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Message started by cursal on 02/25/10 at 08:52:12

Title: New Tires...Opinions?
Post by cursal on 02/25/10 at 08:52:12

Hello Fellow Savage Riders,

I am full weather all weather rider up here in Oregon, I got my bike laste summer and have been riding rain or shine (daily), now the time has come to change tires.

I am looking for the best bang for my buck.
Here are the tires I'm looking at:
Metzeler ME 880 Marathon 100/90H-19 Front
http://www.cruisercustomizing.com/detail.cfm?product_id=17614&manufacturer_id=144

Metzeler ME 880 Marathon 140/80HB-15 Rear
http://www.cruisercustomizing.com/detail.cfm?product_id=17620&manufacturer_id=144

So, I am checking to make sure these will fit
and if anybody rides with these and any feedback you have to offer.

Thanks!
-Brian

Title: Re: New Tires...Opinions?
Post by bill67 on 02/25/10 at 09:00:25

I like Pirelli 66 route tires.Price is good you get a better ride and handling with them.

Title: Re: New Tires...Opinions?
Post by youzguyz on 02/25/10 at 09:36:30

I use the Metzeler tires you are looking at.

They fit just fine. They handle very well. They have excellent wet road holding ability.

On my last set, I got 20,000 miles on the rear and 25,000 (I think) on the front.

Expensive.. yeah, they are. But I will never use a different tire.

If you are going to ride often and a lot, they are an excellent tire.
If you are just going to let the bike sit until the tires start drying out, get something cheaper.
I think it is recommended to change tires every 4 years or so regardless of the mileage... maybe somebody else would know for sure.

Title: Re: New Tires...Opinions?
Post by verslagen1 on 02/25/10 at 09:55:22

Try to get the german made tires.

There were issues with the Brazilian made tires, don't know if they have resolved it yet.

Title: Re: New Tires...Opinions?
Post by bill67 on 02/25/10 at 10:14:21

On motorcycle tire review Metzeler 880 has a 3.9 rating, 66 route Pirelli have a 4.6 rating,Pirelli owns metzeler. d404Dunlop 3.1

Title: Re: New Tires...Opinions?
Post by jabman on 02/25/10 at 10:33:17

5F5451510B0A3D0 wrote:

I like Pirelli 66 route tires.Price is good you get a better ride and handling with them.

+1 :) mt 66s best all weather performance thanks to loads of deep tread. but if i was a very high mileage rider the metzelers would be better

Title: Re: New Tires...Opinions?
Post by photojoe on 02/25/10 at 11:03:23

My Continental Conti-Blitz have been holding up very well for 7000 miles
http://www.bikebandit.com/assets/product_images/06ContiBlitzStandardSportCruiserLG.gif
http://www.bikebandit.com/conti-blitz-motorcycle-tire?WT.mc_id=1484958&CAWELAID=338421645

Title: Re: New Tires...Opinions?
Post by cursal on 02/25/10 at 11:32:04

cool, thanks for all the replies so far.

I see the 66 route Pirelli for front they have
100/90H 19 Front

I do not see the rear size
140/80HB-15 Rear
http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/3/31/401/6239/ITEM/Pirelli-MT66-Route-Rear-Tire.aspx

What size fits that?

Even better if I knew what those numbers ment..haha
I figure the 15 and 19 are the inch of the rim...?
the 140/80? i dunno.

Title: Re: New Tires...Opinions?
Post by verslagen1 on 02/25/10 at 11:35:30

30262120323F530 wrote:

Even better if I knew what those numbers ment..haha
I figure the 15 and 19 are the inch of the rim...?
the 140/80? i dunno.

Yep
width/aspect ratio

Title: Re: New Tires...Opinions?
Post by LostArtist on 02/25/10 at 11:58:04

aspect is sidewall right??? :-/

Title: Re: New Tires...Opinions?
Post by bill67 on 02/25/10 at 12:29:20

65737475676A060 wrote:

Most people get a 140- 90 for the rear.

Title: Re: New Tires...Opinions?
Post by EJID on 02/25/10 at 12:34:50

I replaced my stock tires on my 05 back in September 09 with Shinko 712 tires 100/90-19 front & (oversize) 140/90-15 on the rear. So far I'm really happy with them over the stock IRC tires that had suffered a great deal of dry rot. They are not the most expensive tires for sure (out the door - installed was only $174, but I took the wheels off the bike at took them to the dealer) and I don't expect to ride the 20,000 miles that some of the members do before replacing tires. I figure these may even suffer from dry rot before I wear them down, but I'm going to do my best to make sure I get as many miles out of them as I can. ;D

The 140/90-15 fits on many of these bikes, but some member do have issues with it rubbing on one of the bolts that holds the side rails on the fender. Mine was doing that too, just slightly, so I replaced it with a different bolt that had a much lower profile to the head and it doesn't appear to be rubbing any longer.

http://p1.bikepics.com/pics/2009/09/05/bikepics-1773304-full.jpg

Title: Re: New Tires...Opinions?
Post by BurnPgh on 02/25/10 at 12:55:00

I wouldnt go for chinese tires unless your hard up for cash. My ChengShin rear lasted about 5000mi and was pretty much bald by the time i replaced it. Theres also been a new tax on imported tires to encourage people to go for american rubber so the tire that was $50 a year ago may be $70 now.

Title: Re: New Tires...Opinions?
Post by jabman on 02/25/10 at 14:38:37

4572756957606F070 wrote:

Title: Re: New Tires...Opinions?
Post by thumperclone on 02/25/10 at 14:58:19

got 8k+ on my metz 880s no sign of wear
1st 100 they were a lil slick but i think most new bike tires are like that..
if you go with the metzs do what others here told me to do get new tubes and liners at the same time

Title: Re: New Tires...Opinions?
Post by cursal on 02/25/10 at 15:42:53

After reading the reviews over at Motorcycle tire reviews I think the 66 route Pirelli look like a better tire.
That front end traction on cracked roads seems a strong selling point for me. I do a lot on in town riding and the roads in places are a mess.

Hmmm tubes and liners...didn't think about that.
Suggestions?

Title: Re: New Tires...Opinions?
Post by jabman on 02/26/10 at 09:23:44

i used continental tubes and strips they sell a heavy duty version which is a bit thicker

Title: Re: New Tires...Opinions?
Post by EJID on 02/26/10 at 09:31:10

and if you can, get a tube with a 90^o valve stem for the rear (makes checking/filling air much easier)

Title: Re: New Tires...Opinions?
Post by jabman on 02/26/10 at 10:27:22

oh yer i forgot about the right angled stem its basically essential for the rear tyre

Title: Re: New Tires...Opinions?
Post by cursal on 02/26/10 at 14:17:00

Thanks for all the great feedback so far.

So I went hunting for tubes but see that the Pirelli 66's offer TUBELESS
http://www.bikebandit.com/pirelli-mt-66-route-cruiser-motorcycle-tire

Any reason I couldn't or shouldn't go with TUBELESS Tires?

Also figured I 'd do the front breaks while I'm doing the tires:
Any pref to why one or the other is better?
EBC Non Asbestos Organic Brake Pads
or
EBC Carbon X Brake Pads
http://www.bikebandit.com/1998-suzuki-ls650-brake-pads-shoes/c/a642280a674365?mg=5177&t=1

Title: Re: New Tires...Opinions?
Post by thumperclone on 02/26/10 at 14:21:01

2F242728242B450 wrote:

oh yer i forgot about the right angled stem its basically essential for the rear tyre

i wished id done that one but straight is serviceable..

Title: Re: New Tires...Opinions?
Post by EJID on 02/26/10 at 14:21:42

Most tires available are of the TUBLESS variety, but since you are running spoked wheels, you will still need to have the tubes and rim strips installed.

Don't have enough experience with the brakes at this point to make a recommendation. When I swapped my tires in September, the brakes looked good, so I put them back on. 8-)

Title: Re: New Tires...Opinions?
Post by BurnPgh on 02/26/10 at 14:41:58

you could go tubeless but you'd need to swap your wheels for gs450 (front) and '83-'86 gs550 (rear). Spacing changes required. The gs450 fron rotor has to be machined to the OD of the savage rotor and either spaced outward 1/4" or the caliper needs spaced inward 1/4". As to brakes...the organic ones are pretty good but they dont seem to last very long for me. I tried to order the carbon X pads but they were out of stock at the time so i cant comment.

Title: Re: New Tires...Opinions?
Post by Reelthing on 02/26/10 at 21:42:50

362027263439550 wrote:

Not sure about bang for the buck - but they wear very well, handle the wet stuff well, handle dry roads as good as any

Many folks me included believe them to be the best tire at any price.

Title: Re: New Tires...Opinions?
Post by ratz on 02/27/10 at 05:08:25

0532352917202F470 wrote:

I do agree the other tires mentioned are better tires,but I can say from having used both ChengShin and Shinko tires,there is a world of difference.I had the same experience with ChengShin,that's probably why they no longer manufacture street tires,only dirt.I'm currently running a Shinko radial on my Bandit,and 8000 miles in,I'm seeing almost no wear and the grip and handling are excellent.Not to bad for a tire that was $77 shipped.Of course,this is only my personal experience,so I can't speak for anyone else.

Title: Re: New Tires...Opinions?
Post by cursal on 02/27/10 at 14:33:59

I appreciate all the great input and feedback everyone has provided.

Here is breakdown of my shopping list:
Just double checking that everything is here before I start:
Pirelli MT 66 - Route Cruiser Motorcycle Tire FRONT 100/90 19
http://www.bikebandit.com/pirelli-mt-66-route-cruiser-motorcycle-tire
Pirelli MT 66 - Route Cruiser Motorcycle Tire REAR 140/90 15
http://www.bikebandit.com/pirelli-mt-66-route-cruiser-motorcycle-tire

Pirelli Heavy Duty Inner Tubes FRONT 19
http://www.bikebandit.com/pirelli-heavy-duty-inner-tubes
IRC Motorcycle Tubes REAR 15
http://www.bikebandit.com/irc-motorcycle-tubes

one 19 and one 15 inch IRC Rim Strips
http://www.bikebandit.com/irc-rim-strips

EBC Non Asbestos Organic Brake Pads FRONT
http://www.bikebandit.com/ebc-non-asbestos-organic-brake-pads

Cost $210 delivered

8-)

Title: Re: New Tires...Opinions?
Post by buttgoat1 on 02/27/10 at 16:18:56

gonna put a plug in for bridgestone spitfires.
Tubeless type raised white letters
so far 8k miles and still lots of life left

Title: Re: New Tires...Opinions?
Post by bill67 on 02/27/10 at 17:07:16

Pirelli 4.7 Spitfire 4.6 marathon 3.9 Dunlap 3.1 the rating of tires I've use spitfires they are a good tires

Title: Re: New Tires...Opinions?
Post by Digger on 02/27/10 at 21:05:21

Minority opinion:

Look in the mirror and ask yourself how many miles you put on your Savage annually.

In my case, although my Savage (see signature) is my "daily rider" (I don't own a cage), I only log 1500 miles or so on it each year.

For me, it don't pay to buy expensive, long-lasting tires. They would age-out before they wore out.

I stick with the (inexpensive) OEM IRC's. Works for me!

Title: Re: New Tires...Opinions?
Post by jabman on 02/28/10 at 00:47:10

i use HH rated sintered metal brake pads, by goldfren no squeaks at all i just used used a bit of copper grease on the back of em

Title: Re: New Tires...Opinions?
Post by littlefights on 02/28/10 at 10:30:32

Now that I'm tire shopping - can you put tubes in tubeless tires?

Title: Re: New Tires...Opinions?
Post by Reelthing on 02/28/10 at 10:32:10

you bet - most tires are rated tubeless

Title: Re: New Tires...Opinions?
Post by jabman on 02/28/10 at 10:41:17

i spent about a week searching for the answer for that last year yes you can

Title: Re: New Tires...Opinions?
Post by littlefights on 02/28/10 at 10:46:08

Glad to hear it - I'm having trouble finding a set of tube-type tires for a reasonable price. Thank you.