Front tyre time

[devo]

Its time for a new front tyre on the America
When I bought it,it was fitted with a brand new avon venom,but these are only available in 110/80/18,correct for speedmaster at the time,but for the America,it should be 110/90/18.
Anyway,I have had 13.5 K out of these tyres, so was happy with the wear,but wont use them again as I want to go up in hieght to correct the speedo,( this runs about 10% fast.) and I dont feel they have the same bite as the lasertechs.
On the speedy,I ran metzler lasertechs,(standard equipment) and these were great tyres,however I was killing them at about 9K.
I have read of people running the mettzler me 880 series on the front,but am looking for feedback re: handling and wear, so if any America or Speedy owners can comment,then please advise.

 

[DaveM]

That does not seem all that bad on the Avon as I know each time I run with them they don't seem to last that long at all. Sorry cannot help you with the Metzler as I have not used them at all.

 

[devo]

Am going with the Lasertec as the ME 880 is not available here in that size.

 

[DaveM]

Let us know how you like it. I was having a puncher fixed on my car today and just checking out tyres in the showroom. It is amazing what technology is used in today's tyres. The same can be said about bike ones as well.

 

[devo]

Had the lasertec on the speedy Dave and they are a great tyre.
Bit softer compound then the me880 and avon,so you trade of better handling for shorter tyre life.
At the end of the day,I've always reckoned buy the best you can afford,and on a bike that would apply even more.

 

[DaveM]

Yes I fully agree I never hold back even in my car always believe this. I always liked Avon but they are a bit soft and just don't last that long

 

[CarlS]

I ran two sets of Lasertecs and one set of 880's on my T100. The 880 lasted longer. I am currently running Avons. I was going to try Shinko's next; but that will be up to Kaleb. The guys that are running Shinkos are well pleased with them.

I will try Shinko's on my Tiger XC. However, I can't complain about the OEM Battelwings. I have 8000 miles/12875 kilometers on them and they are about 60% worn.

 

[DaveM]

Well that does not sound to bad for them then

 

[CarlS]

Nope, the only thing I don't like about the Battelwings, they are not aggressive enough for rocks and and mud. They are a 90/10 tire. I need a 70/30.

 

[devo]

Took the wheel in and had the new tyre fitted and balanced today.
Got home and put the wheel back on and while it was up on the lift I figured I'd fit the 19 tooth sprocket I had picked up a wee while ago.
This of course led to a rear wheel alignment and chain adjustment, and while I had the tools in my hand I removed the rear pegs since I'm running solo anyway.
So I have just been for a run around the block for half an hour(had to warm the chain up of course for a re lube) and the new tyre feels great.Much lighter on the steering and great feedback and very positive feel.
The extra tooth on the sprocket wasn't all that noticeable around town,but when I hauled out onto the highway it felt real good.Still pulled surprisingly strong,but the pull lasts longer between shifts, and by the time I found top it was well up to the legal limit.
All in all a couple or three hours well spent and good fun to boot.

 

[CarlS]

Ah very good. Isn't it amazing how a run around the block can take so long on a motorcycle? Of course one has to warm up the chain properly, see how a new tire handles, and begin scrubbing it in.

 

[DaveM]

Good on you Harry now to see how well they wear

 

[hemibee]

Dang Harry, that was quick. I was going to post up that when you got them, swing by here and we could mount them and balance them and save you from having to pay the shop. . . but then again the gas and transportation cost might have offset any savings you would have gotten from a mini tech day at Hemibee's Tire and Balance shop.

 

[devo]

yeah,that woulda bin cool Tony
but with all the catchin up an bullshit,it woulda taken a weekend to fit it.

 

[CarlS]

Yes, but think of all the fun and beer!

 

[hemibee]

Yeah, it would have taken a while to do. The last time we changed a tire we had the tire done in record time but the bs session was day long.


Posting with Tapatalk for iPhone.

 

[devo]

Good on you Harry now to see how well they wear

I had iit in mind that I had averaged about 9k km out of them on my speedy Dave, but looking back on my excell sheet I see it was more like 8k.
I imagine it will be much the same on the america.

 

[CarlS]

I had iit in mind that I had averaged about 9k km out of them on my speedy Dave, but looking back on my excell sheet I see it was more like 8k.
I imagine it will be much the same on the america.

8k kilometers is about 5000 miles. On my Bonnie, I got 7000 miles on the stock rear tire and 6000 on the second rear tire.

 

[Rocky]

I'm still on my first set of Metzlers on the T100 and have only just rolled over 14,000+ km's (8750+ miles).
Both tires are nearing replacement - almost down to the wear bars. I may get the rest of the summer out of them so I consider that pretty good mileage.

 

[CarlS]

That is good mileage. I got a little over 8000 miles on the Metzler rear I installed as a replacement. I am running Avons now.