Tires

[DAN STEVENSON]

The time to replace the tires on my bike is drawing near. I have decided to use avons. I have installed the leveling links on my bike. Should I use the 130/80/16 front or use the 150/80/16? The bike handles great now with the links. Would the bike handle any better with the 130 installed. Any advise would be appreciated.

 

Dan

[Vance]

If you use the search feature, you should be able to find plenty of text on this subject. V7Goose made a comparison and posted his results. His bottom line was one or the other makes an improvement, but both doesn't double the improvement. Below is an excerpt from one of the discussions.

 

It has been said on past threads that if you have installed the leveling links that the narrower front tire is overkill. I did both and I think it is overkill. The narrower tire tends to follow grooves in the road more readily and stands to reason because it is more responsive by virtue of the less width. I did the links and the narrow front tire almost simultaneously so I'm not exactly sure which made the most positive difference in the low speed handling. Others have said that if you don't have the leveling links that the change to the narrower tire to have a similar positive effect in low speed handling. I'm getting ready to find out because my new tires have just come in to be installed. I am installing the standard width front tire. I'll let you all know what my experience is pro or con . I bet there are others that have already made this adjustment. I know Don was planning to put the standard front tire back on because to quote him that he felt that it was overkill to do both the leveling links and the narrower front tire. I use the Avon venoms and I don't know if it is a different outcome with different brands with maybe different profiles or rubber compounds.

[VTirelli]

I put the levelling links when I put on my Avons, went with the stock sized front tire and love the way it handles. I don't think the smaller front tire will improve it anymore if you use the links.

[pegscraper]

Using the narrower front tire does make additional improvement, even with the leveling links. I've done both and like it. Some don't like it. But overkill it is not. It's a matter of how much you want to improve the handling. It's a subjective thing.

[V7Goose]

Using the narrower front tire does make additional improvement, even with the leveling links. I've done both and like it. Some don't like it. But overkill it is not. It's a matter of how much you want to improve the handling. It's a subjective thing.

Yes, I agree that it is a subjective thing. But I absolutely cannot agree with "It's a matter of how much you want to improve the handling." In my personal opinion, doing both makes the handling WORSE than either one alone. This is not particularly apparent when the tires are new, but becomes hugely evident (to ME) as the rear tire wears and begins to flatten out across the center. In fact, if you have a rear tire that has developed a very square profile near the end of its life (as the stock Brickstone will), having the leveling links and the MT90 front tire will make the bike handle VERY DANGEROUSLY. I stress this because, in my opinion, the violent way the bike will track pavement ridges and deep cracks is extremely dangerous.

Goose

[Squidley]

I wont go into the size advantage, but I have run the narrow Avon Venom front on my deceast '99. The one thing that I found was in a good cross wind, the bike was pushed all over the place. This was no fun when your touring 2K miles from home as it beats the crap out of you.

I went back to the stock size on the Michelin Commanders that installed and put a set of leveling links on. It handles quickly like the narrow front, but gives more patch of tire on the road and was more stable to me. This is all subjective as there are many different riding styles, whats right for me might not be for you. But I will say that I wouldn't go with both leveling links and the narrow front tire unless you plan on playing in the twisties a lot and are solo a lot. Just $.02 worth here $.0186 Canadian

[pegscraper]

Yes, I agree that it is a subjective thing. But I absolutely cannot agree with "It's a matter of how much you want to improve the handling." In my personal opinion, doing both makes the handling WORSE than either one alone. This is not particularly apparent when the tires are new, but becomes hugely evident (to ME) as the rear tire wears and begins to flatten out across the center. In fact, if you have a rear tire that has developed a very square profile near the end of its life (as the stock Brickstone will), having the leveling links and the MT90 front tire will make the bike handle VERY DANGEROUSLY. I stress this because, in my opinion, the violent way the bike will track pavement ridges and deep cracks is extremely dangerous.

Goose

 

My bike does not track pavement ridges and grooves the way you say. I find only continued improvement having done both. I don't find that I get blown all over by the wind either. I like the improved handling results. And I know I'm not the only one around here who has done both and likes it. If someone doesn't like both, then don't do both. It really is just subjective as to what matches a person's riding style. But there's nothing dangerous about it whatsoever.

[flb_78]

My bike does not track pavement ridges and grooves the way you say. I find only continued improvement having done both. I don't find that I get blown all over by the wind either. I like the improved handling results. And I know I'm not the only one around here who has done both and likes it. If someone doesn't like both, then don't do both. It really is just subjective as to what matches a person's riding style. But there's nothing dangerous about it whatsoever.

 

One thing to take into account is that your bike is a Royal Star and Goose's is a Venture. The Venture is going to get blown more in a side wind.

[DAN STEVENSON]

I appreciate the feed back.