New Motorcycle Tires!

[Plan9]

So, turns out I got some new shoes on the Shadow Sabre. Yay for cheap tires in the mail!

The Sabre has 120/90-18s out front, 170-80-15s on the back. The stock Duncraps (Dunlops) were getting down to the Telly Savalas range, so I bit the bullet and purchased some sweet Metzeler 880 Marathons. The new set-up is same size on the front, but I went with the 200 width on the rear... just because I could. I love the "fat ass" look on bikes, and that is as fat as I'm going to get on a circa-2000ish standard cruiser.

Since this is my first new set of tires on a motorcycle... what is am I gonna feel with the new Metz on? A lot boards state that deep leaning is improved, some say that acceleration and braking is improved, other suggest wobble and vibration improves.

Any thoughts / experiences / observations?

[kinsaj]

The ride will get better or worse depending on the type of tire you got. In general, you will notice new tires and it should be better all around compared to a worn set. I deal more with dual sport tires so I cannot give any firsthand info on your specific models. I can say that you should take it easy on the first couple hundred miles as tires come new with a protective coating which is rather slippery compared to your normal tire compound.

[Walt]

I've never ridden a bike with Metzlers though I can tell you that new tires are always slicker than shit. I'd take it easy for a couple of days until you wear off the film coating that comes on all new tires. Avoid wet pavement/sand/manholes/big painted cross walks like the plague.

It would probably be best to go do slow figure 8's in an empty parking lot (Fair Lakes Mall is good - they clean up the oil spots regularly) somewhere to gradually wear the residue off. Better to look like an idiot in a parking lot than to head out on the road with new tires and the intention of taking it easy - only to find yourself in an "oh shit, turn HARD" situation.

New tires always turn easier than worn ones - the rubber in the center of the tire hasnt been worn away yet, providing a steeper angle. But, embiggening the rear tire will cause the bike to lean/turn slower. Ultimately, I predict your bike wont handle as well as it did with the smaller tires.

[Plan9]

Hahaha, Fair Lakes. Man, all the crazy shit we got into in those grid squares. Is that crazy AK guy still working at the gun shop?

I used to do donuts in the Fair Lakes Mall parking lot in my buddy's Ford Ranger, cranking music after getting back from another fail session at the Ugly Stick. It was a Sunday evening blowout event. I really miss that part of the country.

...

Supposedly the 200-width has a bigger contact patch and associated benefits. The cycle forums I frequent suggest handling is just as good, although ride height is slightly increased by using this particular tire/wheel combination. I'm not particularly concerned with doing crotch-rocket dives on a 600+ pound mid-engine bike with highway bars and cruising pegs. I want my "big comfy couch" (got a new touring saddle, it's total money) to roll straight and steady... hopefully the bigger rear tire will lend to that. 'Sides, the difference between 170 and 200 is nearly nothing when the tire is mounted (according to pictures, you can't even tell), I mostly did it to quell my manly urge to TAKE IT TO THE MAX (TM). Yeah, I jumped on the looks-over-performance bandwagon once. I'm such a sellout.

Metzeler's have a great reputation with the Honda Shadow crowd. A lot of guys with a lot of miles swear by 'em. I figure I'll be okay. The combination I've got has been tested by half a dozen guys for a long time now.

...

Thanks for the tip on the slick coating, figured that's why the things were glossy. Maybe I can cheat it by doing the toothpaste-on-the-SCUBA-mask trick to 'em. Just kidding.

[Plan9]

Originally Posted by Walt

(Fair Lakes Mall is good - they clean up the oil spots regularly)

Hah, I need to stop drinking and reading posts. The world gets a lot smaller that way.

I refuse to take my bike anywhere near Fairfax. I'd rather have a root canal.

[Plan9]

Update: Holy hell, new tires make a huge difference. It isn't subtle, it's life changing.

Just got back from a long ride in the mountains after the mandatory slick-be-gone donuts.

It was amazing. Like I had a new bike, really. The thing handles so much better now.

Less vibration and much lighter leans... just a slight shift had me diving into turns.

The old stock Dunlop tires had ~9000 miles on 'em... and about ~5000 when I bought 'the bike.

I'd never experienced the bliss of new rubber. That fatter rear tire is sexy, too.

I'm getting kinda hard over here.

Whew.

[nomcat]

Getting new tyres on a bike always kicks arse!! (provided you know what you're buying)

I always noticed much sharper turning and better braking, also general confidence in the machine improves.

Hooray for new rubber.

[StanT]

I've always used Metzler ME880s or Avon Venom (now Cobra). Both are great tires and a dramatic upgrade from Dunflops.

Living in the mountains, I drive 30 miles of twisty canyons every time I start the bike. The Avons are better at that. If I lived anywhere else, I'd go back to Metzlers.

[samcol]

Ya, I never realize how bad my tires are until I change them. It feels like a whole new bike. Anyone else who's riding a sport bike I'd recommended Michelin pilot power 2ct's. They are the best compromise of grip/longevity. They cost more too, but it saves you in the end by the extra miles you get out of them.