Not to mix radial and bias?

tanker · 08-12-2010, 10:57 PM

Gents,

I am riding the wear bar @ 8000 miles on the rear OEM `Stone. The front tire can hold for another 8K so I am only changing the rear one. My main concern safety and handling - the more I research the more I see it emphasized that bias and radial tires should not be mixed because of the different handling characteristics. A 180/70/16 bias `Stone would still be an upgrade to the OEM and I`d switch for a radial front and rear setup for the next tire change. Whaddayathink? Also, it makes me think - if the radial tire is absolutely superior to the bias ply, why is the Nomad sold with bias skins? The load bearing capacity the only thing I can think of.

Other Q. Is any one of you running AMSOIL? I`ve tried it and after 4K it is still a smooth shift, feel and sound. I wonder when to change it given its added extra (?) sheer protection. If I have to change it in the normal interval, then there is no point is using the more expensive oil - it is hard to believe that it would be so superior to the other SYN oils. Any AMSOIL user out there?
Thanks a lot!

cactusjack · 08-12-2010, 11:14 PM

You can safely run a radial rear tire with a bias front. You shouldn't do it the other way around, and of course, bias/bias or radial/radial are fine. You can do a lot better than Bridgestones. Avon Cobras or Dunlop E3's are much better tires.

As far as Amsoil, some folks swear by it, I have had good success with Rotella T6 synthetic, and that's what I'm sticking with.

redjay · 08-13-2010, 04:07 AM

I run Amsoil in the bike. It shifts better with it than with Dino in my opinion. I change it every 5,000 kms.

I ran a radial Cobra tire on the front of my bike for 3,000 kms before I changed the rear Bridgestone to a Cobra radial. There were no issues with the handling as far as I could tell.
I am not endorsing that setup, just reporting my findings.

**MAS Tequila** · 08-13-2010, 05:00 AM

Honda did it on the Valks for quite a while.

Put a tire on there that you won't have to change for a long time.

'Darkside' it.

MT

AlabamaNomadRider · 08-13-2010, 10:51 AM

I am presently running the Dunlop Elite 3 radial on the rear. Got 9523 miles out of the original Bridgestone. The original Bridgestone is still on the front with clost to 11,000 miles on it. I have had no issues with radial on the rear and bias on the front.

I used Amsoil in one oil change but found the expense at the dealer was a bit steep. I now run Mobil 1 Racing 4T 10W-40 full synthetic motorcycle oil. Has the JASO specs that Amsoil does.

sonny · 08-13-2010, 06:17 PM

I have run a radial rear and bias front before with no problems. I would not run that mix in the opposite direction. I was using amsol and it did shift and run smoother. I went to rotela t6 about 2k ago and do not feel any differince. Except in my wallet.
Thanks for your time

papat · 08-14-2010, 10:28 AM

I just installed the Dunlop E 3 radial on the rear cactusjack also set me straight. The 180-70-16 looks wide but it will fit no problem.

blowndodge · 08-15-2010, 10:07 PM

I use a 1K ohm resistor!

**Cajunrider** · 08-15-2010, 10:27 PM

I ran with an Avon Cobra rear with the stock stone for 6,000 miles. No problems. I too am using Rotella T6 full synthetic. Never used Amsoil but did use Mobil 1 10w-40 at $10/qt for too long.

08-12-2010, 10:57 PM	#1
tanker Jr. Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Budapest, Hungary Posts: 27	Not to mix radial and bias? Gents, I am riding the wear bar @ 8000 miles on the rear OEM `Stone. The front tire can hold for another 8K so I am only changing the rear one. My main concern safety and handling - the more I research the more I see it emphasized that bias and radial tires should not be mixed because of the different handling characteristics. A 180/70/16 bias `Stone would still be an upgrade to the OEM and I`d switch for a radial front and rear setup for the next tire change. Whaddayathink? Also, it makes me think - if the radial tire is absolutely superior to the bias ply, why is the Nomad sold with bias skins? The load bearing capacity the only thing I can think of. Other Q. Is any one of you running AMSOIL? I`ve tried it and after 4K it is still a smooth shift, feel and sound. I wonder when to change it given its added extra (?) sheer protection. If I have to change it in the normal interval, then there is no point is using the more expensive oil - it is hard to believe that it would be so superior to the other SYN oils. Any AMSOIL user out there? Thanks a lot! Login or Register to Remove Ads
	0

08-12-2010, 11:14 PM	#2
cactusjack Mega-Contributor Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Where it doesn't snow...ever! Posts: 21,926	Not to mix radial and bias? You can safely run a radial rear tire with a bias front. You shouldn't do it the other way around, and of course, bias/bias or radial/radial are fine. You can do a lot better than Bridgestones. Avon Cobras or Dunlop E3's are much better tires. As far as Amsoil, some folks swear by it, I have had good success with Rotella T6 synthetic, and that's what I'm sticking with. __________________ Scott "Cactusjack" Hanks VBA #00105 H.O.G. #4250060 2011 H-D Ultra Limited 103ci :: 2011 HD Electra Glide Ultra Limited w/Stage 1 :: Rallies: Mesquite '08\|Custer '09\|Cortez '10\|Crescent City '11\|Kanab '12\|Antlers '12\|Estes Park '13\|Antlers '13\|Orofino '14\|The Dalles '17
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08-13-2010, 04:07 AM	#3
redjay Top Contributor Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Ontario Posts: 7,017	Not to mix radial and bias? I run Amsoil in the bike. It shifts better with it than with Dino in my opinion. I change it every 5,000 kms. I ran a radial Cobra tire on the front of my bike for 3,000 kms before I changed the rear Bridgestone to a Cobra radial. There were no issues with the handling as far as I could tell. I am not endorsing that setup, just reporting my findings.
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08-13-2010, 05:00 AM	#4
MAS Tequila Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Psychiatric Ward FL Posts: 3,429	Not to mix radial and bias? Honda did it on the Valks for quite a while. Put a tire on there that you won't have to change for a long time. 'Darkside' it. MT __________________ MT 2016 FLHP Psychiatric Ward FL VBA 936
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08-13-2010, 10:51 AM	#5
AlabamaNomadRider Sr. Contributor Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Boaz, Alabama Posts: 13,742	Not to mix radial and bias? I am presently running the Dunlop Elite 3 radial on the rear. Got 9523 miles out of the original Bridgestone. The original Bridgestone is still on the front with clost to 11,000 miles on it. I have had no issues with radial on the rear and bias on the front. I used Amsoil in one oil change but found the expense at the dealer was a bit steep. I now run Mobil 1 Racing 4T 10W-40 full synthetic motorcycle oil. Has the JASO specs that Amsoil does. __________________ Gene Cross, Jr. Boaz, Alabama KawaNOW/VBA #1181 Login or Register to Remove Ads
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08-13-2010, 06:17 PM	#6
sonny Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Livingston,La. (Colyell) Posts: 381	Not to mix radial and bias? I have run a radial rear and bias front before with no problems. I would not run that mix in the opposite direction. I was using amsol and it did shift and run smoother. I went to rotela t6 about 2k ago and do not feel any differince. Except in my wallet. Thanks for your time __________________ '01 carbed Nomad
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08-14-2010, 10:28 AM	#7
papat Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Tucumcari NM Posts: 358	Not to mix radial and bias? I just installed the Dunlop E 3 radial on the rear cactusjack also set me straight. The 180-70-16 looks wide but it will fit no problem. __________________ SHEEPLE: Sheep like people, many of whom deny the existence of wolves, and vote to pull the teeth of the sheepdogs who protect the flock!
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08-15-2010, 10:07 PM	#8
blowndodge Sr. Contributor Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Washington City, Utah Posts: 16,474	Not to mix radial and bias? I use a 1K ohm resistor! __________________ I love my Victory Cross Country Tour 106. Smells like Victory! Ultra's are Limited There are two types of Harley riders. Those that trailer them and those that push them. The most Interesting Man in the World "Find the things in life you don't do well and don't do those things" Member # 0005
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08-15-2010, 10:27 PM	#9
Cajunrider Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: (SE Louisiana) Posts: 8,340	Not to mix radial and bias? I ran with an Avon Cobra rear with the stock stone for 6,000 miles. No problems. I too am using Rotella T6 full synthetic. Never used Amsoil but did use Mobil 1 10w-40 at $10/qt for too long. __________________ 2016 Electra Glide Ultra Limited CVO Palladium Silver / Phantom Blue 110 cu in SE 2012 Electra Glide Ultra Limited (Traded 6/22/16) Tequila Sunrise / HD Orange Vance & Hines true dual headers Rinehart 4" slip ons Screamin Eagle Super Tuner Screamin Eagle Stage 1 intake Dyno tuned H.O.G.# 4514015 2007 Nomad 1600 (Traded 6/23/12) VBA #482
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