direction. Centrally the rear is a slick
with a harder compound, and the
front clears any water from its path
in a straight line. The slick section
also offers traction during maximum
torque output, stability in a straight
line and promotes regular wear and
consistency over the life of the tyre.
The front is composed of more than
25% silica giving excellent chemical
grip especially in wet weather, and
fast warm up times. The rear has
shoulder components of 20% silica
on either side giving high grip levels,
strong corner entry and improved line
holding.
The carcass design has been
optimised for responsiveness through
quick changes of direction, and the
side-walls are stiffer with clearer plys
making room for increased structural
rubber. In effect, the rounded shape of
the tyres increases ground clearance
at lean angles, something very
desirable for heavy power cruisers.
Overall, the Cruisetecs offered
superb grip in all weather, increase
rider safety and confidence, with the
only downside being that the softer
compounds slightly reduce the life of
the tyre from the Cruisetec’s ME888
predecessor.
afternoon, sporting heated seat and grips
and a windscreen that saved my bacon! I had
been dreading driving the ‘Chesterfield Sofa
on Wheels’ but it proved to be a gloriously
able, fast, and unexpectedly dexterous beast.
Mad new respect to Honda.
During the afternoon it grew colder
and colder, at four degrees the windchill
factor meant we were riding in ‘real feel’
temperatures of minus six. With the roads
similarly chilled we expected some lessening
of tyre heat and chemical grip, but they
proved exemplary. Heading for Goulburn the
temperature stayed barely above freezing
– the first serious winter snow had arrived
nearby. All afternoon we were plagued by
winds gusting to 60 and 70km/h. At times
the turbulence threatened to pull the helmet
from my head. A respite and a hot shower
were eagerly anticipated by all.
A serious car crash ahead slowed traffic to a
standstill about 40 minutes out from warmth.
Lane splitting on a Goldwing really tested me
as the party raced ahead to an unknown-to-
me destination, so I couldn’t lose them. Let
me say that Honda has made a remarkable
bike, but that lane ‘filtering’ as I was told to
call it, is not an easy gig. At desperately cold,
Aussie expert rider speeds, it is even more
interesting. Let’s leave that there.
Suffice to say we arrived without incident but
frozen to the core of our bones. My foolhardy
choice of packing light – T-shirt, leather jacket
and riding jeans – was deeply regretted. We
were safe and sound due in no small part to
the tyres we had been putting through their
paces. At times the debris from the gales had
left leaves, bark strips, sticks, and branches
on the roads, and much concentration was
needed.
TRACK PERFORMANCE
Day two involved a morning blaze through
almost Arctic temperatures to Marulan
and the Pheasant Wood racetrack. With
the wind chill factor hitting minus 10, I was
beginning to panic as my fingers froze,
became incredibly painful and then numbed
out. Fortunately a quick tour of the track to
familiarise was followed by hot coffee.
For the next few hours we swapped bikes
and took the tyres to the limits of our
KIWI RIDER 33