Cheng Shin or Cheng S*&!

[birch]

You guys sold me on the Dunlop's. I had no idea there was a tire that would hold up for 15000. That is simply amazing. Even if they are 80 dollars more a set than the Dunlop's it is worth it.

Hopefully, these hi-max tires will get me through this summer and the next. If not, I hear Elite 3's in the future for me.

Thanks everyone for the input. What a great community.

[ross]

hey there neighbor.....

hey there birch....got the front 4 $100 installed and the rear i just got 4 $130 installed....ya just might have 2 help them get the rear tire off if the aren't familiar with working on old bikes...make sure they grease the rear splines as recommended.........had 2 do that with my dealership......keep an eye on the mechanic and if he/she scratches their heads, go give them a helping hand....if not sure, every dealership has an internet connection....just log on 2 the site via their computers and show them the wealth of wisdom they do not know of.....btw...r u located in birch run, mi?....just wondering...good luck and i know you will really like the dunlop's in this wonderful, predictable Michigan weather....ross

[birch]

Ross,

When I bought my bike the tires were about shot. I bought Spitfires and figured I would do the work myself. After all, they couldnt be any different than the dirtbike tires of my youth right?
Wrong--I got the front one off and on with no problem. Then I started on the back. All was going well until I took the valve stem off and stepped on the tire to break the bead. It didn't budge. I soon realized that the rear tire was beyond my abilities and took it to the dealer. I was introduced to the wonderful world of rimlocks. Luckily, the dealer let me look over his shoulder to see how he got the tube and tire on and over the rimlock without pinching the tube. Now it is no problem--a little bit of cussing and grunting but no 90 mph tire spoon throws across the garage.

No, I do not live in Birch Run, although I stop in at Tony's every time I get in the area. When I was a kid, my father taught me how to build a fire out of birch bark and that tree has forever since been my favorite tree in the woods. Pretty cool plants.

I live on a dirt road by a little dinky hole in the wall town called Dighton. It is very close to Tustin and Cadillac.

[ross]

hey there birch...after running my own business, i have come 2 learn when to do something myself and when to pay 2 have it done....when they brought out the 4' "persuader" bar to re-install my front tire, i just laughed.....i hear ya about the 90 mph tool toss...my weapon of choice is the closest hammer....not pretty....Tony's is the place....good food, good price, good people....we've have family stop there for years...also did the camp fire thing many times as i come from a long line of michigan campers.....birch bark does work best for kindling....i used 2 live in a dinky hole in the wall town called "waldenburg"...on a dirt road....driveway was 1/4 mile long....i can relate....ross

[jetmechmarty]

YMMV

I have never traveled 15K on a motorcycle tire. I may get close to 8K on the Dunlop GT501. I like softer compound and my riding style probably contributes to tire wear.

I keep replacing the GT501 with the same tire.

[ScottsXS]

any body have cs barracudas?? just bought a new set hope i didnt waste my money

[jetmechmarty]

CS Barracuda

I know some folks are running them on the XS650 and they are said to work well. Of coarse, the XS1100 is 100 lbs heavier and may make the difference. Let us know!

[Bigfoot]

I have used Maxxis Promax on my XJ. I heard they are made by CS. They seemed to be pretty good on the road and twisties and were wearing great. I have ridden them on wet roads and they never scared me. Had about 5000 miles on them and took a trip. Looked at tires before I left and they looked like they could both go another 5000. Put 1000 on that weekend and back tire needs replaced. I did not check my air pressure prior to that trip so I think that it was my fault and I was probably running it underinflated. I just ordered another Maxxis for the rear only to keep a matched set. Next time I will replace both and try a different brand. $50 for the tire (including tax) mount and balance will cost $30.

[Hammerhead1st]

Given that I'm heading to GA, I think I want to get a set of tires that will hold up on the asphalt when it's 120 degrees in the sun. I plan to ride my XS EVERYWHERE due to gas prices and stuff. I need a good wearing tire that will hold the road. I love the reports I've seen on the Elite III's and I seriously don't think they are too expensive. I compare every cost for my bike to the cost for car parts. Bike wins almost every time.

[Bohn Frazer]

Tire Life

I keep records of all the tires I run on my 11. Front tires I have used are:
1. Continental Conti Tour - 14,223 miles
2. Metzeler ME880 - 20,870 miles (enough tread left that I put this tire on my XS750 which I putter around town on) This tire comes with 7/32" rubber versus 5/32" on most other front tires. You won't beat this tire for performance and life.

Rear Tires I have used:
1. Cheng Shin Hi Max 16" - 8,433 miles
2. Cheng Shin Hi Max 17 "- 4,778 miles - Can't figure out why this tire didn't last as well as the 16". I rode the same with both.
3. Metzeler ME88 17" - 8,567 miles - Had 2/32" remaining - Liked the way it held in wet cornering
4. Bridgestone Spitfire 16" - 8,798 miles - Didn't like the way it held in wet cornering

Currently running a 16" Continental Conti Tour on the rear. Really like the way it grips and think it may give good life. Will report later.

[Hammerhead1st]

Thanks for the record keeping Bohn. I see now where I should be looking for rubber. This forum rocks so hard!!!

[MindWebs]

food for thought.

i did some diggingand found these..

http://www.americanmototire.com/cata...id=296&&page=2

DURO HF296A 100/90B-19 FRONT $39.23
DURO HF296C 130/90B-16 REAR $52.34

DURO HF261A 100/90B-19 Price: $38.13
DURO HF261A 130/90B-16 Price: $43.60

i see that no-one has comented on them, so i'm guessing that limits the reviews.

i am toying with the idea of trying them on my 1100, but i have a bit of
resevation about the idea. The problem being with the bikes i am used to riding(S1&Ninja) i have developed a heavy throttle hand.

a buddy was following me yesterday and said i was 1/4" from grinding pegs and pipes. so i need a tire that won't fail me in the corners.

Thanks to your reviews i'm leaning toward:
Metzeler ME88
Dunlop GT501
dunlop 404's

i will sacrifies mileage over grip ANYDAY!!
That is what you guy's are trading.

sticky compound = good grip, poor milage
hard compound = poor grip, high milage

so, you need to find the right compound for your riding style!!!

keep'er between the ditches.

[b.walker5]

any body have cs barracudas?? just bought a new set hope i didnt waste my money

I've used them for years and found them okay . I ride pretty hard and wear out the sides just as much as the middle. I need replacements soon and will be buying the same. Of course I did have a slip in the wet a few months back which put me on the road, (and broke my leg) but it had more to do with the road than the tyre.

[crazy steve]

any body have cs barracudas?? just bought a new set hope i didnt waste my money

I also use the Barracudas and have been very happy with them. I don't have any chicken strips on my tires either, and the Dunlops (aka 'rocklops') were just too damn hard when trying to drag 'stuff'.

As far as wear, the 'Cudas cost 1/2 as much and last 2/3 as long, so the math works out. I change my own tires, so no labor costs.

YMMV

'78E original owner

[psycoreefer]

I had CS tires on my honda shadow and didn't have any problems with them. Not sure how many miles I put on them, several thousand at least and still had a little wear left when I sold it a few days ago.

I have D404's on the 11. I've been happy with them, they were cheap, only a little more then the CS and I got a Name I could trust. Next year I'll need new tires again, not sure on the mileage, my speedo took a crap middle of last year. When I get new I think I'm going with elite III's. They have dual compound right? Sticky on the sides, hard in the middle so you get a good compromise between wear and grip.