Cross ply v Radials

[grasshopper]

Hi All

I have had my NTV 650 sometime but only now that I have retired do I have time to use it. The handling can be best described as skittish when crossing white lines or uneven road surfaces.

As a retired fleet engineer, I hate to admit it but in the past I had just looked for decent tread depth/pattern and right pressures. But because of the poor directional stability I looked deeper to find a Dunlop cross-ply on the front and a Bridgestone radial on rear (I was surprised to find this is actually legal).

My thinking is to replace the cross-ply Dunlop front with a radial Bridgestone, however having had a chat with a Dunlop Tech guy (being fair he was very helpful) he says the bike setup/design was originally on cross-plys and that would be their recommendation.

Since I have 4 mm on the rear Bridgestone radial it seems the most cost effective way to get matching tyres is to buy a radial Bridgestone for the front.

Anybody please give me experiences of running on radials (particularly Bridgestone's) ?

Thanks

Dave

[Jake]

Jul 23, 2011 18:53:20 GMT -5 grasshopper said:

Anybody please give me experiences of running on radials (particularly Bridgestones) ?

Hi Dave....

I have Bridgestone BT 020 radials on mine and the
handling is good even in the wet.....(36 psi front and 42 rear).

Check out link below for cross-ply tyre test:

growell.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=brakes&action=display&thread=729

[Paul Mason]

I run my NTV on Michelin Macadam radials (dont think the're availible now!)
The difference in handling is amazing compared to the Continentals I took off (not worn out, rear had an unrepairable puncture!!)
I think it must be your combination of tyres as mine did non of those horrible things with the crossplys & still doesnt. In fact its one of the most stable bikes I've ridden.
I bought mine when M & P of Busters had a sale on tyre pairs) or try www.oponeo.co.uk/moto/motorcycle-tyres-bridgestone very good prices & quick delivery.
Another thought always use matching tyres front & rear!
Hope this helps
Paul.

[grasshopper]

Thanks Paul and Jake.

I will just see if we get any more responses (just in case there are any horror stories out there) before making the radial buy, but so far its 100% in favour of radials.

Thanks again

Dave