cheap vs. expensive tires, is there a difference??

[frankenduck]

I did post that somewhat in jest but the graphics in that vid do show the difference in flex between radial and bias ply tires.

[KCinSB]

For anyone following: Settled on the Bridgestone Battlax T32.

[milq]

My undergrad degree is CivE. The reason for the 10ths of an inch thing on rulers is that it was easier to scale things back when drawings were drafted by hand.  The tape measures are for surveying because it makes the math and trigonometry easier.

Thanks, I'd never heard that before.

[frankenduck]

The best way to maximize tire mileage is to get the bike as leaned over as far as possible as often as possible. Tires generally get “squared off” and wear most in the middle of the tire tread. However, you’re paying for the entire tread from side to side so you should use all of it in order to maximize your ROI.

“The cheapest part on a BMW is the owner.”

[The Mighty Gryphon]

“The cheapest part on a BMW is the owner.”

Damn right!!!  You can put my picture next to that quote.

[Laitch]

Damn right!!!  You can put my picture next to that quote.

“The cheapest part on a BMW is the owner.”

[Past-my-Prime]

Just bought a pair of BT46 tires and will update once I have changed over and ridden them. Wish me (and my zip ties) some luck!!

[mnb]

I'm having a hard time finding radials for a 1997 K1100LT.
The Bridgestone T32 front looks good, biut finding a 140/80x17 rear is tricky.  I can find an ADV tire for it. I can actually put a TKC-80 big knobbie on it, even.  That would be silly.

I got the LT because I knew my back would hate the RS, although I loved the RS.  I didn't know unitl late that the rim sizes were different and the RS would have loads of good options and the LT... few and far between.

[frankenduck]

150/70-17 for the LT rear. That's what I run on my K1100LT, K75s and K100.

Avon used to make a 140/80 radial but I don't think anybody makes that size in a radial anymore.

[Past-my-Prime]

Just bought a pair of BT46 tires and will update once I have changed over and ridden them. Wish me (and my zip ties) some luck!!

I saw that this thread was there and I hadn't updated as promised. So to sum up, I have BT46's that I bought last summer and finally put on my bike. I bought from Revco (Canada, costs in CDN$):

Bridgestone Battlax BT-46 Tire Location: Front, Tire Size: 110/90-18, Load/Speed Index: 61H 1   $142.20

Bridgestone Battlax BT-46 Tire Location: Rear, Tire Size: 130/90-17, Load/Speed Index: 68V 1   $197.26

My clutch replacement took longer that I expected and I got too impatient and had too much other work going on to change the tires over so had a local motorbike shop install the tires on the wheels. I had replaced my rear shock with a custom Wilbers shock so that may have contributed to the improved handling of my bike, but I feel a good grip and nice tracking with these tires. I'm no longer at the peg-scraping age so can't really comment on how they might do under more extreme conditions but they inspire confidence and expect that I'll get years of service out of them.