Exedra Max + Michelin Commander 2 + GO PRO2

[TriumPhil]

Alot of folks seem to be running regular Exedra tires, both radials and bias-ply and yet refer to them as Exedra Maxes.

To my knowledge, B'stone doesn't make the Exedra Max in a 140/80 17 size front tire. I'm on my second Max, 240, rear tire, now coupled to a 130/70 17 Max up front. It is the best riding, handling and steering combo I have had on my Rocket over the 3 1/2 years that I have owned it. Previously, I ran the Michelin Commander II, 140/75 17 up front. It offered a huge improvement in overall handling and wear vs. the OEM Metzeler.

My current, matched set of Exedra Maxes is that much better than my last setup (hard to believe, but very true) and there are zero issues with stability, responsiveness or handling at any speed and on all sorts of roads and conditions, leading me to believe that if anyone is having such issues the problem lies with improperly mated front and rears, improper installation and/or balancing of the tire or tires or mixing tire types such as radials mounted with bias-plys and/or, yes, any sort of issue that could be related to a car tire on the rear providing or causing unstable riding characteristics. I ride almost exclusively one up so the lower load rating is a non-issue for me. Harley is now mating 130 front tires to some of their 900 lb machines (like the Super & Electra Glides) from their factory with no ill effect, so I don't think the load rating on the tires I've used or I'm using are of significant concern safety-wise.

 

[Triple Trouble]

I am going to makes some assumptions here as the exact combination is unknown.
Stripes is running a Bridgestone Exedra Max rear tire, size 240/55/16 VR rated, at 41/42 psi, Stock length rear shocks, Bridgestone Exedra (non Max) front tire size 140/80/17 bias ply, at 38+psi. Obviously on a Standard or Roadster.
If the headstock is adjusted correctly and the above is true then I would guess that that particular front tire is a poor match for the rear. I am running an Exedra Max on the rear with an Avon Cobra front and love the way the bike handles and am growing ever more confident in the grip at the rear as it seems stickier than the Cobra or Metz I ran before. Probably a bad combo of bias ply and radial tires. I'd keep the Max and put a front tire on that is known to work such as the Michelin Commander II or Avon Cobra, perhaps even the Max front Triumphil suggested. I'd stick to the Avon for the extra load rating If this is the bike you ride 2 up with luggage and your lovely missus on the back and write this off as a lesson learned.

 

[HansO]

Is this the tyre you are talking about Ken, this is the 150/80/17 radial, that Richard would be referring to as having used.
Your 140/80/17 cross ply (bias) tyre is not available here in Auss which from memory was a different tread pattern as well but that was 1 1/2 year ago so the tread patern may have changed
A Bridgstone rep told me to stay clear of the crossplys
Link Removed

 

[CanberraR3]

There is no Exedra Max in that size. I had an Exedra and it did not look like the one you first posted. The only Max that fits is the one Phill is using.

 

[HansO]

There is no Exedra Max in that size. I had an Exedra and it did not look like that one. The only Max that fits is the one Phill is using.

sorry Richard picked wrong pic of clipboard ..dam small icons

 

[TriumPhil]

Glad we got that sorted, mates!

I've been totally gobsmacked by my new tire combo and can't recommend it highly enough to accomplished, aggressive riders!

Important Note as of 3/10/14: The Excedra max 130 front tire is not to be used on any R3 fitted with ABS as the smaller size will cause the ABS to malfunction.

 

[dadsrevenge]

Being of the short stature, 5'6" I am trying to figure out what would work for the tire set up. I'm still stock on my suspension running metz. Tired of how quick they wear. Most of my ridin is on the highway. Wear the centers out.

What Suspension and tire set up would you suggest??

 

[CanberraR3]

The Bridestone has deeper tread and is harder down the middle plus is flatter in cross section. It does raise you up a little though, (about 1/2 inch). How much could you tolerate?
The other advantage is that for every mile you travel, on the road not the speedo, the tyre doing around 30 less revolutions. They simply last longer and will wear better anyway.

 

[STRIPES]

Figured it out.

Here's the problem. I isn't a Max. Somehow a Bridgestone L309 got shipped and installed. Totally my mistake in not catching it. At least we know why I am having problems before it turned tragic. Sorry for the mix-up. I take responsibility for being a doofuss. I SWEAR I looked at it and it said MAX.

 

[TriumPhil]

Remember, STRIPES, chit like that is always THE DEALER'S FAULT!