I did the Motoman break in on mine, and changed oil at 200 and 600. So far so good, but who really knows. I know it made me feel dirty to do it...I felt like I needed to go to confession for beating on a brand new bike.

As for the tires, mine is also an '03 brought out of it's crate last summer. Still has the 204's and I don't have any serious complaints, but I guess it's what you are used to. I'm just to cheap (poor?) to get rid of rubber with only 1200 miles on it. Although I do agree with the fact that they don't age particularly well in storage, I gotta wear them down a little first. Anyway, the sliding rear end under accel. is kinda fun.

 

Blue VTR...I'm on the exact same page, including the slip-n-slide part.

 

Also, couldn't agree more about the seat. I'm starting to get used to the bars, although my right hand still consistently goes numb. But the seat...is that what they call it? Daytona and back (about 120 miles ) is like some type of cruel punishment. I'm hoping to get the funds for a Sergent seat soon.

 

Breakin periods are a complete joke. They are just an OEM way of telling you to take it easy and get enough miles on the bike that they don't have to cover it under any kind of warranty. Other than Harley I don't know of a single manufacturer that is using a special "breakin" lubrication. They are using the same oil they reccomend to you in their svc. manual. I say get an oil change at 500-600 miles and hit the road. I would have to agree with everyone else though on the tires. Be careful on that set of old rubber.

 

The more I read the more I agree that breakin's are a CYA for the manufacturerer's.

Back to tire concerns...When I do spoon on some new rubber, what do you guys recommend? Of course I want my cake and eat it too....sticky and high mileage. In case something goes wrong with a tire and I need a set before I get home I should know what to get.

That being said the most important thing for me is predictability. I'd much rather have predictable tire that isn't the stickiest than superior traction w/out predictablilty. I'd rather learn the tire's limits without forking out $$$ for plastic and God knows what else. I'm sure the knee dragger's will have plenty of input...I'm all ears!

What are some good combos? I'll be doing typical riding, some "sport touring" and plan on a track day as soon as I can. That's a tall order for one tire/wheelset, I know.

?

 

Pilot Powers or Qualifiers are my vote. I like 'em sticky though.

 

Pilot Powers are great...don't know about the mileage yet...but they look good thus far...800 miles...

 

I'm currently running Diablo front and Diablo Strada rear - so far the Strada seems to have equal grip and slightly better wear. I had Dunlop 208's on last year but picked up nails faster than A-Rod picks up blondes. The new set-up along with avoiding the gravel seems to be working.

 

Anybody run Metzlers? Are they a relative has been? That's about all I used to run-Comp K's, but that was a long time ago.

 

Love my M-1's. Maybe not the overall stickiest, but very predictable. I backed it into a turn just by letting off the gas a bit when the tires weren't warm yet. Even with the crappy stock shock, the bike never became unsettled or shimmied or wiggled or anything. It just calmly hooked up and kept going. Good times. That's kinda what's weird about 'em. You'll start to slide sometimes but sliding makes them finish warming up, so you keep doin what you're doing and you make it through the turn.

 

I have qualifiers and they were confidence inispiring at the track. The wear was nice and even with 0 chicken strip. My riding buddies were quite impressed with how good the tires fared. They ride FZRs with BattleAx rubber on them and their tires were super messy when it was all said and done. I really haven't noticed the attraction to nails on mine.

 

I love my m-1s and cant wait to try the m-3 s for the hawk I'll probably always stick to the metzlers really agree with the predictability factor. on the sv 650 I'm running pilot powers and those I also have no complaints about. both great tires. will update when I throw some m-3s on .