ALREADY need new front tire for my hack... please help choose a BETTER one for me - Page 5

BeeMaa · 12-10-2011, 02:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CessPool

I have a rig similar to Greg's (ClearwaterBMW) built also by DMC. Mine's a regular GS and the car is the narrower version of the M72D. The bike had Tourance EXPs in it when the sidecar was installed and the front just melted away in 5K miles. The hack and pusher tires are car tires.

I just replaced the front with the ME880 110/90-19 and we'll see how well that wears. I'll try the 100/90 when this wears out but I needed a tire right away and the 110/90 was what was available at the time. So far I notice that the front end will wobble more at low speed than it did before, otherwise the steering has been neutral.

I just got my rig on Thursday.
Front tire needs to be replaced.
Thinking I would go with the ME880 120/70ZR19.
Let me know how the one you have wears.
It will be a month before I have the tire done.

Pago Cruiser · 12-10-2011, 09:42 AM

While all the tire gurus are here...

If one was looking to change to a leading link for a dual sport rig (50% pavement, 50% fire road stuff), and a 16x5 rim (with a Vredestein 175/75R16 with a net 5.5" contact patch) is all that was available (to match disks and calipers), would this "wandering" be an issue on the slab? Lot of slab to ride to get to trails sometimes.

When I lived in CA and rode the SoCal freeways, the rain grooves would always have the bike wandering. A nuisance, but you get used to it. Is the "wide front tire on a hack" wandering similar? Would hate to spend the bucks and say "Oh cr@p" when done... The good news is that AZ freeways don't use concrete grooving; instead we use cheap asphalt and just replace them every 5 years or so...

Or should I be looking for some means to fit a 15" and less width wheel/tire? Unfortunately I have seen no smaller (in width) 16" tires (unless you get into the Coker Tire antique stuff), and there are not many 15" wheels on HD's...

BeeMaa · 12-11-2011, 01:22 PM

Greg,

Changed my mind on the tire size.
Went with the Metzler ME 880 110/90H19.
Putting the rig in for service in about a month and will have it installed then.
Let you know how it wears.

ClearwaterBMW · 12-11-2011, 01:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BeeMaa

Greg,

Changed my mind on the tire size.
Went with the Metzler ME 880 110/90H19.
Putting the rig in for service in about a month and will have it installed then.
Let you know how it wears.

sounds like the best choice when one is CHANGING to a new size from stock
i will look forward to hearing how yours wears

ClearwaterBMW · 12-11-2011, 01:36 PM

a CLOSER inspection of my front tire yields some surprising results (AT LEAST TO ME)

my tire is wearing much MORE on the INSIDE than OUTSIDE edge

i'm sure that folks here will point out why THAT is normal
please do, if you can

thanks as always, in advance

BeeMaa · 12-11-2011, 01:54 PM

Is your steering "neutral" at a constant speed on a level road?
I know this has been mentioned before but have you checked your toe in?
Are you making more left hand turns than right?
Or maybe just a little more confident in the lefties because the car is on the right, so maybe a bit more aggressive?
Just some thoughts.

ClearwaterBMW · 12-11-2011, 02:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BeeMaa

Is your steering "neutral" at a constant speed on a level road?
I know this has been mentioned before but have you checked your toe in?
Are you making more left hand turns than right?
Or maybe just a little more confident in the lefties because the car is on the right, so maybe a bit more aggressive?
Just some thoughts.

eric...
i wish i could answer all those questions... accurately
also, i'm wondering how much the EXAGGERATED CROWNS in the road in my area affect this...

ah... no matter, i suppose
the rig SEEMS neutral, but you have to remember that i have the ELECTRONIC TILT CONTROL and can "make" the rig neutral in ANY circumstance... so, there is no way to know, i think

BeeMaa · 12-11-2011, 02:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ClearwaterBMW

eric...
i wish i could answer all those questions... accurately
also, i'm wondering how much the EXAGGERATED CROWNS in the road in my area affect this...

ah... no matter, i suppose
the rig SEEMS neutral, but you have to remember that i have the ELECTRONIC TILT CONTROL and can "make" the rig neutral in ANY circumstance... so, there is no way to know, i think

When you say "inside or outside" of the tire, which side do you mean?
Left or right please...me stupid.

CessPool · 12-11-2011, 03:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BeeMaa

Greg,

Changed my mind on the tire size.
Went with the Metzler ME 880 110/90H19.
Putting the rig in for service in about a month and will have it installed then.
Let you know how it wears.

Hi Eric,

I think you're talking to me instead of the 'other' Greg.

Yes, I'd be very interested to see how your new ME880 wears. I've been off the bike lately due to work and being really sick with a mondo cold, so my tires are not being worn at all at the moment. One of my local Colorado riding mates, DirtyDR, swears by these and he rides way more than I do.

Cheers,
Greg

ClearwaterBMW · 12-11-2011, 06:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BeeMaa

When you say "inside or outside" of the tire, which side do you mean?
Left or right please...me stupid.

the side CLOSER to the sidecar is the one that is wearing far quicker than that to the OPPOSITE side of the sidecar

Motoblag · 12-11-2011, 06:37 PM

Mine has the same wear pattern. My outfit is setup up for neutral steering at about 35 MPH so at higher speeds I am always steering a little away from the sidecar to counteract its drag.

ClearwaterBMW · 12-11-2011, 07:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Motoblag

Mine has the same wear pattern. My outfit is setup up for neutral steering at about 35 MPH so at higher speeds I am always steering a little away from the sidecar to counteract its drag.

ah...
i was hoping to hear "NEWS" like this
makes perfect sense
thanks for taking the time to give me your experience

BeeMaa · 12-15-2011, 02:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CessPool

Hi Eric,

I think you're talking to me instead of the 'other' Greg.

Yes, I'd be very interested to see how your new ME880 wears. I've been off the bike lately due to work and being really sick with a mondo cold, so my tires are not being worn at all at the moment. One of my local Colorado riding mates, DirtyDR, swears by these and he rides way more than I do.

Cheers,
Greg

Sorry 'bout that.
Getting the tire done next month.
Will let you know how it goes.

ClearwaterBMW · 12-15-2011, 02:45 PM

ah....
you can never have too many GREGs, as far as i am concerned

CessPool · 12-15-2011, 02:49 PM

2nd that.

12-10-2011, 09:42 AM	#62
Pago Cruiser Gnarly Adventurer Joined: Jun 2008 Oddometer: 267	While all the tire gurus are here... If one was looking to change to a leading link for a dual sport rig (50% pavement, 50% fire road stuff), and a 16x5 rim (with a Vredestein 175/75R16 with a net 5.5" contact patch) is all that was available (to match disks and calipers), would this "wandering" be an issue on the slab? Lot of slab to ride to get to trails sometimes. When I lived in CA and rode the SoCal freeways, the rain grooves would always have the bike wandering. A nuisance, but you get used to it. Is the "wide front tire on a hack" wandering similar? Would hate to spend the bucks and say "Oh cr@p" when done... The good news is that AZ freeways don't use concrete grooving; instead we use cheap asphalt and just replace them every 5 years or so... Or should I be looking for some means to fit a 15" and less width wheel/tire? Unfortunately I have seen no smaller (in width) 16" tires (unless you get into the Coker Tire antique stuff), and there are not many 15" wheels on HD's... __________________ Just because you're not paranoid doesn't mean they aren't out to get you...

12-11-2011, 01:22 PM	#63
BeeMaa Hack Pilot Joined: Feb 2011 Location: NoVA Oddometer: 1,092	Greg, Changed my mind on the tire size. Went with the Metzler ME 880 110/90H19. Putting the rig in for service in about a month and will have it installed then. Let you know how it wears. __________________ Eric B '06 R12GSA/Hack An armed society is a polite society. Manners are good when one may have to back up his acts with his life. Robert A. Heinlein

12-11-2011, 01:36 PM	#65
ClearwaterBMW ^OP The Examiner Joined: Jul 2005 Location: Clearwater, FL USA Oddometer: 4,744	a CLOSER inspection of my front tire yields some surprising results (AT LEAST TO ME) my tire is wearing much MORE on the INSIDE than OUTSIDE edge i'm sure that folks here will point out why THAT is normal please do, if you can thanks as always, in advance __________________ Greg '07 K1200 GT '11 R1200 GS Adventure with a DMC M72DX Sidecar live life like you mean it... but take your family and friends (and DOGS) along for the "ride"

12-11-2011, 01:54 PM	#66
BeeMaa Hack Pilot Joined: Feb 2011 Location: NoVA Oddometer: 1,092	Is your steering "neutral" at a constant speed on a level road? I know this has been mentioned before but have you checked your toe in? Are you making more left hand turns than right? Or maybe just a little more confident in the lefties because the car is on the right, so maybe a bit more aggressive? Just some thoughts. __________________ Eric B '06 R12GSA/Hack An armed society is a polite society. Manners are good when one may have to back up his acts with his life. Robert A. Heinlein

12-15-2011, 02:45 PM	#74
ClearwaterBMW ^OP The Examiner Joined: Jul 2005 Location: Clearwater, FL USA Oddometer: 4,744	ah.... you can never have too many GREGs, as far as i am concerned __________________ Greg '07 K1200 GT '11 R1200 GS Adventure with a DMC M72DX Sidecar live life like you mean it... but take your family and friends (and DOGS) along for the "ride"

12-11-2011, 06:37 PM	#71
Motoblag Replacing skill with will Joined: Jan 2008 Location: Portland, OR, USA Oddometer: 332	Mine has the same wear pattern. My outfit is setup up for neutral steering at about 35 MPH so at higher speeds I am always steering a little away from the sidecar to counteract its drag.

12-15-2011, 02:49 PM	#75
CessPool Gnarly Coot Joined: Mar 2003 Location: Longmont, Colorado Oddometer: 310	2nd that. __________________ Greg Poole R1200GS Adventure is discomfort recalled at leisure

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