What tires do I use??

[trbig]

How many hairs just stood up on the back of most of your necks when you read this.. lol.

But seriously.. I read this in the manual...






Does that tire size for the front tire 3.50 H19-4PR mean a 4-ply radial or simply 4-ply RATING? Since the "R" is uniformely known in the tire world to stand for radial, would I be wrong in presumming this is what they meant? What about the obvious OMMISION of a "B" for bias tires?

We've all heard the theories about mixing radials and bias plies on a bike.. but we've also proven a lot of theories wrong on here. And what about both tires being radial? Does anyone have this experience with their bike.. and to what noticeable effect?

WARNING!!!



Please don't turn this into a discussion about a favored BRAND or MAKE of tire. I'm simply talking bias or radial type of any/all tires.



Tod

[Bigfoot]

Interesting, I was always under the impression that Bias ply were recommended for these bikes. Not sure where I picked up that info, but that is what I thought.

[hamjam]

I don't think radials were available for street use until '86 ,so i think it stands for rating
Jim

[motoman]

With tens of thousands of miles on both riding my XS and my Honda ST, wouldn't think radials would cause any issue with the XS. You would want to use same manufacturer and model of tire though. All radial designs of bike tires are NOT the same and WILL cause handleing issues if not the same front and rear. As far as bias ply, our XS's don't seem to mind mixing and matching as long as the tread is good. Radials I suspect would want to be run as mated on the XS's also. Advantages of radials I have noticed on my other bike being a bit less heat build-up, tracks on un-even surfaces perfect,(no wiggle) and a bit more even tire wear. Total mileage difference, little if any. That's just my personal experience.

[Guy_b_g]

I've never seen radials sold in the sizes these bikes use.

[red bandit]

What tires do I use??

One's that hold air!!

What he said. 4 ply rating. Didn't think radials were avalible for xs's back then.

[TopCatGr58]

Size does matter!

Hey Tod,

A search for "Radials" revealed several threads about this, here's one which confirms what Guy stated about how we can't get Radials that will fit our rims! http://www.xs11.com/forum/showthread...hlight=radials

Shall I close this thread now?
T.C.

[DiverRay]

3.50 H19-4PR

This is a 3.50" by 19" "H" speed rated front tire. Because the bike is heavy, you could NOT use the 2 ply rating tires that are the same size, used on LIGHTER motorcycles. You needed to use a 4 Ply Rating tire for the replacement. As stated, these machines pre-date Radial tire technology for motorcycles.

[79XS11F]

According to this site on tire markings and what they mean, that "R" even at the end but preceding the speed rating still means radial tire??

http://www.tire-information-world.co...-markings.html

I however, have never had a radial tire on my bike ether front or back or both so this is all I can offer.
Rob

[Guy_b_g]

In the days before radials (BR)..."R" could not mean radial...key here is not "R", but "PR" "ply rating" (I'm guessing here..but it definately is about the load rating) but we know for a fact it can't mean Radial as there were none available for street bikes at that time.

[Guy_b_g]

Aha...found it..PR is indeed "ply rating" as you can see here: http://www.maxxis.com/MotorcycleATV/...re-School.aspx