Bias vs Radials

speedbyu · 04-04-2011, 06:22 PM

Looks like I am putting a set of tires on the bike and riding it for a while. I am looking at the new Exedra max tires. They come in both bias and radials.
What do you prefer and why?

Thanks, Bill

cactusjack · 04-04-2011, 08:19 PM

Exedra max? Aren't those Bridgestones?

Dunlop E3 or Avon Cobras are much better tires.

skeeter · 04-04-2011, 08:54 PM

agreed about bridgestones....

as to which is better ( r vs b), opinions and more opinions. radials give a little and are a more comfortable to me. the mush takes a bit of getting used to at first. there are times when I like the firm feel of the bias. At the moment I have a car tire (radial) with a bias front tire so I have a little of both. DON'T USE BIAS REAR WITH RADIAL FRONT tires. Dangerous mix even on cars.

If your a more aggressive rider and/or need to "feel" the road you may need to stick with bias. Don't forget to let new tires scuff up for the first 100mi tires or so.

AlabamaNomadRider · 04-04-2011, 09:31 PM

If they are Bridgestones I would really have to think about that. Dunlop Elite 3's are what I have. Rear is radial and the front is bias ply. Radial is probably better than bias.

I'm with Scott in going with Dunlop Elite 3 or Avon Cobras. Continental and Michelin make great tires also.

wiz · 04-04-2011, 09:44 PM

I like my Avon Cobra radials, but I have had bias ply tires on cruisers that were good too. I am not really sure it matters too much on big heavy cruisers that don't lean too much without dragging parts. Maybe better fuel mileage with less rolling resistance in radials?

**nomadbehappy** · 04-04-2011, 10:22 PM

I just put a set of Avon Cobras on and what a difference they make. Folks on the forum almost all said Cobras or Elite 3s and I now know why.

landman · 04-04-2011, 10:38 PM

the nomad suspension was designed around bias tires so i chose to go with dunlop e-3 bias tires and i couln't be more pleased.handling and ride
were much improved and at 10,000 miles they are still going strong.

**markclark57** · 04-05-2011, 12:40 AM

I run a Goodyear Triple Tread rear and the o/e front. I will probably go with the Avon cobra on front replacement, but wish that the Pro Extreem by Avon came in a 16" rim. (I ride the wet stuff)

drno · 04-05-2011, 01:23 PM

Im running a Metz ME880 radial on rear of bike, also ME880on frt but I dont know if its a raidial or bias... Im going to go back to bias all around on next set of tires. A squishy sidewall is not really my thing. They handle ok, ride ok, but I like the feel of a stiffer sidewall alot better. The front tire is a bit of a howler.

speedbyu · 04-05-2011, 06:26 PM

Thanks everybody. I am going with the Stones to save a little money right now. I am still wanting to sell the bike and get the Vaquero, so my thinking is if they don't get quite the mileage of the others oh well. I may save a hundred or so just in case it sells.
I have had radials on sport bikes with little problem, but still unsure about the cruiser with them. Not much difference in price between the two.

04-04-2011, 06:22 PM	#1
speedbyu Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Cantrall, Illinois Posts: 449	Bias vs Radials Looks like I am putting a set of tires on the bike and riding it for a while. I am looking at the new Exedra max tires. They come in both bias and radials. What do you prefer and why? Thanks, Bill Login or Register to Remove Ads
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04-04-2011, 08:19 PM	#2
cactusjack Mega-Contributor Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Where it doesn't snow...ever! Posts: 21,926	Bias vs Radials Exedra max? Aren't those Bridgestones? Dunlop E3 or Avon Cobras are much better tires. __________________ 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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04-04-2011, 08:54 PM	#3
skeeter Sr. Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Kerrville Tx Posts: 1,713	Bias vs Radials agreed about bridgestones.... as to which is better ( r vs b), opinions and more opinions. radials give a little and are a more comfortable to me. the mush takes a bit of getting used to at first. there are times when I like the firm feel of the bias. At the moment I have a car tire (radial) with a bias front tire so I have a little of both. DON'T USE BIAS REAR WITH RADIAL FRONT tires. Dangerous mix even on cars. If your a more aggressive rider and/or need to "feel" the road you may need to stick with bias. Don't forget to let new tires scuff up for the first 100mi tires or so. __________________ Robert(skeeter)Dozier 07 Red&Titanium Nomad 81 Suzuki 850GL KawaNow pre#
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04-04-2011, 09:31 PM	#4
AlabamaNomadRider Sr. Contributor Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Boaz, Alabama Posts: 13,742	Bias vs Radials If they are Bridgestones I would really have to think about that. Dunlop Elite 3's are what I have. Rear is radial and the front is bias ply. Radial is probably better than bias. I'm with Scott in going with Dunlop Elite 3 or Avon Cobras. Continental and Michelin make great tires also. __________________ Gene Cross, Jr. Boaz, Alabama KawaNOW/VBA #1181
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04-04-2011, 09:44 PM	#5
wiz Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 498	Bias vs Radials I like my Avon Cobra radials, but I have had bias ply tires on cruisers that were good too. I am not really sure it matters too much on big heavy cruisers that don't lean too much without dragging parts. Maybe better fuel mileage with less rolling resistance in radials? Login or Register to Remove Ads
	0

04-04-2011, 10:22 PM	#6
nomadbehappy Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Barrie, ON Posts: 332	Bias vs Radials I just put a set of Avon Cobras on and what a difference they make. Folks on the forum almost all said Cobras or Elite 3s and I now know why. __________________ Brian Muscat bamuscat@gmail.com Barrie, ON KawaNOW #1404 2008 Kawasaki Nomad (Ultra) *Red* and Black because they're the fastest colours! Winter is nature's way of telling us to add more *Chrome!*
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04-04-2011, 10:38 PM	#7
landman Sr. Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: wheatland,wy. Posts: 3,642	Bias vs Radials the nomad suspension was designed around bias tires so i chose to go with dunlop e-3 bias tires and i couln't be more pleased.handling and ride were much improved and at 10,000 miles they are still going strong. __________________ bob wittman VBA # 745 COG #11621 wheatland,wy. rallies-custer 09,kalispell 10,crescent city 11,kanab 12,estes park 13,orifino 14.,red lodge 16 2015 ninja 1000 abs 2014 concourse 14 2012 concourse 14-sold 2011 vaquero-sold 2008 nomad-sold 2005 classic-sold
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04-05-2011, 12:40 AM	#8
markclark57 Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 3,108	Bias vs Radials I run a Goodyear Triple Tread rear and the o/e front. I will probably go with the Avon cobra on front replacement, but wish that the Pro Extreem by Avon came in a 16" rim. (I ride the wet stuff) __________________ 2006 Vulcan 1600 Classic "George III" (Patricia's) 2006 Vulcan 1600 Nomad "Grace" (Mark's) Mark Clark VBA #1619 TaibhseDaid@Gmail.Com "Irish" @ Maricopa County Chapter of B.A.C.A. Phoenix, AZ
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04-05-2011, 01:23 PM	#9
drno Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Lethbridge, Alberta Posts: 294	Bias vs Radials Im running a Metz ME880 radial on rear of bike, also ME880on frt but I dont know if its a raidial or bias... Im going to go back to bias all around on next set of tires. A squishy sidewall is not really my thing. They handle ok, ride ok, but I like the feel of a stiffer sidewall alot better. The front tire is a bit of a howler. __________________ Made ya Look
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04-05-2011, 06:26 PM	#10
speedbyu Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Cantrall, Illinois Posts: 449	Bias vs Radials Thanks everybody. I am going with the Stones to save a little money right now. I am still wanting to sell the bike and get the Vaquero, so my thinking is if they don't get quite the mileage of the others oh well. I may save a hundred or so just in case it sells. I have had radials on sport bikes with little problem, but still unsure about the cruiser with them. Not much difference in price between the two.
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