Maximum Mechanical Lean Angle

Almost all of the newbie riders I meet and talk to say the same thing, they don't have a lot of faith in their tires. I know it took me a few outings on my Duc, after riding with "poor" tires, to finally feel confident in the new tires grip! I've been running the Michelin PP3's F/R on the Duc and the '01 VFR and have total faith in them, at least for the street riding I have been doing, have yet to take them to the track, but based on reports from others, I don't think I have much to worry about. Confidence in your gear, clothing and machinery, makes all the difference in the world when it comes to riding fast and aggressive.

 

plus one for pilot powers! i have no trust in touring tires.

 

Agree 100%. Most people don't understand the capabilities of their tires. You can push them much farther than you think. They will take a far greater lean or angle than what I do on mine. Lots of rubber left on those sidewalls to meet the pavement.



Have gotten almost as much mileage out of this photo as I did the tire lately.

 

I have a PR2 with some decent tread left on it (just above the wear marker), did you want me to send it to you so you can kill it nice and good like this one?!

 

You will be happy to know I am approaching the wear bars on my present PR4s and am about to order up a new set. And they say you can't teach an old dog new tricks.

 

Oh man you guys with your PPs... I agree touring tires will only get you in trouble if, at least me. Since like most when you have great experiences with what you use it's great, for me it's the Pireilli Diablo rossa 2s. Just saying stick with what works. Then the lean angle if so desired, will just show up. Tire tech has really made bikes strut their stuff. I can remember the bias ply days.. Crazy huh

 

I do to a certain degree. On my commuter ('09) I run a PR4 rear, great mileage and a PP3 front, great grip! I just swapped out my last set last week, I got 11,210 miles (probably could have squeezed out a few more) and I really put them to the grip test this past year. I got to do several long distance rides through some very fast and twisty roads, didn't even blink an eye! However, for pure sport riding I'll stick with the PP3s.

 

90 degrees: nailed it!

 

Humbling!!

 

My tires are the best ones. They are better than the last ones but not better than the next ones. I know this because I do.

 

Alright guys, stay on target! Numbers, I want numbers!

 

Do something wrong on that rig and it's no sweat. Do the same thing at the ton and you're in deep shit numberwise.

 

I could handle having one of these, any way to hook it up to say a motoGP playstaion/Xbox?

 

90 degrees cost me $703.57 in parts, one cracked rib, and an immeasurably large dent in my ego.

 

Hey pawnboy,
For a rough idea put your bike on the centrestand, get a good flat sheet of plywood and shove the edge against your tires. You'll have to cut a notch out around the centrestand. So now the plywood is the road surface, raise it up until it touches the feelers. The suspension won't be compressed at all but it gives you an idea
Killboy caught this picture of me the first time I ever touched down, while riding the dragon this spring. If you look really close you can see the sparks from the peg feeler.Stock front suspension, rear raised about 1.5" Scared the poop out of me for a second.
Before that I never used to hang off, I do now.

 

More than 47°

 

Not sure about the VFR, but here's a video discussing lean angles in MotoGP (and on street bikes)...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J73XRDGPcpE

Max lean angles from vertical (according to the video):
scooter: 40degrees
standard street bike: 50degrees
super sport with slicks: 55degrees
competition superbike with slicks: 61degrees
MotoGP: 64degrees

 

Why even ask about lean angle? If you want to look good and fast, drag your knee. People are then impressed and don't even notice the lean angle. I ride on occasion with a guy who seems able to drag his knee on every corner no matter how slow he is going or how slight the lean angle. This was proven when I followed him through Deals Gap and used my gopro. He was dragging every corner and although my speed was the same I was barely leaned. But boy did he look good.

 

I'm not trying to use the information to look cool. The why is irrelevant, I just want numbers.