The June mini heatwave being experienced by the UK, came to an end today. Since the weekend, the temperatures have been steadily rising, peaking with the hottest summer solstice temperatures for forty years when they reached 34 degrees. 
This heat always raises the same question in bikers. Safety or comfort? Having ridden across the Italian plains a few years back in the height of summer, I'm familiar with riding in searing heat, but that was a different experience to commuting.
The ride across Italy was a much simpler affair. I put the kit on in the morning, rode the bike, got really hot, drank lots of fluids when filling up, got to my hotel, took off my kit, showered, had dinner and went to bed.
Commuting is a totally different beast in the heat, as you're roasting by the time you get to work and then, well for me at least, really struggle to cool down. These problems lead many to ride in less protective kit, sometimes shorts and a T-shirt and no gloves, which subsequently splits the community right down the middle. 
You have the 'sweat is easier to spill than blood' camp on one side and the 'its feels so refreshing' on the other. I fall firmly in the first camp and really don't like riding any real distance in anything less than decent kit. If asked my opinion on the matter, I usually return the question and ask them if they remember tripping as a kid, putting their hands out and grazing their hands and arms on the concrete? The response if usually 'yes' to which I reply, now imagine that at 30mph and weighing three times as much, often with a motorbike on your back. It certainly gets people thinking. 
Despite my feelings on the matter, if somebody wants to ride without greater levels of protection, then who am I to tell them otherwise? The legal requirement is just a helmet, nothing more, but I do draw the line when I see pillions without any decent kit on. I remember in London seeing a sportsbike rider, in full power ranger mode wearing a lovely set of Dianese leathers, boots, the whole deal, with his girlfriend on the back in flipflops, a little dress, t-shirt and helmet. The contrast was striking.
As a pillion you have all the risk and none of the control. Non-bikers think we're mad, but bikers know for a fact the mad ones are the pillions. If you want to increase the risk to your life, then thats your choice, but don't inflict it onto your passenger.

Man, I do love me some brand new tyres, but it really helps if they're at the right pressures. Although I can change a set of tyres, I don't have the requisite tools to hand so I rely on dealer support. Booking the bike into Bournemouth Bikes for the tyre change from Pirelli Rosso Corsa 2s onto Pirelli Rosso 3s, it took about an hour for them to change them. I suspect a good 20mins of that, was attempting to undo the rear wheel nut. That sumbitch is on really tight.
The Ducati is really sensitive to tyre pressures and prefers the tyre pressures to be well down in comparison to other bikes. For example, the FireBlade is more than happy with pressures of 36 front and 42 rear, although I do run 34 40 instead, the 1098s wants 31 front and 33 rear for standard road use and into the 20s for the track. 
This is why leaving the dealer with 36 42 dialled in, the bike felt horrid. I don't blame the dealer, but it will certainly give me pause of thought when these need replacing early next year.

With the right pressures in, the tyres scrubbed up nice and quickly and I was able to get almost right to the edge of the rear within two commutes, which equates to around 50 miles. The front however looks like it needs a track to get there. The level of grip is great and the bike feels really planted through the corners.
I've been a really big fan of Pirelli tyres for several years now and although they are really expensive, the trust I have in them is worth every penny. The Rosso 3 have the profile of the Supercorsa, but with an increased level of tread, making them a better all round tyre. The Supercorsas are brilliant, but if riding on a damp or wet road, the Rosso 3 would out perform them with ease.

It's election day here in the UK and what better way to get to the Polling Station than on two wheels? It works a few ways in my favour really. Firstly, parking isn't an issue as I just park up nice and close and wander in. Secondly, as I'm decked out head to foot in biker kit, I don't get asked any stupid questions by representatives standing outside the Polling Station and third, I got to have a nice conversation with a fellow voter about RR5 Fireblades and old Triumphs on the way out. Great start to the day. Politics may divide us, but bikes will always bring us back together.
In other news the Ducati gets a change of shoes tomorrow. At her MOT several weeks back, I had an advisory that the front was reaching the legal wear limit. The annoying thing was, the rear was fine. With this knowledge between my ears, I've spent these last few weeks caning the Ducati through my favourite local routes trying to kill off the rear Rosso Corsa 2 tyre. I nearly got there too, but now the front is just too low, so I couldn't wait. 
Already a fan of the Rosso 3 tyre which have been on the FireBlade since they came out, the Ducati will be getting the same treatment. With new tyres on, I'm quite tempted to get a tyre pen and fill out the Pirelli logo. We shall see.

I am probably my own worst enemy at most times. Being stubborn doesn't help either. I don't need an excuse to ride my bike, I think we all know that, but the problem is I end up riding in some less that favourable conditions. Like today. Very strong winds and driving rain don't for a good ride make. They do however make for an interesting ride, one that tests the skills I've been building for the last decade.
Perversely I really don't mind riding in the rain and if you take away the getting soaked element, find it a very rewarding experience. Riding when its wet has taught me more about bike, throttle and brake control than any dry day could possibly. Its taught me not to fight the bike, trust in whats underneath me, but most interestingly, its taught me a great deal about reservation.
With upwards of 150bhp on tap, with no electronic aid, going straight to the rear wheel, being smooth is the only option. Big sharp inputs would leave me in the nearest hedge and that would have a good chance of ruining my day.
Yes there are many reasons not to want to ride in the wet. Getting soaked and getting the bike filthy are two very strong reasons, but for me at least, the pros far outweigh the cons.