| Author | Message | ||
     Snackbar64 |
I own a Firebolt XB9R. I read the many threads about how the bike handles with the stock dunlops versus different replacement tires. I've never ridden with anything other than stock tires. So, I guess it would be too broad a question to ask what tires are best to replace the stock ones with. So, I must ask, what is wrong with the stock tires? Is their non-suitability supposedly noticeable while riding on the city, track, or canyon roads? What aren't these stock tires capable of that the others are? If they are so horrible why are they endorsed by buell? What tires are on the bike when I read the many great magazine reviews of the bike's handling? I know Buell is under obligation to have the dunlops on the bike for contractual reasons; but, if the the bike doesn't handle to your specifications, wouldn't some one more prone to scrutinizing the bike such as Erik want, or push to make a change? Just being the Devil's advocate here. | ||
| No_rice |
they were able to get ride of the dunlops on the city x atleast. only because dunlop didnt make a compareable tire so there was a loophole. the problems with the dunlops are there profile for one thing. the tend to make the bike want to stand up in hard corners. they honestly just dont feel as good as the other tires. another problem(atleast for me) was there traction sucked. took forever to heat up if they did at all. then they cool right back down very quickly. i always had the rearend hung out on my bike and sliding around. my friends just shook there heads because i wouldnt slow down though lol. after the second time of shoving the frontend through a corner though i had had enough. PIRELLI DIABLO's. they are awesome. thats what i run, but alot lot of people like the sport tec's also and some of the other diablo tires like the corsa and such. metzelers sport bike tires are getting better all the time also. almost any tire would be an improvement honestly. depends how you ride i guess as far as noticing the dunlop's problems. i ride very hard and they just arent capable of keeping up with what i need out of them. if you were just commuting and such though they might work fine for you, mileage you get out of them will suck though since they dont last long. you hit it on the head. harley is tied to dunlop, so there fore buell for the most part is too. such is life. | ||
| Snackbar64 |
What scares me about putting on an alternative tire is those waivers that the dealership makes you sign prior to installing a tire not factory recommended. It kind of scares you away and puts you in your place to say just give me the stock Dunlops and a piece of mind. Gimmick maybe? Also the dealer stares you up and down as if to say "our tires aren't good enough for you? Who told you that those were better." In the end it is your money and your decision, but they beat you over the head with guilt. Any suggestions on how to overcome this? | ||
| No_rice |
guess, ive never had a problem with that. i have always changed my own. now i work at a dealer in parts and quickly became the resident buell guy so i even get to work sales and service lol. anyway i already talked with the service manager which has been a friend of mine since before i started my job there, and told him i would try hard to not ever sell a set of the dunlops to go on a buell and that he should recommend something else also. i hadnt heard of having to sign a waiver to put on other than stock tires and we do fairly regularly. my guess would be that if the dealer is ACTUALLY buell friendly you wouldnt have a problem swapping off the dunlops for another brand because they would know why you would want to. just my .02 | ||
| Snackbar64 |
I took my Blast in to have a the tire replaced, because it seemed like it only lasted the weekend. I replaced the rear with a Pirreli that they had in stock as an alternative replacement tire. The service manager then required me to sign a waiver. He stated that they were not responsible for a loss of control due to placing a tire on the bike not recommended for it. Just figured my experience would be the same with the Firebolt. | ||
| Gentleman_jon |
Snack, I have three recommendations for you. 1. Never go back to that dealer 2. Never go back to that dealer. 3. Never go back to that dealer. Any dealer that tries to intimidate a customer is not my kind of people. I think you might not be too far from one of our sponsors, Stone Mountain HD. I understand they have become rather Buell friendly. By the way, Badwebbers aren't the only people who think the stock Dunlops might leave something to be desired. Dunlop themselves have come out with a whole new tire called the Qualifier. Sounds like it might be something to try: first reports are encouraging. Otherwise, just get yourself some Pirelli's, Michelin Pilot Powers, or the new Sportecs, and find out for yourself just how good a motorcycle you have there:-) PS. If you order the tires online, take the wheels off yourself, and have a local sport bike shop install and balance them, I wouldn't be surprised if you save a couple of hundred bucks over buying them from the Friendly Folks at Flint. | ||
| Pupu |
i hear alot about people complaining about the tires on the lightings, i dont ride very hard, but the mileage i have gotten is really good i think, i have around 5500 or so and seems like plenty of tread left. but i dont know what is good mileage, but i thought i saw people only getting like 2500 out of the stock tires. they might ride alot harder than i do i am sure, but i do alot of comuting on my bike and tires are holding up fine. | ||
| Skyguy |
I had the stockers on my bike and they would get "Greasy" When they finally warmed up. The edges would turn blue and you could actually see lateral marks from the tire spinning on exits. I run the twistys pretty hard and will never run stockers again. I am on my second set of Battleaxe axe BT/14's and have been happy with them although a little more mileage would be nice. | ||
| Old_man |
I hope nobody thinks the Hearley dealer knows anything about how a Buell handles with the stock Dunlops. | ||
| Snackbar64 |
Thanks Gentleman Jon, I don't have the resources to remove the tire myself, but there is a local bike shop down here that could probably do it for me. Problem is the used to be the old Harley Dealer before Flint River and went into selling Indians which are now old news. Seems they have been bitter ever since. You know I dropped some serious money on that services manual. I think it is about time I started using it. Wheel removal should not be terribly difficult? | ||
| Diablobrian |
wheel removal is easy, once you get the bike's weight up off it's wheels. TIP: Get the axles and other tight bolts broken loose, but still in place, BEFORE lifting the bike. This will save you scary and expensive problems. (Message edited by diablobrian on March 12, 2006) | ||
| Skully |
Pirelli's rock! Keith | ||
| Altima02 |
I bought my Bike from a guy at the dealer and he had Metzlers on it. Most of the guys there that have buells have metzlers. | ||
| Watrousmark |
snackbar64 I refuse to use the dunlops anymore myself. I ride year round and had too many "moments" on the dunlops. Remember above all else it's your life on the line. I use michelin pilot powers and don't mind changing them a little more than a hard tire. | ||
| Martin |
Pirelli and Metz are the same company, so some of the tyres differ only in name. The tyre manufacturers all have recommended fits that don't alter your warranty or liability. We all ride differently but most people (in the uk)fit tyres that are too sporty for their ability and lose out on tyre/life as a result. A 'street compound' will warm up more quickly in normal conditions than a 'sports' one and have much better wet grip, etc. I fitted some Super Corsas for a track-day and didn't regret it as my street mileage has been low of late. I am going to try Contis next. To safe the life of your belt if you have the earlier one I should have a go at changing your own wheels, but be aware of Diablobrian's good advice and watch out for left-handed threads. Also stick to the torque figures on your axles to preserve your bearings. If any of that makes you nervous, get a shop to do it that uses a torque-wrench, tell them about the belt issues and lend them your manual. A good tech won't mind the input, especially if he only works on japanese bikes normally. Basically, be honest about your riding needs. if you have never had a scare with the standard tyres you probably don't need anything more sporty, but a set of Pirellis and a riding skills course will open up a whole new world! | ||
| Blazinc5 |
What about tire milage? I see most people saying bout 3k and they need to replace. I myself commute back and forth to work and have a few state to state rides planned for my firebolt... corse,, the state to state rides will be of the twisty kind. I already know I don't like the stocker dung-lop 208's. But what tire would ya say I should look at for a bit higher wear. I don't think I need super sticky tires cuzz I "usualy" don't push the bike hard enouph to hang my ass end out.  If I do push it, it's just enouph to keep my rice riding buddies from talkin smack. lol Devin | ||
| Kdan |
Devin - I've been running Pilot Powers for the last two sets and have been recommended by the place where I get tires to try the Michelin "Pilot Roads". They're supposedly longer lasting and since I don't race, perfectly adequate for my style riding. Which sounds a lot like yours. I'm going to do it this week and hope he's right. | ||
| Diablobrian |
For more mileage you might want to consider the Pirelli Diablo Strada. They are even on sale right now. Buy the rear, get the front for free: http://www.getpirelli.com | ||
| New12r |
Snackbar, come see Stone Mountain, it is a short drive for folks who actually care about the Buell Brand. | ||
| Olinxb12r |
I picked up my tires from ridedirect.com, and I got both the front and rear Conti Force Road Attacks for $200 and free shipping. When I went through my first Dunlop I paid $185 for just the rear at the dealership! I've got over 3K on my Conti's and they have a lot of wear left. I got between 2K and 2.5K out of my Dunlops. I guess I'm hard on tires. | ||
| No_rice |
so how do the stradas compare to the regular diablo's? im not as worried about mileage though as i am about them staying planted to the ground. | ||
| Kootenay |
I've read that the OEM Dunlop 207s are special lightweight tires specifically for the Buells--this might explain why they wear so poorly and handle strangely. The service manager then required me to sign a waiver. He stated that they were not responsible for a loss of control due to placing a tire on the bike not recommended for it. This is something I've never heard of, but it sure smacks of "Cover Yer Ass!" Basically, they're saying that if anything happens, they're gonna blame it on the tires. I'd take my business elsewhere. | ||
| Cochise |
Ditto on the Diablo Stradas. Pretty long life and yes, I ride pretty hard. Now if you want sticky but about 4000 miles life, then get the Michelin Pilot Sports. They are very sticky. My Pilot Sports are showing wear indicators and I can't even get a burnout of them without the front end trying to jump. |
