Macadam tires...

[Justin B.]

With all of the rumors of this tire having been discontinued (now that it is about my favorite tire)  I called Dennis Kirk and ordered a new front for my '95 RT.   While I was jumping around the net, looking for a price for them to beat, I happened onto a listing for the new 2007 model Macadm 50e at motorcycle-superstore.com.

So, if the Macadam line was new and improved for 2007, then all of the talk about the "old" Macadam going away are likely correct, although a bit misleading.   I went to Michelin's site, put in the info for my R100, and their tire selector listed the Macadams as the proper tire for this bike.  This seemed to me pretty strong evidence that the tire was not being discontinued.  

I called Michelin and they first said that it was being discontinued   and replaced by the Pilot Activ.  I gave her my tire size and the rep said the Pilot was not made in those sizes.    Now I was confused.  I was then asked to hold while she checked on something and after being on hold for a while she came back and said that only the 100/90-18 and 110/80-18   were being discontinued but the sizes I were interested in were still being produced and there had been nothing said about discontinuing the line.   Of course, I suppose, that could change tomorrow...

Sooo, the Macadam line is STILL my favorite tire, but I refuse to be baited into a tire thread and any such attempt will be split off and moved to the "Rants" section where I believe all tire and oil threads belong...  

[MrRiden]

I checked this out and a Google of Macadm 50 brought up a plethora (just how many is in a plethora?) of hits for this "discontinued" tire. So it seems reports of their death have been greatly mis reported.
Rich
Who now rides on perfectly balanced Chen Shin tires.

[Justin B.]

I know, that's why I did some research yesterday and found that there was even confusion amongst the Michelin Customer Service folks.  I ordered a new 90/90-18 for the front of the '95 RT just in case, though...

Chen Shin?  You know, if you just change one itty-bitty letter...  I guess I need a smiley of "one biting tongue".  Don't make me reposses your balancer!  

[Bob_Roller]

How dare you heathens put anything but genuine GERMAN tires on your GERMAN motorcycle !!!!!

[Justin B.]

Well, didn't the French LET Germany have the country for a while a few years back?  [smiley=ROTFLMAO.gif]  Wouldn't that make Michelins "german by proxy", or something? ;-)  Seriously, I used to run Conti Twins and liked them a lot but I was lucky to get 5k out of a rear and I have had headshake issues with every front Metzler I've ever had once it had a few miles on it.  I ordered the new front tire for my RT with about 18k on the current Mac 50e...

Ummm, hope we have no Frenchies on the forum that will take offense to that humorous little jab...

[trolle]

Yesterday I went for a 200 mile roundtrip in a >20 mph wind. While the wh8la2 does not mind  side wind very much, she was very lively especially when going above 80 mph. The buffeting of the wind made her dance a little and I wonder if it is possible to remove the rather nervous behaviour by adjusting the suspension and the tire pressure. At present she has new Bridgestone BT 45s (no I am not a fundementalist), the front suspension is filled with 10/40 racing suspension oil and the rear Koni suspension are set in the middle position. The tirepressure is 33 front and 34 rear.

I will be doing the same trip Monday, hopefully in lesser wind, which will make it possible to find out whether  the nervous behavior is due to the wind or due to other factors.

Do any of you out there have thoughts on this matter you would want to share?

greetings from a north waiting for warm and sunny weather - the weatherman says temps up to 60F, which is high temperatures at this time of the year.

trolle

[SCJJR65]

Kind of a shock to see the label "newbie" under Trolle's name, isn't it?  

[Joan]

Oh man! I'm sure liking reading about everyone's real world tire usage for our bikes!

And thanks for the Macadam details, Justin. Your input was the final yes vote for the next set on the Blueberry. Of course she's not burning any rubber up on the wooden repair stand, but t Real Soon Now...  

[QMopar]

Hi All,

I found the site a few days ago and am anxious to get my R65 on the road.  I owned my 79 R65 from 1992-2005 when my personal economy forced it's sale.  I'm happy to say I've acquired another 79 (albeit in more pieces than my previous bike) and I hope to have it ready for this summer.  That said...

This post is right up my alley because among many things it needs tires.  I ran Dunlop and Kenda (SP?) on it but what would be your recommendations?

Also, I think I ran a front 100/90-18 and 110/90-18 in the rear...is there a consensus on a better size?

Thanks and myabe I'll see you riding...

~Q

[Justin B.]

90/90-18 might be a bit closer to the stock size but the 100/90 will work OK.  The 90/90 will result in a bit quicker handling...

[Semper Gumby]

Trolle - I'm goin to push my forks down a 1/4" to increase the "trail".  This will supposedly make the bike less lively at speed.  I will let you know about this as this is will be an interesting farkel if it works.  If it has the desired effect then I will machine some caps for the top of the forks to keep the top clamp pinch bolts from "coning" above the top of the fork tube.

Qmopar - I really like the 120/90H18 on the rear at 36 psi and (if I had a nakked R65) a 100/90H18 on the front at 33 psi.  Go with V-rated in the same sizes if you want a bit more *stick* with a less longevity.

PS for the record I am also a Macadam fan.  Great handling,  forgiving.  Mine start taking to me as they approach the limits of adheision which I really like.  I hate tires that "let go" without warning.  I am willing to try other tires but for the moment I am really happy with the Macadams.  I get good mileage out of them when I go on long asphalt eating trips and when I head to the mountains I can stuffit in a corner and hang off.  8-)