New Tires - Radial or Biasply

[cwtart]

I will be replacing the tires on my 2008 RSV soon - first need to decide Radial or Bias-Ply.

 

Pros and Cons on Radial tires? Thanks.

[MiCarl]

It's probably best to stick with bias ply. UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES RUN A MIXED BIAS-RADIAL SET.

[cwtart]

It's probably best to stick with bias ply. UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES RUN A MIXED BIAS-RADIAL SET.

 

Okay, assume I know next to nothing about tires (which I don't) - why would I not want to mix bias and radial? I have observed in my internet searchings that some do mix bias-ply and radials - is your good and welcomed advice specific to the RSV or large touring bikes in general?

Edited March 9, 2020 by cwtart

[MiCarl]

My understanding is that since the handling characteristics are different mixing should be avoided unless the OEM designed the suspension geometry to work with it. In any case, the tire manufacturers say not to mix them unless the OEM specifies it.

[Du-Rron]

I will be replacing the tires on my 2008 RSV soon - first need to decide Radial or Bias-Ply.

 

Pros and Cons on Radial tires? Thanks.

 

Good luck finding radials in 15" sizes.

 

You will be running a belted bias tire in the end just to get the load ratings.

[djh3]

Load rating to me was more important. My Victory had Radials on it when I bought it. It now has bias ply due to cost. Did I notice a difference in handling? Yes but not tons.

Check this out Here also

[cwtart]

Good luck finding radials in 15" sizes.

You will be running a belted bias tire in the end just to get the load ratings.

 

Looks like you are right - cannot seem to find any R tires in 15 inch rim.

 

On to the brand - the Dunlop E4s are getting my attention - BUT, the totally-centered groove on the E4 front tire gets a lot of bad press. I found one blog where someone had E4s and the guy drove over the Mackinaw bridge going from main Michigan to Upper Michigan. The Mackinaw bridge surface is metal grating. He said the groove in the E4 front tire so fixated on the metal grating that he could hardly steer the bike. Other reviews say the groove on the E4 follows ridges and tar snakes on the road way too easily.

 

Anyone here have this problem with the E4?

 

Also looking at the Metzler ME888 - very nice tire

Edited March 10, 2020 by cwtart

[Du-Rron]

Looks like you are right - cannot seem to find any R tires in 15 inch rim.

 

On to the brand - the Dunlop E4s are getting my attention - BUT, the totally-centered groove on the E4 front tire gets a lot of bad press. I found one blog where someone had E4s and the guy drove over the Mackinaw bridge going from main Michigan to Upper Michigan. The Mackinaw bridge surface is metal grating. He said the groove in the E4 front tire so fixated on the metal grating that he could hardly steer the bike. Other reviews say the groove on the E4 follows ridges and tar snakes on the road way too easily.

 

Anyone here have this problem with the E4?

 

Also looking at the Metzler ME888 - very nice tire

 

https://www.venturerider.org/forum/showthread.php?107652-Shinko-777-Tires

[Patch]

Tires discussion seem to end in a wrestling match so just my experience.

 

For me NO Dunlops. Regarding the front "groove" the theory was/is that it creates a dry path for the rear.

True enough in heavy rains and riding straight up.

I thought at first with the modern now old tread designs that not having one seemed risky, to this old dog.

But the fact is that I have found not running on a front clearing channel to be less fatiguing!

The tires have traits to them so knowing how you like to ride should steer you choice in the end.

[Du-Rron]

Tires discussion seem to end in a wrestling match so just my experience.

 

For me NO Dunlops. Regarding the front "groove" the theory was/is that it creates a dry path for the rear.

True enough in heavy rains and riding straight up.

I thought at first with the modern now old tread designs that not having one seemed risky, to this old dog.

But the fact is that I have found not running on a front clearing channel to be less fatiguing!

The tires have traits to them so knowing how you like to ride should steer you choice in the end.

 

Batman runs Shinko 777 series tires on his new Bat-Bike

 

If it is good enough for Batman, then the Shinko 777 is good enough for me.

 

 

[Patch]

I prefer Superman personally!

See what I mean Tart, tires is more agitating then politics, and once again you started it!

 

The one thing I can add tho, when SK and I ran in 17 he ran the Pilots me the Metz. In hard rains his snipes went right to the end of the shoulder; the Metz were like the 777 DuRRon is braggen on;)

In the hill gullies the pilots out performed mine as, I could feel the pressure squeeze by those traps!

As to why SK wanted to chase my tail light thru heavy rains? Well, one of us never growed up!

 

There is a way to shake a guy who's doing that, and it works real good too, but I thought I'd had done it often enough to him on that ride in good weather and times that I figured I just let him be a puppy playin in the rain;)