Tires ??

[xsivebiker]

Jeff, I hope you have better luck than I. I've been trying to get a Dunlop K491 Touring Elite Two, MT90HB17 rear tire since Sept. First!! Can you say, On Back Order??
The first good news I've heard is that Motorcycle Accessory Warehouse [www.mawonline.com] are expecting a shipment on Jan. 7th. Item no. 26303 for a NON raised white letter tire. Cost $86.95, plus four percent for shipping. BTW, I've got 11,500 miles on my current Elite Two rear tire.
The clearance between my driveshaft and rear tire is about the diameter of a cigarette, hence the non raised white letters.
Now, I have a question. Is anybody running this rear tire with the raised letters on a similar model XS as mine?
Greg
1980 XS1100-G [Fully dressed]
1982 CX500 Custom [Wife's bike]
1979 XL250-S

[chopper]

you could always trim back the letters with a craft knife or razor blade

[rockyr74]

tire sources

I bought my dunlops from MAW, but Dennis Kirk has better stock and will match others prices.
I do not like Competition Accys - they seem to have lots of items on back order and you wait 6 weeks before they admit there is no hope.
If they have stock and the price is good enough, buy em. Be sure to get the total shipped price as some dealers have excessive "handling" charges.

[Brent]

good tire cheap

A friend of mine got a nearly new (used in good shape with lots of tread) metzler 880 130/90/16 from the local non dealer Harley shop. Seems when they sold a used bike with it the new buyer insisted on Harley tires - Dunlop 402 or 401 with Harley on the side. Good tires thrown out, free for the asking. HD dealer may have some white wall dunlop take offs.

good luck,
Brent Lilburn Ga

[Carolyne]

Hi Jeff!!
just wanted to comment on the tire thing-- I have had bridgestones Spitfires front and rear on my XJ since i got it and i never had any trouble with them, even in some of the awful rains and on the freeway around Seattle. I'm not the most aggressive rider and I think it makes a difference. If i was more aggressive on that bike I might rethink my tire choice. ( my worst trouble actually was from wet disk brakes!! oops..) anyway they are pretty good for the price, better by far than the Cheng Shins and better traction than the Kenda, and I got a pretty fair number of miles out of them. I put Metzler 880's on my other bike and i can see where they are a lot better-- sticky yet good long mileage, and a profile that lends itself to the corners. Sweeps over deep and sits right up again without argument.
I am seriously thinking about those for the Maxim next time. Maybe they will help with the cornering...
and if you mix brands of tire, look closely at the shape of the tire-- thats what causes "crabbing", if the tire 'profiles' are too different. Like a cross-section of the tire itself...
of course by now you probably have tires, but Happy New Year anyway!
Carolyne :-)

[blaise]

when I first bought my bike it was shod with metzlers front and rear. They were good reliable tyres and lasted for years. For some reason I then changed to bridgestones and am now on my second set.
I get better tracking and a generally easier ride.

Regards
Blaise

[Robert Haller]

I'm considering the following new tires: Avon Super Venom, Bridgestone Spitfire, and Dunlop Elite II. I ride mostly city and in the mountains. Any suggestions or comments?

[JP]

Originally posted by Robert Haller
I'm considering the following new tires: Avon Super Venom, Bridgestone Spitfire, and Dunlop Elite II. I ride mostly city and in the mountains. Any suggestions or comments?

You're not considering Avon Roadrunners? Reasonably priced, great handling in all (ridable) weather, unbelievable tread life.

[Robert Haller]

Originally posted by JP
You're not considering Avon Roadrunners?

What are the differences between the Roadrunners and Super Venoms? The Avon website lumps them together under touring tires. (so do you recommend the Avons over the others?)

[JP]

I do recommend the Avon over others - mostly because other brands have not (IMHO) matched the whole package of grip, treadlife and cost. I realize that people get very subjective on this matter. But as someone who left those wonderfully grippy Metzler tires because they wore out too quickly I know how these compare to great handling tires.

Looking at Avon's website, http://www.coopertire.com/avon_motor...02/Touring.htm it appears that the difference between the Supervenom and Roadrunners is:

• Supervenom rear tire is wider (which may cause clearance problems - YMMV).
• Contact patch may also be larger which would help with high speed launches.
• Front tire is narrower which might help on super twisty roads at above normal speeds.

• Roadrunner rear tire is not as wide (no problems with shaft clearance) and has many more rain grooves in the tread which probably accounts for the great wet traction.
• The front tire has a wider profile and apparently a much larger contact patch - which is probably why I think it feels SO much more stable than other tires.
• The tires also appear to be more matched both in terms of tread pattern, profile and contact patch.

Bottom line, if you ride like Chris Rawson through twisties (assuming you have a lot of them to do all the time) AND assuming they fit your bike then maybe the Supervenoms are for you.

OTOH, if you're just looking for a really stable ride that lasts forever, either across town or across country, then probably the Roadrunners.

[sixtysix]

I like the Dunlop K491 Elite II's, had these on a few XS's and on my Venture Royale. They are also on my 80 Standard that I have now. I will admit I have limited experience with tires on my XS11 but I am sold on the Dunlops. Wear like iron and have never let me down, rain or shine, twisty or straight. Not one slip, not one tire related complaint. You guys know how easy I am on my tires right? We talked Jerry fields into getting one at the Arkansas Rally, when his 'cheap' tire went bald, you should have seen the smile on his face after the first set of high speed twisties. I have never tried the Avons, but have heard they work well.

[uk1.1s]

Beep beep ...Roadrunner

JP,

How do you find Roadrunners in the wet? Despite the tread pattern appearing to be designed to shed high volumes of water I haven't touched them since the early '90's when they gave me some serious scares in the wet.

I decided I was just being a bit of a maniac (not unlikely) - until I changed tyres...

Since then I'ved used Pirellis and Continentals which are much much better in the wet. The Conti's even lasting a lot longer than others I've tried.

Here in the UK I've noticed a few manufacturers offering 'dual compound' tyres, which seem to have two grades of rubber on them. Harder, less wear resistant in the centre for the miles - and softer (therefore more sticky) rubber at the sides for those twisties. Not sure if they're available in the US. Haven't tried them, but could be worth seeing if anyone else here has experience of them on an XS.

[chopper]

maybe its the weather or the road surfaces? i dunno but i agree,the avon tyres(roadrunner and especially venom) in uk are a totall no-go.they last long but no grip,bad for perishing too

[gerkenbruce]

tires

Hey Gary,
When it comes to tires, I found Meitzler's 550's are required equipment for chasing Bandit's !!! :-) Hope you replaced your front tire, looking forward to spring.
Hoping see you soon.

XSively,

[captjerry]

Have not had Avons on an XS, however they are presently on my Goldwing and I cant wait to wear then out!!!! Two words... they suck! If you ride on perfect pavement and it never rains on you then they are great. On wet pavement or tar strips their dangerous . On my last XS I ran Continentals and really liked them.