Exedra Max + Michelin Commander 2 + GO PRO2

[warp9.9]

It makes no difference that I miscalculated the front tire height (my bad, though) but it is notable that what you are passing along is second-hand, unverified information, Ogre. Maybe you could get you pal to post up here and share his experience directly. Perhaps he's made some other changes, such as to his suspension, etc. , which have affected his geometry/ground clearance adversely.

As I have stated previously, I am an aggressive rider that spends most of my riding time in the twisties, I have no chicken strips whatsoever on this combo - I use every bit of these tires' treads - and I have not noticed any adverse effect on the ride with this set up. Fact is, it has improved the ride, the bike's handling and responsiveness and, consequently, my own safety, have been enhanced very considerably and whatever change has resulted on my bike re: ground clearance, it has had zero noticeable effect on dragging parts or any other important aspect of rider safety to this rider.

Phil if your still rinning the shorter shocks in the rear yours handle and sits different from a stock shock heigth and this tire combo.
Most likely SpeedFreak is right. with the extra height in the rear and smaller profile he is counter steering a little more do to the ease with the tires combo. this will tend to throw the front corner of the engine and peg rails closer to the asphalt.

 

[Speedy]

Orge, hello from Speedfreak (Speedy here).

You did not misquote me nor am I incorrect. Gentlemen, I have a 2008 RIII Classic. Earlier this summer I changed my rear tire to an Excedra Max and rode with it and the stock front tire 1,400 miles in the Black Hills on every curvy road I could find. (I rode for years in southern Missouri and northern Arkansas, so I, too, can ride.) Then before the trip to the fall RAA, I changed to the Michelin 140/75 front. The ride height change was noticeable and when added to the lower height of the Classic's boards (compared to the Standard's pegs,) increased weight transfer to the front when deaccelerating and centripedal forces when in curves resulted in my scrapeing much more frequently than I anticipated.

I love the change in how responsive the bike has become and the increased feel. However, to take more advantage of the change, I will need to change to stiffer rate front springs to reduce the dive that occurrs on entry to apex and up until throttling lifts the front.

Triumphil's experience is different than mine due in large part to the differences in our bikes. I do not want to leave the impression that this combination of tires is bad or dangerous, just different and that with lower boards and stock suspension it becomes very easy to touch down.

 

[Dennsell]

Let us know what you do fit up front, Dennsell, and how you like the combo!

BS exedra up front but somehow it doesnt feel as sure footed as the Cobra..
I will try dropping the presssure from 38 to 36 maybe.

Grip seems good but I am finding the exedra steering seems to track on road surface joints.. not 100% sure it is as good as the my rear Max.

Maybe someone else has an opinion but at the moment I would prefere the Cobra.

JMO.

 

[TriumPhil]

Good info, Speedy, Ogre, Warp, et al..

I forgot to mention that I do have 12" Progressive 440s which are 1/2" lower than the OEM R3 shocks, therefore neutralizing the .48" height increase caused to the rear geometry by the higher B'stone tire. Apologies... my bad!

 

[CanberraR3]

BS exedra up front but somehow it doesnt feel as sure footed as the Cobra..
I will try dropping the presssure from 38 to 36 maybe.

Grip seems good but I am finding the exedra steering seems to track on road surface joints.. not 100% sure it is as good as the my rear Max.

Maybe someone else has an opinion but at the moment I would prefere the Cobra.

JMO.

Dennis, I tend to agree. I really liked the Cobra on the front but wanted to try the BS to match the back. With similar experiences to yours, I'd all but decided to switch back to Avon (front - will never run anything but the Bridgestone on the back) once this one wore out. On my way to Hervey Bay though, I upped the pressure to 44 in the front. This made a world of difference and I'd have to say the bike's now handling as good if not better than it ever has. Now I'm not sure what to do.

 

[HansO]

Dennis, I tend to agree. I really liked the Cobra on the front but wanted to try the BS to match the back. With similar experiences to yours, I'd all but decided to switch back to Avon (front - will never run anything but the Bridgestone on the back) once this one wore out. On my way to Hervey Bay though, I upped the pressure to 44 in the front. This made a world of difference and I'd have to say the bike's now handling as good if not better than it ever has. Now I'm not sure what to do.

Sounds like you might be trying another brigdet after this one, I am glad you took the suggestion about raiseing the psi

 

[Evil Mitch]

Not sure bout the bridgy but I'm fairly sure the Metz says 42 max psi in the front . Not sure I'd be comfortable inflating beyond factory recommendations

 

[Scorp]

Just rode the bike home after getting the Michelin fitted to the front. Already have the Max on the rear. I did notice a difference to the height of the front, feels like I have pulled on the front brake and it has dipped down. I still need to run the tyre a bit before I see how responsive it is. I too have a Classic but I have the rear with lower shocks as well to offset the Exedra Max height difference. The front guard has a noticeable gap between the tyre now.

 

[Dennsell]

Dennis, I tend to agree. I really liked the Cobra on the front but wanted to try the BS to match the back. With similar experiences to yours, I'd all but decided to switch back to Avon (front - will never run anything but the Bridgestone on the back) once this one wore out. On my way to Hervey Bay though, I upped the pressure to 44 in the front. This made a world of difference and I'd have to say the bike's now handling as good if not better than it ever has. Now I'm not sure what to do.

Thats interesting Richard.. I was considering the Cobra tread pattern being sorta helical meaning the angles helped ride out the ***** joints where the Exe is nearly staight across if you follow..

So my thinking was opposite making the tyre a little softer to ride the joints..

Anyway I will try the changes Ill go up to 41 first.. but some of the berb roads are a little rough in places (sand under the roadbase moves)
I really don't enjoy having my teeth rattled (my own teeth ) and my joints jolted, but I will try your pressure setting.. Thank you Young Sir

 

[Dennsell]

Not sure bout the bridgy but I'm fairly sure the Metz says 42 max psi in the front . Not sure I'd be comfortable inflating beyond factory recommendations

Just had a look at the sidewall
Max is 355KG at 41psi...
tread 2x nylon+ 2x rayon and side wall is 2x rayon...
no steel belting so high pressure maybe an issue..

I think the Cobras are steel belted, at least my rear was when it blew out