Discovered a new way to balance carbs

[Barry]

It's easy, get up in the dark at this time of year and set of for work at a temperature of sub zero deg C.  When you get to the end of the road turn around and watch the huge plumes of condensation coming out of the exhausts as you blip the throttle.

That's odd they don't look at all even with one side blowing more than the other and come to think of it the response off idle has been a bit rough recently.  When you get home that night do a balance check on the cables and sure enough the balance isn't right,  Quick adjustment and the pick up from idle is much improved. 

Just need another cold morning to check if the theory holds up. What a shame, the forecast has mild weather for the next week with overnights of up to 9 Deg C.  The joys of motorcycling in the winter 

[clonmore1]

Barry, how do you find the handling of yours in very cold slippery conditions?

I am a couple of weeks away from getting to ride mine for the first time and wonder what she will handle like. I have Avon r/runners installed, all new bearings everywhere plus progressive shocks and new rear shocks.

Brakes are ATE with new braided lines, pads etc, calipers stripped down and refurb,

Love to get some feedback from you on this!

[Barry]

Well I didn't fall off the BMW yet and I haven't had many heart stopping moments in 10 years of winter riding so it can't be too bad but to tell you the truth I don't push the  limits unless the roads are dry and I'm very careful about braking.

One of my pet hates is that they put salt down when it's not needed. If the roads are bone dry it doesn't matter what the temperature is there will still be some grip but then they go and spoil lovely dry roads by spreading salt which attracts moisture from the atmosphere and the roads become permanently wet until the salt is washed away by the next rain. Psychologically that slows me down a lot regardless of how much wet grip there is and I don't remotely push the limits. I suspect there is much more wet grip than I use but my concern is wet brings the hazard of diesel spills. Sometimes I can follow a rainbow trail  of diesel all the way home from work. The only time I ever dropped a road bike without hitting something first was on diesel so that's why I'm a bit sensitive.

To sum up winter riding, I'm confident that left to go at  my own pace I won't drop the bike even in snow. It's the other traffic that's the real hazard.

[clonmore1]

I look forward to finding out how the 65 handles when I get mine on the road, agree about the other road users, not always so considerate...

[georgesgiralt]

Hello !
My R65 is my daily ride (except on snow). Mostly city/urban highway to go to work and for the all day chores. Frankly she is up to the task. And with flying colors. I'm still able to make a hole behind me if needs be and stop her way shorter than other bikes/cars when surprised by a traffic jam or anything else.
I admit that on the "autoroutes" at 130 km/h she is not on her best dress and  I can't accelerate as hard as some big cars when I want to overtake a slower car or truck.
But I tend to avoid these highways anyway because they're boring so it is not a big problem.
The French speed limitations are 50 km/h in town, 90 on small roads 110 or 90 on city highways and 130 km/h on toll highways.
I often use her on small roads and musing around 90 km/h is  very charming.