BattleAxe or K491?

[Shuriken]

Bridgestone BattleAxe BT45 tires or Dunlop 491's for my 79sf?

I have run the Dunlop tire and it was good.

Primarily, the riding I do is less than a couple hundred miles round trip. I have never done a cross country ride, although that doesn't mean I wouldn't. Part of that is because I don't have a way to carry much on my 79sf and the other part is because I sold my 80g with the comfortable king/queen seat and luggage rack.

Reason I ask about the BattleAxe tires is because they are very cheap at Southwest Micro and to ship from AZ to UT is nothing. ACCWHSE has the dunlops but they are more expensive.

If the BT45's last like a dunlop I might try them.
Ben

[gerkenbruce]

Try the GT501 from Dunlop I think there the best

XSively
Bruce

[Shuriken]

Saw those. How do they hold up for mileage?

Ben

[motoman]

The BT45's will get you good wear, little harder compound, so you'll give up some corner traction. I like some of the Dunlops, but the fronts seem to cup on inside and outside. I run the radial 205's on my ST, and the front does cup, even keeping 42-45psi in it. Have run the BT45's on it also. The XS is rollin with Metzlers, ME33 front, ME55 rear. They work well, but rear seems to be grinding down quicker than expected. must be a softer compound, and they do stick like glue in corners. Let me know when you get a couple tires on that ride, and maybe this crappy weather will clear and we could meet part way and exchange lies, whacha think?........And I'll be nice and ride the Bentley......little cold doesn't bother me to ride, as I have Hippo Hands on both bikes and have put almost 3,000 miles on both since December, and used the grip heaters on the ST only one time, as they get pretty hot with the Hippos on there too.

[strom]

A friend just got new BT45s for his 79F. Will report in the autmn how they hold up.
501s are made for smaller bikes, so I don't know how they'd hold up on the relatively massive eleven.
I had avon venom front and roadrunner rear for a while now. XSellent dry grip, so good its scary. But not so good in wet. I'll try BT45s next and see.

LP

[gerkenbruce]

I got 7000 out of my last set and I road the black hard Deal gap Smokey mountans run ther better in the rain steel deck bridges.there low prowfile and coner better.

XSively
Bruce

[jetmechmarty]

I'm with Bruce. The GT501 is the single greatest improvement I ever made to my motorcycle. They seem to be holding up fine.

[motoman]

May be okay tires......but not made in the 130/90x17 for rear. I,m afraid the 140/80x17 would not clear driveshaft housing.

[Shuriken]

Thanks for the replies. Now I'm more confused! ;-)

Keep in mind my needs are for the special with the 16" rear.

Ben

[Shuriken]

I was thinking about the 491's again but at: http://www.accwhse.com/dunlop.htm#Tires%20street

They don't list them without the raised white letters. I'm afraid they would rub the drive shaft.

Maybe then it's time to try the BT45's.

Ben

[motoman]

Hey Ben....no confusion..just alot of personal preference......high mileage verses exceptional traction, etc. Personally I think you would really like the Conti's, RB2front - K112 rear. They are Continentals line that's been around since before I bought my 81XS new, always a favorite for the older bikes, and that's what I used to roll on. Still would but not offered in a 17inch, just a 16inch. They wear good, love water, and stick like they're they're glued to road. Most don'y use them, and don't realize just how good a tire they still are. They also have an exceptional ride and look good on the XS's. ...........more confusion ................................................Br ant.

[xj11john]

cheapskate?.. maybe

Well,

I'll chime in here, as I'm the only one I see in recent times to get the kendra challenger 13/90/16h , new on rear, still has the one on front that I got the bike with.

When i got the bike the rear had the tits on but not deep traction left, and then I put 5,000 miles on, no probs, no slip in rain.
But with the new one on back, it seems to really be improved and feels very sticky to the road, so far am pleased, Ill report back this fall after some miles on.

Oh, I paid about 79.00 to the shop for the tire and 125.00 tax included- monted balance, and installed (R&R old tire to new one)

I see the tire can be had before for about 43.00 on line before shipping, but seems good to me.

[robywan_kenobi]

I have the Battlax BT45 V-rated tire on the back of my 81H. I haven't had any problems with it. Seems to have good traction in all conditions. I have about (estimated) 4500 miles on it and it looks like it's got a couple thousand more left in it.

[RS Thornton]

FWIW
I put Dunlop D404's on and liked them. I ran them in on my trip to Florida and only have 2500 miles on them, but I thought they handled I40 through the Cherokee Forest really well. They also did well in the torrential downpours I hit between Cleveland and Toledo on the way back.

I am pretty convinced that it is personal preference for most of us and I do not plan on every buying a Cheng Shin. One day Dragonrider to find a car tire that will the XS and we can all chime in on that for a few weeks.

Drive safe

[DeanR]

I've also liked the 404's, good price too.