TriumPhil
Living Legend
- Joined
- Oct 12, 2009
- Messages
- 11,444
- Location
- Long Valley, NJ
- Ride
- '07 Mulberry Red, Carpentered & Bruted R3 Standard
Sorry about that errant tire recommendation, Mike. It seems that my old friend, Al Zheimers, was messing with my head.
A couple years ago I had the pleasure of riding with Fingers, a former New Jerseyan who was up here visiting with family, and I told him how dramatically improved the handling and maneuverability had become on my standard after reducing my front tire size down to a 130 (too light/skittish with 200 rwhp) and then back up to 140 (just right). Fred (Fingers) has a Tourer and he rides the ever lovin' life out of it - an elegant and skilled Captain is he.
After I made the recommendation he switched both his front and rear to Michelin Commander II Bias Ply tires (I use their radial), fitting the 130/90 16 up front and their 180/65 16 on the rear. I just spoke with him and he said that the improvement in the ride is totally stupid good/night and day vs the OEM set up. He has 15,000 miles on the front tire and still some good miles left in it. Personally, I prefer radial tires, but I'm fairly certain there are good choices of either type.
Mike, you may want to have a conversation with Fred, because I believe that different tires will allay your concerns re: weight and ponderous handling.
A couple years ago I had the pleasure of riding with Fingers, a former New Jerseyan who was up here visiting with family, and I told him how dramatically improved the handling and maneuverability had become on my standard after reducing my front tire size down to a 130 (too light/skittish with 200 rwhp) and then back up to 140 (just right). Fred (Fingers) has a Tourer and he rides the ever lovin' life out of it - an elegant and skilled Captain is he.
After I made the recommendation he switched both his front and rear to Michelin Commander II Bias Ply tires (I use their radial), fitting the 130/90 16 up front and their 180/65 16 on the rear. I just spoke with him and he said that the improvement in the ride is totally stupid good/night and day vs the OEM set up. He has 15,000 miles on the front tire and still some good miles left in it. Personally, I prefer radial tires, but I'm fairly certain there are good choices of either type.
Mike, you may want to have a conversation with Fred, because I believe that different tires will allay your concerns re: weight and ponderous handling.
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