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TECHNICAL MOTOBRICK WRENCHING In Remembrance of Inge K. => The Motobrick Workshop => Topic started by: wmax351 on November 14, 2011, 09:07:46 PM
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Well, my Metzeler Marathons are crapping out. Gotta love quality Brazilian rubber.
This has me looking for a new set of tires. What do people use?
I don't do millions of miles, although I do put a good number on (~4-5K/year). Tire wear life isn't a big issue for me, as it seems prudent to replace the tires every year or two anyhow.
I have a '91 K75 standard. Do some two up riding, and riding with lots of gear. I avoid rain riding.
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I have had success with a Bridgestone BT45 (7K) on the front and a Michilin Macadam (9K) on the rear both in the OEM sizes.
It feels good and tracks well on tar snakes and the like (not perfect but better than others I tried).
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After many sets of Metzlers I tried Bridgestone Spitfires. The price ($55f & $75r) was a big selling point and favorable reviews on several forums. Been very happy with them so far, no idea how long they might last.
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After many sets of Metzlers I tried Bridgestone Spitfires. The price ($55f & $75r) was a big selling point and favorable reviews on several forums. Been very happy with them so far, no idea how long they might last.
Agreed. I put a set of these on the last K75 I sold. I paid $125 for the pair shipped to my door. Can't say how they perform in the wet but on the dry they were very trustable anywhere I went as I pushed them down The Cascades from WA to Sacramental. Bang for your buck they are great tires.
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I liked the BT45's I had on my CB550. Any reason not to do both front and rear for those?
Also, are radials worthwhile, and do they fit the K75?
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The rears didn't last very long, around 4k, not good value.
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Okay. That makes sense. K bikes are heavy in the rear.
What about Pirelli Sport-Demons? I had one of those on the rear when I bought it. Ran pretty well. Anyone tried one on the front?
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I do know a guy here in Oz who runs them and speaks very highly of them but I have no personal experience.
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Pirelli Sport-Demons have the coolest sounding name. Much better than number-letter combinations or meaningless names (lasartec? wtf is that?) The Avon Venom is a close second.
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Pirelli Sport-Demons have the coolest sounding name. Much better than number-letter combinations or meaningless names (lasartec? wtf is that?) The Avon Venom is a close second.
Numbers sound logical. Its a German Company.
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Pirelli Sport-Demons have the coolest sounding name. Much better than number-letter combinations or meaningless names (lasartec? wtf is that?) The Avon Venom is a close second.
Numbers sound logical. Its a German Company.
Pirelli started in Milan Italy.
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Metzeler is German. Well, it was before they were bought.
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Pirelli Sport-Demons have the coolest sounding name. Much better than number-letter combinations or meaningless names (lasartec? wtf is that?) The Avon Venom is a close second.
Metzeler Marathons have the most inappropriate name. (In my opinion -- having gone through two new rears that lasted less than 3,000 before they started cracking up.)
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Well, I'm debating between a set of BT-45's, and a set of Sport Demons.
My OCD leads me to only want one type of tire. Most people seem to get okay mileage out of the BT45's, so they should be fine for me. I'm hesitant to get the pirelli's, as they make the metzelers. Although not being made in brazil seems to be a good selling point.
In addition, I plan to get the ME88's replaced under warranty, and then use the replacement ones for touring. 20 bucks to get them mounted saves 1/2 of a nice set of tires this summer, when I will be doing 3k+ miles.
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Just ordered a set of BT-45v's. Most places I looked, people seemed to get good life out of BT45 rears, even on heavier bikes. Figure I'll give those a try.
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Just got my rear replaced last week. Got 14k miles out of that Spitfire, most of it fully loaded for traveling. Front is at 12k and still has plenty of life left. Replacing with more Spitfires- cheap and long lasting, can't complain here.
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Holy Rubber trees Batman. where are you guys getting these prices on Tires. It makes me Cry when I look at the tires in Canada. Hmmmmm. can't be the exchange. Dollars almost at Par.
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Try http://www1.petes-superbike.com/ (http://www1.petes-superbike.com/). His prices can't be beaten and are close to US prices. You'll get your tires shipped to your door for less than what you'd be quoted from your local stealership. Pete's is in Quebec but ships across the country.
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My theory on tires is that for the relatively small extra cost, go for the best damn tires one can find. They're only two of them between you and the road - not the place to skimp. I've heard many times that the Michelin Pilot Road 3 are the best tire around. They're certainly pricey, but I like most have dropped my bike and wish I'd paid a few extra bucks to avoid that.
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Not sure about to Canada, but Bike Bandit does some pretty sweet deals. I got a set of Metzlers for $187 delivered. Black Monday special using AMA discount
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I hear ya on the not scrimping where the rubber Meets the Road . I have Metzler lasertec's on my Brick right now and was very impressed with their preformance . about 10000km on the set. Rear is done but the front is just under 50%. But is hard as h@!! to even fine the 110/80-18 and 140/80-17s anywhere up here.
Still looking and I'm sure I will find some before Spring.
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I hear ya on the not scrimping where the rubber Meets the Road . I have Metzler lasertec's on my Brick right now and was very impressed with their preformance . about 10000km on the set. Rear is done but the front is just under 50%. But is hard as h@!! to even fine the 110/80-18 and 140/80-17s anywhere up here.
Still looking and I'm sure I will find some before Spring.
Put a Michelin PR2 or 3 on the front and an Avon Azaro on the rear. The LT handles MUCH better on radials.
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The BT-45's are great. Getting them scrubbed in, and they just grip a ton better than the Metzelers. Smooth, light steering.
Hard to compare with some stuff, since I fixed a bunch of handling related stuff: New triple clamp, steering bearings, straight wheel, etc, but it is a whole new bike.
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Well, just had a bridgestone spitfire put on the rear. Works fine on fast highway riding, even with rain grooves.
The bt45 wore out after 3000 miles or so. fun miles, but short life.
Figure i'll run the spitfire for a while, then look at a macadam or something. Would like something more sport touring oriented than the spitfire.
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The Mac 50s are good tires (I've been through a few sets) but the groove in the front will track on grooved freeway.
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The Mac 50s are good tires (I've been through a few sets) but the groove in the front will track on grooved freeway.
Yeah. I would just use the rear: the front bt45 is good in life and grip.
I do the richmond bridge a couple times a week, and it has bad grooves, as well as wind.
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Yeah, a couple of years ago they finished I-210 in CA that I ride every once in a while which is 70 or 80 miles of fresh cut grooves. Used to drive me nuts on the Mac 50s.
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Well, I'm debating between a set of BT-45's, and a set of Sport Demons.
My OCD leads me to only want one type of tire. Most people seem to get okay mileage out of the BT45's, so they should be fine for me. I'm hesitant to get the pirelli's, as they make the metzelers. Although not being made in brazil seems to be a good selling point.
Yeah, this is an old thread, but I have to ask, is it true Metzeler is made by Pirelli? Does that mean if I buy Sport Demons I'm getting LaserTecs? Are they really the same?
fastcar
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Difficult choice BT 45 great tire but short life.
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i am pretty sure i saw on tv last month that a chinese company bought "Pirelli" for a few billion
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I ran Sport Demons on the K75s whilst it was in the UK - low mileage (~3k) over 7 years but they always performed well in often colder/wetter conditions. Still lots of tread remaining with even wear, but will be replacing due to age and have would either go with another set (I'm a big fan of Pirelli on the Goose) but also considering the Lasertecs as these seem to be essentially the old ME33/55 Metronic that I had good success with on a Kawasaki Zephyr - so in response to fastcars question my understanding is that they are the same company, but I don't think Sport Demons are the same as Lasertecs - certainly not tread pattern wise, not sure compound wise?
Gio
PS - fellow Canadian 'brickers - have had good success with canadasmotorcycle.ca (Quebec) - reasonable pricing,good service.
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Thanks for chiming in guys.
I decided to go with a BT45 and BT023 front.
fastcar