tire questions

[08ulysessxb12xt]

Hey guys, haven't been on in a while... I was wondering what kind of tire would give me great performance and last a while before wearing out. My last tire seemed to have cords hanging out of the middle. Yes i do wheelies but nothing serious, once and a while on take off I will launch hard, but i don't stunt, or smoke the tire... I had my seat setting all the way on soft, so I'm not sure if I was bottoming out or not, I wouldn't think so, as I only weigh 180lbs. I have a 08 ulysses xb12xt. I am looking for some advice on which tires to go with, and is a matched set the best to do? Not on a budget per say but would like to stay affordible. My friends on rockets never have their tires balanced and run 150mph on them, so am curious if thats important to do or not. My back tire looks like it rubbed dead center. Is that from hard take off's or do you think its rubbing? Cuz when I lifted the front off the ground it didn't appear the tire was even close to hitting.

Thanks Craig

 

[50dro]

Well...Not knowing exactly what your're running I can tell you that many here have had success with Michelin Road 2 or Road 3 tires. I'd match front and rear. For balancing, I've had success with Dynabeads. I just put on the Road 2's late last season. I've heard great feedback from others on them and thus far, they seem great.

Tire pressure, tire compound, riding style etc all plays a part in the wear of the tire. Tell us a little bit more about your setup and perhaps we can steer you in the right direction...

Good luck!

 

[08ulysessxb12xt]

Not sure what else to say other than its pretty much stock just with a factory exhaust mod.... 08 uly xb12xt 1203 thunderstorm. I usually ride on country roads where its mostly straight, i was in wisconsin and now moved to north dakota where its pretty much a flat land here lol. I do like to be aggressive on take off quite a bit, but other than that i try to behave lol. Its fun having the torque. I have a friend with a older 600 rocket not sure what it is, but most here seem to have cbr929 or 939 or something like that. I'm curious will the buell keep up to these bikes? I know we all run higher rpm's but not sure what they run.

 

[snrusnak]

A couple of us locally here are using Michelin pilot powers they are great. Probably not the best out there for longevity but not bad and not very expensive. We don't have any balancing and we have run in the 120mph area without issues.

 

[chevy42083]

It's not your take offs... it's the straight line riding.

No way to avoid that (well, other than avoiding it).

You could try a tire that's harder, or has a dual compound. i have no input on which ones though. My other bike (ninja 650r) runs a Battlax BT-23 dual compound rear, because I commute daily on it. It sticks great in the corners, and the Ninja doesn't spin it (doesn't have the power to Wheelie without clutch input)... but not sure if the Buell would spin it.

 

[user_deleted]

are you a cheapskate?
are you economical?
are you frugal?
are you a tight-wad?
do you predominantly ride roads vs. dirt trails?
if yes to all the above get yourself a set of Shinkos and run 38psi front/36psi rear.
they are Dunlops made at a plant in S. Korea and can be had for as little as......drum roll please....$159 A PAIR.
i've used them on Buell lightings, Buell Ulysses, BMW R1200 RT's among others. maybe the best tire in the world for the price?

 

[Matteson]

Face it, you will go through tires. Especially the rear with a vtwin. Doesn't matter the kind. I was telling a guy yesterday that was full of economical questions for my decisions to ride that I don't have a high performance machine to sit around and worry about how much I am spending on it. If fuel economy and tire wear where what I was after I will ride the bus. Cheap parts are just that. Riding isn't a cheap endeavor. I use good gas, good oil, good plugs,wear good gear so why not ride on the best too? Match your set. Balance them (it's a cheap) I ride with guys that don't. But they also wear trainers when they ride[down]. IF Michelin Pilots are in your price range get them! Good tire. 2's or 3's.

 

[Tbone]

Yeah I have a little experience with RP 3's, I am on a Uly and commute everyday. I have 1K Miles and it has no visible wear so far. Would like to get 5K or more, but time will tell?

I have had the Pirelli Scorpion Sync's and Diablo and after 3K on them the cords will show. Driven a total of 13K Miles on Pirelli tires since owning the bike, so I have been through a few rear tires already. I am trying to be a better rider, down shifting properly, braking properly, accelerating, etc... So I think I can get more mileage and be a better rider. Pirellis are nice though, sticky in all situations I have encountered.

 

[snrusnak]

Another option is tomahawk tires by desser tire company. They are retreads, and I'll take criticism for that all day long from people that have never used them and don't understand them. They are actually safer than most "new" tires(non retreads). They are cheap but good. I used them exclusively until a local buddy got me a hook up on some michelins and the michelins came out in the same price range so I figured I'd try them out.

I'm all for buying good products, but just because you spend a lot doesn't mean you got the best.

 

[08ulysessxb12xt]

Today's world is simple, basically most tires "car tires" are made in the same place and just as well as oil filters are too. Its hard to find something now days that will last like it used to. Thats why I rather ask and learn from your guys personal experience.

 

[snrusnak]

^most coopers are made in USA, I've used a few coopers and they are great. Also had good luck with others such as firestone but made in USA is a bonus to me.

 

[neilrl79]

My bike had a Tomahawk on the back of it when I got it. I put 5000+ miles on it and I bet I could have gotten another couple thousand out of it when I removed it to have my wheels powder coated. I believe it is a harder compound tire whichups the longevity but sacrifices grip. The Bridgestone Battleaxes that I put on it have way more grip and they were $199 for the set at Cycle Gear.

 

[08ulysessxb12xt]

So I ordered my tires last night and here's what i got http://www.ebay.com/itm/271353492530?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649