tire recommendations

[Winterhawk]

I put a Cheng Shin Hi-Max on Kong ('80 full dresses Special) back in March. That rear tire now has right at 7200 miles on it.

I use Cheng Shin Hi-Max on alot of bikes. They are great tires and have used them on most of my bikes and others.

The XS1100 has Metzlers and the Venture has Avon's Both are great tires.

[tommystinson]

I've got Dunlop GT501 ArrowMax on mine. Great tire it seems, looks pretty nice, a bit more modern with no white letters. I know it can vary quite a bit in production, but mine only took a little weight when I balanced them. The last (and only) set of Cheng Shins I had needed a boatload of weight to balance out. Cost is almost identical to the Elite II's.

[MAXIMAN]

A Dunlop Elite II Cost $43??? Awesome...where can I get them?

The Cheng Shins I've used took NO WEIGHT...none. Oh the first time the kid mounted it he tried to use 3 or four boat anchors to get it to balance. When I showed him to line the balance dot on the tire up to the valve stem...ABRACADABRA DUH!...no weight was required.

[denysp]

Originally posted by Phyxius
Might make you think a bit before snapping up that 'excellent' deal on that cheap helmet you're looking at.

I know its off topic, but between DOT and SNELL, doesnt a $100.00 helmet protect your head the same as a $1500.00 helmet provided they have the same safety rating?

[robywan_kenobi]

I recently put a Bridgestone Battlax BT45 on the back of my bike. Can't say much for mileage yet, I only have about a 1000 miles on it, but the ride and grip seem excellent. Bridgestone advertises this tire as a "dual compound" tire - meaning a harder compound in the center for higher mileage and a softer compound at the sides for better traction in the corners, seems to work. The tire cost me $138 before mounting and balancing.

[MAXIMAN]

Originally posted by denysp



I know its off topic, but between DOT and SNELL, doesnt a $100.00 helmet protect your head the same as a $1500.00 helmet provided they have the same safety rating?

Technically speaking yes. I've never even seen a $1500 hat. But I can tell you there is a world of difference between a$100 helmet and a $400 helmet in terms of fit and comfort. Not that the $100 hat is bad...I use one mee self. But there is a definitive difference.

However concerning tires...a friend of mine has an '81 XS11 Special with a set of Avon Venoms. They cost him well over $300 for the set. I have ridden his bike and really could not tell any difference in quality of ride or handling from my $150 set of Cheng Shins.

I'm guessing that is because the suspension and handling of an Eleven is not conducive to fully realizing the benefits of an expensive tire. Whereas a modern bike (say an FJR1300) would probably more readily reveal the short comings of a cheap tire.

.........just a guess