I find the bike a bit hesitating (and me too) on wet conditions, and in dry condition at tight turns I am leaning with less confidence than my old R1200GS. I first thought because the GS has an extra suspension right behind the fork, which makes the bike more stable in cornering. Then I remember (and re-read) some of you mentioning about the stock tires (Metzler Tourance) are not fantastic on wet conditions. May be a bit of both. I need to change my tires in another couple thousand km anyway, and I am likely going to change to Mitas E07 as I use the bike more road than off-roads. I am going to see how the tires contribute to the cornering stability. Then I will check out the WP suspension which should come out in May or summer 2009, as I was told by a rep at the Cologne show. I know Ohlins already has a set and Wilbers too, but I like to see what WP comes up with too. Any observations, tips on the tire/suspension relationship with wet conditions?

I've done over 3,500 miles on my Tourances, in all weathers, and considering they are a dual purpose tyre, I think they do pretty well. I suppose if you want something more road biased, you will get better wet weather grip, but it will be at the expense of any off road ability. Horses for courses?

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-- Triumph Explorer 1200 --

To be exact, I want everything of the Tourance plus better grip on wet conditions and tight cornering, I like the balance between road and off-road on the Tourance, so I don't want to sacrifice any off-road ability of the Tourance.

Is your bike actually letting go on the corners, or is it more of a "confidence" issue? I've had a couple of little slides in the wet, but nothing that required a change of underwear.

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-- Triumph Explorer 1200 --

I too are running the tourances, and we've had some pretty wet weather up here in the lakes lately (remember the abandoned fell race a few weeks ago?).

I have no problem with the tourances in the wet, or mud or leaves (although I do back off a bit through these). The chicken strips are the same so I guess my riding hasn't changed and there have been no 'mishaps', I've covered 10,000 miles and I'm on my second set of rubber.

One thing I did change on the bike was the suspension setting. the stock setting is about 1 click up from 'softest', I took it about 1/3 of the way up on both the front and rear. The Ten does turn in alot slower than almost every other bike I've had a higher speed, and if the revs aren't right it can dip a bit at slow speed (that's a single thing though, the TTR does the same). Compared to my previous bike (Varadero) the higher speed cornering requires a bit more thought and anticipation than the Vara ever did. Stiffening the suspension gives it a little more feel in the corner and it doesn't dive quite as bad. If you want to setup for the road try taking the suspension up about 1/2 way, see it that improves it ? or maybe all the way - you can always take it back if you don't like it and it's not costing you anything. if you fancy a bit off-road then you can soften it again - although I find the 1/3 setting just about the best all round. Then again if I'm going 'proper' off road I take the TTR.

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Never underestimate the power of stupid people in large groups.

The tourances can grip in the wet but they have to heat up a good bit before they do and if the road is the slightest bit greasy thats it they just slip/slide or spin up. I go into so many roundabouts over here and if you dont ride SM style ie leg out you would be very close to loosing it. Ive found this to be the same with most of the other tyres ive used so far, also because the bikes tall and has less wieght you dont know how far you are leaning over or how fast you enter a corner.

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Plough on

Many thanks guys for all your tips. I think I will dial the rear shock setting to 3 to give it a try. Will keep you posted.

Sorry if my remark is overdone, shouldn't you also change the front shock?

I think a lot of it is in the head thanks to the slow stearing and the way too high gear ratio. I took mine to the racing track, had TKC80 fitted so it was hard to keep up with the supersports. Anyway, drove it to the limit where I started sliding both front and rear and it was way beyond what I had felt was close to the limit before. Play around with the suspension and trust the bike.

Borus, your remark wasn't overdone, I have thought about changing the front and rear shocks to some after-market brand.

Molgan, that's encouraging to hear there is a big gap between what I thought was the limit and what it actually is.