What do you think about these tires?

[DeeG]

http://mc.bridgestone.co.jp/en/products/accolade/index.html


Was looking at the BT45's for the R45, but came across these.  I really like the 'vintage' look of these, but you all feel that the 90/90-18 is too small for the front.   they have a rear tire in the right front size, can you put a rear tire on the front?

Mind you, this bike is NOT a daily driver and in November when the tabs come due, I am going to be putting a 'collector vehicle' plate.  one time fee and it pretty much will limit how often I can take the bike out.  Which is not a problem as I only ride the bike a dozen times a year anyways.  

So.  these tires do not have to be super long wearing, they probably won't see any rain, and more than likely there will be no serious corner carving.  And I'm guessing that the bike won't see more than 800-1000 miles a year.  Would putting that 90/90-18 on the front work in this situation?

[Bob_Roller]

About the only thing I can say about the tread pattern, is block type tread with grooves in them tend to follow rain grooves in the pavement, if you don't have a lot of that in your area, you won't have a problem .

[Barry]

I have a 3.25x18 Metzeler ME11 on the front which has a similar block tread pattern to the AC01. The ME11 is very stable and works just fine for me but we don't have rain grooves on our roads.

I just went out to the garage and measured the ME11. Dimensions (650mm Dia   91.5 mm Wide) are almost identical to the 90/90 H rated AC01 so I think the 90/90 size is correct.

Curious that the P rated 90/90 tire is slightly smaller.

[Rob Valdez 79 R65]

As long as Bridgestone keeps making the Spitfire in my size, I am a happy camper.

[NC Steve]

As long as Bridgestone keeps making the Spitfire in my size, I am a happy camper.

Me too  [smiley=thumbsup.gif]

[montmil]

As long as Bridgestone keeps making the Spitfire in my size, I am a happy camper.

Me too  [smiley=thumbsup.gif]

Me three! [smiley=thumbsup.gif] [smiley=thumbsup.gif] [smiley=thumbsup.gif]

Monte

[Semper Gumby]

Since Michelin has decided not to make the Pilot Activ in the 4.00H18 size it looks like I'll be switching to Bridgestone as well.  The BT45F that came with the K100RS front end has made a believer out of me.  

It has no bad habits.

[Bob_Roller]

The ME11 is very stable and works just fine for me but we don't have rain grooves on our roads.  

Here's a brief description of what grooved concrete can do to the handling of a vehicle, two or four wheels, for those of you that don't have grooved or textured concrete road surfaces .


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Groove_wander

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tramlining

[Barry]

Here's a brief description of what grooved concrete can do to the handling of a vehicle, two or four wheels, for those of you that don't have grooved or textured concrete road surfaces .

Sounds like riding continuously on the edge of a raised white line with worn tires.

Daft question but why do they do this to the road surface. Surely the grooves wear flat over time. In fact the road surface must wear at faster rate than normal.

We have very little in the way concrete road surfaces and what there is I don't like because of the much louder tire noise and thumps from the expansion joints.

[montmil]

In some instances, the grooves eliminate water "ponding" on the highways and reduces the dangerous issue of hydroplaning.

It's also a way of delaying the expensive and time consuming road repair/rebuilding projects. We just trade one evil for another smaller one.

So many roads. So few tax dollars wisely spent.  Don't get me started [smiley=furious3.gif]

Monte

[Justin B.]

Dee, the 90/90-18 should be very close to the stock factory size as is the 110/90-18 for the rear.   I am running a 90/90 Macadam on the front of the Junkyard Dawg.  The handling is noticeably quicker with the 90/90 opposed to the 100/90 a lot of folks run.  

[Semper Gumby]

Would somebody who knows how give Michelin a gentile prod about the end of the Macadam and the dearth of replacement Pilot Activs.  The folks at Michelin USA Greenville SC don't know anything (or they just don't care!?)  

Trolle?

[nhmaf]

I agree, the BT45 tires and the Spitfire/S11 tires are much less 'squirrely' on grooved/scarified pavement and also on rectangular metal bridge decking - though all motorcycles have some 'wandering' when encountering these obstacles.   The Meterzler ME33 has a stronger tendency to follow roadlines grooves, IMHO, and was one of the reasons I switched.

[Justin B.]

Bill, the last time I talked with Michelin was about a year ago and they said there were no plans to kill the Macadam.  They did mention another tire (didn't pay any attention as I didn't use it) would have certain sizes discontinued.

[Gordons_HQ]

Bridgestone BT45's transformed my bike from a scary beast on Continentals to a good handler and I wouldn't have anything else now.

Gordon