Let's talk tires

[dbeardslee]

O.K. So now that I've got old Betsy running like she's supposed to I'm starting to think about what she's running on. When I got her she had Chen Shin Marquis tires front and back. I've already had the rear end break loose a couple times on dry pavement. Wasn't uncontrollable, but I didn't like it. So anyway, I'm thinking they need to go.

I want to get something that will wear halfway decent but still stick to the road without breaking the bank. I'm searching for opinions here - what tires do you think provide the best bang for the buck?

[fredintoon]

Boots for Betsy

Hi Doug,
I never had troubles riding solo on Cheng-Shin Marquis tires but then, I ride like a timid old man (Hey, I AM a timid old man) There's one on my front wheel right now but with a sidecar the only requirement of a tire is that it holds air.
OTOH, my son rides like a maniac and his bike rolls on Bridgestone Battlax tires.
Certainly not the only choice but he ain't fallen off yet.

[birch]

Chen Shin Marquis?

I had the Marquis on my bike and only lasted about a summer and a half, then they were junk. I also thought that they spun out a little too easy.

I just put on the next level of Chen Shin. I am not sure what they are called, but they are more of a road tire. They grip great and are only about 20 dollars more a pair than the marquis. So far I love them. They hook up and are very smooth. Sometimes a little extra money goes along way.

Casey

[mro]

Dunlops on the hot rod XS seem to stick the best.
I was able to wear out the Continentals on the 80G in under 5000 miles. Chin Shin Barracuda's on one 79SH have over 8000 miles and are still good to go for rest of this year...but do not have confidince in them for getting radical in the twisties and can say for sure they are not even as good as Continentals in the rain.


mro

[dbeardslee]

MRO - what model Dunlops?

Fred - I was looking at the Bridgestone Battlax, but the reviews I've read say they don't wear very well. How much wear has your son been getting out of them?

Anyone have experience with Maxxis or Kenda?

[79XS11F]

Re: Boots for Betsy

Originally posted by fredintoon
Hi Doug,
I never had troubles riding solo on Cheng-Shin Marquis tires but then, I ride like a timid old man (Hey, I AM a timid old man) There's one on my front wheel right now but with a sidecar the only requirement of a tire is that it holds air.
OTOH, my son rides like a maniac and his bike rolls on Bridgestone Battlax tires.
Certainly not the only choice but he ain't fallen off yet.

My bike runs on Bridgestone Battlax tires with no problems at all. i don't do big mileage so I can't comment on how well they will wear but i was told when I bought them that they were equal to old school TT100s
Rob

[mro]

K 591 Elite SP

Speedindex V: the tire's speed capacity is up to 149 mph/240 km/h

Also have same dunlop's on the MNS and crappy continentals on the 81SH. Also tried Bridgestone Spitfire which are better than Chin Shin and Continentals but not as good as the Dunlop.

Not cheep but...being able to stop is a good thing and Dunlop seems to have an edge here as well as when running thru the canyon


mro

[prometheus578]

"One shouldn't compromise on tires."

We wouldn't mount Chen Shin's unless they were going on a dirt bike.(and it was a customer that we didn't like, anyway)
Continentals seem to wear quickly yet not provide great traction, and I've always had troubles with mounting/bead issues.
Again, like everything else in life... one has to weigh the factors.

Marry a super model who can't cook... or a less "stunning" woman who know's her way around a kitchen? What is the man's priority?
It' should be the kitchen... And then just do what men have done for years in the "other" room... Close your eyes and pretend she's a super model.

Anyway..., tires....
Oddly, I was just speaking to my son yesterday, which really isn't that odd, but we were talking tires, as it's time for Dad to buy him new ones, or something like that he told me.
I related how "smart" I was at his age... putting $34 Kmart tires on my Chevelle, but having to replace them every year.
Would have been vastly more efficient to buy The $50/60 Goodyear and have them last several years.
Obviously, same hold true here.
Kenda's and "Chicken Skins" just don't cut it.
Look at your riding style and just what you expect from a tire. Read the info on their webpages...
If the tire is "high traction"... it'll burn up quicker.
"Long lasting", but then it not as sticky on the road.
"Dual compound"... hard center for durability, yet softer on the sidewall for improved traction in corners.
As with everything else, plenty of opinions here.
Choosing tires, like choosing women, is a personal choice.
Pick the wrong tire.. you could end up with road rash.
(Pick the wrong woman... Hmmm, you could get a rash, too)

[81xsproject]

I go by the recommendations of the great Bob Jones. No dunlops, Metzlers only. He swore by the 880's. I am currently LOVING my lazertecs. I also had no problems squeezing a 110 onto the front.

[mro]

What is the man's priority?
It' should be the kitchen... And then just do what men have done for years in the "other" room... Close your eyes and pretend she's a super model.

Other room?...any "room" was good for me including the kitchen or no "room" at all , and what/who you with that you have to pretend?


mro
"love the one your with"
heard that in a song somewhere

[Flatlander]

Bridgestone Spitfire 11r

I'm a heavy, three season, with alot of luggage rider. This is a dual compound tire (I beleive, if memory serves) and have ran several different brand and style tires. I cannot say enough good about this tire, with the style of riding I do. It just gets better the more and harder you ride it and lasts 2-3 times longer than all the previous tires I've owned.

[bikerphil]

tires

Most bang for your buck are Bridgestone S11's. Never had a problem with these. Rears last me about 10K, and thats with a lot of downshifting. Fronts last me about 12K. They mount fairly easy also.

[dbeardslee]

As far as riding style, I do love curvy roads (can't wait for Prom's women analogy for that ) . I don't scrape my foot pegs but get close sometimes. I like the idea of having a little more tire than I normally need, as you never know what the road is going to throw at you.

Flat - I found the Bridgestone Spitfire S11, but not the 11r. Same tire?

Phil - 10-12k is about the mileage I was hoping for.

81XS - WOW are those Metzelers expensive! I like the idea of a little bigger tire on the front. Anybody got any input on 110's?

MRO - Dunlops seem to be a good mix of quality and price.

Jury still out on Maxxis?

[DiverRay]

One more in on this thread. I run the Dunlop EII on the rear of my '79. It's been on almost a year, and over 18K miles. I commute over an 1,800' pass every day back and forth to work. I still have a few thousand miles left on the rear tire, but will be replacing it before my June ride to Hurst, TX.
They work well on dry, in the rain, and on the windy roads I enjoy. I do tend to see the "wrong" side on the speedometer on the way in, but the bike is solid.

[Dsxs11]

I have the Dunlop elite III's I put about 8000 on them last year trouble free and they look like they have another season on them.

I'm taking the supermodel. Who cares if she can't cook she's a supermodel I'm sure we can afford a cook.