Author Topic: Whadda ya think? Time for tires?  (Read 3795 times)

Offline andrewsw

  • Board Homesteader!
  • ***
  • Posts: 598
Whadda ya think? Time for tires?
« on: July 24, 2008, 08:26:56 PM »


It was already squared off when I got it... new ones go on tonight, pick up tomorrow... :motorsmile: just in the nick of time:



and check the profile on this bad boy


 

Offline PitterB4

  • Administrator
  • Board Homesteader!
  • *****
  • Posts: 3698
Re: Whadda ya think? Time for tires?
« Reply #1 on: July 24, 2008, 09:53:42 PM »
 :yikes:

It WILL feel like a new bike with new tires!
Rob
Bikeless!
'93 Bandit 400 - SOLD
'98 Honda F3 Track Bike - SOLD
'98 Kawi ZX-6R Street Bike - SOLD
NESBA #87 - RETIRED
'00 Gary Fisher Kaitai
'09 Bianchi Via Nirone 7

Offline Red01

  • Board Homesteader!
  • ***
  • Posts: 8977
  • Are we having fun yet?
Re: Whadda ya think? Time for tires?
« Reply #2 on: July 25, 2008, 09:57:42 AM »
Fresh shoes for the upcoming trip!  :thumb:
What did you go with?

I'll be doing the same real soon, myself.  Mine aren't quite that bad, they're still legal (barely).
Paul
2001 GSF1200S
(04/2001-03/2012)
2010 Concours 14ABS
(07/2010-current)


Offline andrewsw

  • Board Homesteader!
  • ***
  • Posts: 598
Re: Whadda ya think? Time for tires?
« Reply #3 on: July 25, 2008, 01:11:50 PM »
Mine weren't legal when I bought it. And the rear was very squared off when i got it (was the guys first bike, and a cruiser tire to boot). I was able to actually make it more round  :thumb: before it died. The front is seriously cupped too.

The mechanic was backed up out the door, so the bike is sitting in it's new flying motorcycle configuration.



I got a set of Avon AM26's, the right combination of price and mileage/performance for me, I think. I reached the point where I had no budget and no more miles left.

It's a horribly sensible choice for me, but will beat the pants off what I had. :shrug:

Offline Bobcat

  • Board Homesteader!
  • ***
  • Posts: 144
Re: Whadda ya think? Time for tires?
« Reply #4 on: July 25, 2008, 04:39:44 PM »
D'oh. That front looks like it melted in the sun.  :rofl:

I just ordered new rubber for the trip. This after burning through a Bridgestone (the stock replacement) in 1800 miles  :roll:. Going with the Avon Storms--I've been happy with them on the B12.

Offline Red01

  • Board Homesteader!
  • ***
  • Posts: 8977
  • Are we having fun yet?
Re: Whadda ya think? Time for tires?
« Reply #5 on: July 25, 2008, 05:04:28 PM »
I thought you had the Azaros on the B12... I thought the Storms were newer than that... or was that two sets ago?
Paul
2001 GSF1200S
(04/2001-03/2012)
2010 Concours 14ABS
(07/2010-current)


Offline Bobcat

  • Board Homesteader!
  • ***
  • Posts: 144
Re: Whadda ya think? Time for tires?
« Reply #6 on: July 25, 2008, 05:07:32 PM »
Yeah, I changed the Azaros out for Storms last fall.

Offline andrewsw

  • Board Homesteader!
  • ***
  • Posts: 598
Re: Whadda ya think? Time for tires?
« Reply #7 on: July 25, 2008, 09:45:31 PM »
New tires are on, and about 12 miles later... holy crap!  :yikes: It's amazing the difference that round tires make. There's no pushing it over in the corner any more... it just falls.  :motorsmile:

Offline dhcolesj

  • Site Supporters
  • Board Homesteader!
  • ***
  • Posts: 192
Re: Whadda ya think? Time for tires?
« Reply #8 on: July 26, 2008, 09:35:58 PM »
Well, hopefully not "falls" as in down.  hehe.

Yea, I took the son to his football try outs today on the Bandit, and can't wait for the new treads to come in.  Ordered some Pilot Road 2's from Ride Direct.com.
See Ya'
Howard Coles Jr.
John 3:16!

'08 1250S Bandit

Offline andrewsw

  • Board Homesteader!
  • ***
  • Posts: 598
Re: Whadda ya think? Time for tires?
« Reply #9 on: July 26, 2008, 10:00:28 PM »
Well, not yet... It was a little squirrely at first though as I'd start to push it over and all the sudden it was over too far, and I had to adjust my line. Another 15 miles or so, and it's getting better. I've got a ride coming up tomorrow... that should clear it all out.

Those old tires were *really* bad!

Offline andrewsw

  • Board Homesteader!
  • ***
  • Posts: 598
Re: Whadda ya think? Time for tires?
« Reply #10 on: July 28, 2008, 01:03:12 AM »
I put about 170 miles on today, and I'm pretty happy with these tires. Avon RoadRider AM-26, bias-ply, basic tire. Running the B4 stock sizes of 110/70R17 150/70R17. Very smooth, confident in high-speed sweepers. Didn't get much chance to push 'em through the real twisties, but they seem like they'll perform for me. I kept thinking I needed to back off, and then was disappointed that I'd gone through the turn too slow. Probably smart, though, as I wasn't familiar with the road and was leading for the last 60 miles or so.

Dang, the steep side profile of the 70's is gonna make it hard to eat up the chicken strips...

Offline Slider

  • Board Homesteader!
  • ***
  • Posts: 162
Re: Whadda ya think? Time for tires?
« Reply #11 on: July 31, 2008, 12:00:22 AM »
The dealers here in Ontario seem to be required to tell you the following caveat about your just installed new tires.
Mine warns that they are still covered in "mold release agent" and to ride carefully for the first 300K or 200 miles approx. I'm not sure but I seem to recall them saying that a wet surface is particularly bad. It is likely worse for the sedate driver who only occasionally gets out on the twisties. :yikes:
Bandit 12, Yoshi can, jets, KNN, Gen Mar risers, 3 Givi 36L hardbags

Offline andrewsw

  • Board Homesteader!
  • ***
  • Posts: 598
Re: Whadda ya think? Time for tires?
« Reply #12 on: July 31, 2008, 03:14:32 AM »
I'm well aware, but thanks anyway.

Luckily, it's nothing but dry dry dry around here.... nothing like a hot dry, abrasive (sandy, yikes!!) road to clean those tires right up.

A