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Message started by IslandRoad on 01/17/18 at 13:02:10

Title: That new tyre feeling!
Post by IslandRoad on 01/17/18 at 13:02:10

I'm fairly new to riding, so I'm still experiencing routine maintenance changes for the first time.

I knew new tyres would improve the ride but, holy cow, I didn't realise just how good it would be.

I swapped the stock tyres, which were about three years old for a pair of Metzelers :

ME888 Marathon Ultra on the front 100/90-19
ME880 Marathon on the back 140/90-15

I was after a pair of 880s but the supplier only had the 888 for the front. He assured me they were compatible - same tyre, just a newer version.

With the stock tyres, when they were pumped high enough for handling well, I felt every bump in the road. When soft enough to smooth out the ride, they got a bit squirrely on the cornering. And they found every groove in the road that ran along the line I was travelling.

The Metzeler's have solved all these issues at once. I think the little bit of extra height at the back is an improvement too. It's like a different bike!

Title: Re: That new tyre feeling!
Post by MMRanch on 01/17/18 at 13:59:30

Congratulations IR :)

ME888 Marathon Ultra on the front 100/90-19
ME880 Marathon on the back 140/90-15

I'm interested in what kind of millage you'll get out of them ?

Them IRC factory tires might be good when new , but they don't last very long.

I've been told the 880 is a long lasting tire by a fellow here on the forum that lives in Texas. So , I went to get a set for my Sportster a few years ago. I didn't find any 880 , but did find a pair of 888's . The rear 888 only lasted about 7000 miles so I'm guessing the 888's are a softer compound --- which is GOOD on the front ! ;) Seems you lucked your way right into that one . So , once again : Congratulations' on your new tires ! 8-)
I liked my front 888 too !

Title: Re: That new tyre feeling!
Post by IslandRoad on 01/17/18 at 15:24:02

Thanks for the feedback MM. Yeah sounds like I landed on a good setup [ch128513][ch128513]

Title: Re: That new tyre feeling!
Post by jcstokes on 01/17/18 at 19:21:01

I never cared for the rear IRC, all the symptoms you describe. I felt frightened in the wet. Michelins solved everything.

Title: Re: That new tyre feeling!
Post by MMRanch on 01/17/18 at 20:02:54

JC

Which Michelins did ya get ?

Title: Re: That new tyre feeling!
Post by IslandRoad on 01/17/18 at 20:05:03

393020273C383620530 wrote:

I never cared for the rear IRC, all the symptoms you describe. I felt frightened in the wet. Michelins solved everything.

In my inexperience, I didn't know how well this bike could travel. I thought those symptoms were just quirks of an old-style cruiser! ;D

Title: Re: That new tyre feeling!
Post by justin_o_guy2 on 01/17/18 at 20:54:24

In my inexperience, I didn't know how well this bike could travel. I thought those symptoms were just quirks of an old-style cruiser!

My stock tires on the 05 were scary. I rode them 5,000 miles, slipping through curves on dry pavement. Now I wonder how many
Parked and left to rot
Savages with three thousand miles on it are left to rot because of the crap stock tires.

Title: Re: That new tyre feeling!
Post by IslandRoad on 01/17/18 at 22:39:23

I reckon you might be onto something there JOG.

I've loved the S40 since I first sat on one. However, recently, as I gained experience in riding, and started to push the bike a little more, I was starting to get disappointed with the handling - even taking into consideration the limitations of a cruiser.

The new tyres are a revelation!

Title: Re: That new tyre feeling!
Post by MMRanch on 01/18/18 at 07:42:15

Thinking of how the S-40 handles :

I've run my old Savage through the Dragon many times keeping up with and sometimes passing the sport bikes that are up there regularly . But , I'd rather not go that fast all the time. I don't need any tickets or the inflated insurance rates that goes with those tickets ! ;)

But the fact is : In a short track environment , The Savage is capable of keeping up with ,even those 100+ HP machines .

Title: Re: That new tyre feeling!
Post by IslandRoad on 01/18/18 at 09:06:57

6C7E6C7E73606F6269210 wrote:

That's kind of ironic! I started on a Ninja 250, but sold it after a few months for a couple of reasons. One of them being, I took to it's handling really quickly. And, I realised if I kept riding it I would, more than likely, end up in a ditch on the side of the road somewhere.

I switched to the cruiser to calm down a bit. I do enjoy the different kind of ride on the thumper - even though I do have a high-compression piston sitting on my bench awaiting an opportunity to do the swap. But it's a whole different story on the S40. The 'limitations' of the bike seem to work really well for me, especially when I include the mods I've made to the ergonomics. I like having the power/torque to ride assertively, without that constant 'race-ready' feeling of the sports bike.

Title: Re: That new tyre feeling!
Post by sjaskow - FSO on 01/18/18 at 10:18:19

I got 14K+ on the IRCs on my '06 and, with the exception of some wet traction issues at the end, they were never that bad.

I wonder if the weird handling is a side effect of the age of the rubber on the tires. After all, if you have a bike that sits a lot or doesn't sell, the tires are going to be get harder as they age.

Title: Re: That new tyre feeling!
Post by IslandRoad on 01/18/18 at 10:56:07

736A61736B6F77000 wrote:

I had wondered that too. But the bike was only a year old, with 1500 kms on it when I bought it. The previous owner probably let it sit for a while. I think she tried riding but didn't really like it. But that's not all that much time.

I've put about 9000 kms on them. Maybe they were just more worn than I thought!

Title: Re: That new tyre feeling!
Post by Serowbot on 01/18/18 at 11:26:57

Just don't get too crazy for the first 100 miles until new tires/tyres are scuffed in...
... or you'll get scuffed in... ;D

Title: Re: That new tyre feeling!
Post by IslandRoad on 01/18/18 at 12:07:00

5C4A5D40584D405B2F0 wrote:

Just don't get too crazy for the first 100 miles until new tires/tyres are scuffed in...
... or you'll get scuffed in... ;D

aye aye Captain ;)

Title: Re: That new tyre feeling!
Post by jcstokes on 01/18/18 at 14:30:27

MM, Michelin Commander 2 140/90 15 rear and 100/90 19 Pilot Activ front. Re Sjaskow's comment, my bike was 2008 manufacture but not sold new to me until Sept 2010.

Title: Re: That new tyre feeling!
Post by MMRanch on 01/18/18 at 17:16:02

MM, Michelin Commander 2 140/90 15 rear and 100/90 19 Pilot Activ front.

;D

I'm on my second Commander II on the S-40 . The first one did a little over 22,000 miles before I retired it , it wasn't bald --- just down into the wear bars a little ! Thats easy for me to like. I'm on my Second Commander II on the back of my Sportster too . The first one only went 18,000 + before the wear bars were solid , but its a 200# heavier bike and took all my ridding double chores too. ;)

Most of the time , I ride my bikes like Fun-Bikes should be rode ! ::)
Just a little less than the Law will Dis-Allow. ;D

Title: Re: That new tyre feeling!
Post by LANCER on 01/18/18 at 18:20:14

My riding has slowed the past few years with eyesight dimming, reaction time slowing, and general confidence decreasing in self with the physical abilities decreasing as noted. To do otherwise would be just plain foolish.

Back to tires, I really like Metzler 880/888's.
They handle really well with good stickiness and smooth action.
They also last with good mileage.
I have them on all my bikes.

Title: Re: That new tyre feeling!
Post by zipidachimp on 01/18/18 at 20:16:41

Wise! There are old riders and bold riders, but no old,bold riders! 8-)

Title: Re: That new tyre feeling!
Post by jcstokes on 01/18/18 at 22:35:07

Zipi, really? then again it was hard to be really bold on a Jawa 634 350 in 1976-'80

Title: Re: That new tyre feeling!
Post by Dave on 01/19/18 at 04:25:33

6A6373746F6B6573000 wrote:

Zipi, really? then again it was hard to be really bold on a Jawa 634 350 in 1976-'80

I think that riding any Jawa was bold! :-?

Title: Re: That new tyre feeling!
Post by jcstokes on 01/19/18 at 10:22:07

Dave, the only bold bit was when I replaced the good Czech Barun rear tyre with some cheap Taiwanese thing, then it got tricky on wet concrete.

Title: Re: That new tyre feeling!
Post by MMRanch on 01/20/18 at 21:20:52

I looked yesterday , the front tire on the Harley is still a 888 . Its holding up good . The rear is long gone but the Front still looks great. I use my front tire for 95% of my stopping/slowing down needs too , it must have 10,000 miles on it by now. :)

Title: Re: That new tyre feeling!
Post by IslandRoad on 01/25/18 at 23:44:20

I had the chance to take the bike for a good run today on the new tyres - one hour on the open road, and through some big roundabouts.

Completely confirms what I discovered around town. The tyres are great. Funny how it restores one's confidence ;D