Bandit Alley
GENERAL MOTORCYCLE FORUMS => GENERAL MECHANICAL & TECHNICAL => Topic started by: icemakk on August 04, 2008, 03:39:49 PM
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My stock Dunlop tires that came on my 2008 Suzuki Bandit 1250 SA are crap. The rear is already down to the wear bar after only only 6000km (3700 mi. for those of you who still use the old Harley measurement system)
I have done No burn-outs and used the bike mostly for mountain touring.
The stock tires are Dunlop SportMax D218's
Has anyone else had a pair of these pieces of crap wear that fast?
:rant2:
I am searching for a good sport touring tire that has more life such as these dual compound ones that are harder in the middle of the tread. Dunlop makes the Roadsmart touring tire that claims to be like that
http://www.dunlopmotorcycle.com/tirecatalog_tire.asp?id=101 (http://www.dunlopmotorcycle.com/tirecatalog_tire.asp?id=101) but after this last pair of nerf rubber donuts I am reluctant to buy another Dunlop.
Anyone have luck with this Roadsmart one or other tire make? Please give me your feedback.
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I burned through my rear stocker in about 4,000 miles and switched over to the Roadsmart. I like it, but I don't push my tires hard. I only just this weekend finally rid myself of all the chicken strips on my rear Roadsmart after a thousand miles. So maybe I'm not the best guy to give tired advice. I'm sure one of the knee draggers can help. By the way, after 1000 miles, the Roadsmart still looks new.
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I just put on a set of Pilot Road 2's from Michelin. I've run them a couple of hundred miles at the little strips are still on the tire! what's up with that. I've wore them off the center, finally. Anyway, I think these will be great tires. I'm like you I do more High way miles than curves, but I think I've finally found a route to work that's quite twisty.
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At Cycle Gear, they showed me five different tires. The sales guy said I'd probably get more miles on the Roadsmart than the others...his opinion. And, it was the cheapest, $160 mounted/balanced. I can't imagine your tire choice is going to matter much unless you are really dragging knee in the twisties or doing track days.
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I've read that today's street tires, even the touring models, are much stickier than even the race tires they used in the '70s and '80s. That's good enough for me. I'm never pushing the envelope that much.
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much stickier than even the race tires they used in the '70s and '80s.
I totally agree, but I think there is something to note. How many bike in the 70's ran easily in to the 200kph? I know it depends on riding style and truthfully most of us would probably not note a difference but despite it's 'styling' our dear bandits can be a very powerful machine, yes they don't cross over 260kph without some modification however take a turn at 220 and imagine the amount of load that 'heavy' bike and rider is putting on the tires. That said for mostly highway it seems to make most sense to go with a long lasting tire as you have.
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How many bike in the 70's ran easily in to the 200kph?
Just about anything 750 or larger... stock.
I'm sure race bikes even smaller wouldn't have any trouble reaching 200 kph. My old RD350 could have hit that, but it was not stock and that kind of speed was more like "top" than "easy."
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lol yes well the little RD is a bit special no? And to be honest with you I never thought hitting 200kph on a GS, CB, or KZ750 was what you could call 'easy', at least not in comparison to the bandit. Perhaps everything I've ever ridden is very much worn out, considering its all older than me. Or perhaps I've ridden the wrong bikes a quick look at www.bikez.com shows top speeds of-
1979 GS750 E 198kph
1979 XS750 E 198kph
1979 Z 750 176kph
1979 CB750K 200kph
Of course everything but the Yamaha is considered not 'sport' but sport touring and the Z750 is simply touring.
Top speed on the bandit isn't 'easy' to get to either, but 200 on the other hand truly is. All I can say for the older bikes is thank god for bridgestone spitfires.
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I was going by my fond memories or hauling across the SoCal desert on my way to Havasu City back in '77 on my 77 GS750 and it was topping out at 134 mph, the CB750 in our little 3 bike group was good for ~125 and the KZ900 was 1-2 mph faster than me. While 200kph (~124 mph) may not have been effortless for the CB, it was do-able. Of course, all this was "Indicated" speeds - and we all know how trustworthy those speedos are. :rofl:
Still, racing superbikes, and top roadracers of the era that would have been wearing the racing slicks of the day shouldn't have had any troubles with 200 klicks.
Think TZ700/750: :drool2:
(http://www.yamaha-motor.com/sport/epic_mcy/500/74_tz700_3_600.jpg)
(http://www.superbikeplanet.com/image/roberts/kennyskip.gif)
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drool indeed!!!!!!! some awesome exhaust work on that!
man i love old bikes. I still say someday I'm getting myself a nice little cafe racer project. sorry for hijacking the thread by the way, guess I sort of strayed off the sport touring tire concept. :banghead:
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wow that thing is gorgeous...
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To answer the original question regarding tires, I have a set of Metzler Roadtec z6's on my B12 and I personally think they are great tires. I bought the bike last May and 1 week later got a nail in the rear (tire) :trustme: I replaced it with the same 180/55/17 and after 10K km it still looks barely worn. If I had to guess I'd say it still has over 2/3 of the tread. Nice and sticky too. I paid 260.00 cdn for it (installed) but I imagine they are cheaper this year.
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+1 "I have a set of Metzler Roadtec z6's on my B12,5 and I personally think they are great tires."
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My stock Dunlop tires that came on my 2008 Suzuki Bandit 1250 SA are crap. The rear is already down to the wear bar after only only 6000km (3700 mi. for those of you who still use the old Harley measurement system)
I have done No burn-outs and used the bike mostly for mountain touring.
The stock tires are Dunlop SportMax D218's
Has anyone else had a pair of these pieces of crap wear that fast?
:rant2:
You got 3,700 miles out of the stock rear tire?? I'd kill for 3,700 miles on ANY rear tire!
I wore out the stock DUNLOP at 1,800!
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Well, I posted back in August that I had about 200 miles on my Michelin's. I now have about 3,000 on them. They're showing wear, but not even close to being worn, they look about a third worn, with a little flatness in the center. They've stuck with me in the rain quite well. Took the wife to Murfreesboro for a Patriot Guard Rider's Gathering, with the side and top case loaded up and they handled that quite well.
Over all I'm quite pleased and will probably buy them again when the time comes.
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I wore out the stock DUNLOP at 1,800!
I'm gonna go out on a limb and say your tires aren't the problem! :stickpoke:
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My stock Dunlop tires that came on my 2008 Suzuki Bandit 1250 SA are crap. The rear is already down to the wear bar after only only 6000km (3700 mi. for those of you who still use the old Harley measurement system)
I have done No burn-outs and used the bike mostly for mountain touring.
The stock tires are Dunlop SportMax D218's
Has anyone else had a pair of these pieces of crap wear that fast?
:rant2:
You got 3,700 miles out of the stock rear tire?? I'd kill for 3,700 miles on ANY rear tire!
I wore out the stock DUNLOP at 1,800!
I got 6000km out of a Metzler M1 rear, but from the Stock Macadam I got 15,000, Metzler ZE4 I got around 10,000, I've now got a RoadTech Z6 with around 5000km on it and it still looks almost new. I'm currently looking for a new front tyre. Thinking about trying an Avon Storm.
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My stock Dunlop tires that came on my 2008 Suzuki Bandit 1250 SA are crap. The rear is already down to the wear bar after only only 6000km (3700 mi. for those of you who still use the old Harley measurement system)
I have done No burn-outs and used the bike mostly for mountain touring.
The stock tires are Dunlop SportMax D218's
Has anyone else had a pair of these pieces of crap wear that fast?
:rant2:
You got 3,700 miles out of the stock rear tire?? I'd kill for 3,700 miles on ANY rear tire!
I wore out the stock DUNLOP at 1,800!
I got 6000km out of a Metzler M1 rear, but from the Stock Macadam I got 15,000, Metzler ZE4 I got around 10,000, I've now got a RoadTech Z6 with around 5000km on it and it still looks almost new. I'm currently looking for a new front tyre. Thinking about trying an Avon Storm.
Yes my stock tire was done at 6000km I have a BT 021 on now and with more that 7000 on it and it still looks pretty good. The Dunlops are crap to be sure.
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My stock Dunlop tires that came on my 2008 Suzuki Bandit 1250 SA are crap. The rear is already down to the wear bar after only only 6000km (3700 mi. for those of you who still use the old Harley measurement system)
I have done No burn-outs and used the bike mostly for mountain touring.
The stock tires are Dunlop SportMax D218's
Has anyone else had a pair of these pieces of crap wear that fast?
:rant2:
You got 3,700 miles out of the stock rear tire?? I'd kill for 3,700 miles on ANY rear tire!
I wore out the stock DUNLOP at 1,800!
I got 6000km out of a Metzler M1 rear, but from the Stock Macadam I got 15,000, Metzler ZE4 I got around 10,000, I've now got a RoadTech Z6 with around 5000km on it and it still looks almost new. I'm currently looking for a new front tyre. Thinking about trying an Avon Storm.
One word "Shinko"
009. best all round sports tourer I've ever used.
005 best sports tyre, Ive ever used
003, best super sports knee dragging tyre I've ever used.
Ans now we have the new super sticky 003.
Having said that I've just had put on the rear of the B6 a Roadtech Z6.
Why?, you may well ask. Simple really the bloke I use for tyres, didn't have in stock a new 009, but did have the Z6. I was in no hurry for the tyre anyway, but he made me an offer I couldn't refuse. Super discount, fitted and balanced, cheaper than a 009, a no brainer there.
Only been round the block on it, so I'm unable to give a true opinion of it thus far.
Mind you round the block in the Yarra Valley takes an hour or so and takes in some of the best world reknowned motorcycle roads. Shyte I just hated having to move here :trustme:
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I got 2100 kms out of the stock Dunlops, am now using Continental TourForce, just over 3000 kms so far and barely any signs of wear;07 B1250.
Dink
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My stock Dunlop tires that came on my 2008 Suzuki Bandit 1250 SA are crap. The rear is already down to the wear bar after only only 6000km (3700 mi. for those of you who still use the old Harley measurement system)
I have done No burn-outs and used the bike mostly for mountain touring.
The stock tires are Dunlop SportMax D218's
Has anyone else had a pair of these pieces of crap wear that fast?
:rant2:
You got 3,700 miles out of the stock rear tire?? I'd kill for 3,700 miles on ANY rear tire!
I wore out the stock DUNLOP at 1,800!
I got 6000km out of a Metzler M1 rear, but from the Stock Macadam I got 15,000, Metzler ZE4 I got around 10,000, I've now got a RoadTech Z6 with around 5000km on it and it still looks almost new. I'm currently looking for a new front tyre. Thinking about trying an Avon Storm.
Yes my stock tire was done at 6000km I have a BT 021 on now and with more that 7000 on it and it still looks pretty good. The Dunlops are crap to be sure.
+1 on the Storms! Even better than the Stinko's IMO
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My stock Dunlop tires that came on my 2008 Suzuki Bandit 1250 SA are crap. The rear is already down to the wear bar after only only 6000km (3700 mi. for those of you who still use the old Harley measurement system)
I have done No burn-outs and used the bike mostly for mountain touring.
The stock tires are Dunlop SportMax D218's
Has anyone else had a pair of these pieces of crap wear that fast?
:rant2:
I am searching for a good sport touring tire that has more life such as these dual compound ones that are harder in the middle of the tread. Dunlop makes the Roadsmart touring tire that claims to be like that
http://www.dunlopmotorcycle.com/tirecatalog_tire.asp?id=101 (http://www.dunlopmotorcycle.com/tirecatalog_tire.asp?id=101) but after this last pair of nerf rubber donuts I am reluctant to buy another Dunlop.
Anyone have luck with this Roadsmart one or other tire make? Please give me your feedback.
Lets take a look at a couple of things. First you have a heavy bike, about 500 lbs. This bike is a sport touring type bike and has the ability to corner rather well. So using a sport type tire will get burned up quickly. Now even though you were not doing burn outs, did you do some hard accelerations? This will cause more wear.
So if you plan more aggressive riding a sport tire is a better choice for two reasons. Better grip and cheap insurance from going down due to tire grip.
If you do not plan on aggressive riding then you can go with a more road type tire like Pilot Roads at the cost of some grip, but they will wear longer.
Me personally, I am an aggressive rider and if I get 3 to 4K miles out of a set of tires I am a happy camper and I run Power Race. Not the kind you get in stores, they are the true race version of the Power Race for racers. Since I am a dealer it helps, but still it is a good chuck of change for a set. But I like the security of knowing the grip is there.
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I put Continental Road Attacks on my 02 1200S and love them. Very good grip (I do not ride real agressively) and seem to be wearing very well 5200+ miles on them and judging by the current rate of wear I am thinking 12K+ miles from the rear. If you do go with them, look at the specs on the Conti site. They require a slightly higher pressure. I am running mine at 38 fron and 43 rear. I have run them through every thing but snow and they have performed very well. Grip in the rain is great. In fact grip over all is far greater than I expect to ever need. The bike/tire combo is far more capable than I willing to be.
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+1 "I have a set of Metzler Roadtec z6's on my B12,5 and I personally think they are great tires."
Another +1 on the Z6s. '02 B12, ridden conservatively. 4K miles so far, and barely look worn.
For comparison, I got about 10K-12K miles on the oiginal Macadams (terrible wobble in the front, squared off rear - both should have been replaced sooner) and also 10K-12K on a set of Conti Road Attacks (better front, rear was running low on tread anyway, and a bad puncture finished it off). Would also recommend the Road Attacks, but heard good things about the Z6s and had good luck with Z4s on another bike years ago
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+1 "I have a set of Metzler Roadtec z6's on my B12,5 and I personally think they are great tires."
I wore off two sets of Z6 down to the metal in under 12,000Km. Although I don't baby the bike I'm far from a drag racer or knee dragger. No wheelies or burnouts either, mostly sport touring, with emphasis on touring. Never lost grip, though, tires were good for as long as they lasted.
I'll try the Michelin Pilot Road 2 or Shinko 009 next...
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Very hard to go past the Michelin Pilot Road 2 for wear and performance. :thumb:
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I put Continental Road Attacks on my 02 1200S and love them. Very good grip (I do not ride real agressively) and seem to be wearing very well 5200+ miles on them and judging by the current rate of wear I am thinking 12K+ miles from the rear. If you do go with them, look at the specs on the Conti site. They require a slightly higher pressure. I am running mine at 38 fron and 43 rear. I have run them through every thing but snow and they have performed very well. Grip in the rain is great. In fact grip over all is far greater than I expect to ever need. The bike/tire combo is far more capable than I willing to be.
I agree, very nice tire. However I am suspect that you are getting > 5K miles on the rear. I do not burn rubber or stunt and am hard pressed to get > 5K on the rear. I use the sport attack on front and get close to 1:1 for rear and front.
(http://img407.imageshack.us/img407/9264/picture121bu2.th.jpg)
(http://img407.imageshack.us/img407/6996/picture117ah2.th.jpg)
Tire after 5110 miles and done.
Mark
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However I am suspect that you are getting > 5K miles on the rear.
Mark
Mark,
I have close to 5400 miles on the tires as of last week. I just went out to the garage and measured the tread depth, on the rear, at the lowest point (middle of the tire) and I have just a tick under an 1/8" of an inch of tread left. At the closest wear bar it reads 3/16". Bear in mind that I do not ride aggressively and as of this date have never done any seriously heavy acceleration runs with it. I have the bike for the fit and comfort, not for the motor size. Something else that probably helps is that my two primary riding buds are on a HD Deuce and a Kawi Voyager so serious sport type riding does not enter the picture. That and I have no desire to glean any performance awards from the local constabulary.
02
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Understand, I do sport around and commute at 4.5K rpms ~44 miles each way on freeway. If you are not hitting it I could see the extended mileage. As I stated, love the tire but need to get more mileage off my rubber. Am looking to get the R2's after I burn up my winter tires on now.
Cheers,
Mark
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I am considering looking at a dual compound tire when this one wears out. Seeing as I do not ride in a manner that is real hard on tires I may be able to get some serious miles from a dual compound donut.
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I am considering looking at a dual compound tire when this one wears out. Seeing as I do not ride in a manner that is real hard on tires I may be able to get some serious miles from a dual compound donut.
I'm afraid the "dual compound" gimmick doesn't work as advertised, at least not for me. Every tire I ever owned got a major flat spot by the time I was done with it. Dual or single compound did not seem to make any difference at all. This includes my brother's track day scrubs that were 90% pre-worn on the sides. Granted, there's not that many twisty roads where I live and I'm not dragging my footpegs in corners, but a square is a square.
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I have seen Mic R2's go well over 5K. Yes they do square off in the center as do most, however, one of my ridding buddys (VFR 800) does very nice on his set. Had over 7.3K miles and still had tread in center. I would say that they handle as well (or better) then the RA's but last 1.5 times longer. Not bad for a few extra $'s.
Mark
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I'm riding a 2007 1250ABS and ride with a much more experienced and aggressive ex-racer on a 2nd gen 1200. We've both been running on the Pilot II's for about the last six months and have nothing but raves about them. They're holding up really well and neither of us have come any place near getting them to break traction--either in curves or in the wet. They're a little bit pricey, especially here in Japan, but I can honestly say they're worth the price if you are commuting or doing the curvy stuff.
I'm starting to think that the stock Dunlops are 'defective'--I burned through mine pretty quickly too. :duh:
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I've got 5400km on my stock Dunlop Sportmax D218 tires and I'm into the wear bar and looking for a new tire too. I tend to hit the corners pretty fast but its the center of the tread that's gone for me. For a heavy bike it handles like a dream but I'm 230lbs and riding two-up with the wife you're effectively doubling the weight of the bike. Despite all that weight the bike is more than willing to take off like a rocket. On hot dry roads that is bound to burn up the rubber.
With all that being said I think I'm going to give the Sportmax Roadsmart a shot. My front stock tire is still holding up great -- no cupping and lots of tread left -- and I'd like to keep the tires matched as much as possible. I watched a couple of videos on YouTube yesterday for the Dunlop Sportmax Roadsmart during their pre-production testing. One video was from Dunlop so obviously biased, the other was from a third party group -- MCN biking news and reviews -- that was invited to the testing. From their testing the Dunlop out performed the competitors, if just slightly, on the track.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qA4wm0WY83I (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qA4wm0WY83I)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Agz_iwOfxw (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Agz_iwOfxw)
Hope this info helps and I'll be sure to keep everyone posted on how they hold up.
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UPDATE,
Replaced the Road Attack (rear) just over a month ago. I ended up getting about 8800 miles out of it. I replaced it with a Conti Motion.
The Motion had good grip, but had a slightly different profile than the RA and did not feel as settled in the corners. I never got to try it in the wet. It was replaced last week do to an unrepairable puncture and was replaced with a Conti Force as that is what my local shop (Speedwerks in Dover DE) stocks.
So far the Force feels very much like the RA. Time will tell what mileage I get from it, but it seems like a very good tire.
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Just replace my Michellin Pilot Road 2.
Got 22,000km out of the other one!! :thumb:
Good tire for fun, fast distance.
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My Versys had crappy dunlops that wore out around 3500 miles I believe. Replaced them with roadsmarts that seem to be much better all around. my bandit came with roadsmarts as well and just today I finished off the chicken strips! much more confident with the roadsmarts on both bikes.
I don't have any experience with them, but several of my co-workers absolutely swear by Michelin Pilot road 2's.
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the stock Dunlops sucked so bad I will never buy any other Dunlop offering. Not a good sales pitch with the crap they give as OEM
A smart company would offer better rubber on the contract if they wished to get another sale down the road in my opinion.
For now I am sticking with the PR2' s until I find something better. :motorsmile:
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the stock Dunlops sucked so bad I will never buy any other Dunlop offering. Not a good sales pitch with the crap they give as OEM
A smart company would offer better rubber on the contract if they wished to get another sale down the road in my opinion.
For now I am sticking with the PR2' s until I find something better. :motorsmile:
Had I taken that attitude, I never would have tried my PR1's or 2's. My B12 came with Michelins - Macadam 90's. The rear was OK, but the front sucked big time.
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the stock Dunlops sucked so bad I will never buy any other Dunlop offering. Not a good sales pitch with the crap they give as OEM
A smart company would offer better rubber on the contract if they wished to get another sale down the road in my opinion.
For now I am sticking with the PR2' s until I find something better. :motorsmile:
Had I taken that attitude, I never would have tried my PR1's or 2's. My B12 came with Michelins - Macadam 90's. The rear was OK, but the front sucked big time.
I understand what you are saying. Pretty much have this attitude with the Dunflops as they have been the stocker on 3 bikes and sucked everytime. Dunflop does not get my $$ when I need new tires. You were lucky to get Michelins with your B12. I assume that was not off the dealer floor?
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Well I went for it with the Dunlop Sportmax Roadsmart tires. Picked up the tire for $183. I've only got 250km on it so far but I've liked that 250km so far. Rides nice, corners great, no complaints yet but then it's early and the fat lady certainly hasn't sung on this story yet.
I'll keep everyone posted.
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Well I went for it with the Dunlop Sportmax Roadsmart tires. Picked up the tire for $183. I've only got 250km on it so far but I've liked that 250km so far. Rides nice, corners great, no complaints yet but then it's early and the fat lady certainly hasn't sung on this story yet.
I'll keep everyone posted.
Yes please. Curious as to how long it lasts and how well it handles once you have it scrubbed in. Still not too happy with their cheap factory donuts
:banghead:
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Hey Jester, glad to see you aboard!! Welcome.
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You were lucky to get Michelins with your B12. I assume that was not off the dealer floor?
Well, yes and no. I bought my B12 used, but it had <600 miles on the clock. The Michelin Macadam 90X's were the stock tires on the 2001 models (and 2002, IIRC). But they still were crappy tires. I think since the Bandit is a price point bike, they buy tires from the lowest bidder and therefore don't get any company's premium rubber.
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You were lucky to get Michelins with your B12. I assume that was not off the dealer floor?
Well, yes and no. I bought my B12 used, but it had <600 miles on the clock. The Michelin Macadam 90X's were the stock tires on the 2001 models (and 2002, IIRC). But they still were crappy tires. I think since the Bandit is a price point bike, they buy tires from the lowest bidder and therefore don't get any company's premium rubber.
I wish the 2 manufacturers would stop doing that. It makes them both look bad. The biker maker for putty sh*t tires on and the tire maker for letting their rep roll on crap rubber. Had Dunflop put a decent tire on I would have probably just bought another set but their performance and durability were so bad I have pretty much given up on that brand. Suzuki needs a slap upside the helmet for using them.