mixing bias ply with radials !!!

[morthrane]

Some bikes come with a bias ply up front and a radial out back. I think BMW's F650 does that.

The only no-no I've heard is to never use a radial front and bias rear. Why? I don't know. And don't want to find out why its so strongly advised against.

[lhanscom]

Re: Article

I'll have to check that out. I would have put radials on the GS's long ago, but I havent found them to be available in applicable sizes for GS rims.

Earl

I recently saw a magazine article that explained this dilemma in great detail. I'm pretty sure it was in the latest edition of "Cycle" magazine....maybe someone else can confirm.

As you know Earl, I'm running the D205 radial in the back, and a Pirelli Sport Demon up front. Works great.

[lhanscom]

Some bikes come with a bias ply up front and a radial out back. I think BMW's F650 does that.

The only no-no I've heard is to never use a radial front and bias rear. Why? I don't know. And don't want to find out why its so strongly advised against.

From what I've heard, putting a front radial on with a bias rear is bad since you get most of your feel thru what the front is doing. So the radial will grip the road better then your rear, and you'll have the tendency to push your rear tire beyond it's limits, and creating a highside crash. By having a bias on the front and radial on the rear you're able to feel the front, and ride within it's limits, while the rear has more traction.

[Anonymous]

I don't remember if I've mixed radial front with bias rear or not. I now have a GS 1150 with a Metzler MEZ 2 rear radial 130/80/R17, that I think have been discontinued, with a Maxxis 120/80/v16. The other 1150 has a Continental radial 150/70/R17 with the Maxxis front. My Honda CB 1100F
has the MEZ 2 130/80/R17 rear with a Metzler ME33 lazer up front. The 150/70/17 is a little wide for the 3.50 rims, but have given no problems

[earlfor]

I didnt think a 150/70 would fit/clear on a stock 1150 swingarm. ?

Earl

I don't remember if I've mixed radial front with bias rear or not. I now have a GS 1150 with a Metzler MEZ 2 rear radial 130/80/R17, that I think have been discontinued, with a Maxxis 120/80/v16. The other 1150 has a Continental radial 150/70/R17 with the Maxxis front. My Honda CB 1100F
has the MEZ 2 130/80/R17 rear with a Metzler ME33 lazer up front. The 150/70/17 is a little wide for the 3.50 rims, but have given no problems

[earlfor]

Re: Article

What size D205 are you running Luke? Stock swingarm and rim?

Earl

I'll have to check that out. I would have put radials on the GS's long ago, but I havent found them to be available in applicable sizes for GS rims.

Earl

I recently saw a magazine article that explained this dilemma in great detail. I'm pretty sure it was in the latest edition of "Cycle" magazine....maybe someone else can confirm.

As you know Earl, I'm running the D205 radial in the back, and a Pirelli Sport Demon up front. Works great.

[lhanscom]

140/80ZR17, at least I'm pretty sure that's it, it may be a 70, but I don't think so.

[earlfor]

Tanks velly much. :-)

E.

140/80ZR17, at least I'm pretty sure that's it, it may be a 70, but I don't think so.

[Anonymous]

The 150/70 is a tight fit, but nothing rubs.

[earlfor]

You're running a 150/70 on a stock 3.5 rim?


Earl

The 150/70 is a tight fit, but nothing rubs.

[Anonymous]

Yes, a Continental 150/70/R17 on a stock 3.50 cast wheel. Since the Metzlers were discontinued, this was about the smallest I could find. Look at the good side, I'll not run off the tread in a turn. I know the D205's come in 140/ but with the experiences I had with Dunlop years ago, I will forever boycot them. I DON"T RECOMMEND A 150/ ON A 3.50 WHEEL. I'm just telling what is on my bike now.