K11 Owners Group

Off the grid · Posted: Wed Aug 27, 2008 4:04 pm Post subject: Talk to me about Radials

What gives?

Better sidewall strength?

Longer lasting?

Heavier?

What are the pluses and minuses...I had the rear of my Lasertec break free on me today on a 40 mph off-camber rutted Brooklyn street. Sure it is almost bald, but the it felt like the tire was going flat. It wasn't.

Time for new tires. Thinking about switching from the Lasertecs, trying something different. I need a tire that has a long life though.
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Bane of your existence since July 2006
2007 Triumph Tiger ABS. "Sabertooth"
2009 Husqvarna TE610. "The dirty Italian mistress"

Flying Duck · Posted: Wed Aug 27, 2008 4:12 pm Post subject:

Granted the front went south on me in only 1000+ miles but I found the Azaros on the LT were MUCH more solidly planted - especially at spped on sweepers whereas the Macs seemed to jack the rear end around in the same situation.

The Pilot Road 2s with the RS rear wheel go on next week and then I'm taking them the LT for a good LONG ride. Very Happy

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93 LT (x2)
94 RS
86-97 K75F(K75/100/1100 Frankenbrick)
86 K75C w/paralever, hi perf cams,TURBO!
91 & 92 K75Ss
91 K1
86 custom K100
14 WR250R
IBA #17739 (SS1K, BBG, 50CC)
Buy parts HERE

Off the grid · Posted: Wed Aug 27, 2008 4:17 pm Post subject:

Ok, say you have stock LT rims.

What radials are available?
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Bane of your existence since July 2006
2007 Triumph Tiger ABS. "Sabertooth"
2009 Husqvarna TE610. "The dirty Italian mistress"

Flying Duck · Posted: Wed Aug 27, 2008 8:35 pm Post subject:

Call SW Moto Tire - that dude knows his chit and would probably give you better advice than anyone here.

I had Avon Azaros on stock LT rims. Those were great - if they've solved the quality problems they were having.

Some people run Dunlops but I gave up on Dunlops after two instances of quality problems.
_________________
93 LT (x2)
94 RS
86-97 K75F(K75/100/1100 Frankenbrick)
86 K75C w/paralever, hi perf cams,TURBO!
91 & 92 K75Ss
91 K1
86 custom K100
14 WR250R
IBA #17739 (SS1K, BBG, 50CC)
Buy parts HERE

duckbubbles · Posted: Wed Aug 27, 2008 9:24 pm Post subject:

I just switched my K back to bias ply tires after running radials for the past 20 years.

+ Appears like they will last forever, but I only have 2000 miles on them.

- Harsher ride.
Don't have the traction of Radials. I notice it mostly on tar snakes. I feel them in the dry quite a bit more. In the wet, even straight up and down, I feel them squiggling under me. I am not pushing the bike very hard because of this. Would I do it again? Probably not.

I was searching for a taller tire (rear) and radials are lower profile. I went from a 150/70-17 to a 140/80-17. Bridgestone BT45.

Frank
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85 K100/1100RS, 321,000 miles, 25 years
96 Ducati 900SS/SP, sold it
05 R1200ST, 35,000 miles, 5 years
400,000 BMW miles

hockeyshifter · Posted: Wed Aug 27, 2008 11:13 pm Post subject:

well this is a long running debate...
the key with radials is strength... a radial tire has steel cords and fibers that make up the carcaus and then is baked with the rubber compund . this make up gives the tire the abality to take more punishment that a bias just can't take.

the make up the bias is much different the carcus is made up nylon or other synithic fibers which is glued together then rubber is baked on
the issuse with bias is over heating; weight limitations

is there any tire that has a very long tread life that depends on riding stlye.

note : with the weight of these k11 at +500 lbs a blow out on bias ply is a scary time at least with radial it will stay on the rim untill you can pull over saftely. personal experiance plus i drive heavy truck/ lorry's
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K11Martin · Posted: Thu Aug 28, 2008 3:39 am Post subject:

Azaro ST on the rear is a superb choice. Excellent mileage and stunning grip, even in the wet. Don't touch the fronts though. Four friends have reported the same problem which I had with mine, it wears really unevenly. It's a kind of 'scalloping' effect where the treads kind of 'chunk-up' (don't know how else to explain it).

It gets so bad that at walking speeds it causes the wheel to wobble from side to side. very disconcerting.

My favourite combination is Azaro ST rear and Pilot Road front.
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Adrian · Posted: Sat Aug 30, 2008 2:50 am Post subject:

On the other hand if you find a front Azaro available it will be an old tyre, Avon replaced this with the Storm ST some time ago (2+ years). The ST does not have the wear problems of the Azaro, I've grown to like mine a lot, but it does seem to be sensitive to fork quality - horrible initially, then very good after fork strip and rebuild - no idea why Very Happy

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Adrian in Somerset, UK
K1100LT SE
145,000 miles and counting Smile

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Off the grid · Posted: Fri Sep 05, 2008 3:15 pm Post subject:

Ok I need help.

I'm trying to order a set of radials:

1. Azaro ST rear
2. Pilot Road front

But I have NO idea what product numbers correspond to my 93 LT.

I want to place the order today so I can (hopefully) put them on for the weekend.

I called and emailed SWmototires but so far no response for the last 2 days.

HAAAALLLP!!
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Bane of your existence since July 2006
2007 Triumph Tiger ABS. "Sabertooth"
2009 Husqvarna TE610. "The dirty Italian mistress"

Jim · Posted: Fri Sep 05, 2008 4:08 pm Post subject:

Dave - can't you grab your owner's manual and check to see what tire sizes you need? Then see what's available?

Found this in another thread: http://www.k11og.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=4941&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0

I believe those are not the exact size for an LT - you might want to call RJ in Seattle and ask him how the tires are doing for them.
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Jim
1997 K1100LTSE 94,000 - still has gremlins!
1995 R100RT Classic 16,650 crashed - repaired!
1992 K75RTP 46,000

"We shall not all die, but we shall all be changed."

Flying Duck · Posted: Fri Sep 05, 2008 4:45 pm Post subject:

Why not put a Pilot Road 2 on the front? Question

_________________
93 LT (x2)
94 RS
86-97 K75F(K75/100/1100 Frankenbrick)
86 K75C w/paralever, hi perf cams,TURBO!
91 & 92 K75Ss
91 K1
86 custom K100
14 WR250R
IBA #17739 (SS1K, BBG, 50CC)
Buy parts HERE

Off the grid · Posted: Fri Sep 05, 2008 5:14 pm Post subject:

2, I stand corrected.
_________________
Bane of your existence since July 2006
2007 Triumph Tiger ABS. "Sabertooth"
2009 Husqvarna TE610. "The dirty Italian mistress"

Mystic Red · Posted: Fri Sep 05, 2008 6:37 pm Post subject:

Jim · Posted: Fri Sep 05, 2008 7:55 pm Post subject:

Off the grid · Posted: Sun Sep 07, 2008 3:19 am Post subject:

For the record, here are the part numbers and such.

Jim · Posted: Sun Sep 07, 2008 9:36 am Post subject: radials

So - put some miles on them - then come back and talk to us about radials. I would have posted the sizes, but I can't find the packet with the owners manual in it...

Where did you end up getting them?
_________________
Jim
1997 K1100LTSE 94,000 - still has gremlins!
1995 R100RT Classic 16,650 crashed - repaired!
1992 K75RTP 46,000

"We shall not all die, but we shall all be changed."

Off the grid · Posted: Sun Sep 07, 2008 11:41 am Post subject:

SWmoto, of course.
_________________
Bane of your existence since July 2006
2007 Triumph Tiger ABS. "Sabertooth"
2009 Husqvarna TE610. "The dirty Italian mistress"