When I got my old Harley in 1990 I had several flats on the back. Read an article about the front tire kicking up stuff for the back tire to get impaled with. Made a rubber flap that mounted on the bottom of the front fender and almost drug on the ground. Never had another flat in the 19 subsequent years I owned it. The back of the front fender is to short to do it on a R3 without looking stupid. I'll bet something could be mounted under the engine or even farther back that would accomplish the same thing. Here's how I'm handling it for time being.
]Bridgstone exedra max by far on the rear 240/55/Vr16[/B] Michelin Commander II on the front 140/75/Vr17
if you can not get the Michelin then Avon cobra on the front
Just my Opinion.
Ferk Metzler
That was my last combo and now I have the 240 Max in the rear mated with a 130/70 17 B' stone Max up front. It is a superior combination with the added benefit of being a matched set!
You poor Aussies seem to last in line AGAIN for the good and proper Bridgestone for the front. The 130/70 17 Bridgestone Max I recently mounted on my steed is flat out brilliant, but prolly not available yet on your godforsaken island.
Rocket Scientist,
I am indeed very disappointed in the Michelin Commander 140/75xR17. It has been a good handler; but, a POS regarding wear. I do like the Stone Excedra Max on the rear and it appears to be wearing just fine so far. So far from WA, I have done 4 days in the Rockies of CO, and now five days in the Ozarks. Today I head out for Maggie Valley and the Smokeys.
Best Regards,
1olbull
Some really nice riding around MV. I really like the area and may end up back there yet this year. May be headed to TN to piss and moan to Bustec about my trailer handling. If they really are a food company, they will make it right. Report to follow...
Some really nice riding around MV. I really like the area and may end up back there yet this year. May be headed to TN to piss and moan to Bustec about my trailer handling. If they really are a food company, they will make it right. Report to follow...
What the hell is a food company doing making motorcycle trailers?????? :bch:
I am having problems finding a front tire here in Mississippi. Must be a bastard front tire size on this Roadster or something?
Will have to CAREFULLY ride the 220 miles to Chatanooga, TN and look.
1olbull
Rocket Scientist,
I am indeed very disappointed in the Michelin Commander 140/75xR17. It has been a good handler; but, a POS regarding wear. I do like the Stone Excedra Max on the rear and it appears to be wearing just fine so far. So far from WA, I have done 4 days in the Rockies of CO, and now five days in the Ozarks. Today I head out for Maggie Valley and the Smokeys.
Best Regards,
1olbull
I removed my Commander II with about 8,300 miles on it and a good 20% of usable treadlife remaining, which is far better than the 7,000 miles I've gotten on completely used up Metzelers. Is it possible that you either had a bad balancing job or occasionally ran with improper inflation on it, ol bull? The tire has Aramid treads and is known for decent mileage, so I'm at a loss to understand the poor performance you got from yours.
I presume (believe?) there was a Commander before the Commander II - pretty sure I've seen write ups and even warnings about them from '09 and earlier. Is yours perhaps one of the older ones, Bull?