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tyres
Jul 18, 2007 17:49:53 GMT -5
Post by everydaybiker on Jul 18, 2007 17:49:53 GMT -5
As I'm doing 2-3000 miles a month my next set of tyres is never going to be far away. As it's mostly motorway miles, the current set are squaring off quite quickly. It will be false economy, in my situation, to fit anything other than a high mileage 'touring' tyre, when I factor in fitting costs 4 times a year.
I dont know whether the tyres I had on my VFR are an option for the NTV? Avon Azaro ST's sound like they are an option if still available before they phase out. The new Storm ST isn't available in the correct front size.
I previously had Bridgestone BT020's on the VFR, not sure what the current equivalent touring tyre is?
Pirelli Diablo Stradas were also recommended for high mileage and grip, anybody had those on an NTV?
Any other recommendations for high mileage?
BTW my NTV currently has odd tyres from when I bought it last month, Bridgestone BT020 rear, Michelin Macadam front. Doesn't seem to upset the handling / grip, although I have nothing to compare with!
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tyres
Jul 19, 2007 3:40:17 GMT -5
Post by Jake on Jul 19, 2007 3:40:17 GMT -5
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tyres
Jul 19, 2007 3:42:28 GMT -5
Post by Jake on Jul 19, 2007 3:42:28 GMT -5
Sorry,
Some of the links I've posted in the previous message are'nt working...
Jake.
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tyres
Jul 19, 2007 7:03:53 GMT -5
Post by tweaker on Jul 19, 2007 7:03:53 GMT -5
This is what Avon have to say about the Roadrider on their website: " * Ideal for mid-range bikes * Large contact patch for excellent grip at all lean angles * 149mph=240kmh speed rating across the range * Central tread groove to resist 'white-lining' * Comprehensive range of sizes
When you rely on your bike as everyday transport, you want tyres that combine outstanding performance with long life; that's why you choose Avon's Roadrider. The Roadrider's rubber compound is specially formulated to give excellent roadholding year-round, while its carcass design provides a large 'footprint' at all lean angles. This tyre's high performance credentials are reinforced by the fact that all Roadriders are speed rated up to 149mph (240kph).
Another feature of the Roadrider that commuters in particular will appreciate is its central tread groove, designed to resist the 'white-lining' effect that can occur when riding over thickly applied road marker paint. A large range of sizes means that the Roadrider is ideal for a wide variety of bikes, including more traditional types. "
Avon seem to be gearing this tyre to couriers/dispatchers/commuters. When I spoke to Pete McNully @ Avon I quizzed him about the roadrider rubber. He said it's quite a soft rubber but there's lots of tread, so while you get decent grip you also get a good lifetime out of them.
I figure that these tyres ought to be pretty good for guys ('n' girls!) doin lots of miles based on the market they are aiming at.
Aside about "Silica rich rubber": My initial question about roadriders was whether the rubber was a silica rich type as I was aware that "eco tyres" use this technology. He said silica is only added to "hard" rubber compounds. The hard rubber is used to give good lifetime and the silica then helps with grip / wet weather performance.
Amazing as it may seem, I'm not actually getting commission from Avon!
- Tweaker
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tyres
Jul 19, 2007 7:27:56 GMT -5
Post by Jake on Jul 19, 2007 7:27:56 GMT -5
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tyres
Jul 19, 2007 12:53:21 GMT -5
Post by everydaybiker on Jul 19, 2007 12:53:21 GMT -5
I think the bike was fitted with BT-57s when I first bought it. Grip was absolutely brilliant but they didn’t seem to last that long…. Yeah my VFR had BT57s on it when purchased in 2002 (it was an old tyre even then). Back tyre self-destructed in no time. If the BT021 is their current touring tyre, I assume the BT45 is a 'standard' tyre if you know what I mean? I really need something that will give me maximum mileage. Re. Avons, anybody tried a set of Road Riders? Any good? Derek
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tyres
Jul 19, 2007 14:18:37 GMT -5
Post by hovis on Jul 19, 2007 14:18:37 GMT -5
As i've mentioned before,i've got Metzler Lastec's on as recomended to me by a dispatch rider,and those guys know their stuff in my experience.He told me the Metzlers were a cracking all rounder giving good wet weather grip and mileage,i can't vouch for the mileage as i've only 3000 miles on them but the wet weather grip is excellent.
As for the Avon Road Riders,well they have to be better than the Road Runners,i made the mistake of fitting them to my old XJR 1200 !!!!!!!!!,terrible in the wet and worse over white lines !!!!!!!!!,always went with 020's which as already mentioned are a cracking all round tyre.
Tyres really are a individual thing, i've said i hated the Avon's but i know others out there will say they were a great tyre,it's all down to personal choice,
Hovis
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tyres
Jul 23, 2007 16:09:29 GMT -5
Post by tweaker on Jul 23, 2007 16:09:29 GMT -5
The BT45 is the tyre Bridgestone recommend for the NTV - it's a bias cross ply with a dual rubber compound - harder centre section to give high mileage but with softer edges to give good grip on corners. Did 10k on BT45s on my Deauville and thought they were great. Rear wasn't new when I got it and I replaced it with another BT45 about 6k into my ownership. The front was new when I got the bike and after 10k miles still had a 1 or 2mm until it would have hit the tread-wear indicator . Never had a dodgy moment with the BT45s. I think the BT21 is the successor to the BT020 - both radial, and I would be gobsmacked if anywone could get more miles out of them than out of a BT45. Bridgestone's name for the BT45 is "Sport Mileage" .. presumable they call it that for a reason . I would put BT45s on my NTV when they need replacing were it not for my obsession with wanting to support British stuff .. Why then,you might ask, have I got an NTV and not a Sprint ST ? A: Can't justify myself, but I think the NTV is one of the best sorted out bikes that has ever been - Honda went way over the top and seem to have done everything right on this bike - they did things they didn't need to (pro-arm) and everywhere you look on the bike you can see attention to detail that makes the thing a pleasure to own ( okay, you rumbled me - I'm a design engineer). It's these things that attracted me to the NTV, resulted in me ditching the DV in favour of the NTV, and apart from riding the machine make me pleased to have one! - Tweaker.
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tyres
Jul 24, 2007 2:15:18 GMT -5
Post by Jake on Jul 24, 2007 2:15:18 GMT -5
Here’s what Bridgestone say about the new BT-021: “Having set performance standards worldwide with the renowned sport touring BT-020 (NT), Bridgestone has now gone one better. Its successor, the new Battlax BT-021, is a true luxury sport tyre, with confident front-end feel, high stability both on motorways and winding roads, strong grip on wet and dry, and plenty of shock absorption for comfortable long journeys. It beats BT-020 performance on all major criteria, including higher mileage in all riding modes.” As I say, I’ve only ever fitted BT-020’s which have given excellent mileage on the NTV. But this result may be artificial, because I’ve always added UtraSeal which may extend tyre life under normal use (it definitely adds to the price of the tyres at around £24 a bottle!!!). www.ultrasealnorth.co.uk/Jake.
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tyres
Jul 29, 2007 18:11:15 GMT -5
Post by honda on Jul 29, 2007 18:11:15 GMT -5
Tried many type's/size's. Oversize rear is no good as the center wears out too quickly but a 140 rear does well and handle's fine. Much the same can be said for the front especially if the profile is 60 or 70 as in most current bike's. Radials do not wear well on anything, they do grip a tad better for high powered bikes. The reason is not easly explained as most folk associate radials with good wear on cars etc. Car tyre's sit flat to the floor but bike tyre's are an entirely differant shape and have a very differant job to do which mean's the advantage of a radial to put more of a flat spot on the road by flexing gets wasted by excess wear on a two wheeler. Modern x/ply's would grip fine for most people with mid range bike's but they are bying sporty tyre's cause that's what everyone else is useing and there is also a confidance mind game. In other word's if we buy the sticky stuff it wont slide. How many realise that when the track is wet racers resort to more ordinary tyre's although still radials for the production type machines Does anyone want to go back to TT100s or Roadrunner's. I wouldnt think so. Just the same the mad dog's of the eara (me included) were able to scrape pipes and stands to peices. I got caught up in the radial way for a time also, at least up untill I had a run on an st1100 which although a tourer is also nimble. It had x/ply tyre's albeit proper modern one's and I could not fault them. It did make me think though. ST1100s, Wings and cruisers get much more miles per tyre than the radial equiped stuff so I have tried a few and am very happy with Metz Lasertec's. A whole heap cheaper than radials also. They will follow small track's in the road a little more than radials but that dont disturb me as I can see the track and know whats going on. The Lasertec I feel is the best although there is other modern x/ply's. Also check out what the tyre manufacturer recomends for your bike So if you want wear dont go down the radial route. H
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tyres
Jul 30, 2007 15:29:44 GMT -5
Post by hovis on Jul 30, 2007 15:29:44 GMT -5
Yep Honda , as i said earlier in this thread ,lasertecs ,good allrounders
Hovis
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tyres
Jul 31, 2007 16:03:25 GMT -5
Post by everydaybiker on Jul 31, 2007 16:03:25 GMT -5
M & P do Avon Roadrider rears for £52.99, which incidentally is the tyre that Avon recommend for the NTV (i.e. not radials). My local place has quoted £69 inc. fitting to a loose wheel. Metz Lasertecs seem to be a little more expensive but otherwise comparable.
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tyres
Jul 31, 2007 16:15:19 GMT -5
Post by tweaker on Jul 31, 2007 16:15:19 GMT -5
Long live British rubber EDB - Avon RoadRiders for me next time. If I don't get on well with them (I'll let you all know - be a while 'til the're fitted) I think I'll be heading to Metz Lasertecs - seem to have universally good reports on them. BTW .. Roadrider front ~£42.99 from M & P - Tweaker
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tyres
Aug 7, 2007 2:25:52 GMT -5
Post by jaz66 on Aug 7, 2007 2:25:52 GMT -5
Hi. Finally got around to replacing my BT45's Went to shop got Avon Roadriders fitted.. £155 the pair. Fitted fri 4th aug (41,800 miles) So far ok. Dont seem to follow cracks in road as easily as the BT45's (altho they were down to the limit..! ) Weathers been real sunny since then, so can't comment on wet riding. Happy with the handling so far. (altho i am still taking it easy on the corners, d**n those warnings about scrubbing in for 100 miles ... ) Will update when the rain arrives. Cheers Jaz
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tyres
Aug 7, 2007 17:12:06 GMT -5
Post by everydaybiker on Aug 7, 2007 17:12:06 GMT -5
Quote:
"Yeah my VFR had BT57s on it when purchased in 2002 (it was an old tyre even then). Back tyre self-destructed in no time."
Come to think of it, the BT020 on the back of my NTV is rapidly giving up. Every day when I look at it, it's got nearer the mark. Like the BT57 I mentioned above, the tyre is actually 'peeling' bits of rubber off the centre tread. I'll be lucky if it makes it to the end of the month (payday).
This seems to be a trait of Bridgestones as they near the end of their life - you think you've got a 1000 miles or so to go but they seem to self-destruct at this point. As I do 160 miles / day I honestly doubt it will make it to the end of the week.
TBH I can't see the point of Z-rated tyres on a bike that produces 57bhp!
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