XX hoops

Hey all,

That time has come again to re-tyre the 'Bird. I may be able to get a
pretty good deal on Michelins (pending some enquiries) but am wondering
whether I should go up on the standard rear size (if only to satisfy some
ridiculous vanity on my part)??

Is there any advantage to be gained from a wider rear (tyre)? I seem to get
about 5k out of a rear though a recent track day has reduced this to about
4k for the current one. I wouldn't take the near illegal front out in the
wet at the moment so now is a good time to change both back to Michelin if
there is an advantage to be had.

So really 2 questions:

- if I can get a cracking price on Michelins (say 40% off), should I return
to them (from 020s),
- should I look at a wider rear?

The majority of use is split between commuting 30%, highway 65% and the rest
track.

Any thoughts on the matter? Appreciation in advance.

Cheers,
Dave E (Sydney)

 

Pilot Powers are good, but you already knew that.

Anyway, not really my point for this. Seeing as you are getting ... well ..
ok but average mileage, especially out of the 020s, I was wondering what
suspension modification has been made (if any) to the Bird. Seeing as even
revalving the front end and getting the back end massaged doesn't cost too
much but increases tyre wear, I reckon it's a more than a great idea on all
fronts. Err yeah, so have you had anything done or is it all stock? Thought
about an Ohlins/Elka/WP/Penske or something in the back? Had it shimmed up
atleast at the back or not?

Cheers

Cam

 

A larger rear tyre will affect handling and turn-in, stick with the standard
size, sufficient wank value was designed in by Honda.

Boxer

 

bigger rear tyre will make it slower on turn in.

if you want it too turn like a 600 go for a narrower taller tyre!

JD

 

Dave, we seem to be wearing out our rubbers at the same rate.

Need a new fat rear too...nice big black mutha.

Pirelli's for me.

 

Well you always insist on an even split - right up the middle (as it
were...).

Sounds like a black bird I once knew (not so big though...).

Not with Michelins at 40% disc't! hehe

Cheers,
DJE
(Waaaay overdue for a beer mate)

 

Nothing has been done other than the preload has been wound up at the back.
Riding it around EC recently 2-up it felt like a bloody marshmallow compared
with the new 'Blade. I suppose that's to be expected. I know what I'd
rather be riding over a full day!

I had considered Ohlins or something - still a possibility I suppose.

Thanks for responding.

Cheers,
Dave
PS. did you mean 'increases tyre wear' or 'decreases...'??

 

look at Pilot roads a more modern tyre than 020's

a power or race on the front

 

Sure - probably not a handling characteristic I want to add.

As for 'wank value' - the other day I almost couldn't believe it when
someone actually walked over and looked over my bike. This doesn't happen
every day and I was very excited until he almost bashed into my RHS pipe
with his walking frame.

Cheers,
Dave E

 

Soooo much harder to eliminate chicken strips - I'd have to hand over the
bike to Crazy Cam or Alx again!

Cheers,
Dave E

 

should be decreases tyre wear

properly working suspension reduced tyre wear

the cost of getting the suspension sorted is covered in a couple of tyre
changes

 

Indeed - also very interested in a better riding experience.

Cheers,
D

 

Metzeler Z6's. Give em a go.

justAL

 

Yer, sorry about the confusion. Sorted suspension reduces tyre wear and
gives a much better ride as well as more confidence on the bike. Also means
you have more capacity to deal with "shit" when it "happens". Perhaps try
just a front fork job and a rear shock massage to start with, buy an
aftermarket shock later if you feel the need. Shouldn't cost more than $800
to start with.

Cam

 

A wider tyre means you'll have to lean over further to take a corner at the
same speed as with the narrower tyre. Then again you've got more grip to
play with. So says Tony Foale anyway (page 2-17, Motorcycle Handling And
Chassis Design, the art and science).

Rgds,

Don

 

it's all the booze you cart around in the panniers.

 

Michelin Pilot Power are great. Better than the 020's(1) that were on
the Raptor from the factory. Well worth a try.

Wider rear, no, not unless you're having a lot of trouble with it
spinning up on corner exits and in a straight line. It will increase the
effort required to turn it in, and is unlikely to improve your wear rate
unless you never lean more than 5 degrees (2)

JL
(1) I'm pretty sure that was what it shipped with, but I could be wrong,
could have been 010's
(2) In which case you *might* get a wear rate improvement if the tyre is
dual compound and hence is harder in the middle

 

No. When I bought this XX it had a pretty bald rear tyre and I had an
almost new 190 rear tyre which had been on my ZX12R (going from a 200 to
190 on the 12R really improved the turn-in). The 190 on the XX really
did make it turn like a tank.

Nev..
'04 CBR1100XX

 

Stick to factory spec tyre sizes.
A larger width tyre will throw out the handling as the tyre profile will
change due to the smaller rim.

 

Space the primary out and whack a 280 on, Dave!