Long-Distance Touring Nighthawk Complete!

[LOKi]

So why Inuvik? Why not all the way to the most northern point accessible by road in the world? I'm doing a coast to coast and Inuvik just doesn't get close enough. From Dead Horse there is a road that goes right up to the coast. I don't know if it's "open" to the public but I'll see about getting down that road.

Thing is if we where going to the same place we could traverse the northern territories together. Handy because we have pretty much the same exact bike and setup. Mine being a little newer but with more miles. Plan the trip where we meet just before crossing into Canada. The safety of another bike that can run for help or help fight off polar bears. At least someone there that you can stab in the leg so you can escape the bear. 

So what do you think?

[Adam Roby]

Wow, that's really a nice ride.  Have you seen "long way around" or "long way down"?  Ewan McGregor and his buddy Chalie go around the world in one movie and from top to bottom in another, fantasic series...  like 12 hrs each though. 
 
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0959858/

[Warren]

So why Inuvik? Why not all the way to the most northern point accessible by road in the world? I'm doing a coast to coast and Inuvik just doesn't get close enough. From Dead Horse there is a road that goes right up to the coast. I don't know if it's "open" to the public but I'll see about getting down that road.

Thing is if we where going to the same place we could traverse the northern territories together. Handy because we have pretty much the same exact bike and setup. Mine being a little newer but with more miles. Plan the trip where we meet just before crossing into Canada. The safety of another bike that can run for help or help fight off polar bears. At least someone there that you can stab in the leg so you can escape the bear. 

So what do you think?

Definitely interested - We'll keep in touch! 

[Warren]

Wow, that's really a nice ride.  Have you seen "long way around" or "long way down"?  Ewan McGregor and his buddy Chalie go around the world in one movie and from top to bottom in another, fantasic series...  like 12 hrs each though. 
 
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0959858/

I'll have to check that out - Looks great!

[Brittles]

Here's an explanation in regards to reverse mounting a rear tire on the front.

[Warren]

Awesome find Brittles.

Key quote from the article:

If you are using a tire that has a directional arrow for rear rotation only and for some reason you want to put it on the front, make sure it is rotating in the opposite direction so you don’t aggravate the tread splice. Avon Tyres.

[m98]

Loki quote: "help fight off Polar Bears"

Loki, are you not going to mount a gun in the fairing to fight off Polar Bears?

The Polar bear hide would be a mouthful on the passenger seat back!

Paul

[FocusPlayer]

Polar Bears...hummm,  one time when "Seal Black" might not be the best color for the NH?

[Brittles]

Awesome find Brittles.

Key quote from the article:

If you are using a tire that has a directional arrow for rear rotation only and for some reason you want to put it on the front, make sure it is rotating in the opposite direction so you don’t aggravate the tread splice. Avon Tyres.

Here's another key quote....

A tread pattern can be designed to disperse more water by making it rotate in only one direction. Thus, the need for directional arrows. The arrow tells you which way to mount a tire for maximum water dispersal.

[Warren]

Yes John; for 'maximum' water dispersion. That doesn't mean that reversed it is incapable of water dispersion in my opinion.

The article as I read it says that is a viable point - But the 'the' consideration for how you mount the tire.

I'd rather lose a little wet traction that shred a tire.

Many front motorcycle tires are oriented just like a reversed Distanzia - There must be a reason. The front Distanzia that was available for my V-Strom in 2005 was oriented exactly as I have the one mounted on my Nighthawk.

Either they changed things or I am senile - I went through 45K mile on 3 of those front tires and never had a problem in any wet situation. I've emailed Avon in the UK for answers - The USA rep was less than confident in his reply to me.

By the way, the formula for hydroplaning is 9 times the square root of the tire pressure. A good number to know if you're in the water and cruising along.

Keep it under 50 mph in the wet stuff and you'll have a much lower chance of hydroplaning.

You have a valid point John, I feel that there are more important factors at play regarding designed loading of the tire, i.e. acceleration vs. braking, that are very important for tire safety. Hence the labeling on the tire right next to the rotation arrow that says "Rotation For Rear Mounted Tires".

[Brittles]

Warren, this is all good discussion and I'm not trying to be difficult, but I can't understand why you wouldn't have just purchased a set of tires that you could run a front tire on the front and a rear tire on the rear?

Of course, if you had done that we wouldn't be having this good discussion!! 

[Warren]

Warren, this is all good discussion and I'm not trying to be difficult, but I can't understand why you wouldn't have just purchased a set of tires that you could run a front tire on the front and a rear tire on the rear?

Of course, if you had done that we wouldn't be having this good discussion!! 

Because they don't make one the right size for the front, and this is a well proven dual sport tire for the nighthawk.

No worries on the questions and concern - I have some reservations as well and look forward to hearing from the UK where they actually make these buggers - As I've had multiple AVON reps over the last 6+ years telling me to mount it in reverse rotation if used on the front.   

[fishmeister]

Huge selection here:  http://www.americanmototire.com/catalog/

[m98]

Warren, I have never mounted a rear tire on the front. However, some of the other
boards I am a member of, members on those boards have done so and not had any
problems. You have the right attitude about slowing down if a big pool of water comes
up, even with the right tires you can hydroplane bad if going too fast.

On my N/H, I have a Bridgestone radial 150 tire on the rear, a dual sport tire, and a
bias ply Bridgestone on the front and this is also a no-no if you ask the wise guys
and the bike runs just fine. I am not telling anyone on this board to do the same,
but next time I will probably do what you did Warren.

Paul

[Warren]

Huge selection here:  http://www.americanmototire.com/catalog/

I know, but the Distanzias are my favorites... 

[lew750]

Warren, this is all good discussion and I'm not trying to be difficult, but I can't understand why you wouldn't have just purchased a set of tires that you could run a front tire on the front and a rear tire on the rear?

Of course, if you had done that we wouldn't be having this good discussion!! 

Some tires can be mounted on the front OR on the rear.  I use Avon Roadriders and the front tire is one.  There are arrows that show the recommended rotation depending on which way they are mounted.  The front should rotate the opposite way the rear rotates.

[LOKi]

Loki quote: "help fight off Polar Bears"

Loki, are you not going to mount a gun in the fairing to fight off Polar Bears?

The Polar bear hide would be a mouthful on the passenger seat back!

Paul

I thought of that but Canada doesn't like guns like we do here in the states. If I didn't have to leave the states to get there I would just get a big hand gun. Those are a real no no in Canada. It's tough enough getting over boarders without having to deal with guns. So a knife and a friend will have to do.

[Warren]

Glad I emailed Avon in the UK.

Here is the email:

   from   McNally, Pete J. <PMcNally@coopertire.com>
to   alpinewarren@gmail.com
date   Mon, Mar 1, 2010 at 1:49 AM
subject   FW: Contact us (avontyres)
hide details 1:49 AM (6 hours ago)

Hi Warren,
You need to reverse the tyre.

When a tire is manufactured the tread portion of the tire starts out as
a long flat strip. This strip is wrapped around the tire and the two
ends are cut on an angle so one end overlaps the other rather than
having square cut ends.

This overlapping point or splice offers a bigger surface area to help
the tread ends bond together, rather than the small surface area
provided by square cut ends.
To further ensure the strength of this bond along the tread splice, the
directional arrow will show you which way to mount the tire so that when
the rider is "on the gas"; the acceleration force on the rear tire is
pressing the splice together, rather than peeling it back.

As for braking, 80 % of the braking is done using the front tire.
Therefore, the front tread splice is run in the opposite direction than
that of the rear, so when the rider is on the brakes, he's not peeling
the tread splice back.

If you are using a tire that has a directional arrow for rear rotation
only and for some reason you want to put it on the front, make sure it
is rotating in the opposite direction to the arrow so you don't
aggravate the tread splice.


Best regards,

Peter J McNally

M/C Technical Product Manager

01225 357753

www.avonmotorcycle.com

[JordanA]

That is how I understood it.

[Adam Roby]

Nice to know...  makes sense. 

[latts]

Warren,

great setup.  what did you use for mounts?  are they also Givi?  wouls like to do something like that on my 96 NH....

latts

[LOKi]

Warren,

great setup.  what did you use for mounts?  are they also Givi?  wouls like to do something like that on my 96 NH....

latts

The wingrack is available but the mounting kit for our bike isn't so much any more. Check out the fallowing thread for more info.
 
http://nighthawk-forums.com/index.php/topic,4325.0/topicseen.html