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Message started by DianeS. on 05/29/06 at 21:20:48

Title: Need to buy a new tire - suggestions??
Post by DianeS. on 05/29/06 at 21:20:48

Hi! My rear tire on my 2000 savage is leaking air, and needs to be replaced. The tires are the original ones, and when I bought the bike last fall, they were still in decent shape - lots of tread, no cracks. As of last week, the bike (and tires) now have 10,000 kms. on them.

Anyway, the repair shop told me that the stock tires are just fine, and recommends that I just purchase new ones. However, a few other bikers have recommended other tires: Metzeler ME 880s, or Pirelli, etc. So, I just wanted to see what anyone here thought of the stock "Grand High Speed" tires, or if I should buy a different, and perhaps better tire(?)

Thanks! I am hoping to order & purchase tires on Wednesday night.

DianeS.

Title: Re: Need to buy a new tire - suggestions??
Post by Dynobob on 05/29/06 at 23:49:15

OEM tires are generally cheap and mediocre. Get some Metzler ME880s or Avon Venoms. Both perform well and last a long time. They will have better traction than the OEM tires on wet or dry roads.

Your tires are 6 1/2 years old. Tires deteriorate over time (whether you can see it or not). I would definately replace both tires, tubes, and rimstrips now.

Pirelli is a good tire traction wise but I understand they wear out pretty fast.

Title: Re: Need to buy a new tire - suggestions??
Post by klx650sm2002 on 05/30/06 at 02:49:23

I find a matched set of good quality tires transforms a bike.

Clive W :D

Title: Re: Need to buy a new tire - suggestions??
Post by azjay on 05/30/06 at 07:42:39

we have dunlops on both of our bikes, and we like them very well.

Title: Re: Need to buy a new tire - suggestions??
Post by Savage_Rob on 05/30/06 at 11:24:27

I have Dunlop 491s on both and like them a lot.

Title: Re: Need to buy a new tire - suggestions??
Post by Keith_B on 05/30/06 at 11:42:33

130/90H15 BW 14 32NK39 $55.54
100/90H19 BW 11 T32NK32 $49.06
140/90H15 BW 16 32NK45 $64.30

TiresUnlimited.com

Dunlop 404's

Title: Re: Need to buy a new tire - suggestions??
Post by Savage Librarian on 05/30/06 at 15:37:29

I run a Dunlop 404 on front, and a 555 (I think it is) in back. The 55 tread pattern matches the 404, but has deeper grooves and little better tire compund, I think. In any case, it's sort of the higher mileage longer distance version of the 404. I've put a few thousand miles on it, and it works well. Does a great job of holding a line, good traction, and has stood the test of getting beat about some.

My dad runs IRC Wildflares. I think, not sure, but I think they make them in our sizes. They work well on his VLX. And, of course, they look pretty cool.

Title: Re: Need to buy a new tire - suggestions??
Post by DianeS. on 05/30/06 at 18:38:11

Thanks! That gives me some ideas for tires. :)

Diane S

Title: Re: Need to buy a new tire - suggestions??
Post by klx650sm2002 on 05/31/06 at 02:30:16

I forgot to mention that I run dunlop GPR 70 SP's on KLX, 140/70/17 rear and 110/70/17 front, going to 120/60/17 when it's time to change.

Clive W :D

Title: Re: Need to buy a new tire - suggestions??
Post by Max_Morley on 05/31/06 at 08:47:47

Dunlop K555 140/80 x 15 is listed under the Honda PC800 stuff. It is a good tire in my experience as it is made for the heavier (water cooled, faired and trunked Honda) I recommend it. Max

Title: Re: Need to buy a new tire - suggestions??
Post by DianeS. on 05/31/06 at 17:02:45

Ok, I've decided to go with Metzeler tires and see how I like them. I commute an hour each way to work, so I need good tires. The Metzelers and Dunlops were about the same price.

DianeS

Title: Re: Need to buy a new tire - suggestions??
Post by Reelthing on 05/31/06 at 17:55:01

not just a metzler but the me880's right?

Title: Re: Need to buy a new tire - suggestions??
Post by DianeS. on 06/01/06 at 18:16:02

I mentioned Metzeler 880s and the shop said a different set of Metzeler tires would be fine - lazer tech - but then they couldn't get them. So... they have now ordered a set of 880s. More expensive, but supposed to be great for traction, rainy roads etc.

DianeS

Title: Re: Need to buy a new tire - suggestions??
Post by azjay on 06/01/06 at 21:36:33

good for you! we only have two tires, and that is certainly no place to cut corners.

Title: Re: Need to buy a new tire - suggestions??
Post by Reelthing on 06/02/06 at 10:39:28

DianeS. wrote:

Unless you have reason to trust them i would not - they're salesmen - lazer tech metz tires arent in the ballpark as the me880's - at 4k miles on the guzzi I pulled the factory lazer techs and through them in the trash and had me880's installed - replace the 880's that were on the '95 savage with new 880's - they were more just old than wornout.

Title: Re: Need to buy a new tire - suggestions??
Post by DianeS. on 06/02/06 at 16:48:37

Well this particular shop has an excellent reputation, but I figured savage owners here would know best.

Anyway, looking forward to riding with brand new tires.

When I rode the bike to the shop, and knew that the rear tire leaked - it was a bit scary. Yet my husband followed in the van, and I figured if the tire went really down before I got there, he'd let me know - if it wasn't obvious to me. It felt a bit odd riding, but I couldn't get a good view of it when I was sitting on the bike - so I just keep riding and hoping the air would hold up - it did. Phew!

Title: Re: Need to buy a new tire - suggestions??
Post by Dynobob on 06/02/06 at 17:12:12

DianeS. wrote:

Anyway, looking forward to riding with brand new tires.

You're getting the best - enjoy the ride.

BTW, there's a coating on new tires that makes them very slick for about 100 miles. Ride easy on your new tires :)

Title: Re: Need to buy a new tire - suggestions??
Post by Reelthing on 06/18/06 at 21:28:54

Have you had a chance to break in the 880's yet? - do you think they feel different than the IRC's or about the same?

Title: Re: Need to buy a new tire - suggestions??
Post by JerryAssburger on 08/08/06 at 12:17:59

When I bought my bike, it had new tires on it- Dunlop Elite3 on the front and Elite2 on the back. This thing corners like it's on rails. Hardly any wear yet.

Title: Re: Need to buy a new tire - suggestions??
Post by bikingb on 08/09/06 at 05:17:37

Just order ME 880s stock size from these guys. Great Price 100/90-H 19 Front 140/80HB-15 $ 234 for both including shipping to Wisconsin from these guys:

http://www.discountmotorcycletire.com/Brands/Metzeler/Metzeler-ME880.htm

Title: Re: Need to buy a new tire - suggestions??
Post by DianeS. on 08/10/06 at 13:35:23

Haven't been on the bike as much as I'd like (I'm at home with my two daughters and I can only ride the bike if my hubby is home, or the kids are at friends'.)
Yet, I think the metzlers are working well!

When I bought the bike the original tires only had 7400 kms. on them, but they were 5 years old. They appeared fine according to mechanics, but when I got a leak I figured I'd just change them.

Title: Re: Need to buy a new tire - suggestions??
Post by ponyrider on 08/10/06 at 14:17:26

I got some metzler 880's and have put about 1500 miles on them. I am quite happy. I was really impressed on how they felt in the rain. They felt solid as a rock. Here in Florida you really need a tire that will perform well in the rain !!

Title: Re: Need to buy a new tire - suggestions??
Post by magicfairy on 08/10/06 at 15:25:34

Just replaced stock with Metzlers (9000 K on bike, stock hardly showing wear at all but I wanted better rubber)
Only had them 2 days but I do notice they feel better, turn into a corner a bit better.
Will know more after I give them a decent workout this weekend, and have gotten rid of the new tyre slipperiness.

Title: Re: Need to buy a new tire - suggestions??
Post by Savage_Rob on 08/10/06 at 20:31:09

http://www.tiresunlimited.com/