africa twin supermoto wheels and tyres

[badboy]

i own a africa twin xrv750 latest model but im short in the leg and nealy fall off a lot is it posible to fit supermoto wheels and tyres i dont go off road with it as i broke my back a cople of years ago fixed now i love my twin and dont want to change it anyone help

[paultheold]

Worth a try.

[rob7]

i'll bring this one to the top for a minute just to inform you guys that i just got round to reading last weeks MCN, now i know some of you dont buy the mags etc and i stopped but still buy mcn otherwise i wouldnt be able to officiall moan about them, anyways i digress. the bike fleet they road test has been announced and guess what the used bike editor is going to be running this year............................yep you guessed it a 1999 AT, although the pic looks decidedly 1988 to 93 model (library pic methinks).

anyway he goes on to say he want to put 17in road wheels ala ktm950 style and road legal knobblies as well. he then goes on to say hes just found ATiC and is planning to go to norway for their meet.

now just thinking out loud, but wouldnt it be an idea to give the guy a mail, tell him theres folks here in this country to that have this bike. maybe even have a meet up with the guy.

he's even been kind enough to print his email so that folks can contact him. so go ahead guys, let him know what you think.

angus.farquhar@emap.com

[afarquhar]

Hey Rob, thanks for the intro. I have been skulking on here for a few weeks and couldn't resist coming out in to the light after an intro like that.
I haven't actually got the @ yet and I'm not even sure that it'll be the 99. (Sorry about the pic by the way - yes it was a library shot picked by a designer!!).
So what do you chaps think of the ideas? I had a Varadero in 03 and loved it but I'm hoping to take advantage of the off road capabilities a bit more with the @.
I've been looking in to the 17 inch wheels thing and so far I have only come across Central wheels or Talon that look like they do them. Anyone got any other sugestions? I don't want to get the hubs relaced because I want to keep the standard rims with some knoblies on.
I'd like to get you guys involved with some of the stuff I do and I really want to make sure I present a good view of the @ so I could do with all the feedback that you're willing to give.

[DaveS]

Ahhhh afarquhar breaks cover.
Welcome.

The whole world and his wife will I'm sure be along in a moment to give you their views. I'm not really qualified to talk of the off-road capabilities the furthest I've got is Weston Super Mare beach....... but it managed that fine.

[DaveS]

Or then again perhaps they won't.

As suggested elsewhere I suggest running an unmodified AT for a bit and then tweaking it with the mods you want.
We'd certainly all be interested in your thoughts.
You must get to test a lot of different bikes and I'm interested in how you view the AT compared.

[Maverick]

We did the Pilgrims Way one sunny Wednesday last year June. I was on a GS the 1st half and my mate on my AT, then we swopped later the day when he had to return home. The GS which I am pretty used to offroad was fine and did not really give me any problems providing you don't come off more than twice. After that hard work.

Now the AT was excellent gravel, green laning and even the fords.



Light enough to pick up if going down and the power range is about perfect for gravel as you can turn it open and close at will without expecting crazy response as from some 2 stroke offroad bikes. For the once a year offroader I reckon probably alot safer as well.

The only downside could be for someone a bit short if you happen to put the wrong foot down going over some obsticales. I loved it offroad and can't wait for my deathwings to run down to fit some TKC80's for the summer.




Maybe we should organise a offroad AT day doing green laning or on Salisbury plains where the Army do their training.

[fewtrees]

The AT is a bike that gets under your skin, helps improve your riding because it aint warp speed and best of all doesn't deny you the choice to travel anywhere.

afarquhar - You must buy one of our lovely mugs, they're cheap y'know!

[johnadams]

I do MCC long distance trials on my AT (just got a Silver in the Lands End). There was another AT this time, ridden by a hero on road tyres. They are pretty good off road, particularly in a straight line over rocks as the suspension is so good. I have put a Talon 18 inch rim on the back so I can fit trials tyres, I use MT43 on the back and Mich Trials Comp on the front and the bike goes places it shouldnt. For road/occasional green lanes I use TKC80, front is good off road, but the knobs are too big for serious off road unless it is bone dry. Respect to Maverick, ("light enough to pick up"), I am only just strong enough to be able to pick mine up if I drop it. I am 5 foot 8 and dont have difficulty with the height, even with the 18 inch wheel.

[afarquhar]

Looks like you chaps keep busy on your bikes. I can't wait to get mine I haven't ridden in two months and it is driving me a bit mad. Push bikes are ok for a while but 60 miles a week for eight weeks solid...

Daves - I think I will keep it unmodified for a bit becuase I need a test bed to compare all the mods from but I'll definately be trying a load of stuff out.

Maverick - that sounds like exactly the kind of thing I'd like to get in to. Not done much off roading (one day at a school, and a day on a sidecar motocrosser!!) but I'm well keen.
I'm a bit concerned about dmaging the bike though. Are crash bars enough to keep it from getting damaged. How do you prep your @?
Can you really get access to salisbury plain. I thought it was all sealed off?

JohnAdams - Trials! you're brave aren't you. How does it cope?

Has anyone actually ever seen an @ with 17 inch wheels front and back?