tim44 Posted March 2, 2009 #51 Posted March 2, 2009 Yesterday I put on a federal c/t on my bike. I went for a 40 mile ride and so far so good.
1sttenor Posted March 2, 2009 #52 Posted March 2, 2009 I have about 500 miles on mine now and I can't tell any difference in the ride or handling. Lovin' it! I've been mostly watching from a distance, but what is the preferred c/t for our 2nd gens? I've been seeing that the softer the tire the better.
GG54172 Posted March 2, 2009 #53 Posted March 2, 2009 (edited) Here's a picture of my old worn out Avon compared to the new Federal. Both tires are mounted and inflated. The Federal CT is a little more rounded than the old worn out Avon, but won't be as rounded as a new MT. I'm not going to know how the Federal compares to other CTs. This is the only one I've ever done. That doesn't look that bad... My 18 mile one way commute is 100% twisties. So when I wear out my current tire I will give it an honest try. The only thing is... when I pull a used tire off of my bike, it doesn't look anything like yours. I can show you a set from my 750 where the tread is gone all the way to the side wall. Edited March 2, 2009 by Gregory Gill
Grey Ghost Posted March 2, 2009 #54 Posted March 2, 2009 I've been mostly watching from a distance, but what is the preferred c/t for our 2nd gens? I've been seeing that the softer the tire the better. There are three (BF Goodrich, Khumo & Federal) that I know of that different people are running now. I don't think any of us have been running one long enough to have changed brands yet. I know that I haven't so I can't compare the different makes. Personally, I chose the Federal because my research showed that it was the closest (almost identical) in overall height to the original motorcycle tire, thus keeping the speedometer the same. Jeff
Grey Ghost Posted March 2, 2009 #55 Posted March 2, 2009 That doesn't look that bad... My 18 mile one way commute is 100% twisties. So when I wear out my current tire I will give it an honest try. The only thing is... when I pull a used tire off of my bike, it doesn't look anything like yours. I can show you a set from my 750 where the tread is gone all the way to the side wall. Possibly, you have been running a lower psi than pegscraper, thus a wider wear pattern. My m/c tire wear was very similar to his. Jeff
GG54172 Posted March 2, 2009 #56 Posted March 2, 2009 Possibly, you have been running a lower psi than pegscraper, thus a wider wear pattern. My m/c tire wear was very similar to his. Jeff I run my dunlop tires at max rated sidewall pressure.
Grey Ghost Posted March 2, 2009 #57 Posted March 2, 2009 I run my dunlop tires at max rated sidewall pressure. Then the fact that his was an Avon and yours was a Dunlop may have something to do with it. Also different road surfaces and conditions can contribute. I don't know, just guessing. My degree is in lumber, not rubber. LOL Jeff
pegscraper Posted March 2, 2009 #58 Posted March 2, 2009 Maybe you have curvier roads in IA than we do in northern IN. We just don't get much sidewall time around here.
GG54172 Posted March 2, 2009 #59 Posted March 2, 2009 (edited) Maybe you have curvier roads in IA than we do in northern IN. We just don't get much sidewall time around here. 0 stop signs, 0 traffic lights, and plenty of opportunity to pass cages. Nothing but 2 lane curvy blacktop with about 800' of elevation change. Ride down the hill to work. Ride up to go home. It aint the dragon, but I arrive to work on sunny monday monrings with a smile on my face. Some mornings are sunny when I leave, and I actually ride down through the fog until it's cloudy. Like flying a plane. My Commute Edited March 2, 2009 by Gregory Gill
Cougar Posted March 2, 2009 #60 Posted March 2, 2009 I will be running (TWO) Brand New 15" Michelin All Weather Radials Soon! Guess I am with the Dark Side Now! *yippy*
1sttenor Posted March 2, 2009 #61 Posted March 2, 2009 There are three (BF Goodrich, Khumo & Federal) that I know of that different people are running now. I don't think any of us have been running one long enough to have changed brands yet. I know that I haven't so I can't compare the different makes. Personally, I chose the Federal because my research showed that it was the closest (almost identical) in overall height to the original motorcycle tire, thus keeping the speedometer the same. Jeff Since the speedo is slow by about 9% we could use a tall tire, but then I suppose we dont have the room for them?
Grey Ghost Posted March 2, 2009 #62 Posted March 2, 2009 I will be running (TWO) Brand New 15" Michelin All Weather Radials Soon! Guess I am with the Dark Side Now! *yippy* Hey, that's not fair running two at the same time, but that is a great looking trike. Jeff
Cougar Posted March 2, 2009 #63 Posted March 2, 2009 Thee above Pic is temporary. (same manufacture of the kit though) Mine will be finished in about 3 weeks. on my 2000 MM RSV.. the body is being painted today! I will post pics if it when it is all finished. It is made by Hannigan! (then change my avatar) *lol* Jeff
Grey Ghost Posted March 2, 2009 #64 Posted March 2, 2009 Since the speedo is slow by about 9% we could use a tall tire, but then I suppose we dont have the room for them? As I recall, the other tires were shorter, but I'm not sure. I'm really not even sure what I had for lunch today. Oldtimers began setting in a few years ago.... or maybe it was last week. Jeff
1sttenor Posted March 2, 2009 #65 Posted March 2, 2009 As I recall, the other tires were shorter, but I'm not sure. I'm really not even sure what I had for lunch today. Oldtimers began setting in a few years ago.... or maybe it was last week. Jeff I hear that. What was it you said again?
Grey Ghost Posted March 3, 2009 #66 Posted March 3, 2009 Be sure to post some pics when you get your trike back. I would love to have one someday. My wife might be more willing to ride with me on three wheels. She's not so comfortable with two. Jeff
pegscraper Posted March 3, 2009 #68 Posted March 3, 2009 0 stop signs, 0 traffic lights, and plenty of opportunity to pass cages. Nothing but 2 lane curvy blacktop with about 800' of elevation change. Ride down the hill to work. Ride up to go home. It aint the dragon, but I arrive to work on sunny monday monrings with a smile on my face. Some mornings are sunny when I leave, and I actually ride down through the fog until it's cloudy. Like flying a plane. My Commute Yeah, there's why, right there. An arial view of our roads, you would think you're looking at a piece of graph paper.
pegscraper Posted March 3, 2009 #69 Posted March 3, 2009 Since the speedo is slow by about 9% we could use a tall tire, but then I suppose we dont have the room for them? You'd have to have a tire 9% larger, or about 2 1/2" larger, to correct for the speedometer. That size tire wouldn't fit, and it wouldn't look good even if it did.
wild hair 39 Posted March 3, 2009 #70 Posted March 3, 2009 the fedral 165 80 15 compaired to a 155 80 15 bfg,the bfg has 2 ply sidewalls,the fed has 1 ply,started to install fed,every thing went great,[using my harber tire changer]till started to beed it up,used soap,first,no go,went to rubber lube no go,poly grease,one side beeded up,bleed pressure off,tryed again,90# air,cleaned the work bench off,unbutten my shirt,blew off my glasses,---steel beed broke,no more federal for me will get out in the sunlite for better pictures
tim44 Posted March 3, 2009 #72 Posted March 3, 2009 Wild Hair, Good thing you didn't get hurt. I just put a federal on my bike. I can relate to your frustration. What a pain in the a** to mount. I wonder if the chinese have changed the tire slightly. I had to use over 110 psi to get it to pop into place. Has anyone else needed that kind of pressure?
flb_78 Posted March 3, 2009 #74 Posted March 3, 2009 I just ordered a new Federal tire this weekend. I also purchased a used wheel with a brake rotor on it off ebay for $142 shipped. I'll be sure to leave the tire in the sun to heat it up to make the mounting easier.
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