Newbish Tire Questions

[Chris Kelley]

I suspected I needed to replace my tires and the shop just confirmed it so I have a few questions for those wiser than myself.

I've read other tire threads and I've seen lots of posts mixing Avon Cobra's in the Front and the Bridgestone Exedra's in the back and I thought I would go with this combo myself. However I've come across a deal for a front end Metz that's too good to pass up. So given that what little I've read indicates that mixing brands can lead to unexpected results on the tires, I was curious to know if anyone has run a Metz in the front and a Exedra or a Cobra in the rear? How did it work out?

I've also noticed that the Exedra appears to only be available in the 240/55R instead of the 50R. Is it possible to adjust the ABS for the tire size change? The manual indicates the ABS calculates the difference in the rotational speed of the front and rear wheels so a size change may lead to some wonkyness there. Or have others already determined that it's pretty much irrelevant?

 

[Triple Trouble]

No problems with the ABS unless you go to a really small front tire. The Rocket will steer much better with the Bridgestone rear Avon front combination than with a Metz. The Metz profile is wrong for the front rim.

 

[TriumPhil]

Mixing brands is not a problem, its mixing radials with bias ply tires that could land you in hot water.

There is no need to adjust the ABS, either, as the 0.47 inch taller Bridgestone actually corrects the approximately 7% speedo deviation built in at the factory to near 0%, at least it does so on pre '09 models. The taller tire also imprves turn-in, tracking and overall handling, IMO.

In fact, if you drop your front tire size down to a 140 it won't compromise your ABS and your machine will feel and handle as though it's 200 pounds lighter enabling handling (flickability) that is mond-boggling!

 

[TOMCAT]

Mixing brands is not a problem, its mixing radials with bias ply tires that could land you in hot water.

There is no need to adjust the ABS, either, as the 0.47 inch taller Bridgestone actually corrects the approximately 7% speedo deviation built in at the factory to near 0%, at least it does so on pre '09 models. The taller tire also imprves turn-in, tracking and overall handling, IMO.

In fact, if you drop your front tire size down to a 140 it won't compromise your ABS and your machine will feel and handle as though it's 200 pounds lighter enabling handling (flickability) that is mond-boggling!

And you doesn't want "mond boggling flickability" on a big fat cruiser

 

[R3Tex]

I am running that combination on one of my rockets now as the Avon was on back order for my last tire change and there was a Metz available. No problems

 

[idk]

Mixing radials and bias tyres is only a problem if they are on the same axle, or if the radial is on the front and the bias on the rear. Radial on the rear and bias on the front is not a problem. However, if you want better handling, then put radials on front and rear.

 

[cr0ft]

The only thing I know I dislike about the Metzeler is that it cupped pretty badly on mine, but that is a Touring. Still, same 150 up front. Caused the whole front-end to start shimmying and the bike couldn't hold a line in a corner but that was after there were several thousand miles worth on it.

Assuming it's not a false economy, ie half the price but also provides half the mileage, there is nothing much wrong with the Metzeler. I'll stick to Avons from here on but that's just me.

 

[1olbull]

I use and prefer the 140 front with the Excedra Max.
Have run Michelin, Metzler, Dunlop and Avon on the front of mine.
The Michelin and Metzler wore out WAY too soon, although the Michelin handled well, the Metz was so-so and did cup.
Can't go wrong with an Avon, I am currently running the 140/75R17.
Next front for me will be a 140 Avon Azzaro. I also intend to try the Pirelli Night Dragon in 140.

FYI -

 

[Chris Kelley]

Sweet, looks like I'll be going with the Excedra Max in the rear. I know it's not ideal but the Metz really is too good a price to pass up, so my primary concern was to make sure that there weren't any surprises in the pairing.

 

[Idaho Red Rocket 3]

Why cheap out ? Put on the Avons front and rear. Lower the front forks 10 millimeters. Handling is absolutely awesome.