Tire dilema, help me choose.

Posted: Tue May 12, 2009 8:22 pm

I'm going in to order some tires this week. However, I can't seem to make the final decision on what to put on. Right now, I have both S11s, front AND back are 110. I want to go down to 100 for the front as the bike should steer better/lighter. And look better for that matter. On the back I'm thinking going 130(750F stock reversed comstars). I was going to go S11 on both again, but BT45s seem like a really nice choice. According to everybody, they are sticky and they definitely look way better then S11. It would be nice to know you have very sticky tire under you.
I don't ride aggressively(just yet), but I do live in curvy BC. And, I hope to do some trips this summer.

I'm thinking between:
1. Front BT45(100 width), back S11(130 width)
2. Both BT45s(100/130)

The ONLY reason I'm second guessing going BT45 all around is that people suggest they wear out too quick. Confused

EDIT: Change of "voting system"! lol
Let's try this. These are the combos I'm still thinking about - Vote(A,B,C,D,E or F!)!
Stock 750F, reversed Comstars:
A - 100/90(S11), 120(S11)
B - 100/90(BT45), 120(BT45)
C - 100/90(BT45), 120(S11)

D - 100/90(S11), 130(S11)
E - 100/90(BT45), 130(BT45)
F - 100/90(BT45), 130(S11)

I think 110 on the front seems too fat...

Posted: Tue May 12, 2009 8:38 pm

I just put a set of Dunlop D404's on my 11F. I haven't had much time yet to test them out but they seem good. I like to corner sharply and they have not slipped.

Sizes are the stock 100 and 130

CB1100F Joined: Mar 03, 2004 Posts: 3278 Location: Seattle

Quote:

I think 110 on the front seems too fat...

Been running a 110 on my 9 for about a decade now. Slows the front end down a tad bit, but sure makes it feel like its more planted on the road, especially in deep corners.....

Im a Metzeler kinda guy myself....

Posted: Tue May 12, 2009 10:49 pm

If you don't use the edges much I would stay away from the BT-45.
S-11's are plenty good anyway, you will defiantly get more mileage out of them too..Speaking from experience of course..
I run a 100 on my 900, and like it allot more than the 110 on my 1100 (it will be coming off right away for a 100 too)
When I go from the 900 to the 1100 it feels like there is a gorilla sitting on the front end..(on the 1100)

So I guess I am saying go for the S-11 in a 100.. Very Happy

(on the front) 130 on the rear.

Posted: Tue May 12, 2009 11:15 pm

CowTownBiomed wrote:

If you don't use the edges much I would stay away from the BT-45.
S-11's are plenty good anyway, you will defiantly get more mileage out of them too..Speaking from experience of course..
I run a 100 on my 900, and like it allot more than the 110 on my 1100 (it will be coming off right away for a 100 too)
When I go from the 900 to the 1100 it feels like there is a gorilla sitting on the front end..(on the 1100)

So I guess I am saying go for the S-11 in a 100.. Very Happy

(on the front) 130 on the rear.

I know you are a big S11 fan from searching around threads on tires. Do you run 130 in the back on the 900? And can you tell me more about the difference handling wise with the front 110 vs. 100? Am I wrong to assume that it will lighten the steering by a fair amount?

CB1100F Joined: Mar 03, 2004 Posts: 3278 Location: Seattle

Gentlemen, we are talking about 10 MILIMETERS difference in width.....

Back in the day, circa 1981-3, pretty much EVERYBODY who ran a 900 ran 110s on the front.... course, they then raised the fork tube two pennies thickness up from the upper fork stanction in order to quicken it back up.

But hay, to each their own..... Cool

Posted: Tue May 12, 2009 11:46 pm

Blainethemono wrote:

Gentlemen, we are talking about 10 MILIMETERS difference in width.....

Back in the day, circa 1981-3, pretty much EVERYBODY who ran a 900 ran 110s on the front.... course, they then raised the fork tube two pennies thickness up from the upper fork stanction in order to quicken it back up.

But hay, to each their own..... Cool

Yeah, I can see your point, we are talking about 10mm. But that same 10mm is also 10% of the actual width so there has to be some difference. No? Confused

I mean, if we were talking about a 385 Lambo tire, then I could see 10mm not being much.

Cowtown, any pics of that rear 130 S11? Cool

Posted: Wed May 13, 2009 12:21 am

Sure.
http://www.cb1100f.net/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&t=43626

And its not the width its the height..100 is a smaller diameter..Just drops the front a touch compared to the 110 but you sure can feel it..
So yes it will lighten up the front a bit compaired to the 110, makes it go into the corners quicker...and by that I mean less effort is required to push it in...

If all Nitro needs is a S-11 thats all you will need too Shocked

Posted: Wed May 13, 2009 12:43 am

For what it's worth....

I ran S11's for a while on a mostly stock 900F then switched to BT45V's (on different wheels);

Hard to do a direct comparison because I didn't switch to like sizes, but I've always felt more confidence with the BT45's and have had no wear problems. The front tire in the 2nd picture is a 110/80/18 on an 18x2.5 rim.

You know what they say about opinions, but I would go for the BT45's.

Posted: Wed May 13, 2009 1:07 am

I liked the set of BT-45 I had on the 900 too, I just wore them out way too fast..
After that I tried out a set of S-11's on and have gotten great mileage out of them..
I think its the dual compound, with the harder centerline section, the sidewalls seem (or are?) just as soft as the 45's...
I still left chicken strips on both sets anyway..

Posted: Wed May 13, 2009 1:25 am

Batan..You dont need anything fancy on these bikes, I have found out over time any tire I ever put on is more than capable a sane speeds on BC roads, The s11's are a great compromise between wear and traction.
Don't just go by what looks nice, put on the stock size and enjoy the best handling..I have tried em all and personally will never go over a 120 rear or 100 front myself. But I have tried them and found out what I liked,u may diff. Smile

Posted: Wed May 13, 2009 1:33 am

Nitro wrote:

Batan..You dont need anything fancy on these bikes, I have found out over time any tire I ever put on is more than capable a sane speeds on BC roads, The s11's are a great compromise between wear and traction.Funny how the kenda's can keep up with the fgang anywhere I go also..go figure.. Smile

I tried 130's once and it sucked, I would never go over 120 again. Personally on our mountain roads the 100 front and the 110 back give my bikes the best feel. If its looks you are after, put on a 140... Smile

and ordetr them from petes..

Damn, I knew somebody would throw a wrench in my plans! LOL
I'm thinking BT45 would be good at least up front because of braking? As for the rear, what didn't you like about 130 rear? And, lol, no looks are not the only thing I'm after, I'm trying to get a compromise of some sort. 110 front and 110 back makes the bike look like a fat bicycle. Rolling Eyes

And CowTown, I believe the H rated BT45 is a dual compound just like the S11s, but V rated one is not.

Posted: Wed May 13, 2009 1:49 am

here's a new option, Continental GO. Available in F sizes.

Posted: Wed May 13, 2009 1:49 am

Hey..No harm to try something diff, why not? I enjoyed trying diff tires over the last 30 yrs, but now wills tick to the basics.....I have tried em all over the years and found no diff for the roads i ride at good speeds from the stickys to the cheapos.cept in wear...On most bikes at semi sane speeds they are all capable..Wanna be a racer, then get sticky, or a modern bike first.. Smile

I dont expect you will get a better price than from Petes either..good luck!

Posted: Wed May 13, 2009 2:08 am

Nitro wrote:

Hey..No harm to try something diff, why not? I enjoyed trying diff tires over the last 30 yrs, but now wills tick to the basics.....I have tried em all over the years and found no diff for the roads i ride at good speeds from the stickys to the cheapos.cept in wear...On most bikes at semi sane speeds they are all capable..Wanna be a racer, then get sticky, or a modern bike first.. Smile

I dont expect you will get a better price than from Petes either..good luck!

LOL, I'm no racer, I'm sure S11s would suffice. Hell, I started riding last June, how racey can I be? Laughing

But I was wondering what was bad about 130 rear?

BTW(does "good speeds" include that 220+kph shot?!? Twisted Evil

CB1100F Joined: Mar 03, 2004 Posts: 3278 Location: Seattle

Quote:

But I was wondering what was bad about 130 rear?

The general thinking was 120 back, 100 front. 110 front, 130 back.....

IMHO, The contact patches front and rear are matched with regards to cornering......

When leaning into a corner, the front tire will be reaching its maximun lean angle, while the rear will be giving you signals that there is more to go...

Hence you may wash out the front end when you least expect it...

On the only two 900Fs I have ever owned, it has always been for me...

110/130 Cool

Posted: Wed May 13, 2009 2:59 am

Blainethemono wrote:

Quote:

But I was wondering what was bad about 130 rear?

The general thinking was 120 back, 100 front. 110 front, 130 back.....

IMHO, The contact patches front and rear are matched with regards to cornering......

When leaning into a corner, the front tire will be reaching its maximun lean angle, while the rear will be giving you signals that there is more to go...

Hence you may wash out the front end when you least expect it...

That's perfectly put, makes sense, thanks. Smile

Which leaves me with either sticking to 110 up front or going 120 back... dammit. I need less choices not more! Laughing

CB1100F Joined: Mar 03, 2004 Posts: 3278 Location: Seattle

And I have had shops refuse to install a non-stock configuration, so I just take them the wheels or do it myself..... Cool

Posted: Wed May 13, 2009 3:13 am

Blainethemono wrote:

And I have had shops refuse to install a non-stock configuration, so I just take them the wheels or do it myself..... Cool

I'd have problems with keeping the bike on something while I go do that... Confused

CB1100F Joined: Mar 03, 2004 Posts: 3278 Location: Seattle

Quote:

I'd have problems with keeping the bike on something while I go do that...

Me too, but I have found that the proverbial plastic milk crate or a wood block under the front frame works awesome!!! Cool

Posted: Wed May 13, 2009 3:33 am

Blainethemono wrote:

Quote:

I'd have problems with keeping the bike on something while I go do that...

Me too, but I have found that the proverbial plastic milk crate or a wood block under the front frame works awesome!!! Cool

Duh, I wasn't even thinking about the fact that the bike is perfectly balanced with both wheels off! Rolling Eyes

Now that I thin about it... how IS the balance with them off? You leave it on the centerstand and put the crate under the front part of the frame? I'd still rather get the shop to do it but I might do it myself...

CB1100F Joined: Mar 03, 2004 Posts: 3278 Location: Seattle

Quote:

how IS the balance with them off? You leave it on the centerstand and put the crate under the front part of the frame?

Bike is fairly light Shocked

with the wheels off, so its no problem keeping it in place. While my tires are getting installed, I clean the inner workings of the frame, grease the swing arm, check the bushings, do a general look see.. lube the chain, etc....

Best part is the turn around. A shop can turn over a 2 tire install quicker then wheeling a bike around and jacking it up, so it makes it easier to work around the bike shop.... Buy the correct, cheap Chinese tools and its almost fun... Confused

Theres also the ASV stand.

Posted: Wed May 13, 2009 4:43 am

Did you just used the word "light" in the context of an F bike? Shocked

Posted: Wed May 13, 2009 7:02 am

Batan wrote:

Nitro wrote:

Hey..No harm to try something diff, why not? I enjoyed trying diff tires over the last 30 yrs, but now wills stick to the basics.....I have tried em all over the years and found no diff for the roads i ride at good speeds from the stickys to the cheapos.cept in wear...On most bikes at semi sane speeds they are all capable..Wanna be a racer, then get sticky, or a modern bike first.. Smile

I dont expect you will get a better price than from Petes either..good luck!

LOL, I'm no racer, I'm sure S11s would suffice. Hell, I started riding last June, how racey can I be? Laughing

But I was wondering what was bad about 130 rear?

BTW(does "good speeds" include that 220+kph shot?!? Twisted Evil

hahaa..that pic was on the 5 yr old kenda's, which work just as good on my roads as anything else i have tried.But of course I never go around corners or over 70 kph with them.....

but as for the 130..the fat tires just slow down the handling..try em if u want the look...they wont hurt anything, but to me it is very different, and I prefer the quicker myself, thats all. I do find much more of a diff going to the fatter front tire than i do the rear....I have run a 130/80 rear before and I didnt mind it at all, but i stick with the 100 fronts myself..you will also find your rear gearing goes up with the taller tire..no big deal tho. as for racy, the chassis will wobble you off as quick as the poor tires will get you.In the end of course the stickier ones will give you a bigger margin of error. Smile

.

Posted: Wed May 13, 2009 7:49 am

I am using a 110/80/19 in the front of my 750F.

I think it looks nice, it is wider ( 110 vs 100 ) lower ( 80 vs 90 ) and performs great.

Here a few pixes. Definitely less bulky than the 100/90/19.

First photo , 100/90/19 on wheel and 110/80/19 tire next to it.

Second photo, a 110/80/19

Both tires side by side.

Detail sidewall 110/80/19

On bike

Jaime._________________________________________________________

Posted: Wed May 13, 2009 2:32 pm

Another suggestion to throw into the mix: Check out the Metzeler Lazertec, available in F sizes. Metzeler is the only tire I've run on my CB1100F (about 8 or 9 sets and counting). I always stayed with stock sizes (100/90 front, 130/90 rear) because I like the lighter feel. I used to get 12,000 to 16,000 miles out of an ME-99 rear and an ME-33 Comp K front (sure do miss that tire!). On cornering, the front tire reaches the edge of the tire first, while the rear has 1/4 inch or so to go, so I want as sticky a front tire as I can get. When the ME-99 was discontinued, I used an ME-55 that didn't wear quite as long; I got a bit under 10,000 miles. Current tires are ME550 rear and ME330 front, which have about 8500 miles on them and look like they'll go over 10,000, and they stick pretty well once I scrub the old rubber off the tread surfaces and get them good and warm (they're about 6 years old), but I'll likely replace them.

I really wish there were an equivalent to the ME-33 Comp K still available. It stuck great, and lasted just about exactly as long as a standard (non-Comp K) ME-99 rear tire.

Posted: Wed May 13, 2009 2:40 pm

Batan wrote:

Blainethemono wrote:

Quote:

I'd have problems with keeping the bike on something while I go do that...

Me too, but I have found that the proverbial plastic milk crate or a wood block under the front frame works awesome!!! Cool

Duh, I wasn't even thinking about the fact that the bike is perfectly balanced with both wheels off! Rolling Eyes

Now that I thin about it... how IS the balance with them off? You leave it on the centerstand and put the crate under the front part of the frame?

The bike is in no way balanced with the wheels off....it is very nose heavy. I had mine on the centerstand and lifted the front of the bike up while I kicked a drive on auto ramp under the front. There is no way a milk crate in the front of the frame will work with a four into one. Stock maybe. I was surprised at the weight on the front at first but just attributed it to the center stand being toward the rear of the bike.
I took my tires to the local Honda dealer because he said that they had the correct hairpin style weights to balance the comstars with.
I went with 100/90/19's and 130/80/18 BT45 V......I am not a Canyon carver but they grip well.
As for wear if you are worried about it....or ride more than 1500miles a year(which I do not) do not buy these.
Batan,as I had mentioned before it is difficult to find the "right" tire in these sizes. I leaned toward the "sport" realm.A lot of guys here are serious road pounders and these guys know the best compromise. Wink

CB1100F Joined: Mar 03, 2004 Posts: 3278 Location: Seattle

Quote:

There is no way a milk crate in the front of the frame will work with a four into one

I use the milk crate on the FRONT FORKS... sorry if I forgot to mention that... Rolling Eyes

Here is the URL for the Bike stand if anybody is interested.

http://asvinventions.com/kickstand/

Posted: Wed May 13, 2009 7:25 pm

Jaime wrote:

I am using a 110/80/19 in the front of my 750F.

I think it looks nice, it is wider ( 110 vs 100 ) lower ( 80 vs 90 ) and performs great.

Here a few pixes. Definitely less bulky than the 100/90/19.

See, that's the thing, my front is currently 110/90! Rolling Eyes

Man, I am more indecisive now then when I started the thread. LOL

Posted: Wed May 13, 2009 7:33 pm

Jaime wrote:

I am using a 110/80/19 in the front of my 750F.

I think it looks nice, it is wider ( 110 vs 100 ) lower ( 80 vs 90 ) and performs great.

Here a few pixes. Definitely less bulky than the 100/90/19.

My God! That's a radial! Don't you know that your liable to go insane, your arms will fall off, and your children will be born naked if you put a radial on the front! Unless it synthetic of course. Very Happy