Radials finally

[csrc]

My 80G is a great bike, finally got carbs right,42.5 pilots, 120 mains, 23mm float level, 3.0 green dyna coils and wires, resistor eliminated, fuse box upgrade, tkat fork brace 15w fork oil, 5psi air, st1100 rear shocks, xs750 final drive etc. however the one obstacle still remained....stability on the rain grooved unevenly poured concrete slab they call freeways here in San Diego ! What ever happened to asphalt ? I remember growing up in
KC all the highways were asphalt..smooth sailing even in my parents cars with bias ply tires. The only asphalt I see now is in the form of some kind of seam that randomly skews through the lanes trying to make me switch lanes involuntarily. It's like waterskiing behind a boat and crossing the wake every 20 yards just trying to stay in the same lane ! I had the same problem with my 83 CB1100F until I put on radials, it transformed the bike, I could still see the imperfections in the road but no longer felt them and machine was more sure footed.I had about given up trying to find radials for our odd size wheels when while looking on fleabay under xs1100 I entered tires as a joke and up popped these Bridgestone Battlecruise H50's 100/90B-19 (57H) front and 130/90B-16 (73H) rear radials ! Found them cheaper on Amazon $102.40 front and $126.95 rear of course I had to buy a 16" rear for a special for $44.00 off fleabay so for $275.00 I should be good, I'll post results next week after install

[IanDMacDonald]

I thought putting radials on these was a big no-no??

[csrc]

I wasn't trying to start a bias vs radial thread I've read some of those posts on this forum all I know is what I've experienced is better handling, stability, braking, and tread life by switching to radials. In my opinion any vehicle with suspension, steering and brakes in mechanically good shape will benefit. I remember back in the 70's when Pontiac introduced the "Radial Tuned Suspension" with corresponding emblem on some models what a joke it just handled better because of the introduction of radial tire design, the suspension and steering or braking may have been improved at the same time and was simply enhanced because of radials so I don't think it's a no no it's just been a no option available but now there's a choice is all I'm saying Ian

[csrc]

Ok got the Battlecruisers I ordered from Amazon yesterday and immediately noticed the 120/90-16 sticker said front and was a different manufacturer part number than the one I ordered...crap ! So then I noticed both tire stickers has Bias printed on them. Next I decided to bypass Amazon and contact the vender directly Chaparral Motorsports and talked to a lady in shipping and returns emailed her the Amazon invoice and she said they had the correct 120/90-16 in stock and said I could just exchange for the correct tire at the store and recommended I pay for it over the phone because they only had one left so I did and took all my wheels and tires up there today no biggie 1 hour drive from S.D to San Bernardino straiten everything out when I get there. So I arrive and wow that place is huge there's enough room in there to build Airbus 380's ! Anyway I go back to the tire shop and the guy taps in My name and says they have no such tire in stock on hold or anything in my name etc. So I show him my email correspondence on my phone then he goes back and talks to the lady then comes back and tells me I didn't pay for it and they don't have it in stock and he apologizes ...Ok so she messed up and is hiding. I tell the tire guys I'm over it and show them the Amazon invoice that clearly states "Radials" for each tire described across from the word construction under the technical details under product information. The guys then researched the bridgestone website and said the Bridgestone Battlecruiser is a bias tire only... Ok so probably same incompetent lady supplied wrong tire info to Amazon. I tell the guys I'm over it and to sell me the best tires they have to fit my bike while I'm there and he sells me a set of Michelin Commander II's with free mount and bal for the same $240 so I guess I'll be giving a ride report on the Commanders instead of the Battlecruisers which btw looked like a pretty comparable tire and would have gone with them if they would have had the correct rear in stock. Also btw I wouldn't have had either option without the special 16" rear width is also 3" width instead of the 2 and a half " with the stock 17 rear wheel= more contact patch in rear...looks better too. Anyway ride report update forthcoming later this week and the search for radials continues

[csrc]

ok meant to say 130/90-16 in previous post