| Author | Message | ||
     Britchri10 |
Stock Dunlops need to be monitored carefully with regard to pressures. Mine tend to lose 2-4 Lbs a week without any hard riding. I have only ever had Dunlops on the bike apart from one rear Pirelli (Long story, don't ask!) My next set of Blast tires will be anything but Dunlops. (I just need to wear out the brand new Dunlops I have on it now) yes, yes, I know! "crap tires", "dangerous in the wet",. "track every groove in the pavement" etc'. They WILL be gone once I get the Blast roadworthy & use it on a regular basis. Chris C | ||
| Forerunner |
Chris, I'm right there with you. My experience with stock Dunlops holding air are similar to yours. I don't care for them much either but honestly haven't had any problems with them. Maybe cause I don't ride the Blast as hard as others and just commute/putt around on it. In either case, I have a hard time throwing away tires with only 1200 miles on them. Next set WILL be Pirelli Diablos though.  Nels | ||
| Britchri10 |
Moi aussi! I have not experienced any major problems w/the Dunlops. I will keep the current one's until they wear out but I will replace them with something other than Dunlop's once they are done. I don't ride any bike hard these days (I'm old and fat) but I still would like to upgrade my rubber at some point. Chris C | ||
| Thumpe |
Couldn't get them mounted yesterday going to pick them up today. Don't know when i'll get them on busy next couple days. Hopefully get out on them sunday see what happens. | ||
| Ezblast |
Yuppers - I plan to be riding that day as well. EZ | ||
| Thumpe |
Well i got out yesterday to give these new Michelin City Grips a workout. Started with checking the air pressure nothing changed from friday. Had to run around town here picking up some supply's i needed scuffing them up a little before i when for a ride. Went out on one of my favorite routes of twisted roads and goat paths even did a dirt road an some pretty rough roads as well. I have to say i'm very impressed with my first ride on these tires. I didn't do any highway riding but had them up over 80 a couple time an they felt really good an stable. An now i got them run in alittle i'll get them out in the rain for a ride soon and do some highway riding also. I'll keep you posted. | ||
| Ezblast |
How did they feel compared to the Pirelli in the corners? - As composed and steady, a rail like stability? Any wiggles or flex feelings? Twisties is the best test, and I hear you twist it up pretty good on that Blast - so do they handle as well/better/worse? EZ | ||
| Thumpe |
They felt very stable in the corners no wiggle or flex feeling. It's still early season here with a lot of rain still have to watch the roads there a lot smit on them yet. But i pushed it deep into a few of the turns an they felt really good like i said very impressed so far. I'm going to say as well as the Pirelli at this point but i still want to work them out some more an i'll keep posting on these as i go. | ||
| Ezblast |
Thank you - that is good to know, especially since they updated their rubber compound about a year ago - I was real curious how they would do. EZ | ||
| Slowhand96 |
SO.. what is the new best recommendation for tires brand and size, F/R, longest lasting V.S. best handling. Is the stock size the best option or is the slight oversize still better? What pressure to run with the oversize? I haven't been on here in a while, but back then the over size Viper strykes where the better option. Is this still true? Perhaps the answer to this could be posted at the top of the tire topic. The sheer information on this subject is a lot to wade through. | ||
| Swampy |
I don't know..... I think an oversize front tire....your choice and some hard wearing rear tire in stock size....but I just don't know anymore... | ||
| Ezblast |
Nope - for pure handling and decent life the Pirelli Diablo in the oversized is the handling combo at around 5000 plus miles, and for the commuter the Pirelli ST-66 oversized in the rear and the oversized Diablo front will take you over 10,000 miles. EZ | ||
| Johneblast |
Just put on and test rode the Viper Stryke 140/70 with the already proven Roadrunner 110/90 on the front. So far I like the combo. I said this about the Roadrunner 120/80 that I just replaced, but the Viper feels a lot more stable. Now if I can squeeze a little more the 4 grand out of it I'll be happy! | ||
| Ezblast |
Sorry - 4 g was what I got with a Viper - which do you want handling or mile, and the ST-66 handles as well as the Viper,and can handle minor dirt roads. Which should tell you how well the Diablo handle - lol EZ | ||
| Slowhand96 |
EZ, you think the ST-66 is the go to tire then? Good wear V.S. good handling compromise? I thought that with the addition of the fairing that my handling would totally suck and the Blasts life in the twisties would be over.. but it appears that not even I can screw up the superior handling capabilities designed into Buells. So the Blast my yet see an occasional weekend in the ABC roads of Western Wisc. | ||
| Johneblast |
I'll try the ST66 next, just because I would like a little more life out of the tires. I do like the gummy Avons though. Not once have they broke loose or even felt like they would, and I pushed the stripes to to the edge. It is my commuter and I've got to spend more time (and money) on the softail. The tire fits with plenty of clearance from the shock mount bracket. | ||
| Ezblast |
Yeah - for an all around tire it seems the ST-66 would be the tire to have since its handling characteristics are simular to the Viperstrykes and ultra long life, and some ability to handle dirt roads. I still run the Diablo though because its handling is really so much better than even the Viperstrykes in the corners, that it has made a believer of me, and worth the 4 k less tire life over the St-66, though its life is 2 k over the viperstrykes. The Viperstryke is a very good tire by Avon, its just that they came out with it first, Pirelli checked it out and said we can do better and did so with the Diablo. Thats the problem of being first with a new type of product, the competition sizes it up and beats it. LOL - thats what happened with V&H. EZ | ||
| Swampy |
The Vyper Stryke in oversize, is a great tire as far as handling and stability go. They are inexpensive enough to replace when the rear squares off. | ||
| Johneblast |
EZ, I like your analogy on being first! Swampy, I can handle a spending a mere $100 every year on good rubber, but for the sake of "giving the other guy a try", I'll head towards the Pirelli next. | ||
| Swampy |
I have Pirelli on the Uly and I am seriously happy with them. | ||
| Johnk |
So for those of us that are still at the crayon stage for upgrading tires... What are the specific sizes? :-) And any good links to trusted suppliers? While I am getting used to the bike I am thinking of maximum sticky and the Diablos sound like they fulfill that. Later switching to the ST-66 may be worth considering but at first want to try max sticky. :-) Honestly, probably totally overkill due to not a lot of corners in my normal routes, but give me an hour free and there is a lot of options for twisties... | ||
| Johnk |
So looking around a little it seems http://www.americanmototire.com has a decent price for Diablo 140/70 at $77.68 and 110/70 at $65.60. Are these guys pretty reputable? Tried checking with the HD dealership and they had no idea what to order for a Blast. :-( | ||
| Swampy |
I have used them before. No problems, just when you order make sure the tires you want are in stock, and get an arrival estimate that is reasonable. Have fun. | ||
| Ezblast |
Great price, I already have mine waiting and a large bag of large zip-ties - lol - I have 3800 on the current set and they still look pretty good. EZ | ||
| Evanj11 |
What is the best tire for commuting every day? The Dunlops have 3500 on them, but the center groove is almost gone on the back one. After reading a bit, it looks like Avons are the ones I want, right? I am looking for something that will last longer instead of a better handling tire. Suggestions? Sources? | ||
| Roblast |
I've been really happy with my Pirelli ST66's | ||
| Gearheaderiko |
Concur! Pirelli ST66 REAR! Stay sticky on the front. | ||
| Swampy |
Avon AM 26 for mileage, ask Maggie | ||
| Evanj11 |
By "stay sticky" on the front, what do you mean? Should I replace front and rear and is it really bad that the main grove has gone so fast? I really don't push the bike hard too often. | ||
| Gearheaderiko |
Rear tires on the Blast wear out very fast. 3600 is not unusual especially for all highway use. What I mean by "sticky" is dont sacrifice safety for a few extra miles on the front tire. Front tires will usually go a lot longer (typically at least 2 rears for 1 front, at least) and will often become mishapen before the tread is gone. The front tire is everything on the Blast so pick a sticky front tire. Pirelli MT75 for good all around use. Pirelli Diablo Scooter if you want faster "turn in" (steering) or a taller tire (110/90x16) if you want to slow things down (you're on your own for that research-but Pirelli, Avon, Metzler are good choices). Just dont get a Dunlop. |
