tires

[Bigfoot]

The dunlop 404's have a very bad reputation for not holding to the road well and getting horrible tread life. I personally have never used them but have seen enough bad about them that I never will. I don't know that I would buy tires on ebay because you may get a brand new tire that has been on the shelf for 5 years or more. I have never gotten an old tire from motorcycle-superstore.

[crazy steve]

I'm on a Harley list also, and HD uses Dunlops exclusively as OEM fitment. On that list, they're referred to as 'rocklops' due to their hard compounds and lack of grip. The 404 is one of Dunlops cheaper tires, and besides not being very 'sticky', don't wear all that well. The corner-carvers over there like the Metzlers and Bridgestones, with a few opting for Avons; but Avons seem to weather-check (cracks in the sidewall) quickly. Generally speaking, the better the grip, the faster the tire wear out.

Personally, I've had good luck with 'budget' tires. I've ran ChengShin for years, and while they only last about 2/3 as long as the 'name' tires, they cost just 1/2 (or less) so I figure I'm still ahead of the game. I've heard mostly good things about Kenda and Shinko too, but haven't tried those.
Another mail-order source I haven't seen mentioned is these guys...
http://www.jakewilson.com/home.do
Their website can be hard to navigate (it insists that you put in bike year/model) but great prices and fast shipping.

'78E original owner

[XS1100 Newbie]

I bought Kenda's, and am satisfied. I think if you are cornering hard, or loading up heavy for touring you should go to a better tire. The less expensive tires seem to have a lower load rating. I am going to try Shinko's next.

[WMarshy]

I spent the big bucks and went with the Avon Venom on the front and a Bridgestone S11 Spitfire on the rear...

[XS1100 Newbie]

Since we are talking tires here, does anyone know of a manufacturer that makes a lower profile bias rear tire for our bikes? I am thinking a 130/70/16.

[crazy steve]

There's lower profiles out there, but you have to thoroughly research the actual dimensions/load rating of a given tire to be sure it fits and will have an adequate rating. Depending on the size/manufacturer, there can be some pretty big differences. Dunlop has a 130/80-16 rear, but there's more choices in 17" wheels oddly enough.

The widest rear you can fit without swingarm mods is 5.45", so let that be your guide.

'78E original owner

[dbeardslee]

The corner-carvers over there like the Metzlers and Bridgestones, with a few opting for Avons

On Harleys, aren't those the guys who actually lean when they go around a corner?

[trbig]

Hmmm.. Maybe they get better in the wider sizes, but for our bikes, that Bridgestone Battleaxe was the squirelliest (Is that even a word?) thinnest sidewalled, and worst cornering tire I've tried, along with even a less treadlife than the Dunlop 404. Dan Hodges loves them for going in a straight line though. But, I've heard good things from the Bridgestone Spitfires... just don't have any experience with them besides one 15 years old blowing out on me at speed. Can't hardly blame a tire for that though.

On Harleys, aren't those the guys who actually lean when they go around a corner?

Yup.. they lean WAYYYYYY over to the inside of the turn with their body, so they can leave the bike as straight up still as possible..

Tod

[WMarshy]

I will let you know how much life I get out of the Spitfires. I blindly let my MC mechanic pick a rear tire and that what he picked. He said he's put them on a few other customers bikes and they all liked them. Good milage and performance. We will see about the performance in the next few weeks, thus far they feel a lot better than the warn down Chen Sh*t I had...lol Naw, the Chen's are a an alright tire.

[trbig]

I've seen a couple references to Cheng Shin. I heard they've gone out of business. Anybody heard different?

Tod

[crazy steve]

I've seen a couple references to Cheng Shin. I heard they've gone out of business. Anybody heard different?

Not out of business, they've pulled out of the bike market. I haven't heard any reason why, so I assume it may be low sales volume. I've had good luck with their tires.

As to those casting aspersions on Harley riders, I'll match my Sporty's chickenstrips with you 'flatlanders' anytime...

'78E original owner

[rpgoerlich]

I've bought from a few suppliers, Dennis Kirk, Bike Bandit, Motorcycle Superstore and a few on Ebay. A set of Spitfires ran me $128 delivered within a buck or two from all of them.
I ran the D404's on lighter 650/750's with no problems to 3kmi before I sold them. My XS11SF has the Spitfires with just over 5kmi and I'll need to replace the rear in the next 1-2kmi. I'll probably go with a Metzler this time.

[trbig]

As to those casting aspersions on Harley riders, I'll match my Sporty's chickenstrips with you 'flatlanders' anytime...

Well alrighty then... lol. Here's my last E3 rear where I finally wore the sides out more than the middle. I think there was @ 14-15k miles on this tire at this point.




Not doubting your riding abilities, Steve. I have just personally never seen or rode with a sporty that had nearly the lean angle mine has before you start making firworks, not to mention the power coming out of the curves. Though, with 8,472 variations of bike per year that Harley makes, maybe I just haven't rode with the right one?

Though us "Flatlanders" can get to some places to get these chicken strips scrubbed off, I do envy you. I would LOVE to ride back there where I grew up with Mt Rainier in my back yard. People call something a mountain here and I have to laugh...

Tod

[Winterhawk]

I installed my Continental Tours yesterday and rode it to work last night. Felt great. They have a lightning type tread design. I'm glad I got them. Cost about $290.00 for everything including 2 new rim locks and 2 new IRC heavy duty tubes. Static balanced them myself using the axle and a couple of pieces of wood. Anyone else do their own static balancing?



http://www.usmotorcycletires.com/con...017-p-399.html

CONTINENTAL CONTI TOUR 130/90H17 TK17 REAR

CONTI TOUR 130/90H17 TK17 REAR
Strong enough for dressers and other heavy bikes
6 ply rated double belted construction provides high load rating
Bold raised back lettering on sidewalls for a custom look
Provides smooth ride but delivers firmness needed for cornering and braking
Used by Harley riders for many years
Can be matched with the Conti Milestone

[crazy steve]

Sorry, no pics of my worn-out tires.....

I have just personally never seen or rode with a sporty that had nearly the lean angle mine has before you start making firworks, not to mention the power coming out of the curves. Though, with 8,472 variations of bike per year that Harley makes, maybe I just haven't rode with the right one?

Though us "Flatlanders" can get to some places to get these chicken strips scrubbed off, I do envy you. I would LOVE to ride back there where I grew up with Mt Rainier in my back yard. People call something a mountain here and I have to laugh...

And I'll admit that too many Harley owners usually lower them for 'cool' (or worse yet, buy a factory-lowered 'Custom' model with it's puny 21" front tire), destroying the otherwise very good handling that the 'stock height' version offered. Which they no longer even make...

The 'mountain' comment shows that everything is relative... my mother was from Norman OK, and in the late 60s I went with her to revisit her roots (for the first time in 30 years). We stopped for directions, and a nice gentleman explained the turns; but he talked about turning at a 'hill' and all I can see for miles in every direction is dead-flat to my eyes. 'Hill? What hill? I don't see any hill' I say, and he says 'THAT hill' while pointing. I still don't see any damn hill Finally my mom leans over and says 'he means that BUMP down there' (about a 3' rise for a few hundred yards) . I never did get to see what qualifies as a 'mountain' there.... Around here, if it isn't riverbottom and it's flat, it was bulldozed flat...

'78E original owner