Spirit Lake Memorial-Ridable, Ducati-Style?

[canoncrazy]

Anyone ride WA-504(spirit lake memorial highway)? Is there a lot of debris on the road or small towns with ultra low speed limits? What am I to expect beside awesome visual stimuli and winds at 130+(given my wrist will be cocked back nearly to max power)? Any gas stations along the WA-504?
And also, I probably have less than a couple hundred miles left on my rear tire. Any suggestions on brand (I am working with some Perelli-soft compound) and installation company (Motocorsa being the obvious favorite).
Thanks, Chris

[INFIDEL]

It might just be me but if you like the Pirelli stay with them.  I've had Pirlelli, Dunlop, Michelin, and . . . one other I can't remember at the moment.

Each has a unique character.  I've not found one I've liked as much as the Pirelli.

[canoncrazy]

i have only used the Dunlop for the full life of the tire. 3k miles max on just about any tire for the 1098? I just got this bike in dec w original tires, ready to be changed, thank you Motocorsa. So, i cant say whether i like them or love them with only 400 miles test driving. Now to find a place to really test the tires...hence the post: Spirit Lake-WA-504...
My s4r, i put hard compound Continental tires (9k life) on and never lost any traction at all! But i rode 99% of those in sunny SOCAL where only thing one worries about is boulders and scattered pebbles in the middle of a blind curve(lots of shear cliffs and falling debris). scared the things back inside of me more than once. 

[duc_fan]

My family has had 2 CBRs go down on Dunlops (one of them on the same corner going 5 mph slower than a 675 on Pirellis and 10+ mph slower than my 900SS on Michelins).  I never liked their auto tires (which were also slicker than snot on a doorknob), and have no confidence in their moto tires.

I'd ride Pirelli or Michelin without hesitation.  Seems to me that Michelin is the best all-around balance of stickiness, progressive breakaway, and tread life.  Pirelli has better ultimate grip, but I don't know how harsh or progressive they are at the limit, and they seem to have a shorter life span.  Michelins are pricier, so you're probably pretty close on value ($/mile) between the two.

That's just my experience.  A combination of touring, aggressive street riding, and a couple times on the track in informal sessions.

[krolik]

HWY 504 dead ends at Johnston Ridge Observatory. The road is mostly 55 mph corners, with big sweepers, near the top, the speed drops down to 30 mph corners. I haven't been up there yet this year, but I usually make that run 2 -3 times in the summer. The road is fairly new, and is in good shape, I haven't seen any crap on the road, but I usually wait until later in May to make the first ride up the mountain. I'd suggest that you hit the road early as the traffic gets heavier as the day goes on. Most of the passing lanes are on the uphill part of the road, so you can get stuck behind slow cars coming back down. We gas up when we leave I-5, but there was a gas station about 40 mile from the top, a little one pump store, at Kid Valley, I think.

[canoncrazy]

HWY 504 dead ends at Johnston Ridge Observatory. The road is mostly 55 mph corners, with big sweepers, near the top, the speed drops down to 30 mph corners.

Posted speed limit or actual motorcycle speed? I am excited having never been near Helens and learning about it's destructive awakening in 1980.
well, thanks for the info. I feel pretty sure about these tires. In the short time i have used them i have been around a couple questionable turns without slipping. you guys buy tires online or at motocorsa?

[krolik]

Posted limits 45 to 55 mph = 80 to 90 mph when riding. [moto]

[canoncrazy]

Posted limits 45 to 55 mph = 80 to 90 mph when riding. [moto]

Give or take an additional 20-30 mph, sounds like a nice ride. Thanks Victor!

Now, about those tires. Where would one invest in a pair of motorcycle shoes in town? I have a feeling I will be "sticking" with the Pirellis, their website is not too Ducati friendly. -wont tell me where to buy their darned shoes.

[ryandalling]

Give or take an additional 20-30 mph, sounds like a nice ride. Thanks Victor!

Now, about those tires. Where would one invest in a pair of motorcycle shoes in town? I have a feeling I will be "sticking" with the Pirellis, their website is not too Ducati friendly. -wont tell me where to buy their darned shoes.

Sign up for a PSSR track day.. cause tom will be there... tom Young of competition motors is the local Pirelli dealer for racers... he could hook ya up... other than that corsa has em.

As to the posted limit on that route... I remember hitting my rev limiter with Morgan a couple summers back... if that gives you any indication. 

[duc_fan]

Apparently I really need to ride that road. 

[krolik]

Just head up there early to avoid traffic. 

[canoncrazy]

As to the posted limit on that route... I remember hitting my rev limiter with Morgan a couple summers back... if that gives you any indication.  

Morgan, the prior owner of my 1098, Slingshot? Pretty cool guy. Had a drink with him after learning the reason I was purchasing a pit bull stand for the 1098 on craigslist from him. Just sold his 1098 (through Motocorsa). Not a better bike for me!
I am looking forward to a trip to PIR. I have to get a back protector and choose a day during the summer. I am really just getting comfortable with the bike, first. Kinda worried about other riders smacking into me while hitting the track. will be looking into the insurance coverages available while at the track.

[ryandalling]

If you do PSSR or Motocorsa days... other riders hitting you is very very rare... they have tight guidelines on passing... mainly not in corners... (depending on which group you are in)... as to insurance... good luck... most places don't cover your bike on the track... more of a don't ask don't tell thing... lol.  PSSR and Motocorsa many times advertise their days as a "rider school" and not a "track day" for that particular reason.