New Tires

[KPAX]

My Kawasaki Voyager came with Dunlop 404's, they were in great condition. I rode them for 2,000 kms, I tried to like them but I just got tired of the vague front end and wandering (especially bad on tar snakes). These characteristics got worse in fast leaners while riding 2up. I decided to replace the tires however the tire of choice (Dunlop Elite 3's or 4's) are no longer available in Canada. My research revealed that "stiff sidewalls" are necessary for sure footed handling so I made sure to buy a tire that is Bias-Belted front and rear.

I bought a set Bridgestone Exedra Max:
F: 130/90B-16 67H Bias Belted
R: 150/90B-15 74V Bias Belted

I could not find any reviews of this tire (there are many reviews of the radial version but none of the Bias-Belted version). I installed them a couple weeks ago and now have 900 kms on them (300 solo, 600 2up). These tires are marketed for 2up riding; the tire profile is noticeably flatter than the 404 (which concerned me at first).

Here are my impressions:
In a straight line the bike tracks better (straighter) at all speeds. It is a little harder to turn in at higher speeds with the Bridgestone's but that is a good thing imho, the bike turned too quickly on the 404's. In higher speed leaners the bike tracks much better, it is stable, does not follow tar snakes and provides much more feedback. The only down side is the profile; it "falls in" on really fast leaners. My wife was a bit concerned at first but she is getting used to it. I have about 5/8" of chicken strips on them, that is about as far as I will lean while riding 2up. I could probably go more but the stock suspension is a bit wobbly at that pace. These are not expensive tires (my guess is this is Bridgestone's answer to the Shinko 777) but they are made in Japan, balanced easily without too much weight and are perfectly round without any run-out (side to side or on the tread face) and they are quieter than the 404's.

I don't have a lot of experience with touring bikes and I have only ridden the Elite 4's once (and that was on a gen 5 Goldwing) but overall I'd say these Bridgesone's are a good buy. There does not seem to be a lot of bias-belted options in this size, I am curious what everyone else is using in lieu of Elite 4's?

[Nails]

Lots of tire threads here. But things change and I appreciate the update.

I'm sure that on this AVA site, 404's would win the Worst Tire award, hands down. Most people here (including me) seem to have a bad 404 story. I think I mentioned in your earlier post that these tires may do fine on other bikes, just not XII -- based only on what I read.

I like Pirelli MT66 for traction and handling, especially in the wet. I've pushed them much harder than I'd choose because I did some dumbass error -- high pucker experience, but the tires took care of me. After 7-8K in the last year, they're toast. I'll refer back here to decide what to replace them with in the Spring. I might go darkside given that I'm liking and riding long distances more. Or I might stick with MT66. Haven't really given it much thought.

Speaking of dumbass moves, I broke some ribs due to hard sidewalls. This was on a d/s and DOT knobbies (Kenda Triple), so probably doesn't have anything to do with what you're talking about. But because of the super stiff sidewalls, the front tire apparently was completely flat but I didn't know it. Not even on the freeway. The problem was getting frisky going around an intersection, when the bead broke. If anything in this sad story is relevant, it might be to highly recommend TPMS. I really like being able to check the XII tire pressure every time I start it, and any other time I want, without having to crawl in the dirt.

[KPAX]

I check my tire pressure every week, it just freaks me out not knowing. I looked into MT66's but wasnt sure so I went with the bias-belted front. I am ok with 7-8,000 miles if the price is right. I am glad to hear that they stuck when you needed them; tires today are pretty damn good.

[GrandpaDenny]

While on a ride last weekend, I was in traffic behind a Harley with rear darkside. It was wandering all over the place, the slightest bit of lean would kick the bike to the other side of the lane. You couldn't pay me enough to put up with that.

[Nails]

There's lots of testimonials of how swell they are, even here.

viewtopic.php?p=54949#p54949
viewtopic.php?p=68487#p68487
viewtopic.php?p=72112#p72112
viewtopic.php?p=84314#p84314

[Nails]

I check my tire pressure every week, it just freaks me out not knowing.

I hear you. Now I check them several times a day. And I really got tired of crawling on the ground to check the XII. Here's what I got -- dunno if still available. I had some issues at first, but now I'd have trouble living without it. viewtopic.php?f=2&t=11677&hilit=TPMS

On that dirt bike, the sidewalls were so stiff that I couldn't tell they were flat by squeezing or pushing a knob over. By design, I'm sure. But I'm also sure it made for a new kind of threat.

I looked into MT66's but wasnt sure so I went with the bias-belted front.

I didn't fuss about it. I desperately needed a front tire -- yup, 404, rotten, and wore out (I had just bought the bike). I trust a local shop and took what he gave me. Later replaced a Dunlop rear with MT66.

I am glad to hear that they stuck when you needed them; tires today are pretty damn good.

Yeah, I'm sure there are other great tires out there.

I got to Tellico Plains just ahead of a hellacious rain storm. When it quit raining a couple days later, I really liked feeling the XII suspension working for me on the wet Dragon.

[KPAX]

I am not a darksider but I know many riders enjoy it. I am more interested in performance tires; which ones improve handling, stickiest etc. It is too bad the Dunop E4 is out of production, I would have liked to try it.

[SgtSlag]

I ran Pirelli MT66's on three bikes, including the XII. Loved them!!! On the XII, however, they wore out pretty fast, compared to the other two bikes (750, and a 440). They give amazing wet/dry traction. My reason for changing away from them, was the low mileage I could get out of them, on the XII. I am running Michelin Commander II's, front and rear. Good tire, not as much wet traction as the MT66, I am guessing, but they have outlasted the MT66's already.

I picked up a TPMS off of e-Bay, for around $50. It monitors the pressure, and the temperature, of each tire. The receiver has a rechargeable battery, with a USB charging port. I've had them installed, and running, for two years? The battery in the rear tire sensor just died. They use watch batteries (LR44's, 76's?), and I need to pull it, to replace it.

It has alarms for excessively high/low pressures, which are adjustable; it has configurable alarms for temperature, as well. If there is a catastrophic loss of pressure (drops to zero), an alarm goes off.



I cannot tell you how much I depend upon them. Before, I rode two up, with my beautiful wife, blindly, ignorantly. I just didn't know. I would take off, wondering about them, but we never had an issue. Now, I look at the receiver, and I smile, and forget about it. I check the receiver when I stop, and occasionally as we ride. The piece of mind is phenomenal! Worth every single penny they cost me. Riding has sooo many unknown variables... This was an easy, relatively inexpensive way to eliminate one of the major variables in riding safety. YMMV. Cheers!

[KPAX]

Michelin Comander III has bias belted "B" front & rears in the "Cruiser" catagory and the front is rated at 73H. I'll keep them on my radar for my next set. I'm not too sure if it is a dual compound or just a hard single compound but it has a high Silica content so it should be good in the rain and cold weather.


I was looking at a TPMS system that uses the valve stem cap as the pressure sensor, the cost is $50 on Amazon and it uses an App to transmit TMPS data to your phone:

"SYKIK Rider Wireless tire Pressure Monitoring System for Motorcycles. Check Your tire Pressure While Riding (W/APP). A pair of Bluetooth tire pressure gages replace your tire air valve caps. Using our free APP, you can connect wirelessly VIA Bluetooth to your smartphone. At any time, you can monitor the tire pressure on front and back tires on your smartphone. Special locks are provided to lock the units in place. Carries one-year parts and labour warranty. Caution: TPMS installed on top of tire stems, such as SRT200, SRTP300, SRTP340 and SRTP630, increase the pressure in the tire stem. Hince, not recommended for tires with plastic or rubber stems. Please see SRTP400 for inner TPMS."

[GrandpaDenny]

Caution: TPMS installed on top of tire stems, such as SRT200, SRTP300, SRTP340 and SRTP630, increase the pressure in the tire stem. Hince, not recommended for tires with plastic or rubber stems. Please see SRTP400 for inner TPMS."

I was just looking at TPMS systems, and I noticed that as well. I could understand recommending metal stems because of flexing (which would also apparently answer the question about if they affect tire balance), but increasing the pressure in the stems? Bull. Unless air is moving, it is the same pressure throughout a vessel (such as a tire and its stem) regardless of the shape.

[GrandpaDenny]

Re: Darkside tires

There's lots of testimonials of how swell they are, even here.

viewtopic.php?p=54949#p54949
viewtopic.php?p=68487#p68487
viewtopic.php?p=72112#p72112
viewtopic.php?p=84314#p84314

Oh I believe that, no doubt they are far superior for longevity. From what I saw on that particular bike, the tread would insist upon being flat to the ground, which caused the bike to be visually and obviously squirrelly every time one side of the tread lifted. I don't know how they work in the twisties, or maybe it was that particular bike and tire (after all, it was a Harley).

Here in PA, darkside tires are illegal. In any case, I don't believe I would trust my life to them. Hey, different strokes for different folks! I get it!

[Nails]

I picked up a TPMS off of e-Bay, for around $50. It monitors the pressure, and the temperature, of each tire. The receiver has a rechargeable battery, with a USB charging port. I've had them installed, and running, for two years? The battery in the rear tire sensor just died. They use watch batteries (LR44's, 76's?), and I need to pull it, to replace it.

It has alarms for excessively high/low pressures, which are adjustable; it has configurable alarms for temperature, as well. If there is a catastrophic loss of pressure (drops to zero), an alarm goes off.

Yeah, I have the link to your original thread up there. On your recommendation I chose the same model, primarily for the changeable batteries. Note that those batteries have been "on" since installed at the factory. I had to replace one the first week. I think I got lucky finding the right kind, but I stopped at a dedicated battery store.

The display unit charges by USB. I mounted mine on the plastic cover over the handlebar mounts because it's easy to take the whole thing into the house. A charge lasts for months, and I have a way to charge it from the bike (like while I'm eating lunch) if necessary.

The alarms frankly are useless to me because I can't see or hear them. I need to find the manual because for most of the summer the temperature alarms are going off -- I need to change the limit. When I stop for gas (at an exceptionally quiet station), I can spend a few minutes trying to identify that faint beeping.

[Nails]

Caution: TPMS installed on top of tire stems, such as SRT200, SRTP300, SRTP340 and SRTP630, increase the pressure in the tire stem. Hince, not recommended for tires with plastic or rubber stems. Please see SRTP400 for inner TPMS."

These sending units push down on the valve. I was much more concerned about leaks around the cap threads, but the o-rings seem to work. Another concern is maybe losing them, but they seem to stay on just fine (a locknut affair).

I really can't get excited about the stem failing under 40psi (hot). If it's that rotten, I'd think my tires would be too.

At first I wanted the internal kind, but that sure makes changing the battery a hassle.

Whatever works.

A pair of Bluetooth tire pressure gages replace your tire air valve caps. Using our free APP, you can connect wirelessly VIA Bluetooth to your smartphone.

That $50 system mentioned above has a dedicated display mounted on the bike so I don't have to mess with a phone.

[Nails]

Oh I believe that, no doubt they are far superior for longevity. From what I saw on that particular bike, the tread would insist upon being flat to the ground, which caused the bike to be visually and obviously squirrelly every time one side of the tread lifted. I don't know how they work in the twisties, or maybe it was that particular bike and tire (after all, it was a Harley).

Here in PA, darkside tires are illegal. In any case, I don't believe I would trust my life to them. Hey, different strokes for different folks! I get it!

Yeah, the flat profile is a reasonable concern. But most reports I've seen talk about superior traction (especially wet) and very minor (not necessarily negative) changes in "feel". All I know is what I read; and sometimes direct experience trumps reasoning. Maybe folks who've actually used them will chime in.

The long mileage is actually a secondary benefit for me because I've pretty-much completely quit running old tires.

Did I mention that they don't cost nearly as much?

[sheiserman]

I'll jump in here.

I use the Nexen that is shown in one of the links above. Love it. Done buying $300 tires that barely make 1 season. There's a local Goodyear shop that does it for me. They don't know why anyone would do that on a motorcycle, but they mount and balance them, and cash the check.

The very first time I went around a relatively tight turn, it was very obvious something changed. The change in handling is noticeable to a point. In the Wisconsin rural roads where 35 mph and slower curves are common, it isn't noticeable. It is in the sweepers though. I live in Iowa and I have to drive 3 hours in any given direction to find fun. Most of my miles are on flat, boring roads. Straight lines at any speeds and the car tire is the equal to any Dunlop I've ever had. Same in the twisties. It'll take whatever you throw at it. Mine has close to 15k miles on it, and there's a lot left. It wears evenly too.

The tire that pushed me to finally go dark side was a Bridgestone, Exedra Max I believe. 9000 miles is what that particular tire is good for. I could get just shy of 20k out of an E-3. I'll walk before I buy another Bridgestone. Only set I've ever had.

The worst "feeling" tire I've ever had was a Dunlop American Elite in the front (E-3 rear). Dealer said that was my option as they couldn't get E-3 fronts anymore. It wandered like a dog all over the road at normal speeds. It is fine at slow speeds and even in the fun stuff. It's lasted a long time, just have to accept the feel of it. Have an E-4 mounted and ready to replace it when the time comes.

Never, ever had any problems with E-3s.

[KPAX]

9,000 miles for the Bridgestone Exedra Max is good enough for me. They are cheap to buy (F&B for $365 CDN, including tax mounting and balance) and handle good. They are even cheaper now with the $40 credit Bridgestone is offering. I will never be a darksider (no offense to those that like it).

[GrandpaDenny]

The worst "feeling" tire I've ever had was a Dunlop American Elite in the front (E-3 rear). Dealer said that was my option as they couldn't get E-3 fronts anymore. It wandered like a dog all over the road at normal speeds. It is fine at slow speeds and even in the fun stuff. It's lasted a long time, just have to accept the feel of it. Have an E-4 mounted and ready to replace it when the time comes.

Now that's news I can use, as I consider (but not yet, I'm not riding THAT much) what to put on Gertrude when the E4s are worn out. I've been wondering how the American Elites are. Maybe they work better in pairs? Anybody else have anything to say about the American Elites? They were one of the options I was offered when I was looking for my E4 front tire. Glad they scraped up an E4 for me!

[KPAX]

I am thinking that the Michelin Commander III "Cruiser" in the bias belted variety will be a contender for E4 replacement.

[sheiserman]

9,000 miles for the Bridgestone Exedra Max is good enough for me. They are cheap to buy (F&B for $365 CDN, including tax mounting and balance) and handle good. They are even cheaper now with the $40 credit Bridgestone is offering. I will never be a darksider (no offense to those that like it).

Yeah I don't recall handling being bad with the B'stones.

I was wanting to try the car tire anyway, but going from 15k+ to 9k miles on a $300 tire was what it took to get me into one.

The worst "feeling" tire I've ever had was a Dunlop American Elite in the front (E-3 rear). Dealer said that was my option as they couldn't get E-3 fronts anymore. It wandered like a dog all over the road at normal speeds. It is fine at slow speeds and even in the fun stuff. It's lasted a long time, just have to accept the feel of it. Have an E-4 mounted and ready to replace it when the time comes.

Now that's news I can use, as I consider (but not yet, I'm not riding THAT much) what to put on Gertrude when the E4s are worn out. I've been wondering how the American Elites are. Maybe they work better in pairs? Anybody else have anything to say about the American Elites? They were one of the options I was offered when I was looking for my E4 front tire. Glad they scraped up an E4 for me!

That's just my opinion and worth what you paid for it. I may have the most clapped out bike and be the worst rider in the world, but E-3s flourished in that same environment. Again, just my opinion, but the Elite made a much bigger difference in handling than the car tire. It's actually scary on grooved concrete with wind and rain, but it's never let go of the road. Wheels get new bearings when tires are changed too, so that ain't it.

[cushman eagle]

I am thinking that the Michelin Commander III "Cruiser" in the bias belted variety will be a contender for E4 replacement.

Thank you KPAX for your post
I really like my E-4s but my front is near 17,000 miles,and I know in 3-4,000 more I will need to know what to replace it with .So am starting to research tires. My rear only has 11,000 on it,so I have time on it yet.