Fast Eddie
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- Oct 4, 2013
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PS: I met a bloke at Mallory Park recently who has 72 Norton’s (yup SEVENTY TWO).
Just the thought of that stresses me out !
Just the thought of that stresses me out !
PS: I met a bloke at Mallory Park recently who has 72 Norton’s (yup SEVENTY TWO).
Just the thought of that stresses me out !
That’s mind boggling....
So, when we moved house into town a few years ago that ‘luxury’ workshop wasn’t possible. So I’ve now got a 10’x15’ shed and I set myself a limit of 3 bikes. 3 bikes fit in the shed with room to manoeuvre. And 3 bikes seems to be a quantity I can keep on top of and develop somewhere close to what I actually want.
I can vouch for that. I took mine for it's biennial road worthiness inspection today, and the inspector called me over and pointed out the tiny cracks in the sidewall of the front tyre. On the ground I couldn't see them, but he had it up on a ramp over a metre high with a big LED inspection lamp and they were much more obvious. He just cited age as the cause. Needless to say it failed and I'm now shopping for Avon Roadriders (and a ramp ).I don't see tyre mileage as an issue. Like I've said before, most tyres on Commandos get changed because they are old rather thn worn out.
I had BT45's on my Yamaha TR1, and I didn't like the way it went over banding or the raised edges of white lines and pedestrian crossings. In fact quite unnerving sometimes. Switched to Avon's and that behavior was history. I have to admit to being an Avon fan. Had Storms on my Daytona 955i and they were superb.That is why I don't have any problem with the idea of running a BT45 100/90 19 front tire on the rear.
Better than changing to a 18" rear rim. I prefer the appearance of common size wheels all around anyway.
That is why I don't have any problem with the idea of running a BT45 100/90 19 front tire on the rear.
Better than changing to a 18" rear rim. I prefer the appearance of common size wheels all around anyway.
Enjoy, not sure yet on the life of the rear, but they make the bike feel so much lighter and and handle better. Steel belt radials are a step up. The Roadrider was good, but the steel radials are even better.I picked the Road Attack radials up today and after a lengthy discussion am in no doubt these will outperform any bias ply tyre.
I was told the ride being a radial will be superior also and have made (with wide rim cost) a great choice in general even if expensive.
These will be run at around 38 / 42 psi.
View attachment 11245
To my eyes, the BT45 tread pattern looks better with my bike and I hear they are a bit lighter.
But a unviversal is probably deeper than a bt45 front.
Well, that's right. Looks are the most important thing.
Enjoy, not sure yet on the life of the rear, but they make the bike feel so much lighter and and handle better. Steel belt radials are a step up. The Roadrider was good, but the steel radials are even better.
Well, that's right. Looks are the most important thing.
Looks are the prime reason for the Commando’s popularity. That and the masochistic nature of Commando owners.
I've got a pair of Roadriders on my bike currently and really like them; very sure footed and predictable. Does the older style tread pattern of the Roadrunner R2 and F2 have a similar feel to them?
Is there a consensus on Roadriders vs Roadrunners?
I've got a pair of Roadriders on my bike currently and really like them; very sure footed and predictable. Does the older style tread pattern of the Roadrunner R2 and F2 have a similar feel to them?
Avon claims an "A25 race compound" for the R2 (rear tire) and an "A30 race compound" for the F2 (front tire). Does that equate to feeling great but wearing out fast? If so, how fast?
These will be going on a road-going 650SS with 19" front and rear. If they feel the same, a more original looking tire would be preferable, but I'd rather have a good handling tire than "originality".
I've worn out several sets of A25/A30s. Riding with fast company on late model bikes, they enable me to hang with the plastic bikes and create respect for the "wow, it's got skinny tires and you can actually see through it" Commando. Yes, the rears wear out quickly, 2500 miles or more depending on how tolerant you are of sketchy remaining tread. Fronts last so long it doesn't matter. Of late, I'm running a soft racing front and standard street tires on the back. Loose out back, Rock of Gibraltar up front. Nice long lasting combo.