K11 Owners Group

Adrian · Posted: Sun Jun 08, 2008 4:25 pm Post subject: Mixing tyres

Now, I know that the answer is 'don't'... but...

I have an Avon Azaro on the rear of the LT. I had the shaky wheel syndrome with the Avon Storm (AV55) on the front and replaced it after 1000 miles with a used Avon Azaro AV34, the one with the odd looking tread. This has worn real fast, like 2000 miles and shot on the left side.

I need to change the front tyre again, but:

1 - cannot afford to change as a pair, just have no money to do it

2 - want to change from the Avons when the rear is worn, but it's fine at the moment

3 - Don't know what to fit at the front to mix with the Azaro rear and it'll have to be what I change to as a pair when the rear is worn out

.... still following? Laughing

What to fit, any ideas?

I wasn't enamored with the Bridgestone BT45's the bike came with...

Anyone out there go an opinion...

Orinoco
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Adrian in Somerset, UK
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Flying Duck · Posted: Sun Jun 08, 2008 4:42 pm Post subject:

I'm running a BT020 front and Azaro rear on my RS and am happy with it.
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PHIL1601UK · Posted: Sun Jun 08, 2008 4:48 pm Post subject:

I was asking tyre questions on another forum - see Marin Ellis's reply - re. Avon Azaro rear and Michelin Pilot Road front, I'm going try this combination:

http://www.bmbikes.org.uk/Forum/viewtopic.php?t=7092
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1996 Aspen Silver K1100LTSE - acquired 23/03/07

mike toon · Posted: Sat Jul 12, 2008 12:31 pm Post subject:

Not to hijack this post, but I have a Bridgestone 130/90 (where a 140/80 is called for) and a Parelli 110/80 in front. Is this a bad mixture? I was thinking of a Bridgestone on the front to be consistent. Bad?
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chopper_harris · Posted: Sun Jul 13, 2008 5:36 am Post subject:

To answer Mike specifically - yes, this is non optimal - although you have a rolling circumference which is close to the 140/80, your tyre is to narrow, and thus the side walls too tall.

For an old girl with the weight of the K11, you WILL be be putting serious sideloads on the tyre during cornering, which will be distorting the over-tall side walls.
On the freeway it will have little effect, but spirited riding may result in a vague wallowing at the back end.

Oh, and your insurance company will take a very dim view in the event of a claim - the assessor will spot this in seconds Wink

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Generally, modern tyres have a grip well beyond the abilities of most bikes (and most riders, myself included Very Happy

)
The limits of the 15 year old brick chassis and brakes will show themselves long before ANY of the recently discussed tyres reach their limit.

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I always avoid tyre choice threads, but whilst I am here, my Bandit 12 had OEM Macadams, and I thought they were absolute poo Crying or Very sad

I picked up a cheap set of Bridgestone BT010, and they have transformed Dobbin into Shergar.
However, the Bandit is also a lardy girl, and the trade-off it about 5K miles on a rear tyre.

I have BT45s on the airheads, and they will be my no-brain choice when the K11 needs new boots - excellent grip and acceptable mileage Very Happy

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mike toon · Posted: Sun Jul 13, 2008 11:30 am Post subject:

mnb · Posted: Sun Jul 13, 2008 2:50 pm Post subject:

MY k11LT came stock with the dunlops, which I hated. Very sluggish in turns.

I've never tried the BT45, so as of Friday, it's got a fresh set on them, with a whopping 10 miles on them so far. They seem to fall nicely into turns, that's about all I can say about them so far.
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hockeyshifter · Posted: Sun Jul 13, 2008 6:35 pm Post subject:

well here is my 50 pence worth. as for tread pattern it really dose not matter on a motorcycle tire because of the amount of silica in the compound.
i have mixed tread patterns on my cars and bike for years. what you need to keep in mind is the weight of this bike.. almost 800 lbs. / 400 Kg. a tire smaller and of different construction is going to have adverse effect on your ride style. the one thing that will destroy i tire of any type , car lorie bike etc. is heat . if a tire can not dispense heat the tire will delaminate and start to fall apart on the rim at speed .. aka ford / firestone tire issue.

my advice stick with radials front and rear but experiment with different manufactures to find a tire you like. .

P.S. grooves in a cycle tire are for water displacement only.
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