Not tires again?

[Geezer]

It's been a while since I had to buy a new bike tire and now all the ones that are available are ones I don't know anything about. It seems that 110/90V19" tires are getting really hard to find. The only one that I could find that has all the right numbers and letters is the Michelin M50. Anybody here running this tire that has anything good or bad to comment?

Back in the bad old days I used to use Michelin M45 PZ2 race tires on the front of my street bikes and M45 street compound on the back. The front would last through 2 rears and the bike would stick like glue and the tread life was more than reasonable. Well those days are gone and I don't have many choices.

All the other tires in this size I've found are H rated and that's probably good enough but I seem to recall that after a tire has been patched, the speed rating drops one level...

Geezer

[andysutt]

While i haven't bought a new front tire, I did replace my rear.

I bought a Kenda Challenger and it seems to be a great tire.

A few buddies run them front/rear and like them also

[trbig]

I think most people are buying 110 90 19 in the front The metric conversion is MM90HB-19. The V rated tire has a DESIGN speed of 149mph, but is TESTED to 240mph. The H rated tire has it's design speed at 130, but tested at 210mph. You'll find a lot more selection at this size and speed rating. If the plug does in fact drop it a rating. (Never heard that before) that would make it an S rating and that tire is still tested at 180mph.

All of these are well beyond what are bikes are capable of.

Tod

[FSCGunslinger]

I think most people are buying 110 90 19 in the front The metric conversion is MM90HB-19. The V rated tire has a DESIGN speed of 149mph, but is TESTED to 240mph. The H rated tire has it's design speed at 130, but tested at 210mph. You'll find a lot more selection at this size and speed rating. If the plug does in fact drop it a rating. (Never heard that before) that would make it an S rating and that tire is still tested at 180mph.

All of these are well beyond what are bikes are capable of.

Tod

Hey Tod, since I know you're an XJ specialist, what are you using for front and rear tires? My mechanic said I probably only have about 1,000 miles left on my rear, which means by the time XS East gets here, I'll be needing new tires.

[ManitoulinLad]

Hey Geezer: Don't feel so bad. I have to buy a new set every year. Here in the country we have hardpac roads (tar & stone chip) & the "eat" tires. No matter what kind I buy they only last 8,000 to 10,000 km. And the 10,000 is really pushing it. The worst is the Cheng Shins (sp) only get half of that with them. - Dan

[DiverRay]

Geezer,
I run the Dunlop E3 on the front of BOTH bikes, and the E2 on the rear of the Standard. The MNS has a 140/16 E3 on it. Blackwall, I can almost fit a matchbook cover between the sidewall and the left swingarm. No rubbing after about 1K miles, and some 2 up riding. 2 up is about 550Lbs, plus bike, total, so even with the "flexing", it does not rub.
I was getting about 15K miles on the E2/E3 combo, and the wet roads didn't make any difference.

[Geezer]

I had not heard about the testing speeds. I've been out of the mainstream motorcycle biz for so long I don't hear this king of stuff any more. So H rated tires are back on the list.

I'm stocked up for rears. A few years ago I bought 3 Avon Road Runners for the rear on close out and I'm jsut getting ready for the second one.

None of the places I looked had the E3 Dunlap. I'll have to keep looking.

I have to admit to being a tire snob. I won't ride on Asian tires if I can at all avoid it. I used to love the K181 Dunlap and the M45 Michelin. Either would be my first choice if still available.

Geezer

[trbig]

Geezer,

This is about the cheapest place I've found. $87 with free shipping for the E-3 front.

http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com...ront-Tire.aspx

This is where I've bought a couple from, and the shipping is super fast. It's never been more than 3 days to get them.

FSCGunslinger,

So far, there is absolutely no comparison. Dunlop Elite 3. I had heard that the Bridgestone Battleaxes were good tires. I was given a set, so I tried them. The bike isn't nearly as stable with them. I can't just throw the bike into a corner with them.. it will get those drunk wobbles something fierce. I have to do a bit of an "S" curve prior to a curve to get the suspension loaded beforehand. I have @ 2500 miles on the tires and it's doubtfull I will get another 1k miles out of it. The worst tire for wear I had had before this was the dunlop 404. I only got 4700 miles out of it... I doubt the Battleaxe will see even that... and even the Cheng Shins handled better until they started cupping.

I rode the bike hard enough to wear out another set of gears in the transmission, and the E-3 handled better than anything I've tried yet.. and I still got over 16k miles out of it. The closest to that before was an Avon Venom with 7700. The guys with the 17" tires just don't know what they're missing...

I just bought another E3 rear. I need to put it on so I know when to change my gears again.. And the best thing.... Those E-3's are made right here in the good ol' USA.

Tod

[FSCGunslinger]

Dunlop Elite 3s it is! I may go ahead an order a set since you were so kind to give a link!

So... MM90HB-19 for the front, and what for the rear? I've never bought tires for anything before...

[trbig]

The rear will be MT90HB-16 $115.99


Tod

[FSCGunslinger]

The rear will be MT90HB-16 $115.99


Tod

Thanks Tod! With my AMA membership discount, I can get both front and rear tires just slightly (cents, not dollars) cheaper from BikeBandit since they increased the discount from 6% to 10%, and I have the benefit of patronizing an AMA supporter!

[DiverRay]

If you use a BLACKWALL, the MU should fit!!

[trbig]

If you use a BLACKWALL, the MU should fit!!

I wouldn't try it. There's even some of the MT's that rub on the XJ.


Tod

[DiverRay]

OK, I guess it's just on my MNS. I can't quite FIND a "slightly" larger 17", but the MU on my 80 Special I can just get a paper between the swingarm and the tire! This is an E3 Dunlop rear tire.