd5365]

We could but it changes constantly. After my recent trip it changed to no testing required… ride safe

[@GeorgeVardakis]

Great video ! Thanks for the infos! Your opinion on Meridian vs the Mutant tires? Thanks again!

[@markholroyd5365]

George sorry for the incredibly late reply. I love both Mutants and Meridian’s. Dunlop are pushing the Meridian’s as the 90/10 road tyre for touring on roads and the Mutants exactly the same but a more winter tyre. Either way I will definitely be fitting either to my bike as I think they are awesome.

[@mikedignum1868]

Nice video Mark...Reminds me of the roads we had in Norway 2019 tour (especially the tunnels)

[@tonyknowler3055]

Thanks for another great video 📹👍Mark Regards Tony from Spain

[@markholroyd5365]

Love Spain Tony, ride safe.

[@philipfisher9167]

Nice part of the Worlds to ride. I am almost sold on the 850 GSA as my next tourer.

[@johnbateman3244]

What a great place to ride. Might check out your tours. Are they all single rider adventure style bikes tours because I would possibly be with a pillion as my wife does not ride. I have a Tracer 700. Great review of tyres and awesome scenery.

[@markholroyd5365]

John our tours are for everyone. We have single riders and pillions. Cornish Stig has been with me on tours. It’s great when we have couples the dynamics of the tour are always great. Your wife won’t be disappointed by the hotels either….

[@ianpenny2102]

Fascinated by this video, I've only just passed my test (Sept 3rd) and I've bought the same bike as yourself only an earlier model, 2019 variant, thoroughly enjoying it although I have to say as a new biker I have no confidence if there is any water on the roads, I have the panicies as you call them on mine but I have no comparison, like I say I'm new and have a lot to learn.

[@markholroyd5365]

Ian have you thought about doing some extra training with either RoSPA or IAM? Your confidence will increase tremendously. Where are you based? Ride safe

[@ianpenny2102]

@@markholroyd5365 Hi Mark, yes this is something I have thought about although as yet not made any enquiries, I'm located in Wirral, Merseyside..

[@philipchesters2824]

@@ianpenny2102 Good IAM group on the Wirral. The course would help your riding o end.

[@ianpenny2102]

@@philipchesters2824 Thanks Philip, much appreciated 👍👍

[@KLXinc]

Hi Mark, I'm really enjoying your videos. Touring Spain looks amazing & is on my must do list. I heard you again mention the Dunlop Mutant tyres, how did they work out for longevity?

[@RiderCamTV]

currently still testing them so will update soon, although they appear ok at the moment and seem to be holding up

[@kevinireland3943]

Got these tyres on my 1250gs, great tyres but after 4000mls have squared off, ride with pillion 90% of the time, but was expecting more mileage 🤔

[@markholroyd5365]

I’m tending to agree but awesome tyres….. Ride safe

[@aleksanderasenov7491]

Really nice view out there.I really liked your gloves , which manufacture are they?

[@markholroyd5365]

Furygan D30… a few years old now. Ride safe

[@lakest7573]

How did you get into leading tours? Whats the pay like? Since I've left the Navy I've been looking for a worthwhile career, I'm only happiest when I'm exploring new areas on my motorbike. Thanks 😊

[@markholroyd5365]

I fell in to it by chance. There is not much pay it’s a life choice. Petrol is covered and a daily rate. It not as easy as you would think. The most I have had on tour was 24 people on 20 bikes. In the last full year of touring my bike (1200gsa) at the time was serviced three times in nine weeks!!

[@lakest7573]

@@markholroyd5365 Thanks for the reply, something to consider.

[@caroldave4037]

A41s on my 1050xt vstrom had them on last bike...do a lot of Scottish wet roads and find I do go a bit faster probs just to get too journeys end...so how do you find the dunlop as opposed to A41s...cheers

[@markholroyd5365]

I loved the A41’s but the Meridians seem to be a bit better. Time will tell when it comes to how many miles I get out of them.

[@leonmcdonald6567]

Any update on the mileage on these? Better than A41's?

[@markholroyd5365]

I think they may be. Unfortunately I got a puncher in the front so didn’t get to do the mileage I was expecting. Ride safe

[@mars0030]

Hang on a minute! I've had to pause watching, to check out that flag on your screen. It's certainly not a Union Jack 😱. The vertical and horizontal lines are different widths, and the red diagonal lines are wrong. Too thick and not correctly spaced. Shocking for an ex serviceman! Come on. Sort it out. 😂 Right.... back to the rest of the video. Carry on.

[@markholroyd5365]

Well spotted… Although it comes from a reputable establishment that has a lot to do with remembrance perhaps it’s the camera angle… Ride safe.

[@dibu5438]

hey my friend, probably nobody has driven this tour as slow as you did. Not the right way for testing a tire, i´d say....

[@RiderCamTV]

What not right to be within the speed limits?

[@boxfullofneutral8514]

Jesus Christ miss daisy, if you twist the go go handle on the right, the bike will move. Vespa for your next bike?