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**CatatonicBug** · 07-20-2009, 10:33 AM

OH NO!! Not ANOTHER tire thread!!

Since you're new, I guess it's ok.

There are TONS of opinions on tires, and you'll probably get a different one from every member here. The only thing I've really seen repeated as far as what people claim to be "good" tires are the Bridgestone Elite II or III. I have a Cheng Shin on the front of mine, only because I was looking for an affordable replacement, and the dealer said that's what they put on all their own bikes. I haven't had any trouble with it so far, but I don't push it really hard at all, as I don't want to find out first-hand what the limits are.

**DiverRay** · 07-20-2009, 11:12 AM

I run the Dulop E3 tires front and rear on my 1980 MNS. I only have about 3K miles on them, so I can't comment on how long they will last. I WAS able to put a 140/90/16 on the rear, with about a matchbook cover between the tire and swing arm.

You need a blackwall tire to do this, raised white letters or whitewall WILL hit. The front was the stock 100/90/19, as the Special forks/brakes makes it almost impossible to put on a 110. Handling is good, and the tires still look like new.
Look for my bike on a trailer in your area August 21-22. SWMBO and I will be in Santa Fe that weekend, and then go through ABQ on the way to Sedona. I'll be staying at the Hampton Inn Los Alamos for the two nights. The price for a hotel in Santa Fe was WAY to high! I will be riding the bike once we park, and if we can meet up you can see what the tires look and feel like.

**Pat Kelly** · 07-20-2009, 11:35 AM

On my 1978 E I have ran Metzler ME880's and (currently) Dunlop K491 (Elite II). I'm happy with both.
On my 1980 LG I have Dunlop GT501 (arrowmax). Not as long-lasting but better 'adhesion' as this bike has some performance mods.

**cueball** · 07-20-2009, 02:40 PM

Shinko

Tyres, don't know if you lot get this brand up there. Have used "Shinko" tyres on XS11 and FJ11, work well on both and reasonably priced.

**CatatonicBug** · 07-20-2009, 03:04 PM

Originally posted by CatatonicBug View Post

......are the Bridgestone Elite II or III....

I meant Dunlop... Sorry.

**crazy steve** · 07-20-2009, 03:18 PM

Originally posted by Xcess11 View Post

a brand new set of Cheng Shin Hi Max tires on it installed by the P.O.
I've never had a bike with Cheng Shin's before (always thought of them as "cheap" knockoffs) but they seem to be generally OK.

What say ye keepers of the XS11 knowlege flame. Got any tire stories/experiences to share?

The 'Hi-max' is the CS mileage tire, and is a bit hard traction-wise if you get carried away. That will be true of any of the long-lasting tires (contrary to what may be claimed by some; they're just not riding that hard).

Personally, I've been using Cheng Shin Barracudas for years and have always had good luck with them. They don't last as long as the high-priced 'name' brands, but for me they last about 70-75% as long and cost half as much (or less), so that's a pretty good return.

But 10K or a bit is about the very most you can hope to get out of any rear tire, and that's riding fairly gently. Ride real aggressive with a sticky tire and you can get that down to about 3k. Me, I get 5-6K out of a rear tire and replace the front every other rear.

'78E original owner

**Ivan** · 07-20-2009, 08:02 PM

Bigfoot turned me on to Shinkos which are less than $100 shipped from the Motorcycle Superstore PER SET! I got a couple thousand miles in on mine before the wreck, and I was very impressed with them. Traction was good, wear was good. Seemed to be a good all around tire.

Bigfoot has some more miles on his, I think Russ said close to 7k, so he would have a better evaluation. Hopefully he can chime in with some wisdom and a link.

**oldyam80sg** · 07-20-2009, 08:07 PM

Love my Metzlers.They are a great tire in the rain and wear very good.

**foreda** · 07-20-2009, 08:30 PM

Tires

I like mine round!!

**CatatonicBug** · 07-20-2009, 08:31 PM

Originally posted by foreda View Post

I like mine round!!

Tires are round, and pi R squared!

**Bigfoot** · 07-20-2009, 08:53 PM

Yep, I have a set of Shinko's on mine. After doing a little research I found out that Yokohama sold their motorcycle tire division to a Korean (I think) company including all of thier tire compounds. I decided to try them out, they had excellent reviews every place I saw them. They make 1 model that is bias ply and the correct size. The best part is the price. I think it was $53 for the rear and $41 for the front with free shipping from motorcycle-superstore.com

They balanced up real nice and stick to the road very well. Wet or dry, I never once felt like the tires weren't solid on the road. They also ride nice. No complaints.
I have almost 6000 on the tires now. The front has almost no wear on it. The rear has maybe another 1000 left on it, so the mileage isn't that great. But, for $53 I have another waiting to go on. Even if I go through a couple a year, I am still ahead over some of the other brands.

**trbig** · 07-20-2009, 09:18 PM

That will be true of any of the long-lasting tires (contrary to what may be claimed by some; they're just not riding that hard).

I challenge anyone to come ride with me and see if they think the tire is being ridden hard. I haven't met anyone yet, since owning the bike several years now, that rides them harder than me. I don't think I would have any trouble getting several people to vouch for that.

The thing you aren't looking at is dual compound. Many modern tires have a harder center composition and a softer side for corner grabbing. The center of my tire looks smooth, but the outside looks like scrubbed eraser. I run the bike often as fast as it will go, do lots of wheelies, hard squeeling stops, hard runs off the line, SUPER hard cornering and have run down many many modern bikes in the twisties. They will overpower me in the straights, but I'll suck them up when the road turns.

Riding the way I do, I got over 16k miles out of my last Elite 3 rear tire and it wasn't bald yet. I don't think I will see 16k out of this current one, but should have no problem getting 12-14k. You will often see different mileages from the same brand/make tire from one set to the next, but even this reduced mileage this time is @ double the next best tire I have had on.. the Avon Venom at @ 7800 miles.

The thing about the Elite 3s is that they probably have 2-3 times the amount of rubber in them that other tires have. This makes for a stiffer sidewall.. which makes for a better cornering bike. I can take this tire to the highest speeds on the corners without feeling like the bike has a hinge in the middle of it. I can still get it to do that.. and remember the XJ has a built in fork brace.. but it takes a lot more effort to do so.

Some have mentioned problems with the Elite 3 front tires and rain. I have only had one on the front for a few thousand miles and only one rainy day, but had no problems with it then. YMMV.

The Brigestone Battleaxe has been the worst rear tire by far, followed next by a Dunlop 404. The best FRONT tire I've used so far was the Avon Venom. It and an Elite 3 back has been the best handling setup I've had so far, but as stated, I haven't had the Elite 3 front on very long. Cheng Shins aren't a bad tire in a pinch, but I noticed they tended to cup pretty bad, and they aren't dual compound last I checked.

So.. short story long.. . Anyone who says you can't have high mileage AND a good sticking tire, doesn't know what they are talking about.

Tod

**foreda** · 07-21-2009, 07:01 AM

Pi

Originally posted by CatatonicBug View Post

Tires are round, and pi R squared!

Noooo.. Pi are round,it's corn bread that's square!!

**Bigfoot** · 07-21-2009, 07:02 AM

I can vouch for his riding style

He is definitely not exagerating. LOL

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