Exedra Max + Michelin Commander 2 + GO PRO2

[HansO]

I just went to the smaller Excedra 140/80/17 front tire and immediately noticed a huge improvement in handling in the curves. BUT, I also noticed a HUGE problem with a scary as hell high speed wobble at above 85mph. I wasn't expecting it at all. Went WOT passing a truck as usual to above a ton. Tank slap city. Came REAL close to losing it. The thing different was the change in tire size. The bike has always been rock solid at whatever speed you had the juevos to ride it. Either I did something wrong or the tire is a death sentence. Any theories before I take it off? Anyone else experienced any issues at above 140kph with the smaller diameter tire?

Anyway, I am pretty certain I will have a BS Excedra Max up to whomever raises their hand first. Lesson well learned. Just be aware of what happened to me.

is that with a excedra Max on back as well and do you have std height shocks, Iask this as very soon I am going to try the excedra max on back I have 20mm over shock rear shocks and was contemplating putting the Mitch 140/75/17 commander 2 on there but was worried about high speed stability due to the 255/45 jacking up the rear a bit more, but TriumPhill has been assuring us that he has not had any issues do you think it could have something to do with your excedra max being a non radial (a cross ply)

 

[Triple Trouble]

This is Important stuff and we should get it sorted properly as soon as possible. Ken could you let us know the exact combination you are running? V rated max on back, shock length, tire pressures etc. ?
That is when you finally dig the last piece of the seat cover out of your butt!!!!!!!

 

[barbagris]

Has NOBODY done a Darkside FRONT?. i.e a rear M/C tyre on the front.

The R3 has some things against it in terms of tyre choice.

GEOMETRY, SPEED and WEIGHT.

Other factors that MATTER are your roads and ambient riding temperatures. And rim size.

My Metz's wore off in 7500kms - but it was running in. The wear came in summer and was notably HEAT build up related (rubber balled up and peeled off front and rear) - plus weight related scrubbing on the front. Not to mention the front Metz will cup as it's not really correct on a 3.5" rim.

I went to a Cobra last year and it's dead - about 6000kms. Totally weight/geometry related. Asymmetric wear too - because I throw into right handers more often then left handers. And as our roads are aggressive surfaced it's akin to riding over a sanding belt. The cruiser steering angle increases the sheering force on the tyre.

A smaller front (slimmer and/or lower profile) will alter steering geometry by reducing rake(castor) and trial. as will a larger rear or longer rear shocks. BUT take into account that with smaller tyres and especially lower profiles comes reduced LOAD(weight) rating. A slimmer tyre should (maybe a surprise to some) give a larger contact patch banked over.

Higher speed rating should help reduce heat build up.

Right now I'm looking at using a 140/80ZR17 Avon (AV46) on the front. Slightly lower and slimmer - slightly less load rating - but not as much as a Michelin 140/75R17.

As for the E-max - seen a couple of comments that they may be susceptible to punctures. And it will not fit with THUG exhausts. There are are only 6 sets of THUGS AFAIK - and at least 3 are Darksiders. There is VERY little clearance.

I do run a C/T on the back. If an E-Max would fit I might well have tried. But when I'm forced to change the rear - I'll be fitting a Cobra.

CROSSPLY TYRES - They build up heat far more than radials. and the side walls flex less so you'll have less contact patch banked over. I'd not put one near an R3 that's ridden hard.

The fact you may not ride at 130mph - well OK - but how many cars putting out 140hp to each driven tyre run V rated rubber? - How many European style GT tourers run V rated rubber?. imo Triumph fitted the tyres sizes they have for aesthetics as much as anything else - and it's what was in production.

Wish I could find a way (tbh) to fit a slimmer rear in.

 

[emwolb]

thanks for the heads up on tires

it's time i replace the metzlers on my '08 classic. i don't ride it hard, well other than breaking the tire loose occasionally, but the handling is really starting to suffer from the metzlers. the rear breaks loose noticeably easier now that it's got 4900 miles on it, and the front metz seems to feel sorta triangular rather than round. looking at the front tire from the front of the bike. it's still round but the contact patch just seems goofy as it lays over easy when going through curves but it's certainly got more wiggle to it than i'm comfortable with. i keep my tires properly inflated, but what i'd call reasonably spirited riding is out of the question on my bike. when friends have asked me how it handles, i tell them it's almost like trying to go around a curve, especially at intersections in town, driving a steam roller. now if you guys are right that this bridgestone exedra max makes the bike more flickable and better handling, then that's exactly the one i'll get installed along with the recommended front tire in this thread. i'm going to bookmark this thread so i can reference it when i get time to find the tires. thanks guys, this forum is great.

 

[STRIPES]

Here (I think) is the deal. The Excedra does make the bike more responsive. I have been testing the bike at different speeds. It appears the "responsivity" (for lack of a better word) keeps getting more acute with increased speed to the point where my bike becomes uncontrollable. The handling becomes too "quick" at around 80mph. It starts getting scary at 85. I couldn't get past 90 without the feeling tank slap was imminent. Perhaps it is because of the cross bias ply. I don't care. It is coming off. And yes, I still have some seat cover wedged in my asscrack. I don't ever want to experience that again.

I am anxious to hear from any others who have tried or are successfully running the BS Excedra Max 140/80/17 regardless of the style/size of the rear tire. If so have they checked it at higher speed? Because, I have ordered the standard tire and will be replacing the Excedra.

I have double checked my work and it looks like the tire installation was correct. It is not out of balance.

Anybody want the Excedra? It has only 1500 highway miles on it. Been on the ground for about two weeks.

 

[CanberraR3]

240 Exedra Max is a radial, not bias ply. I've run mine up to 200 km/h with sustained periods at around 140/150km/h with no problems, issues or concerns.

I did have an Exedra on the front - which I presume you are talking about - also a radial. Only issue I had was poor mileage. I thought it handled great and never had any wobbles with it.

I would add that I've been running Avon Cobra on the front before the Exedra and was very happy to go back to it. The Cobra is a much better proposition all round in my opinion. I've had 4 (or 5) I think.

 

[STRIPES]

Your reference to a 240 was probably in reference to a rear tire. For clarification, the issue is with going down in size to a 140/80/17 on the front for quicker response.

As far as whether it is a radial or bias ply, I was parroting other reports in this thread.

 

[Scorp]

Have the Michelin Commander 2 on the front, Bridgestone Exedra Max on rear, been near 200kph several times with no issues.

 

[skydog1000]

Ken have you rechecked your balance
You said it was not out of balance
I had the same thing on a different bike and it was a balance problem

 

[STRIPES]

Thanks Dog. I will check it.

I am interested in anyone who has tried going down in size on their front tire to improve handling has had any high speed issues. Let's try to stay focused on if going smaller on diameter or width on the front tire causes a problem.

Thanks guys.