more tire stuff

[toxictavrn]

been reading some posts about tires, heres some more tire talk!

so my 06 nomad, 17+K miles, 3rd rear tire

almost all mileage done 2 up loaded, est 450lbs

always ran 42psi in ther rear

first one stock bridestone excedra bias ply, 6k+ miles center was fine, left and right side junk, chopped, cupped , eaten alive, so bad it was scary taking turns!


second tire bridgestone excedra, same thing


now running metzler marathon radial, running 46-48 psi,

metzler says in their tech info to run 3psi more in the rear tire when 2 up touring,

i added about 5psi more since my total weight load is above average, i am not tiny! 6' 250lbs, chicky 150lbs, cargo 25-40lbs est.

so far slighty better results after 3k miles, i dont think i ll get more than 6-7k outta this tire either, but at least its not self destructing as bad on the sides of the tread, still cupping tho

so any how, i ride hard even loaded 2 up, lots and lots of back curvy mountain roads and i cant seam to keep a rear tire, so what is everyone elses experience with a heavy bike and 2 up touring, i cant be the only one eating up tires like this? or is just the way it is?

oh btw the stock front bridgestone excedra was just replaced at 14k+, still coulda gotten a touch more out if it , and it weared just fine, now on a metzler marathon bias ply front, so far so good with that

[socwkbiker]

Wish I could give you some input, but where I live it's flat and straight as an old white man's butt.

[legend82]

I just put on a set of Metzler's Marathons myself at 10,000 miles on my '06 Nomad. The front was still good but my rear was worn to dangerous levels.
This is only my second set of tires but I can feel a noticeable improvement. My lady loves the ride and as for their longevity, I hear nothing but good things.
We will find out the truth.

[unwind2]

My hubbie was going thru tires on his Wing. Last set he put nitrogen in the tires and he is getting unbelieveable tire milage this time -plus never hardly has to add much air to tire. I'm about due for my next set tires on the Nad so when get a new set we're planning on putting nitrogen in mine too.

[jeffm]

i got 9000 on my stone with 2up riding about 90% of the time. we also have a good load on the bike about 460lbs. i only run 40 psi. the center of my tire was very thin sides were still pretty good.

[spirello]

I JUST PUT METZLER MARATHONS ON MY 2006, AND I HAVE 40 PSI FRONT AND BACK AND IT FEELS VERY UNSTABILE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. RADIAL IN BACK AND BIAS IN FRONT. IF I MOVE THE BARS AT ALL IT ALMOST SEEMS LIKE IT WANTS TO WOBBLE RIGHT TO LEFT OR WHEN YOU HIT BUMPS IS DOES THE SAME THING. ANY ADVISE WOULD BE GREAT. I THOUGHT PUTTING THESE TIRES ON WOULD MAKE A WORLD OF DIFFERNCE IN HANDLING. BUT NOT IN A BAD WAY. HELP.....

[unwind2]

Spirello -

Hopefully some of the guys will chime in soon. But I did not think you were supposed to mix bias and radial. ???

[unwind2]

I'm just bumping this to the top again. I want to make sure Spirello is safe. Help guys....I really think you're not supposed to mix. :'(

[trip]

Actually unwind2, Spirello's OK. You can mix radial and bias. (usually bias on the front, radial on the back). You can run two bias'. From what I've always been told, it's best that you not run two radials.

[unwind2]

Trip thanks for info.

Spirello - hope someone can help with your problem.

http://www.bikesafe.co.uk/Bikesafe/ATS/selecting.html

This comes from the UK....... they actually made it law there.

Nico

[trip]

Spirello,
Just last week, I had two new Metz Marathon ME880's put on just like you. I'm feeling no ill effects. They are as smooth as a baby's buttocks. I would suggest that you take your bike back to whoever installed the tires and have them rebalanced.

[bluetongue]

I am on my second set of the mix of radial and bias and it always seems a little twitchy the first 100 miles or so but nothing that feel dangerous.

[spirello]

I FEEL REALLY STUPID. IT TURNS OUT MY TIRE GAUGE WAS WAY OFF. GOT A NEW ONE FILLED THE REAR TIRE TO 45PSI AND THE FRONT TO 42 AND IT RIDES PERFECT. I WAS ABIUT 14 PSI LOW. THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR HELP. I NOTICED WEAR MARKS ON THE SIDEWALL TELLING ME IT WAS RUNNING WAY TO LOW.

[Todd]

Wow..not good..no wonder it handled like a battleship...glad you kept it upright and stayed safe. I had the experience once of hitting something in the road about a mile from home that cut the tire and it deflated fast...not a good feeling on tires with low low pressure.