Bandit Alley
MODEL SPECIFIC => BIG BANDIT BANTER => Topic started by: NCBANDIT on January 24, 2006, 11:11:34 AM
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Is anyone running these tires yet? I just mounted a rear yesterday and will let everyone know how it holds up. With the fingernail test it's a little softer than a 208 but is supposed to last a little longer I believe. If anyone else is already running them, let me know your opinion on these.
Thanks, Josh
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Excellent, if they stick like the 208's but last longer, sign me up.
What front are you running?
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With the fingernail test it's a little softer than a 208 but is supposed to last a little longer I believe.
Softer and last longer than a 208? I hope that it works out for you. The last person that I know that mounted a 208 lasted a little less than 3000 miles.
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Right now I'm running a 208 front till it wears out then it will get a qualifier.
Solman, the reason I think they may last longer is deeper tread. From what I can remember of a 208 rear these have a slightly ddper tread so therefore they may last longer. I thought I read that somewhere, but may be wrong. And yes, 2500 is avg. wear for me on a 208, 3k is pushing it. But I like my tires to stick, I think I may go with pilot powers next, have heard nothing but good things about them.
Josh
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When I bought my Z6's(Metzlers), the guy was trying to convince me to buy the powers. I thought about it, but I had my heart set on the Metzlers and as a bonus, I got them for a really good price.
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Any news on mileage or how the Qualifier is holding up. I need to purchase a new rear within a few weeks and the Qualifier is at the top of the list.
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I put 75 miles on a brand new set of new Dunlop Qualifiers today on my 2000 1G B-12. It was 2-up with the spousal unit aboard.
Installer (Cycle Gear) made me read and sign a form -- prepared by their legal staff no doubt -- agreeing to take it easy for the first 100 miles in order to get enough heat in them to evaporate the silicon preservatives. Being an oldest child, I did as they said and took it easy but could tell after 50 miles that they beat the absolute crap out of the Bridgestone OEMs.
The Bridgestone front tire was the original showroom tire, and was toast after 6 years and 9400 miles. The rear was also an OEM B'stone replacement installed after a puncture in '01 at around 3800 miles. On a cold day (for south Texas) this last winter they just refused to stick, even after an hour of riding, getting really squirelly on exits under power, so they were jettisoned in favor of the Qualifiers that I'd read good things about.
I'll put some more miles on these ASAP and report back but at first blush things look good. To be honest, I'm not looking for long miles out of them because I'll do good to put 2000 miles on them in a year due to work, projects, and other commitments. I want them to STICK and that's what I'll report back on.
See ya.
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Followup....
Have about 300 miles on the 205's and they really stick nice. Chicken strips are down to 1/2 inch without working too hard, but I haven't had much of an opportunity to play racer boy yet. And at my age I don't go very far out of my way for that as often as before.
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Follow up, i have about 2500 miles on the qualifier rear and it still has a decent amount of tread left. I ride really aggresivelly at a couple play spots in the mts. every weekend, with some commuting and they are holding up well. When pushing them hard they still get greasy on occasion, but it takes about 3 times longer than the 208's.
As for signing a waiver, aint happenin here. I mount my own tires and know not to immediately give 'er hell. But a quick ride thru town, then a jaunt down my local fun road and theres very little chicken strip left and they stick like glue.
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I just took off my Qualifiers last week. They were on my bike new @ the Bandit rally. I tried my best to get 3k out of them.But 2900 miles,and cords were showing.I went with a cheaper set to get me through the rest of the riding season (contiforce) and hope to get more milage out of them. And saved the front Qualifier,good for another back. If I lived in the Smokey mnts.,I might have sprung for another Qualifier,but even though we have some desent roads around here,theres also too many straights. The Contis look like they should shed water pretty good with the fall season ahead. And they felt very stable when pushed into some tight turns.The only slippery moments were when hitting tar strips in a couple turns.But all tires slip on the tar strips.One thing for sure,it sure feels (and handles)good to have new tires!
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I put just over 3K on the rear Qualifier...they stick well but my commute wore the rear down with a flat strip wide enough to stand the bike on. A BT-020 now resides out back.
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My personal complaint about Bridgestone & Dunlop tires is that they both make tires that either stick well... or last a reasonable length of time... but never both.
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Followup-
I have put 4k on the rear qualifier so far. Probably looking at another 1500 to 2K left before I replace it. Other than 3 nails and 3 plugs, it is holding up pretty well. I do ride aggressive, but have still managed to get the chicken strip. Mainly do from the daily commutes to and from the office.
This is my only bike, but it is still my daily driver. I have put about 9k on it in the last year. I will probably replace with Michelin Pilot Power. RideNow has a great deal on them right now.
I just purchased a 208 for the front for $59 shipped to my door.
http://www.ridenowonline.com/product_detail.aspx?item_guid=5bf96143-621e-494f-bccd-b2f919e17f2a