Topic: Got new tires--what a difference!

[jdigga]

Had a fresh new set of Avon Roadriders put on today.  I must say I like them very much.  I think they feel great.  Though, the only thing I can compare to are the old Cheng Shins that were on my bike when I bought it, of which the front was installed backwards by the PO.   So I suppose any new tires would feel just as awesome.  The bike feels more sure-footed, turn-in is much easier and more predictable, and mid-turn stability is so much better.

Oh, and yesterday I discovered Iron Pony Motorsports in Columbus. *genuflects*

[KB02]

When you really have that first moment of, "Whoa... tires make such a difference," It's really pretty cool... or frightening, depending on the conditions of "The Moment."

The other day I took my Wife's bike to work ('78 Honda Hawk 400). It has Cheng Shin tires on in. I came into one corner a little hot and felt the front tire slip just a touch. On my Ducati with a good Metzler up front, I never would have felt that. Like yours, the Cheng's were on there what I got the bike. When it comes time to replace them, I think something of a bit higher quality will be going on.

[KeithB]

I have Chengs on the '72 and Roadriders on the Cafe.
"What a difference" for sure!
It's worth every penny to spend extra dosh on good rubber.
I have always bought good Avon tires for my other bikes and the Chengs were a mistake.

[troppo]

you spend what you want on tyres, depends on what you put as a value on your life.
Like a helmet, you buy the best you can, they cant replace your head.

[stresssolutions]

Being a new rider, (400 miles), new tires makes me a little more confident in turns, still learning how to best corner.  Most traffic does not want to creep along behind me as I push the bike around the interstate exit ramp.  j/k, have not been on the interstate yet.

[joeb]

Love the road riders handle real well in the corners.    

[Bodain]

Had a fresh new set of Avon Roadriders put on today.  I must say I like them very much.  I think they feel great.  Though, the only thing I can compare to are the old Cheng Shins that were on my bike when I bought it, of which the front was installed backwards by the PO.   So I suppose any new tires would feel just as awesome.  The bike feels more sure-footed, turn-in is much easier and more predictable, and mid-turn stability is so much better.

I put a set of Chengs on a yamaha 350 RD once. The tires were fine. The interesting thing is. The directional arrow on the side of the tire was in direct contradiction to what the tread pattern would have you believe. So I mounted the tires using the directional arrow. Everyone who ever saw that tires insisted it was on backwards!

[jdigga]

I should have ditched that old rubber as soon as I got the bike.  They felt okay for a while but soon enough I no longer felt safe on the bike.  Once I was able to lock up the rear tire coming up to a stop sign at 5 mph, and a few weeks ago I had a sketchy panic stop that felt like I had both tires locked up.  That was my version of KB02's "moment".

I noticed that the profile of the rear Roadrider is much more rounded whereas the Chen Shin was rather flat in the center.  I wonder if this would also contribute to the significant difference in cornering ability?