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Tires?

Discussion in 'XJ Technical Chat' started by OldBikerDude, Mar 20, 2011.

  1. OldBikerDude

    OldBikerDude Member

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    Hi Guys,
    Thinking about getting some new treads on my 1982 XJ550. Looking for some sound suggestions. What do you have on your bike?
    Thanks in advance....

    Old Biker Dude
     
  2. bigfitz52

    bigfitz52 Well-Known Member Premium Member

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    Keep in mind that my 550s are Secas;

    I have Dunlop D404s on one bike, and Avon AM26 RoadRiders on the other. The Avons might be a tad "sporty" for a Maxim.

    You might also want to look at Bridgestone Battlax BT45s; somebody just asked about the new Pirelli "Night Dragons" and they look like they might be pretty sweet on a cruiser (plus they come in sizes for your bike, always a good thing.)

    If you want to go a bit cheaper, there's always Kenda; stay away from Cheng-Shin.

    One thing to keep in mind: Front tires with a single, straight continuous center groove tend to grab at rain grooves making freeway riding where I live very exciting to say the least. I buy tires that DO NOT have a continuous center groove on the front for exactly that reason. If you don't find yourself on rain grooves very often, then this might not be as much of a concern for you.
     
  3. pbthoe

    pbthoe Member

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    I think tires are kind of a personal choice thing. I have run Dunlops, Metzeler and Continental. My personal preferance is the Continental. Decent performing tire and I seem to get better mileage out of them over the Dunlops. Avons are good, but as fitz said they are more of a performance tire, with softer compound. They stick like glue, but they won't give the mileage that some other brands will. Lots of options, just try to match tire with you riding style.
     
  4. OldBikerDude

    OldBikerDude Member

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    I do know that it is a personal choice but I would like recomendations. I currently have the Dunlop D404's also but they act a little squirly at times but this could be because they are close to that time to change point. I was reading some real nice things about the Bridgestone S11's. Does anyone have these on there bike? Heard they are pretty good. Thank you guys for the opinions. Keep them coming. :) Pro's - Con's would like to hear them from you guys.
    Thanks!

    Old Biker Dude
     
  5. jeff4995

    jeff4995 Member

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    I run the Bridgestone Battlax BT45's on my bikes. Been pretty happy with them. Seem to be a pretty good all round tire. :D
     
  6. bigfitz52

    bigfitz52 Well-Known Member Premium Member

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    The only "issue" and again it depends on how/where you ride, is that the S11 (Spitfires) have a continuous center groove in the front tire. That's why I suggested the BT45's.
     
  7. OldBikerDude

    OldBikerDude Member

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    Oh Ya Bigfitz I didn't think about that and yes I do have a lot of that around here because I am in the Pacific NorthWest. It does get wet out here. However, I don't see a center line in them http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002TC ... 4WKWMFM15M at least not like the Shinko Raven http://www.amazon.com/Shinko-009-Raven- ... B001CDALMG and this is more like what I thought you meant. The Battlax doesn't look like it would be real great in the wet but you can't always go by looks. Anybody out there have some familiarity with these 2 tires?

    Old Biker Dude
     
  8. OldBikerDude

    OldBikerDude Member

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    Okay that is odd. I just found out that it depends on the size of the front tire whether or not it has a center line. You were right Bigfitz the sizre I need would have that center line.
     
  9. OldBikerDude

    OldBikerDude Member

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    Has anybody ever tried the Metzeler ME 880 Marathon Touring? These look like a real nice tire.
     
  10. bigfitz52

    bigfitz52 Well-Known Member Premium Member

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  11. bigfitz52

    bigfitz52 Well-Known Member Premium Member

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    You can get the ME 880 rear whitewall in a 130/90-16, no less.

    They look like nice tires, mixed reviews as to wear on heavier bikes, which won't be a concern for you.
     
  12. MiCarl

    MiCarl Active Member

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    My Venture came with a set of them. Good handling wet and dry. Noisy in turns (sounds like a bearing failing).

    I replaced them when the tread started to come off the rear. That seems to be a common problem on heavy touring bikes. It is possible the PO had damaged it running too little pressure. On the other hand I had it a year before it started to come apart.

    Premium tires (Metzeler, Avon, Pirelli) are designed to run with higher inflation pressures than your stock tires were. If you run one of those brands check their web site to get appropriate inflation pressures for your 550. This may be why so many ME880s fail on the Venture, although I used Metzelers recommended pressure when I was running them. Like I said though, don't know what the PO did to them.
     
  13. OldBikerDude

    OldBikerDude Member

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    Okay went to the Metzeler site and they show the tire pressure but it isn't in PSI. Anyone know what this is in.... Here is what it says....

    Dual Purpose (501cc-749cc)

    Solo 2 Up Light 2 Up Heavy
    Front 1,65-2,35 1,80-2,5 1,95-2,60
    Rear 2,15-2,5 2,30-2,60 2,40-2,75
     
  14. MiCarl

    MiCarl Active Member

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    You must have gone to the German site. Why are you looking at Dual Purpose? I thought you were interested in the ME880.

    Look HERE.
     
  15. OldBikerDude

    OldBikerDude Member

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    That was the only site I could find for them and everything else was in English so I don't know. That was just a copy paste example. The ME 880 was on the same page.
     
  16. OldBikerDude

    OldBikerDude Member

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    Wow! Holy crap dude.... That is a huge difference than from stock pressures. 38 up front and 40 in the rear? I guess I will try it there first and see how it feels if I get those. I am going to call around tomorrow.
    Thank you everyone for the help!
     
  17. pbthoe

    pbthoe Member

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    I am currently running the ME880 on the rear of the Harley. I've been pleased so far, about 3500 miles. I've got a friend that runs a m'cycle repair shop and has sold hundreds of these tires. I am not aware of any issues with this tire.....even on the heavy slow a%# hog.
     
  18. MiCarl

    MiCarl Active Member

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    Lots of them on the road on lots of bikes. It seems like there is just an issue with the Ventures, or the people that own Ventures. One thing is, on the Ventures we're running them very close to their load index.

    Mine came apart after 360 miles, heavily loaded, very hot day at freeway speed.
     
  19. pbthoe

    pbthoe Member

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    Wasn't aware of that. Are they separating or do you know what is happening to them on the Venture? What do those bikes weigh.?
    I am definitely not endorsing any brand of tire. Just think any info on these type subjects is good to know info.
     
  20. OldBikerDude

    OldBikerDude Member

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    I looked through some 300 reviews and didn't find one bad one. So now what are we suppose to think? These tires rate from 4 1/2 stars to 5 out of 5. I thought that they were one of the best you can get but if they are falling apart that isn't cool. Was there some strange cercumstance that this happen? Wonder why others haven't reported this happening....
    Please, if you know about these tires, positive or negative, let me know.
    Thank you to all.

    Old Biker Dude
     
  21. MiCarl

    MiCarl Active Member

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    Ok guys, here is what often happens on the Ventures (all years):

    Quite a few have had the tread separate from the tire. In my case the tread had just started to lift, but most realize the problem when chunks of tread come off.

    The 83-93 Venture weighs roughly 780 lbs. When SWMBO is along I figure we have at least 500 lbs. of riders, gear and the required minimal female travel kit in the luggage. So, the total weight when the tire started to fail was about 1300 lbs., 900 or so on the rear. The modern Venture is a bit heavier, although it uses different size tires that have a higher load index.

    It was a hot weekend for early June, with temps around 90 as I recall. 360 mile round trip mostly at 55mph although the 60 miles closest to home are freeway (70mph here). The trip home there were storms moving in so we were probably running closer to 75 on the freeway. This was my first long fully loaded run.

    The tire pressure was checked at 50psi before we started the trip.

    Two days later I rode locally and thought I felt a vibration when turning. Checking the rear tire I found two areas where tread blocks had started to lift away from the carcass.

    It appears to me that the people who have had tread separation have been heavily loaded, on long high speed trips in hot weather. The open question is whether the tire was properly inflated.

    Mine was at 50psi (which was proper for my tire and load). When I bought the bike though the tires were leaking at the bead and the PO had laid it down when a tire went flat in a curve. So, I'm suspicious that they had likely been run under-inflated.

    There are people that use them on Ventures for 15,000 miles, love them and never have a problem. I think those people are generally riding without passengers so there is quite a bit less load on the tire.

    The rear tire for the Venture is rated 77H, which means 908 lbs. at 130mph. While I think I was pretty close to the load limit I was well under 130mph.

    My best guess is that at least some of the ME880s just do not hold up when run at freeway speeds with a full load.

    As I said in my initial post - the tires handled well wet and dry. They make a slight whine when cornering which isn't a problem once you convince yourself you do not have a bearing failing. I suspect on a lighter bike like the XJs you'd never have a problem with them.

    I replaced the Metzelers with Kenda Kruz. I figured if I was going to be throwing tires away they might as well be $100 tires rather than $300 tires. Now the missus almost always comes with me, and we have added 200lbs. of trailer for the dog. The Kendas are holding up fine. So long as I don't pick up a nail I expect I'll get 12,000 miles from them.
     
  22. OldBikerDude

    OldBikerDude Member

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    Thank you for clarifying.
     
  23. snowwy66

    snowwy66 Member

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    hot temps on hot asphalt is the worse thing for tires. low on pressure makes the tires even hotter.

    i bet phoenix does a LOT of tire business come summer time.
     
  24. bigfitz52

    bigfitz52 Well-Known Member Premium Member

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    OBD, your 550 weighs under 450lbs, curbside. (Before you climb on it.) The issues experienced by folks with a bike weighing 3X as much shouldn't be of any concern to you.

    ANY tire will have issues if run underinflated.
     
  25. OldBikerDude

    OldBikerDude Member

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    Hi Everyone,
    I went and ordered the Metzeler ME 880's. I think that these had the overall best reviews. I will let you know how they feel compared to my Dunlops. Thank you for your input. I hope that I can help everyone with a review of these tires once I have had some time on the road with them.

    Old Biker Dude
     
  26. shnuffy

    shnuffy Member

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    I'm running S11 Spitfires for what it's worth. We don't have rain grooves on our roads where I am, so no issue there. They've been great so far.

    To be clear, the continuous center groove theoretically improves wet riding?
     
  27. OldBikerDude

    OldBikerDude Member

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    Follow Up-
    I just put the new tires on my 1982 XJ550J and I chose the Metzler ME 880 Marathon Touring tires. LOVE THEM! These tires are great! I had the Dunlop D404's on my bike before these but these ME 880's seem to have a lot better traction and stability. My front tire is a 100/90-19 and the rear is a 130/90-16. One thing you do want to note is that in the bikes owners manual they suggest 26psi in the front and 32psi in the rear however, I called Metzler and talked with one of their tech's there and he told me that you want to base your pressure on the tire more than on the bike. He said to run them at 38 in the front and 44 in the rear. I did this at first but it felt like just a little to much air in them so I took it down to 36 in the front and 42 in the rear and they seem perfect now. Feels really good. So I just go 10 pounds over the recommended psi from the owners manual which is easy to remember. These ME's match up real nice and feel very good under your feet.
     
  28. yamamann

    yamamann Member

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    Tire sizes from factory


    1982 Seca XJ550RJ

    Interested in replacing with original Yamaha sizes supplied on new bike -

    Have Front Marathon ME880 100/90 19MC 57H and Rear Marathon 120/90B 18.71H now but want to make sure sizes are correct

    What is the tire size from Yamaha factory - if no longer available or numbering system has changed please advise compatable new tire numbering designation ?

    Back rim is marked MT2.15 18 - a little confused reading that other 1982's have a 16 inch rear tire ? Maybe someone can explain this to me too

    Thanks
     
  29. redsix

    redsix Member

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    Glad this came up! What do you guys know about Shinko tires?
     
  30. bigfitz52

    bigfitz52 Well-Known Member Premium Member

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    In regard to tire/rim sizes on the 550 Secas:

    Stock front is a 3.00-19; stock rear is a 110/90-18. (Honest. I know it makes no sense.) The 16" rear is the Maxim.

    "Recommended" front replacement would be a 90/90-19, stock rear would match the original.

    I have Dunlop D404s on one 550 Seca, a 100/90-19 on the front and a 110/90-18 on the rear. The rear is going to be replaced with a 120/90-18. Good tires, good in the cold, good in the wet, good lifespan (10K on a rear.)

    I have nice, sticky Avon AM26 Roadriders on my '83 550 Seca, a 3.25-19 front and a good old 4.00-18 rear. Corners like it's on rails. Exceptional in the wet. Highly recommended as long as you don't mind a 6000 mile lifespan on the rear.
     

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