All the input is appreciated, and helpful. While I would certainly love to take some classes and do some track days, it's just not in the budget right now.

My question is sort of open ended, I suppose.

I'm thinking that unless I'm too hard on the throttle coming out of a turn or something along those lines, I'm probably not going to push the limits of my tires on anything out here. I probably just need to learn to relax a little and not be so worried about a crash. I rarely exceed about 80 mph in those big sweepers I was talking about.

Yeah I hear ya... it's not a cheap sport.

btw, I added some things to my post above in the first long paragraph, not sure if you saw them.

Quiet honestly, you are never using as much of your tire or your bikes potential on the street as you think you are. Even if it feels like you are "THIS CLOSE" to getting that knee down or the bike leaned all the way, you arent.

Since you cant get the necessary conditions on the street that would enable you to "safely" (used loosely) push the limits, save it for the track. Enjoy your weekend rides, ride within your limits and a bit below, especially if you have a fear of crashing, and I promise that while you may not feel like your skills are improving, they are and the more you ride, the better you get, without even realizing it.

Yep, got it. Great input, too. Thanks!

good stuff. Now if someone would start up a basic suspension setup thread :whistle:

Here's a thought, leave it alone unless your a professional! :lol:

Rae makes a point. The majority of street only riders will not notice or benefit from 90% of the suspension adjustments available. Look in your manual, find the base line set up, and then just ride! I raced an SV 650 one season and made 1 suspension adjustment all year (1/2 in of rear shock height) and won an amatuer championship while finishing 2nd and 3rd in 2 other classes. (not bragging but simply to show you that you can concentrate on just riding and do well if your baseline is close)

For those who have to twiddle I will find the links that Sportrider and Motorcycist have published in the past.

Back to tires, What Orieo and others stated is all true. In my experience from the olden days, Dunlops went all squishy before they gave in and slide, Pirellis kind of chattered lightly and then transitioned into a gradual controlled slide, Michelins would stick then break loose completely without much warning. But these were 02-05 brand tires. They have come ALONG way in 4-5 years and most have excellent feedback and grip levels with a wide margin of error.

In my years of racing I can only count 2 crashes that came frmo a tire just giving way and I contribute both of those times to something on the racing surface. The majority of my lowsides were levering the front of the ground (with the throttle or the pegs) and my one and only hi-side was a false nuetral that hammered into gear after I had leaned in.

well lets just say i never met the previous owner but im fairly sure i weigh more than he did ;)

That's not something I can answer over the internet. I have never seen him ride or know anything about his throttle/brake control or body position while he is cornering. It's considerably hard to give good cornering advice without seeing how the person actually rides the bike, unless he provides us with some pics/vids.

:lol: I just know too many people who thought they knew what they were doing jack shit up and have to pay to get it fixed. Thankfully, I get mine done once a year and Im not small enough to even make an impact, but Ivegot good friends that can do it if need be that are professionals.

I actually thought about asking for pics, to show technique, positioning, etc myself...i remember those days...