My good neighbour, a Harley Road King-driving, gentleman named Big Jerry hands me a tube of Black Magic wax. It must be good because you can't even look at the Road King in the bright sunlight without shades. I apply it to the tank and am impressed. I apply a bit more...and a bit more. The tank looks like it's made of glass. A real thing of beauty.
Get on it and ride. The tank is way too slippery!! I can't get a decent grip with the knees!!! In the middle of a hard corner it feels like I'm gonna high-side. Is there an anti-slip pad out there for the knee area of the tank? What does everyone use?
Stomp pads...
http://www.stompdesign.com/stompgrip/street_ducati.asp
I don't wax the side anyways because I have a clear non-adhesive covering that area. The name of the brand is tankslaper; made by 3M I believe. You can get it at Monsterparts.com
I appreciate the advice and links. Thank you.
Can't help but notice that folks are not exactly giving these things away. $40 is pricey for a set of stick-ons. As I've been searching this issue, I've run across some old-school rubber tank pads on eBay. Funny.
Maybe I don't know shit about riding, but if your tank being slick makes you feel like you're going to high side when leaning into a corner, you might be doing it wrong. If anything, you should feel like you're going to fall off the bike, on the the lowside. ??? I could see a very slick tank causing a problem, but if you're that concerned about it, then don't wax your tank.
Quote from: Jobu on July 23, 2008, 12:03:53 AM
Maybe I don't know shit about riding, but if your tank being slick makes you feel like you're going to high side when leaning into a corner, you might be doing it wrong. If anything, you should feel like you're going to fall off the bike, on the the lowside. ??? I could see a very slick tank causing a problem, but if you're that concerned about it, then don't wax your tank.
Indeed: Lesson learned - Don't wax tank in area where you need it for grip.
About the leaning/high-side thing: Without a good grip on the tank with the knees, I find myself getting more rigid in the arms in order to keep the body leaned. Without the tank it's arms and outside foot on peg that keeps me on the moto. Prob is that pressure on outside bar end and outside peg makes the bike want to stand up in the corner = high-side. That's how it feels anyway.
I'm confused, with the exception of hard braking, what are your knees gripping the tank for? I always try to make the seat/tank areas that contact my body to be as slippery as possible.
Quote from: Norm on July 23, 2008, 10:33:17 AM
I'm confused, with the exception of hard braking, what are your knees gripping the tank for? I always try to make the seat/tank areas that contact my body to be as slippery as possible.
I suppose it's a personal preference thing, but I like to keep my weight off of my wrists when I ride. I do this by supporting my upper body with my back and knees gripping the sides of the tank.
http://www.techspec-usa.com/products/gs_ducati.html
snakeskin. Looks great on a red tank, looks textured on a black tank.
only downside is I had to cut it to fit. I think they now offer pre-cut snakeskin.
Quote from: lauramonster on July 23, 2008, 07:02:49 PM
http://www.techspec-usa.com/products/gs_ducati.html
snakeskin. Looks great on a red tank, looks textured on a black tank.
only downside is I had to cut it to fit. I think they now offer pre-cut snakeskin.
Ordered some snakeskin. Can't take it anymore. Went into town this aft to take an expense report to the UPS drop-off. Buddy cuts me off, I grab a handful of brakes and almost take a header over the bars.
?
You just need to increase your clamping power!!
(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3238/2719623696_4be3fbe1ea_o.jpg)
Quote from: Duc Fever on July 31, 2008, 04:08:45 AM
You just need to increase your clamping power!!
(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3238/2719623696_4be3fbe1ea_o.jpg)
The 80's was just such a wonderful decade.
got the snakeskin on - cut, contoured and champfered. I like it. Very grippy and durable.
Thanks for all of the input.
(http://picasaweb.google.com/mark.kreutzkamp/ClubDesmo/photo#5238257150265820050)