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Nope... I don't think tires or oil has ever been discussed.
Trying hard not to sound like a smart-ass, but when we get new guys coming on to ask about tires or oil, it makes us that have been here a while want to scream. Everyone has a preference and everyone has their reasons. You might do a search for either that will give you HOURS of reading pleasure so as to make an informed decision.
BUT.. I'm sure there will still be those that can't resist the temptation, and will post their opinions on the subject.
Good luck.
Tod
Try your hardest to be the kind of person your dog thinks you are.
You can live to be 100, as long as you give up everything that would make you want to live to be 100!
Current bikes:
'06 Suzuki DR650
*'82 XJ1100 with the 1179 kit. "Mad Maxim"
'82 XJ1100 Completely stock fixer-upper
'82 XJ1100 Bagger fixer-upper
'82 XJ1100 Motor/frame and lots of boxes of parts
'82 XJ1100 Parts bike
'81 XS1100 Special
'81 YZ250
'80 XS850 Special
'80 XR100
*Crashed/Totalled, still own
By the way... oil is another touchy subject around here...
lol
81 SH SomethingSpecial 81 frame, 80 tank and side covers, 79 tail light and carbs, 78 engine, 750 final drive mod, Geezer rec/reg, 140 mains, LH wheels
☺
79 SF MEAUQABEAUXS 81SHNor'eastah (Old Red) 80 LGBlack Magic 78 EStandard Practice
James 3:17
If I can make at least one person smile, or pee their pants a little, or maybe spit out their drink; then my day is not wasted.
OK. Maybe this has been discussed before, but what tires would you recommend, and why? Rubadub
Hi Rubadub,
there is no single answer. Some prefer longevity over gripping power and some don't. Individual opinions on various makes differ; for instance, a kind gentleman on this list GAVE me a front tire with only 500 miles on it because he hated it. While I had intended that tire for sidecar use it ended up on my son's XS650 and he claims it sticks to the road like glue.
Stay with the stock sizes. Smaller is silly, larger will be too close the the fender (front) or the swingarm (rear).
Too much larger simply won't fit.
Don't sweat it, even the least costly of modern tires are better than the ones they were making 30 years ago.
Fred Hill, S'toon
XS11SG with Spirit of America sidecar
"The Flying Pumpkin"
Ok
Maybe this has been discussed before, but what tires would you recommend, and why?
Thanks
Rubadub
I recommend round tires, because they don't make as rough a ride as the square ones.
Also, use ones that are the correct size. It is very difficult to air up a 17" tire on a 16" rim.
If you're a real man and can handle all the hell poured on you, get a harley branded white wall, that way you will be all freshened up and insults you can use the next time you really need to put someone down.
P.S. DO NOT get the Dunlop 404s. They suck. Pretty much everyone agrees with this. They are the reason I did have a harley branded whitewall on my XS.
I have heard on here that you can get those square tires to balance up pretty well by using those little balls that roll around inside them or something like that
Oh and on the subject of oil, I would recommend using oil. I also found out on here that it works best INSIDE the engine. Go figure!
Hey Ivan, don't let them give you any hell about your whitewall. I think it looks SWWEEEEEEEEETTTT!
'81 Venturer U.S. Navy Air Commemorative
'79 Special
I have heard on here that you can get those square tires to balance up pretty well by using those little balls that roll around inside them or something like that
Square tires take those little one inch cubes, not the beads. When you need more performance out of your tires you just add more cubic inches and...
I'll get my coat!
Regards,
Scott
-- Scott
_____
♬
2004 ST1300A: No name... yet
1982 XJ1100J: "Baby" SS Brakes, '850 FD, ACCT
1980 XS1100G: "Columbo" SS Brakes, '850 FD, ACCT
1979 XS1100SF: "Bush" W.I.P.
1979 XS1100F: parts
2018 Heritage Softail Classic 117 FLHCS SE: "Nanuk" It's DEAD, it's not just resting. It is an EX cycle.
♬
The one size larger front tyre looks TUFF but makes the machine much harder to turn - so if you're into cruisers and like "truck" tyre front ends do it - if you like a bit of handling performance riding then stick to standard....
Bryan
Bryan H
"Conan, what's best in life?"
"To crush your enemies, drive them before you and the lamentation of their women"
LOL.. This poor guy's gonna think we're all a bunch of idiot smartazzes.. I was thinking it was just me!?
Tod
Try your hardest to be the kind of person your dog thinks you are.
You can live to be 100, as long as you give up everything that would make you want to live to be 100!
Current bikes:
'06 Suzuki DR650
*'82 XJ1100 with the 1179 kit. "Mad Maxim"
'82 XJ1100 Completely stock fixer-upper
'82 XJ1100 Bagger fixer-upper
'82 XJ1100 Motor/frame and lots of boxes of parts
'82 XJ1100 Parts bike
'81 XS1100 Special
'81 YZ250
'80 XS850 Special
'80 XR100
*Crashed/Totalled, still own
After much deliberation, and input, I decided to go with the ROUND Pirelli Route 66, big improvement over the old tires, I believe the rear Mag Mopus was original. Decided on these tires after asking and researching many brands and types. Primarily for stickiness and wet handling. After 500 + miles, they are as good as advertised.
Now that the tires are on, I have a fork brace, what else can I reasonably do to improve handling of this Beast? Please explain what you have done in detail, Pics would be nice as well.
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