New Bike.

This is my third riding season with the bike and the first time I've replaced the tires. It makes a huge difference. I had no clue it would handle so differently. I also did the 520 conversion, I didn't notice a huge effect unless I really get on the bike... how convenient.

Not sure the intent of this post, other than to share my excitement.

 

I love getting new rubber. It feels like a new bike. What tires did you get?

 

Forgive my ignorance but what's the 520 conversion?

 

I went with the Michelin POWER 2CT's.

520 convesrions = -1/+2

 

520 = chain pitch/sprocket spline change to give the bike more lower end power.

 

a 520 chain is narrower than a 525 or 530. that's it. so it's lighter. i doubt you would notice much from just the chain, but i could be wrong.

Notes on Sprockets and Chains

 

you won't notice anything. if you want different gearing, change the sprockets. The only time you should really go down to a 520 is on a race bike.

also I have noticed that many people's bike handle like **** before a tire change because they never checked/adjusted their air pressures and were running a really low psi combined with a shot/squared tire.

 

^ +1 finally got my battery charged and took around the block for a maiden voyage and noticed she didn't want to turn and the front kept feeling like it was going to step out on me. Took it to the gas station, tires were 22/front 24/rear I knew they needed air, but didn't think they were going to be that low after sitting for 4 months.

 

3rd season and 1st tire change!?!?

I have to buy a new set EVERY year, no track days, and no burnouts, I just like to "get on it"

I for one love the 520 conversion (stock gearing), smaller chain and aluminum rear sprocket drops a signifigant amount of rotating mass allowing for a more responsive throttle getting power to the wheel. Not noticible??? HAH! The whole point of doing it it to drop weight. That front wheel comes up MUCH quicker than it did with the stock chain.

 

please define significant

just like the tire thing usually people change chains and feel a difference because the old one was worn out, too much slack, stretched, worn out sprockets, etc