SuzukiSavage.com - New Tires

Michael

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New Tires
01/05/05 at 20:32:38

Hey all:

I am ready to replace the tires on my Savage. It is a 2000, and the tires are orrigional. The front tire shows little signs of wear, but the back one definetly needs relaced. Due to the fact that they are five years old, I have decided to replace both.

My question is, considering the variables below, should i go with the factory installed Metzler brand, or choose another brand?

Being in New Brunswick Canada, I ride in rain, fog, drizzle, etc....often. I need a tire that has maximun grip in wet conditions. If there is such a thing, I want tires that channel water to avoid hydroplaning.

I also love to lean in ideal driving conditions. I love the twisties, and often hit them faster than I probally should. I need a tire with maximun road/tire adhesion, with a tread that isn't going to wear down like the eraser on a pencil. I don't mind paying more, for a tire that is going to last, and possibly save my life.

What have you people tried? Any Suggestions?......

Thank you in advance.............cheere

Michael

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Paladin. Serious Thumper Offline Hamster Posts: 4929 Sunny Southern California Gender:	Re: New Tires Reply #1 - 01/05/05 at 22:22:42 As I am a very conservative rider, I picked up Dunlop D404's from Motorcycle Accessory Warehouse $41 front / 54 rear, plus shipping. Dunlop's site has an interesting Frequently Asked Questions section. You can have fantastic traction or decent mileage, but not both with the same tire.
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Kropatchek Serious Thumper Offline Why more than 1 cylinder? Posts: 1457 Alphen a/d Rijn Netherlands Gender:	Re: New Tires Reply #2 - 01/06/05 at 03:01:49 I also frequent a German forum. Here in Europe the Mettzlers 880 are the favorite Greetz Kropatchek
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Savage_Rob

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Re: New Tires
Reply #3 - 01/06/05 at 05:33:21

Justbe careful with the Dunlop fitment guide. It will indicate a 140/90-15 for the rear while the original is a 140/80-15. The drawback is that the bolts inside the fender (when using the stock Suzuki saddlebag supports) will rub with the 90 instead of the 80. Also, the speedometer will no longer be accurate with the 90. I just bought the Dunlop 491 Elite II's for both tires a couple of weeks ago and I like them. They are long-wearing all-season tires. I did remove my saddlebag supports since I am using a rear-mounted trunk but will be looking into an alternative means of mounting them since I intend to eventually remove the trunk and bob the rear a bit. The Metzeler tires also have great reviews though they were more expensive. They actually offer the 80mm rear tire though.

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thehoghunter Full Member 2004 No Login Offline Chop Suey Posts: 181 Tampa Gender:	Re: New Tires Reply #4 - 01/06/05 at 10:55:53 Savage_Rob wrote: Quote: Also, the speedometer will no longer be accurate with the 90. Wouldn't changing tire size only cause accuracy issues if the speedometer is off the back or front wheel? Coming off the tranny, shouldn't it still be the same?
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Savage_Rob Serious Thumper Alliance Member Offline Mechanically Inclined Amateur Posts: 6972 Texas (Dallas area) Gender:	Re: New Tires Reply #5 - 01/06/05 at 11:23:56 I don't think so. It seems to me that each RPM will be a greater distance with a larger drive tire than that for which it was spec'd.
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Max_Morley

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Re: New Tires
Reply #6 - 01/06/05 at 12:26:18

I've run the 140/90 and it is taller and does affect the speedo/odometer readings. Also allowed me to cruise at 70 indicated very smoothly. Noticed now that I am bacl to stock size sweet spot is about 67 or so indicated. I solved the bag bracket bolt interference by using a allen hex flat head bolt in place of the hex one. I have had good luck with Dunlops, Elite II and now K-555 that is fitment for a Honda PC-800 touring bike.

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Max at Thumper Acres. '96 Savage bagger, '03 Savage w/Cozy sidecar for wifeni.

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Savage_Rob Serious Thumper Alliance Member Offline Mechanically Inclined Amateur Posts: 6972 Texas (Dallas area) Gender:	Re: New Tires Reply #7 - 01/06/05 at 14:30:10 I read somewhere that the speed difference is about 4% but I haven't bothered to check that.
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Honda_fan

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Re: New Tires
Reply #8 - 01/06/05 at 18:44:58

Max_Morley wrote on 12/31/69 at 16:00:01:

I've run the 140/90 and it is taller and does affect the speedo/odometer readings. Also allowed me to cruise at 70 indicated very smoothly. Noticed now that I am bacl to stock size sweet spot is about 67 or so indicated. I solved the bag bracket bolt interference by using a allen hex flat head bolt in place of the hex one. I have had good luck with Dunlops, Elite II and now K-555 that is fitment for a Honda PC-800 touring bike.

Max,

You should get fantastic mileage from the K555. I ran those on my PC800 and got about 18K out of them on average. They also have decent grip wet & dry. With the light weight of the Savage I would expect around 20K out of them depending on conditions.

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klx650sm2002 Serious Thumper Offline The more I learn the less I know. Posts: 2041 Cumbria,England Gender:	Re: New Tires Reply #9 - 01/07/05 at 00:50:08 With the 140/90/15 you will be going 4.6 % faster than the speedo says. Clive W
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Savage_Rob Serious Thumper Alliance Member Offline Mechanically Inclined Amateur Posts: 6972 Texas (Dallas area) Gender:	Re: New Tires Reply #10 - 01/07/05 at 05:28:23 klx650sm2002 wrote on 12/31/69 at 16:00:01: With the 140/90/15 you will be going 4.6 % faster than the speeo says. Clive W Thanks Clive. So as a rough rule of thumb, add 1 for every 22... Speedo says 22, think 23 Speedo says 44, think 46 Speedo says 66, think 69 Simple enough for me.
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LANCER Serious Thumper Alliance Member Offline Savage Beast Performance Parts Posts: 10666 Oklahoma Gender:	Re: New Tires Reply #11 - 01/07/05 at 06:41:14 Since motorcycle speedo's are historically inaccurate...reading higher than actual...this should put the indicated and actual speed in line with each other.
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klx650sm2002 Serious Thumper Offline The more I learn the less I know. Posts: 2041 Cumbria,England Gender:	Re: New Tires Reply #12 - 01/07/05 at 07:17:28 Yes I agree. Clive W
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Savage_Rob Serious Thumper Alliance Member Offline Mechanically Inclined Amateur Posts: 6972 Texas (Dallas area) Gender:	Re: New Tires Reply #13 - 01/07/05 at 07:38:43 AND... as you wear away the tread through normal use, your actual speed relative to the speedometer's reading decreases... though I would doubt it could be an appreciable amount.
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thehoghunter Full Member 2004 No Login Offline Chop Suey Posts: 181 Tampa Gender:	Re: New Tires Reply #14 - 01/07/05 at 07:58:59 So then the general rule of thumb is if the cop pulls you over you were going to fast! Bad cop - no doughnut!
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