Yamaha R1 2006

Last Monday I and my brother did a project changing new fairing which i have ordered quite a while ago.

Keeping fit..

I have been riding sportbike for a while now, and I do feel my physical fitness is lacking behind. My legs  are not strong enough to hold on to the bike hence giving me some difficulties manouvering the twisty Cameron Highlands.

I decided to ride a bicycle to up my game. Yesterday I went out with my wife and scout around bicycle shops namely BMC, Trek, SPECIALIZED and etc. My initial intention to buy me a street bicycle but it seems that my pocket is not deep enough to own a proper street bicycle. 

After looking around and recommendation by my fellow colleagues found a midlle type Mountain bike which fits my pocket and tastes. The bike name is BIANCHI, well known brand from Italy, bought some initials requirments like tights, gloves, and LED lights to get started.

So this morning I set out from home, small steps to reach ,my goal. As usual and expected I would be exhausted in just 3 km range so I turn around and head home. Although my ride only lasts 6km, I could feel my legs muscle being worked out even during I am typing this. I really hope I could increase my range and stamina in the future for better motorcycle riding experience.

Cleaning and lubricatiing Chain

If you were like me every 500 km trip you made, you will  lubricate your chain. Over time the stickyness of the chain lube, rain, dust and grime will stick to your chain.  This made the chain more heavy and in rease friction with your sprocket. The friction will drag your bike and quickly worn out the teeth of your sprckets.

Today after almost 8000km since I had my chain cleaned. My tools are only with a brush, old iice cream container, roll of tissue and half a bottle of gas.whiile the bike is on the paddock rear stand, I brushed gently the chain after dipping the brush in the gas. While brushing he chain, the ice cream container placed at the bottom of the chain to catch the dripping excess of gas and dirt. This container also will minimize spalshing gas onto the rims and tyre.

Once completed I then put some gas on the tissue and wipe the chain to ensure all dirt are off the chain. Later I wipe dry again the chain with a new tissue and let the chain alone for ten minutes to get the remaining gas evaporated from the chain.

While waiting for the chain to dry, I took this opportinity to clean other moving parts such as suspension joints with WD40. I also moved my footpegs on my R1 a step higher since it I am not really comfy with current position. Once the  hain is dry I tested to rotate my wheels and start the engin. It feels very light and the wheels are rotating by it self once started even if without gears. 

Gently now I sprayed the chain with chain lube while covering the bike from excessive chain lube on the body or rim. I was very happy today once its finish Nd the chain look very clean an smooth.

Now the bike is ready for the next trip. I hope you will benefit with this article as I also learn it from youtube on how to do it8

Tyre Break - in

As you know from earlier blog, I have just change new tyre from Bridgestone S20 EVO replacing my BT016R. I didn't ask my mechanic to sand my both tyre to take away the wax and oil on the tyre, but I decided to break in my tyre gradually through riding.

It's a fun day today, with my confidence are building up even withe the new tyre the tyre to lean over up to 80% of the edge of the tyre. I didn't go to the track either as the nearest track is in Sepang somewhere 500 km away from wher I am today.

What I decided today with my friend, we ride from Bertam to Penang bridge ->  Bertam -> Pulau Betong Teluk Kumbar and then to Bt Ferringhi via Balik Pulau. My journey map as the following image.

Easily this trip would have 150 km in it and my tyres had a good break in today. I was very confident today with the new tyre and my lean angle shows through the tire wear although it was still new and waxy. At first I could feel both front and rear are twitdhing here and there but nothing to drastic and dangerous as I am not ridng too fast.

At the end of the journey my tyre looks like this!

                                                                Front

                                                                   Rear

As you can see above both tyre has a good 1 cm untouched, where I consider this is a improvement in my riding technics and confidence level are high. You have to take consideration that this is within couple hours the tyre on this bike from shelf.

My Yamaha R1

Went for a service today for my R1 at AMS Motorsports, while was there noticed that my tyre is mo longer safe for riding.

Change new tyre today from Battlax 016 R to S20 EVO, hoping the next ride would be more exciting and enjoyable. My Battlax lasts me for about 4 months only where approximately 8,000 km recorded on it. Front tyre however looks like there are still about 500 km in it, butvwhat the heck I just traded it in and change the set. 

I didn't expect that my old tye would last 8,000 km actually. Most of my ride are from Penang to CH and in the last month my riding has improved a lot especially my confidence kicked in and my tyre wear shows it.

I have been very satisfied with mynriding lately, I have improved a lot in handling the bike and cornering technics which I learn from youtube.

I would suggest anyone who wants to learn how to ride superbike to view superbike school on youtube and pick up  a few tips from there.

Definitely you will not able to practice all keypoints innthe video, but I am sure 1 or 2 will stick in and the rest will come in later.

Mechanic doing wheel balancing Motogp style.