Lets' Talk Tires

[Mstaab]

I am sure this has come up before but here goes.

I have read that Bob Jones was a big fan of Metzler tires and that's what I currently run. What do you run, and why?

[trbig]

Of the thousands of postings on here, the two things that make everyone who's been here any length of time scream, is for someone new to come on here and ask "What's the best oil" or "What's the best tires".

Honestly, if you do a search you'll find hours and hours of enjoyable reading to make a decision on... but I'm sure there will be some that just can't stand to not give their opinion on it and post to this.


Tod

[fredintoon]

- - - I have read that Bob Jones was a big fan of Metzler tires and that's what I currently run. What do you run, and why?

Hi Mstaab,
I run a 125/85-16 TwinTire on the rear and when my el-cheapo off-brand front wears out I'll fit an Avon triple-duty instead.
So should you but only if you run a sidecar.

[slow mo]

hi and welcome

despite what the resident grumps have to say i enjoy this topic! no one warns new people on what not to post ,,so keep those oil and tire threads coming thanks ,,,ride safe ,,slow mo!

[fredintoon]

- - - keep those oil and tire threads coming thanks - - -

Hi slo mo,
so what oil do you put on your tires?
I tried fork oil on my front but it got on the brake pads.
Note that this is a serious warning about replacing your fork seals in a timely manner.

[cywelchjr]

Hi slo mo,
so what oil do you put on your tires?
I tried fork oil on my front but it got on the brake pads.
Note that this is a serious warning about replacing your fork seals in a timely manner.

Yup, that stuff even messes with sintered copper pads. So the organics go back on when the new forks get here.

[beegshot]

Dunlop

Elite III Bias ply front and rear.

Oh, and Yamalube 4 (10W-40) oil. Sure, it costs more, but it's engineered to work in our motors. YMMV.

[trbig]

Elite III Bias ply front and rear.

Told ya.


Tod

[DGXSER]

Lets' Talk Tires

Although Just as guilty as anyone of starting an oil thread when I first joined the site, 1.25 years later.....UUUUHHHHHGGGGGGHHHHH

Lets have a more controlled and fact based discussion than tires, say about religion!!

[foreda]

My standard tire reply

I like mine round!

[cywelchjr]

And filled with air, preferably at around 38 PSI.

[COOL TOM]

Air

What kind of air,synthetic air, regular air, hot air, cold air. Do i put the valve stem on top, bottom or side to put the air in. Does the tire have to be on the ground or off the ground? LOL

[trbig]

Now that DOES bring up a hypothetical question. When a tire manufaturer states ** psi to be put in the tire, is this actually the weight that should be in a tire with it off the ground, or the psi with the weight of the bike on the tire? I'm sure most do it with the weight of the bike on it except for when getting a new tire put on.


Tod

[cywelchjr]

What kind of air,synthetic air, regular air, hot air, cold air. Do i put the valve stem on top, bottom or side to put the air in. Does the tire have to be on the ground or off the ground? LOL

Well, I change out the air with the season. Gotta have the air inside and outside matched. So I figure on the cali rally I'll have to change the air when I get down there.

Oh, and it's got to be temp matched as well. When it's hot out make sure to use hot air, and use cold when its cold.

[cywelchjr]

Now that DOES bring up a hypothetical question. When a tire manufaturer states ** psi to be put in the tire, is this actually the weight that should be in a tire with it off the ground, or the psi with the weight of the bike on the tire? I'm sure most do it with the weight of the bike on it except for when getting a new tire put on.


Tod

Ok, on a more serious note, the pressure on the side of the tire is the MAX pressure, at the MAX load weight, so I would guess it would have to be fully loaded, not just sitting on the ground. However, I don't think it makes a significant difference. That said, max pressure is not always the right pressure, but at the same time, the pressure settings in the manual may not be correct for more modern tires either. There are a lot of factors that go into the proper pressure for your ride, load, temps, speed and of course proper contact patch. Generally you want some give to the tire, but not excessive. The only way I can see that we can determine the right pressure is to ride and evaluate the riding characteristics and wear patterns, but then you need to stick with the same tire for them to stay valid. So far I have found 38-40 to be what is working best for me, and that is measured with the bike on the sidestand and the tires cold. I generally check them every Saturday before any riding, and generally have to add a little about every other week to keep it in my target range.