Tires-Michelin Pilot Activ or Pirelli Sport Demons?

[bizzaro]

Hope this is in the correct place for my post?   94 K1100LT

So Last year I tried the Bridgestone Battlax T30's. I hate them. They like to wonder, and rolling into a corner I just can't get a feel for them.  Guess I am not a proficient motobricker! :dunno It could be other issues with my suspension I guess. But even the very old worn out Macadam rear, and Lazer Tech front that came on the bike were more predictable, stable, and easier to read!  I have messed around with tire pressure etc. but to no avail.

So can anyone give me a recommendation, especially between the Michelin Pilot Activ, or  Pirelli Sport Demons? Pros and cons appreciated.  I was going to go with the Shinko 230 Tour Masters, but I can not find them in a compatible size for my bike? I know some of you guys are using them.  What size are you running? And the two sets posted in the subject line are the correct size of  for my bike.

Don't really care for polls so I went this route looking for opinions.   Has anyone tried them both?
Thanks, BIZZ

[johnny]

greetings bizzarp...

a proficient vermont motobricker would be riding on this fine mid march sunday instead of freaking about a little tior wondering...

my solution is more throttle more lean more yeeeehaaaaa...

j o

[bizzaro]

Thanks Johnny......................Just getting ready to head out.  Got to Wear out those T30's so's I can get some new sneakers!
Careful when you pass me in the twisties, The K rear view mirrors give me a great view of my elbows! :mbird IE: you can't see shit behind you..................ahh, what are you doing inside on this sweet early season riding day!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Don't tell me watch'n bas'set ball? :mbird
Any opinions on the tires?

[Martin]

Bizzaro I have tried a few different brands and I currently have a Bridgestone BT45 front and Michelin Pilot Activ rear. I did have a BT 45 on the rear, and while I was happy with the grip I was unhappy with the wear rate 10,000 K's. The Michelin has more feel and grip than the BT45, however when the Michelin wears out, due to the good write ups on the Shinko's I will give them a go. Have you thought about radials I do believe the K1100 was  designed to use them. What size tyres do you use? As for your looking at your elbows, I fitted some rather tasty bicycle bar end mirrors to my bike and now have no blind spots. See post ( I love where I ride ).
Regards Martin.

[Dennis de Vries]

I believe Martin is right about the 1100 being designed for radials. That being said, given the options you provide, and with the experience i've had with those Michelins i'd go for the Pirelli's (even though i haven't tried them yet). The Michelins gave me a buzz through the bars, a rattle from behind as if the bearings had gone and they gave me absolutely no confidence in the wet. Clean, dry and warm roads however were never a problem. I'm pretty happy with my Avon Roadriders by the way...

[bizzaro]

The Battlax T30's I have on the bike are radials. 

So what Shinko 230 tourmasters will fit on my K1100?  For the price I would give them a whirl.  I put them on a Virago I had before this bike and it was sweet. They worked really well on that bike. And a SUPER price.  But that was coming off the "404 Dumlops"!  Those are terrible tires IMHO.(they should be outlawed!)  Well they were good for going up and down main street I guess. 

I went for a short screamer today and took Johnny's advice.  More throttle and more lean...................WTF! It worked!!! Oh and I pretty much maxed out the psi.  I actually came away with liking them a bit more than my previous post suggests.  That doesn't mean I want another set though! So I am still looking. 

And as far as a the bike being designed for radials, I don't believe it.  Stock tires on this bike were Metzler Laser techs.  Pretty sure those are not radials.  But as always, I could be wrong.  Many folks here recommend radials for the K bikes though. 

[The Mighty Gryphon]

Keep them hard.  There is a stretch of road on my commute that has been milled and the machine left a nasty groove right where a bike would ride in the lane.  It's my tire pressure warning because when the bike wobbles on that groove the tires need another pound or two.

Regarding Shinko tires.  I have them on my K75's.   Tourmasters front and back on the RT and a 712 on the front of the S with a Battleaxe on the rear.  The 712 tracks like a dream, and is more forgiving on the above mentioned grooving than the Tourmasters.   It's almost as smooth as my RS which has radials.

Also, have you raised the forks in the triple clamps to lower the front end.  That will exacerbate the wobble problem as well,

[bizzaro]

Thanks Gryph,
Have not touched the triple clamps.  And it is not a "wobble".  It likes to wonder..... It is a slow direction deviation if you don't concentrate on tracking.  Probably more due to the top heaviness.  All that weight wants to go somewhere?  Not like the wobble you can get from under built forks when you are pushing a bike hard into a corner..............(yamaha :falldown:) My K is solid as a rock, as I assume they all are?

 It would seem like 80% of the folks here are riding k75's? Man they must o made a ton of those bikes.  I believe they have an 18 inch rear rim, right?  The K1100LT I have has a 17"rear rim.  The only 230 tourmaster in a 17 is a 130/80 or 90 I think off hand.  So it is considerably undersized for my bike, but may fit? Not sure what it would do to the handling. Especially loaded!?

I am thinking of going for the Pirelli Sport Demons. The Bridgestone Battlax T30's will be done by the end of May/June. And how in the hell do folks get 10 k out of a tire.  I am baffled.  The best I have gotten is 5 or 6k tops! The front may get 7 or 8k maybe?

[Laitch]

It would seem like 80% of the folks here are riding k75's? I believe they have an 18 inch rear rim, right? 

After 1990, the rears were 17" on all of the K75. Mine's 17" but the stocker K75 rear rim is not as wide as the K1100 rear rim.

[The Mighty Gryphon]

Wobble/ wander.  I guess the correct term is wander.  The tire wants to follow the grooves.  The radials don't unless they are almost flat as I learned from a slow leak I had in the front of my K100. 

10,100 miles on a Tourmaster on the back of my K75RT last year.  I will admit almost all of it was slab and the wear was all on the center.  Still, it didn't feel that bad for commuting, and it handled the ramps pretty well right up to the end. 

If you can't get the size you need in the Tourmaster take a look at the 712.  The one on the front of my S works pretty well.   Had the bike out today with it's freshly rebuilt Works shock and it corners like it knows where I want to go.  Very confidence inspiring. 

Seems like a pretty well made tire, too.  The guy who installed it said it was the easiest tire he's balanced in a long time.  I would have to check, but I think he only used one weight.

[bizzaro]

yes, you are correct.  The term is  WANDER! But I dont need a pavement crack for it to "wander".  Just a moment of inattention. 

[The Mighty Gryphon]

yes, you are correct.  The term is  WANDER! But I dont need a pavement crack for it to "wander".  Just a moment of inattention.

You have bigger problems than just a tire if you have to work to keep the bike on a line.  I would check the bike before shopping for tires.  All my bricks run like they are on rails on smooth pavement with proper tire pressure.  Doesn't matter what tires I have on them.

Look at the swing arm bearings, engine mounts, steering head, wheel bearings, wheel alignment and fork tube pinch bolts.  Something is wrong.

[bizzaro]

No, it isn't really that bad.  Probably me, and not the bike! Not like I am fighting to keep it on track. It just seems easy, with a bit of inattention, to get off line. like I said. probably me, I have never had a bike this responsive.

[blackie1]

hi bizzaro
 i ride a 1992 K1100LT and fitted the cross ply pirelli sport demons at last tire  change.
i have put 5000kms on them and they look like they will do at least another 5000km no sweat.
i feel very confident riding on these tires and recommend them.
i do check the pressures every week. 36 psi front 38 psi rear
buy yourself a set and come and tour new zealand.
sweet!

[bizzaro]

blackie 1,
Thanks for your input. I am pretty sure that is my next tire.  AND I WOULD LOVE TO RIDE NEW ZEALAND! Both of my children have been there, North and South Islands.  Not sure if I could get enough headway to skip across the pond.  Guess I could fit her with sails and hull? I mean what the hell.  Tim Tylers bike will carry a cord of wood! :hehehe So I guess anything can be done if you set your mind to it!   
Bizz

[k]

I went for a short screamer today and took Johnny's advice.  More throttle and more lean...................WTF! It worked!!!

I vigorously went through a roundabout today, and more throttle and more lean slid the rear tire. I made it out, but I need a change. It was upper 40's/low 50's and overcast, but I've never been a fan of the Battlax on the rear.

And that thing does wander, and it is a problem.

[johnny]

greetings...

i read that m & s are popular... goodrich makes a good one...

j o

[Laitch]

I vigorously went through a roundabout today, and more throttle and more lean slid the rear tire.

Sometimes more is too much regardless of the tire.

[beemuker]

I've got the Shinko tourmasters on my K75, but the guy that put them on recommends Pirelli, says the Shinkos are inconsistent, some are crap . I guess  I got good ones as I'm happy so far, they sure are better than the antique Metzlers were.

[koapono]

I just put a set of Pirelli Angel GT radials on my 94 1100LT.
I am running 150 x 70 17 rear and 110 x 80 18 front.
This is a new tire for me I was running Michelin Pilot Road 4's but they are no longer available in the 150 x 70 17.
the rear tire size is not stock but I want to run radials and that size works well for the bike.
I only have about 500 miles on the Pirellis, they feel great but then all new tires do.
I lean towards a mildly sticky, sport-touring tire and hope for fair mileage 8 - 10 thousand would be nice.
g'luck with your quest

[bizzaro]

I vigorously went through a roundabout today, and more throttle and more lean slid the rear tire.

Johnny is giving lessons later this month " Trail Braking the Roundabouts"! But ya got to be able to find Wisconsin? I think it's in Cananida? Will keep ya posted.     ...............

[alabrew]

bizzaro,   make me more comfortable and lift that front tyre and check how the steering bearings move.

What you are reporting is a symptom of the need to repack them.

[beemuker]

My tire guy says the Chinese could never get the rubber formula right so they just went and bought the whole company Pirelli

[bizzaro]

bizzaro,   make me more comfortable and lift that front tyre and check how the steering bearings move.

What you are reporting is a symptom of the need to repack them.

Thanks for your concerns. Once I get 'er leaned over, the play goes away?
Seriously, I have been through 6 or more sets of tires since this thread was started.  Rebuilt my forks.....Changed fork oil etc. the list goes on. I go through a couple sets of tiors a season and always check the play In the steering crown in the process. 

 (Has anyone looked at the start date of this thread?)?? ......There is great tior thread with lots of good advice and reviews here at MB.  My current favorite tire is Metzler Roadtec Z8 Interact.  I really like the Michelin PR series as well. In case anyone G A S?!🙄 (gives a shit)

Ok then, TTYL.  Off to the Docs to get my prostate exam.  So glad they have eased restrictions here in VT in social distancing. I use to be be adverse to a digital exam. But man, now I go in twice a week.
My Dr. is real gentle. 

[volador]

Ok then, TTYL.  Off to the Docs to get my prostate exam.  So glad they have eased restrictions here in VT in social distancing. I use to be be adverse to a digital exam. But man, now I go, in twice a week.
My Dr. is real gentle.

She use the maple syrup?