Bridgestone Exedra Max

[Claviger]

Avon Cobra or the Pirelli will get my money when it's time to replace.

The other two options (metz, bridgestone) just don't inspire confidence for me, OE tires are picked for a variety of reasons and grip is usually not the top reason.

 

[Macrider]

Avon Cobra. They're fantastic tires. I'm getting another set when my current one wears out.

Also, the bike is sold with radials. It makes no sense to go with bias tires on it, really, but anyone who does should at the very least not mix and match radial and bias.

Then again, you're darksiding so optimal performance in corners is probably not a requirement.

Croft ,It actually is a requirement. I have scraped my boards on some of our twisty roads up here , the fact that I have a DS rear is irrelevant. I have far more confidence in the DS tire than on any other rear MC tire I have ever owned. It's funny, I have felt the rear MC tire slip momentarily for a split second before it regains its grip, this scared me a few times. This has never ever happened with a DS tire, I have no idea why, maybe DS tires have a lot more grip at the right pressure?
Anyways thanks for everyones advice. got to order the new front tire and wait out our long winter.

 

[cusso ken]

Thanks DRMD421, for your advice, This is what I will get for a front tire then. I will go with a radial tirehttp://www.petes-superbike.com/15080r16-exedra-radial-front-p-1563.html

For years I "mixed" Radial rear and Bias on the front on my Harley as per recommendation from our at the time Harley dealer Len Willing(RIP) a motor cycle racer and brother of Warren Willing an Australian racing Champion, they recommended this combo for heavy motorcycles so I have followed suit ever since, if I had a Busa or Dukes like some of my riding Buddies I would go Radial all round,but for the big boy I prefer
the mix, the Exedra Max Bias Belted is the new generation of Bias belted tyre and should not be confused with older bias tyres. maybe I am just Bias

 

[TriumPhil]

Opinions vary, Ken. Your friend' Len's advice Re: mixing tire types, runs contrary to everything I was taught or have learned about motorcycle tires - every credible source I have looked to on this subject has confirmed that information, so if anyone can find info to the contrary, I'd sure like to see it. To my knowledge, the only exception to the rule are on bikes that are factory equipped with bias ply tires in front and radials in the rear. Radials in front paired with bias ply in the rear are an extreme no-no, I believe (very hazardous)!

Here's a basic primer for motorcycle tire selection, usage and care: http://www.motorcycle.com/rider-safety/motorcycle-tires-101-91339.html

 

[cusso ken]

Opinions vary, Ken. Your friend' Len's advice Re: mixing tire types, runs contrary to everything I was taught or have learned about motorcycle tires - every credible source I have looked to on this subject has confirmed that information, so if anyone can find info to the contrary, I'd sure like to see it. To my knowledge, the only exception to the rule are on bikes that are factory equipped with bias ply tires in front and radials in the rear. Radials in front paired with bias ply in the rear are an extreme no-no, I believe (very hazardous)!

Here's a basic primer for motorcycle tire selection, usage and care: http://www.motorcycle.com/rider-safety/motorcycle-tires-101-91339.html

G'day Phil ,I suppose it's like Darksiding some love them some hate it, Harley do fit a lot of their bikes OEM with the radial/Bias combo , to allow for heavy weights and softer front forks, something they have in common with a R3T
as I have stated I used this combo on my Harley for over 150000 Ks and never had a problem , yes the reverse is a no no , I replaced the tyres on my previous Cruiser a Suzuki C109RT a simular size bike to the R3T with 240 rear radial and 150 bias front and did nothing to the already diabolical handling,my R3T handles just fine and I will never see 130 Mph unless I drive down a mine shaft ,so I just do what I do ,the tyre guy who fitted my front tyre replacing the front Metzler Marathon POS 7000klm cupped out badly(I think they call them Marathons because they only run 42ks or 26Miles)said lots of "big cruiser" guys are running this combination

 

[Evil Mitch]

I'm running a bias front now with a radial DS rear and won't do it again. I would go with the radial front if I were you.

mixing brands is ok but you should never mix radial with bias so ive been told and read somewhere as i believe it can be dangerous

 

[ROCKETHEAD]

Good Explanation...

Watch "Learn more about Radial and Bias with Michelin 20…" on YouTube
Learn more about Radial and Bias with Michelin 20…:

 

[Claviger]

I really don't understand how people kill a tire in 4,000 miles as hard as these tires are. Turning 2k very shortly on my OEM Crapler 880s and sadly, they still look very close to new condition.

 

[ROCKETHEAD]

I really don't understand how people kill a tire in 4,000 miles as hard as these tires are. Turning 2k very shortly on my OEM Crapler 880s and sadly, they still look very close to new condition.

Just wait, they turn to sh1t in no time

 

[Claviger]

Oh good, there is hope I will get to replace them in the next few months