2wheeljake,
I also have a Bonni SE, so hear your woes about finding tires. When I got the bike there was a major scuff on the right, rear sidewall. The Metzlers no longer being made to fit the SE's rim sizes - let put it this way - it took the dealer and myself a month to find a set that would fit: Pirelli Sport Demons. I don't push things when I ride ( No getting into the chicken strips for me. ) and the Pirellis work wonderfully.
However, I will say this, stay with stock sizes. Yes, people will go 20 extra mm, but it changes the way you go into corners, and other behavior of the bike. Also, your bike tech is correct about the age of the tire. Time will break down the rubber. Small and large cracks will start to appear and that's when you know the tire has aged out.
As, you found out by your second post, don't dis Kendas. Over on the DRRiders web site, the are riders that swear by the Kendas. Then there people, like me that swear by Shinkos. You want to talk cheap - uh, I mean inexpensive - look at the prices for Shinkos.
Oh, I do still use the word peppy.
Well I've spent my two cents. Happy riding,
Alec
