I watched this video and most of the comments are not surprising.....they support what I have come to learn about tires over the years - (my tire buying experience is limited to a few Cruiser sets, and lots of Sport Touring tire sets).  Unfortunately the tires choices for the stock Savage rear tire are going to be limited to tires made for Cruisers......and they don't offer any multiple tread compounds that have hard rubber in the center for road mileage and soft rubber on the edges for cornering grip. Cruiser tires tend to be built for longer tire life with a bit less performance - low cost tires last about 8,000 miles while premium tires can go as many as 20,000 miles. The 100/90-19 front tire is available in Sport Touring tires and you can find both Cruiser and Sport Touring tires.  Sport Touring tires can be very soft and wear out in 4,000 miles if you ride aggressively - while multiple compound tire can last up to 10,000 miles.  For those who have changed their rims to go tubeless or to make Cafe' or Tracker bikes....you will be able to find Sport Touring tires that fit your bike.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x5CFUEHF2-M


The video on tire width supports what I have come to learn about tire width - that overly wide tires are there for looks and can actually hurt performance.  He also commented on wider tires on narrow rims altering the tire cross section profile and I have commented on that previously in the tire thread on this forum - and putting a wide tire on a too narrow rim reduces the tire footprint and can reduce traction and accelerate wear.  The relatively light 30HP Savage has far more rear tire than it needs for good traction, and a smaller/thinner tire would actually make the bike accelerate, brake and corner better.  The 130/90-15 rear tire is an upgrade in handling....the 140/90-15 rear tire is an option for those who want to improve the gearing for highway use (at a small cost in handling).

What I find very surprising in the video was the concept discussed at 2:40 in the video....wider tires require more lean in the corners!  This took a while for me to understand - but it turns out the footprint moves farther inside and away from the centerline of the bike, and that requires more lean to balance the cornering forces  (it seems weird but a wider tire will cause you to drag a footpeg or frame sooner than a narrow tire will)!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_hPTiYh4fic

Years back ,due to my girlfriend have some damage to discs in her back, I put 11.5" progressive shocks on the rear of the bike. That alone ,elevated the rear of the bike enough to stop the front pegs from ever scraping again no matter how hard I leaned the bike. It also shortened the wheel base , and decreased the fork angle slightly, but I didn't really feel the difference in handling until my last tire change when I choose to use a 130/90/15 rather than the 140 /90/15 . I felt the change immediately. I'll never use a 140 again, and I may try a 90/90 19 next time on the front , to see if that may also improve things.

Good vids Dave.  Thanks

Regarding tire dimensions, can anyone tell me what the difference is between a 140/18-15 and a 140/80B-15?  What is the significance of the letter "B"?

DragBikeMike needs to post something right quick.  His post count is sitting on 666.

Enjoyed and learned from the videos,
Thanks Dave