Not tyres again

[atomsplitter]

Apologies in advance if this has already been canvassed but:
I've just been surfing around trying to find options and I'm not yielding much so:

What is the ranges of tyres available in Australia that suit the beastie?
150/80 R17
240/50 R16
Metz obviously but what else?
And not DS please

Fronts can be had:
Metzeler ME 880
Dunlop Elite 3 Touring
Bridgestone Exedra G701
Avon AV71 Cobra

 

[ragboy]

I am new to this forum and looking at this thread. I have a 2011 Roadster, which I love. It is my second bike and runs and handles great, but I notice that when I corner, the bike goes over a bit easily and then I have to pull it down in the turn.

The Roadster is my second bike, I also have a Yamaha Stratoliner and it was similar and then I went to a different tire, and it made a WORLD of difference. My Strat corners so nice now, feels great.

I only see I have 3 choices. The Bridgestone exedra/max, the same MEs, and the Avon Cobras are now available.

The Avons seem to be the only one that mention they are designed for handling, where the exedra seem to be designed for straight-line cruising.

I don't have experience with Avon tires, has anyone else tried these? The only real negative reviews I see are from people that feel they should get more miles. I live in the mountains, its all twisties up here, and I want the best tire for handling/cornering. If the tire gets less miles to achieve that, I am ok with that.

I have put 3000 miles this season on my Roadster and 4000 on my Strat, since April. All mountain twisties. Here is the ride I just took my son on Thursday for his birthday as an example.

RJ 16 B-Day Ride - Google Maps

 

[Ogremeister]

..................
The Avons seem to be the only one that mention they are designed for handling, where the exedra seem to be designed for straight-line cruising............

Don't know where you got that misinformation.....those I know using bridgestones think they improve cornering.

Did you click on the 2 links that I posted in post #9 of this thread?

"Crisp handling"
"Improve stability in corners as well as straights"
"Better wet traction"

 

[TriumPhil]

Ditto on the B'stones. They will my next tires notwithstanding any new choices which may crop up.

 

[ragboy]

Thanks for the replies. I def have no issue with the bridgestones. I also have a 2006 Yamaha Stratoliner. It had the OEM dunlops on it and it had the same handling characteristics of the ME880s that I have on the Roadster. When cornering, initial lean is great, but then you have to pull the bike down when really going through the twisties. This last tire change on the Strat, I went to these instead:

EXEDRA | Products | Motorcycle Tires | Bridgestone Corporation

HUGE difference, love them. But only the Exedra MAX are available for the Roadster and the website says:

Select only the good factors from “EXEDRA” and
mix them in the best balance to provide 4 major performances, such as “Milage”,
“Stability of straight riding”, “Handling”, “Dry & Wet Grip” , for long cruising.

It just seems like they are going more towards long mileage and straight riding performance. I don't ride straight, and I think the Roadster is miscategorized as a cruiser. This thing wants to handle, its a blast to ride. I am looking for the best handling tire.

So the Avon Cobra tire:

Cobra | Avon Tyres

At least they mention incorporating "sport handling", but I am well aware this can just be marketing BS. I do like that the Cobra makes a tire that exactly matches the Rocket size.

I don't have any experience with Cobra, lots with dunlop, metz, and some bridgestone. That's why I was asking. Also, wondering if others with Roadsters have an opinion. Not that I don't value the opinion of the classic or touring model owners, but I think the later roadster is a different beast. I think it is more of a Muscle Streetfighter than it is a cruiser.

Anyway, I love the bike, just looking to get the funnest yet safe tire, mileage is not my highest priority, nor is wet traction since I don't ride in the rain except for a puddle or run off here and there.

Again, thanks for the help. I am not a newbie to riding, been riding since I was 11 years old, on the street since I was 15 1/2 and I am 42 now. 7000 miles on my bikes since april. But completely new to triumph and the Roadster.

 

[Ogremeister]

I have personally used the Cobras on my 05.

I thought they handled better than the Metz.

They also felt like they made the ride more "cushy".

I never noticed the problem with wet handling.

But now I have a Roadster and based on opinions of friends that ride twisties hard and fast and have personally used Cobras and now Bridgstone...

The Brigstones have the edge. I will be trying the Brigstones for my next set.

As I said, I think Cobras are an improvement over the Marrathons...so you have nothing to loose.

Try the Cobras...then next time try the Bridgys.

It will be even better.

If you want to avoid going to less er direction...
Don't do the Bridgys and then the Cobras....

 

[ragboy]

Thanks much, appreciate it.

 

[garyclem]

@ only 6500 Klms my rear metzler is just about done ..... this is somewhat disappointing, I must say, given that my previous experience with the brand on an 05 Rocket was quite good .......... and I'm off to PI for the GP in October and I reckon the original tyre isn't going to make the 2000 klm return trip safely.

In any case the wheel has to come off to properly repair a temporary puncture fix that got me out of trouble in the middle of nowhere.

So I bought a set of Avon Cobras after getting some very positive recommendations in terms of ride, handling and grip ........ surely the wear couldn't be any worse than the metzler. Could it ?

BTW, the front metzler is still lookin good, only about half worn I think, but I prefer matching tyres on my bikes.

 

[HellFire]

@ only 6500 Klms my rear metzler is just about done ..... this is somewhat disappointing, I must say, given that my previous experience with the brand on an 05 Rocket was quite good .......... and I'm off to PI for the GP in October and I reckon the original tyre isn't going to make the 2000 klm return trip safely.

In any case the wheel has to come off to properly repair a temporary puncture fix that got me out of trouble in the middle of nowhere.

So I bought a set of Avon Cobras after getting some very positive recommendations in terms of ride, handling and grip ........ surely the wear couldn't be any worse than the metzler. Could it ?

BTW, the front metzler is still lookin good, only about half worn I think, but I prefer matching tyres on my bikes.

If you get tired of buying expensive shoes for her twice a year or more, think about going over to the dark side. 225/55 car tires work very well on these bikes.

 

[scowherd]

I am running a 240/55 16 Bridgestone and it seem to be lasting much longer than the metzler My guess is I will get 10,ooo miles out of it currently have 5,000 on it and it still looks very good. Also the slightly taller tire helped correct the spedo inaccuracies