Let's talk tires

[cruiser]

I've got Maxxis on my XJ. Have about 10,000 on them and will probably get a couple thousand more. IMHO overall for the money I'm happy.
I am not scraping the exhaust everyday but around here plenty of twistys so they've had a good test. What I don't know is how well in the rain they are. Try to avoid that whenever possible but the few short trips I've had they seemed fine.

[Flatlander]

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

I went out and looked at the tire it has in smaller letters right next to the rim s11rt8802, but in larger letter in the middle has 11r.
I also looked online at the s11 and it looks just like mine, but do not know for sure it's any differant.
Oh I've got the "H" model and typically loaded for long rides also and love them curves!
Like Prom said it's all in what you want. This for me gave me the best of both worlds.
So I guess you can have both, looks and cooks! Soft sides and a firm middle!
Also look at this way........IT'S AN 11.....how can you go wrong.?.
Good luck in your search!

[fredintoon]

Arr, Jim lad

as Long John Silver didn't actually say in the novel even if Robert Newton did in the movie.
I'd suppose that as the Spitfire front tire has an F on it the R may well mean "rear"?

[HobbyMan]

well personally, I like the battlax tire. I have had cheng shins (junk) before. When I got my bike going, that's what I put on it. As soon as I got my carbs clean, they broke loose all the time. I would not trust them in any kind of sharp turn. On normal dry days, they would slip under a normal load. The battlax bT45s are very nice. The dual tread makes them a little more expensive but the ride like a dream. Tod knows what kind of ride I put them through. For me, my rear lasted over 5000 miles. Thats a long time for an 18yr old driver. Also, I value my life very much so I don't skimp when it comes to tires. My front has a ways to go but it does need to get balanced.

[dbeardslee]

I was just looking at BT45's, as some of these tires are hard to find in the right size. I'd like to keep the same kind of tires front and rear, and the BT45's come in both sizes. MAWOnline.com has the front for $72.95 and the rear for $82.95, which is about what I wanted to spend. On the other hand, Dunlop still has me thinking.

Hobbyman - as far as valuing your life very much, don't worry, that will pass with age

[bikerphil]

S11R

Just checked my S11's on both my XS's......

S11R (rear)

S11F (front)

[81xsproject]

The metzies really aren't that expensive in comparison. I got a set to the door for $222. I am hard on the throttle, so I bet I go through 2 rears before I need a front

[dbeardslee]

I checked on the S11's. They're available in both sizes and the price was only $2 different than the BT45's. The S11's are H rated, and the BT45's are V rated. From what I've read, it looks like the S11's wear longer. Looks like I could expect 8-12k out of the BT45's, and 12-16k from the S11's. I keep going back and forth on these two so much I feel like I'm watching a ping-pong match!

81XS - the ones I saw were like $200 a pop. I'll look again.

[bikerphil]

S11's

Chaparral-Racing.com in CA..........

100/90/19 BW $57.85

130/90/17 BW $68.85

I think shipping is $10 per tire... thats where I buy mine. Think they're the cheapest.

[Da-Bubble]

Venom

Ok I have to mention Avon Venom's. That's what I put on the Mad Mos and that's what my bro in law has always used. I have only put 1000 miles on them but they have never broken loose and corner very well. Around here I see them on sport bikes and cruisers. Has anyone else tried them?

[Jerry]

Guys, a little somenthing to check: What is the load capacity of these tires?

From a previous post:
***************
Difference between the Dunlop lines are in load carrying capacity.
Front tires:
D404 100/90-19 507 lbs @ 41psi
GT501 100/90-19 505 lbs @ 42psi
Elite 3 MM90-19 570 lbs @ 40 psi

Rear tires:
D404 130/90-16 677 lbs @ 41 psi
GT501 130/90B16 675 lbs @ 42 psi
Elite 3 MT90B16 830 lbs @ 40 psi

Also from the Dunlop site FAQ:
Check your pressures daily when you are on a trip and remember that every 4 psi of inflation air lost is approximately equivalent to losing 60 or 70 pounds of load carrying capacity. That means that if your tire pressure is 36 psi instead of 40 psi, then you need to take 60 or 70 pounds of load off the motorcycle
****************
The 11s are heavy bikes, factory listed at around 560 pounds plus the rider and any other gear you carry. Size, price, and speed ratings are not all there is to tire selection. Your tire pressure plays a part; anything less than max rating removes carrying capacity.

According to Dunlop, most motorcycle tires are underinflated for the load they are to carry. My '82 Yamaha 400 ran thesame size rear tire as my XJ; 130-90/16, but was less than half the weight. Some tires are just not built for a heavy bike.

I don't have the specs for many of the tires mentioned in this thread, but I would check load capacity before I put something unsafe on my wheels. There is a good reason why Dunlop Elite tires are the dominant tire you see at various XS rallies and the most often recommended in various tire threads.

[dbeardslee]

Jerry,

So you're saying that MM90-19 is the right size for the front in an elite III, right? You must have a special 'cause my rear wheel is a 17. Does it then follow that the correct size would be MT90B17? Would that be the same as a 130/90/17? I looked at the elite III's earlier today but couldn't make heads or tails out of the sizes.

Every time I see Dunlop, it reminds me of my condition. You see I have Dunlaps disease. My gut's dun lapped over my belt, so the extra load rating could be helpfull

DB

[prometheus578]

I do love curvy roads (can't wait for Prom's women analogy for that

Dbeardslee...
Curves and soft shoulders have caused many men to stray offa the path they wanted to ride, usually with disasterous results.

HobbyMan... how's school goin'?
Been awhile... and yes, we've noticed your new avatar. We just never mentioned it... because we don't like feeding your need for attention.
And speaking of attention, try paying some.
The choice was between Super Model, and the regular model.

well personally, I like the battlax...

Sure, either of the two could turn into an old battle ax over time, but at your tender age, I hardly think you've had experience with this.

[TopCatGr58]

Seems like we never get "Tired" of these threads?

Hey DB,

There is a fitting guide on the Dunlop site.

MT=130, MU=140, MM=100, MN=110

However, you can't get the Elite III's in a rear 17" size!

You can get the Elite II's in the rear 17".

I had the Elite...wasn't even the II on mine back in '92 when the tranny died. Parked it for 8 years, then reawakened Godzilla, I put a cheap JCW Chen Shin on the front, but kept the 8+ y/o Elite on the rear....Disclaimer:back in my ignorant youth , and then rode it to a rally from Va. to Western NC in some severe twisties fall of '02, then to Alex. Bay NY May '03 and back, then to Northern Ga. Fall '03, but after riding there, checked the rear tire, and it was finally worn down almost to a slick! Got up early the next Saturday AM, rode into town, dropped the wheel and had it ready for the shop, they put on an Elite II, and the difference was miraculous. The old tire had hardened and worn a square edge down the middle, so keeping a line in the twisties was an adventure. After the new rear, it was like I was riding on RAILS!! I still have that tire on now some 5 years later, but I don't ride anywhere as much as the "real" bikers on here!

I think I've got about 5K on it, but it still looks very good and still handles the twisties just fine. I put a dunlop 404 on the front a year or so ago, and if it hadn't been for my poor fitting fender, and a high speed pass causing it to expand and rub, it would still look pristine, and handles very well and matches the Elite II tread pattern!

SO....you'll need to look at the Elite II's for yours if you're thinking Dunlops, not the Elite III, at least not for your rear tire!
T.C.

[HobbyMan]

What would be a good tire for someone like myself who rides wot on the road alot and still does a fair share of the twisties? I put on a lot of miles on open highway. I also put a lot of miles in on twisties. I guess thats pretty much what everyone wants. With my driving style, I also wouldn't mind getting more than 6kmiles out of a tire without threads showing. I like the bt45's but am open to other suggestions.