1olbull
Riding Motor Since 1950
Me thinks this would further reduce ground clearance and acceptable handling, IMHO.
Front Tire Choices
- Thread starter Protonhound
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- tire choices
jackrotten
Supercharged
After looking around for weeks, managed to find Metzeler ME888 front and rears for my 2.5 rocket. Tire prices have went up over 50% here since the last time I replaced them. Crazy. Avon tires aren't available at any shop within 100 miles for me. Metzeler Cruisetecs are all on back order until September, according to two places I called and even the Exedra Max rears are unavaible. I was going to end up having to get an Exedra Max 701 front mixed with a Metzeler ME888 rear up until I made one last call and found a set of Metzeler ME888s. The Dunlop Elite 4 front tire was way too expensive and the cheapest I was able to locate on that was $480 dollars for a ****ing front tire. That is insane.
My current set are Avon Cobra Chrome tire on front and a Metzeler ME888 rear, which I got about ~2k more miles out of than the previous Avon Cobra Chrome rear, so sticking with the ME888s seems like the play for me.
My current set are Avon Cobra Chrome tire on front and a Metzeler ME888 rear, which I got about ~2k more miles out of than the previous Avon Cobra Chrome rear, so sticking with the ME888s seems like the play for me.
rick danger
.060 Over
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- Jun 18, 2025
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- Oneonta, NY and Durham Ct.
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- 2020 KTM 1290 SAS..2022 KTM 1290 SAR 2024 rocket
I put the exedra max tires in the cart and didn't see anything about them being unavailable. Bridgestone Exedra Max Cruiser/Touring Tire 240/55R16 86V Rear Radial Tubeless - Parts Giant $300 seems reasonable for that big fatty.
jackrotten
Supercharged
Yea I was trying to get something local and already in stock which is a tall order around these parts, apparently.
Journeyman
"And this one is just right" ~ Goldilocks
Just to be clear- we're talking about the 2.5s. The front is a 150/80R-17.
For me the Exedra Max on the rear is the best choice. I liked the Cruisetec set, but they're out of their mind on the cost and don't feel like making them.
For the front there are a number of choices. The least expensive is Shinko and the last few choices, including the Dunlop Elite, which I really like, are also crazy expensive. I've settled on the Bridgestone G701 Exedra Touring Front Motorcycle Tire 150/80R-17 (72H), which is pretty good.
Due to conditions where I am, I typically get 4 - 4.5 K miles/tire, so these expensive options are getting, well, expensive and I ride a lot.
The Exedra on the rear is as good or better than the more expensive options (fantastic tire). It requires a very minor fender mod for additional clearance and raises the rear of the bike up 1/2". This improves handling and is an asset you'll quickly appreciate.
For the front, given how long they last, I just can't justify spending twice as much on another brand that will wear out just as quickly. I will say that the previous G701only gave me about 3,500, but faced with the cost of other options I just put another one on recently. They usually go another 1,000 or so, like everything else.
If you're getting 10,000 miles to a set of tires none of this may matter and, so just go with the Cruisetecs- assuming you can get the **** things. I called the factory to inquire about them a long time back and they just pissed me off with their cavalier attitude. They'd have to cut the price in half for me to go back to those now- even though they are very good tires- still 4K miles, regardless.
The best prices I've found are at Rocky Mountain ATV and they have unbelievably fast/free delivery. If you're up for more expensive options like the Dunlop you may want to compare their prices for those, as well.
Front ($179.88) -
Rear ($223.88) -
For me the Exedra Max on the rear is the best choice. I liked the Cruisetec set, but they're out of their mind on the cost and don't feel like making them.
For the front there are a number of choices. The least expensive is Shinko and the last few choices, including the Dunlop Elite, which I really like, are also crazy expensive. I've settled on the Bridgestone G701 Exedra Touring Front Motorcycle Tire 150/80R-17 (72H), which is pretty good.
Due to conditions where I am, I typically get 4 - 4.5 K miles/tire, so these expensive options are getting, well, expensive and I ride a lot.
The Exedra on the rear is as good or better than the more expensive options (fantastic tire). It requires a very minor fender mod for additional clearance and raises the rear of the bike up 1/2". This improves handling and is an asset you'll quickly appreciate.
For the front, given how long they last, I just can't justify spending twice as much on another brand that will wear out just as quickly. I will say that the previous G701only gave me about 3,500, but faced with the cost of other options I just put another one on recently. They usually go another 1,000 or so, like everything else.
If you're getting 10,000 miles to a set of tires none of this may matter and, so just go with the Cruisetecs- assuming you can get the **** things. I called the factory to inquire about them a long time back and they just pissed me off with their cavalier attitude. They'd have to cut the price in half for me to go back to those now- even though they are very good tires- still 4K miles, regardless.
The best prices I've found are at Rocky Mountain ATV and they have unbelievably fast/free delivery. If you're up for more expensive options like the Dunlop you may want to compare their prices for those, as well.
Front ($179.88) -
Rear ($223.88) -
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