Tires

[danh600]

Why do you think my Honda Shadow Aero came with sport bike tires?

I notice most cruisers have tires that look like touring tires. My wife's Shadow Spirit came with tires that look like touring tires.

My bike came with this tire.

The Maxxis V1 is the perfect road tire for your sport bike. The V1 features heavy-duty construction for long-lasting wear and a unique tread design for maximum traction.

Now the Aero suppose to be a retro version of the Shadow, not really what you would call a high performance bike. Why would they match that particular tire with that bike? Did they just get a good deal from Maxxis or did tests show that to be the better tire for the bike?

I am asking cause I have about 7,500  miles on the bike now. Putting about 1,000 miles a month on the bike. I am trying to learn all I can so I replace the tires with the best possible choice.

[dt]

Harley put super soft Dunlop Sportmax Qualifiers on my 580 pound XR Sportster and I chewed up the first rear tire in 3,200 miles (that was an exaggeration; there’s a photo of it floating around in here with a minor cord strip showing). The second rear Qualifier got damaged and needed to be replaced somewhere between 1,500-2000 miles later, but I’m actually doing fine on rear number three around 9,000. The front tire is due for its first changeout right now. It looked okay when I headed out to Birmingham last week…it didn’t look okay about halfway back. Actually, thanks for bringing this up, ‘cuz I need to call Brandon Harley and tell them to order it.

I told myself I was going to go with Michelins, and I actually know of some tires specifically for my model that last a longer for my motorcycle, but I’ve developed a lot of confidence in those Dunlops, especially in rain. Just sticking with something I know works for my riding.

[maureen]

I haven't shopped for 'cruiser tires' in a while but my guess would be that the touring tires offer better tread life because most are dual compound. The touring tires are a bit more oval or rounded as opposed to the squared profile of some cruiser tires which is much more forgiving especially when you are maneuvering a 500+lb machine. The roll in wouldn't be nearly as drastic and would result in overall better performance. Adjusting your pressures according to the type of riding you are doing is a surefire way to increase the longevity of your tires too.

[v65infla]

I have been slowly putting Bridgestones Battalax BT45 on all of the bikes.  They are very reasonably priced and got good reviews for touring and decent reviews for sport riding.  Seemed like a good combination for the majority of my flat land Florida riding.  I don't have enough miles to speak about the wear yet and I only have it on my rear with the front sitting here to mount so I haven't ridden with them both on.  But, so far I do like the way the rear sticks in corners and I am sure it will improve when I have the matching front on.  

Work is quiet today, maybe that is a good project for this afternoon?  After a nap of course. 

[danh600]

After 9,000 mile on the original Maxxis the rear one was worn. The front one had tread but must have worn a little uneven. Two different places tried to balance it. The little bit of bumping made me feel uneasy. So I got new tires.

I went with the Bridgestone Exedra G702 and G701. The look a little different but handle about the same. They might be just a little softer. The do ride a little better. I really don't hit the curves that hard.

I really am liking this riding thing. I have had my bike about 9 months. Putting about 1000 miles a month on it. No of that is commuting. All just rides.

[dt]

I really am liking this riding thing. I have had my bike about 9 months. Putting about 1000 miles a month on it. No of that is commuting. All just rides.

He's hooked.

[v65infla]

After 9,000 mile on the original Maxxis the rear one was worn. The front one had tread but must have worn a little uneven. Two different places tried to balance it. The little bit of bumping made me feel uneasy. So I got new tires.

I went with the Bridgestone Exedra G702 and G701. The look a little different but handle about the same. They might be just a little softer. The do ride a little better. I really don't hit the curves that hard.

I really am liking this riding thing. I have had my bike about 9 months. Putting about 1000 miles a month on it. No of that is commuting. All just rides.

I see you are in Belle Glade??  Have you done a lake ride yet??  This might be a good weekend for it, if you are up to it.

[danh600]

Yep, out here in the sticks.

I have done the lake ride several times. It's a nice ride. Actually I think I have done every road out here a bunch of times.

I have some family obligations this weekend, but definitely want a rain check. I can show you a couple of side roads you might not know about. I check the email pretty regularly that is listed in the profile. 

I see you are in Boynton. Maybe you can help with a route. We really like riding A1A. I would like to do a loop by going down US27 then over. I75 and 595 are pretty crowded and not much fun. You know of any east-west roads down there that would take me from US27 to the coast and be any better?

[v65infla]

I don't know about going south but the ride from Port Mayaca on 76 over to Stuart actually has a few curves in it that can be some what fun.     One of my favorite short rides is to run over to the Lake along Southern Blvd. here which is 27 over to you, up to the Port, take 76 over to US 1 and come back south.  Up in the Stuart area before you get back into Palm Beach County, the speed limit is 45mph on US 1 and the stop lights are spread out far enough that you usually don't get caught up too much so you can move along.  For you the adjustment would be to grab Southern back across.  It has been about 10 years since I have done a Lake ride so I am kind of itching to do it again.  I also have a buddy from my other site that lives in Leigh Acres that I have been trying to get with for a ride.  Whenever that happen's, I could meet up with you on the way if you are up for it?

[danh600]

Yes, I have been the 76 route and 80(Southern). Actually some good choices on roads off 76. Stuart is nice or you can turn and go to Hope Sound. 714 is close and it's the road where the trees hang all the way over.

Sure I would be interested in a ride. Lehigh is only about an hour from here. 80 is two lane and not a great riding road east of Labelle, but there are some options of jumping over north of the river and traveling 78. Much better riding, just makes the trip longer(which is not always a bad thing).

I have most weekends open and ride most of them.