250 eliminator

[ARCHIVE_gosupes]

opinions on tires needed

So I'm riding into work this morning, it's a nice morning without any of the usual fog but the roads are a bit damp. Going in the back way through the local farms at about 4:30am and having a good ride when the back end slides out during a mild bend in the road at about 35MPH. Do my best flat track impression with a 500+ lb bike and managed to keep her on the wheels. I was going to change the tires this winter anyway. The previous owner put some no name tire on the back but it has plenty of tread so I was just going to burn it down until winter. Now my priorities have shifted. I want to go with a 170 and have been looking at the Venom, Metzeler and other brands. I wanted to get some opinions on the different brands and any pros and cons as well. Thansk for the insight.

 

[ARCHIVE_fastfatcow]

i have had great luck w/ the venoms will NOT go back to dunlops. sorry no experience/opinion on the metzlers

 

[ARCHIVE_gosupes]

I am leaning towards the Venom but wanted to add that I don't ride in the rain (unless by accident) but I live at a pretty low elevation and get a lot of fog and damp streets in the mornings so fair to good wet traction is a plus. My riding style is mostly mild. An occasional visit to triple digits, some hard acceleration once or twice a day and not much hard cornering. Looking forward to more replys.

 

[ARCHIVE_rammy1500]

I have the Venoms as well, nice sticky tires, but I not into scraping my knees in corners either. So I can't tell you how far over you can lean on them.

 

[ARCHIVE_furchin]

venom tires

I had the venom tires on one of my 1000's for a while. While I liked them for dry road running they actually scared me on wet roads. I did not think that they had any traction at all on turns. OK on the straight stretches though. Just my opinion. I now run the Maxxis Classic in the rear on two of my bikes and Dunlops on the third one. Furchin

 

[ARCHIVE_zlMark]

Here is my bike with the metzlers. I really like them. No signs of wear even after some nasty burnouts

 

[ARCHIVE_gosupes]

RedhatNeo, I take it that's the 170 width tire?

 

[ARCHIVE_zlMark]

yep, and it has 1/8" clearance where the shaft has the dogleg in it

 

[ARCHIVE_clif]

Don't get the venoms. They're scary in the wet and don't really last that long; I got about 5k out of my rear and had a couple of unexpected dirttrack moments. Moreover, you can't use the last 1/2" or so of tread since your pegs will touch down. Thanks to the V-max (sorry!) there are plenty of 150-90's that will fit and give you much better handling. I realize you're not hanging it out there that much, but your steering effort at all lean angles will be greatly reduced with the narrower rear tire and you can get cheap and durable tires. I'm really pleased with my IRC. It's half the price of the venom, pulls wheelies off the line (instead of burnouts), shows minimal wear after 2k miles, and handles much better.

 

[ARCHIVE_furchin]

tires

Clif, thanks for echoing my sentaments on the Avon tire in the wet weather. While probably a good tire I was not impressed at all with the overall aspects of it. If you are heading home to P-burg at any time stop and see me. I now have the newest ZL1000, in red, on the road. Thought you may want to take a look at it. Martin aka --- Furchin

 

[ARCHIVE_gosupes]

Thanks for everyone's input. I think I will look into getting the Metzlers, they seem to be a happy medium for what I was looking for. As for running a 150/90 tire, that's what is presently on and I have to say it looks a bit silly, IMO. It's only a little bit shorter but it looks too small. I think the Eli's look better with the larger tire.

 

[ARCHIVE_furchin]

tires

Just to enlighten you on the different tire sizes and their relationship to riding. If you put on the 170, which I have on one of my Eli's, you will encounter a forward leaning effect while riding the bike. Depending upon manufactor of the tire the 170 will increase riding height approx. 1 inch over stock. You may or may not like the difference. This is to me very noticable between my 2 1000's. One has the 170 and one has the stock size of 160. For comfort and proper riding position I prefer the 160. Just make sure of what you want. I totally agree that the 170 looks so much better but comfort is to be included in your thought process. Furchin

 

[ARCHIVE_Rocket]

For my 2 bob's worth, I'm with furchin. The 170/80 are taller and on my bike I already find myself sliding towards the from of the seat (factory contour in the padding), raising the arse of the bike alone would surely worsen the comfort state. That, and the changed drive ration (additional circumference), is the reason I went for the factory 160/80-15 (Dunlop D404). The next tyre will probably be the Bridgestone Exedra G702 (also 160/80-15). That is unless I discover a 180/70-15 recommended for a 4.5" rim.

 

[ARCHIVE_gosupes]

Yeah I considered the size issue but plan on running a shorter shock sometime this winter. Thanks again.

 

[ARCHIVE_zlMark]

Re: tires

Just to enlighten you on the different tire sizes and their relationship to riding. If you put on the 170, which I have on one of my Eli's, you will encounter a forward leaning effect while riding the bike. Depending upon manufactor of the tire the 170 will increase riding height approx. 1 inch over stock. You may or may not like the difference. This is to me very noticable between my 2 1000's. One has the 170 and one has the stock size of 160. For comfort and proper riding position I prefer the 160. Just make sure of what you want. I totally agree that the 170 looks so much better but comfort is to be included in your thought process. Furchin

I don't think the taller tire matters. When i have a passenger on the bike, the bike sits lower and i still feel like i'm being slid toward the front. I think it's the contour of the seat

 

[ARCHIVE_Rocket]

Guys,
Sorry about my two typo's ("from" should read 'front' and "ration" should read 'ratio').

Yes, I agree the seat contour is the culprit and that a pillion/shorter shock would counter the increased ride height. If my seat hadn't been recently recovered (previous owner) I would have the padding modified and recovered without pleats/ribs stitched in the top (they let water in).

I simply wanted to remind everyone that the 170 is a bit taller.

 

[ARCHIVE_Joker]

I ran the Avon 170 Venom X on the rear of mine.
Josh

 

[ARCHIVE_knightkadosh]

I like the 170 Venom-X, it seems to be earning it’s keep. However, the X is the only new rear tire I have had on it, since I bought the bike. A worn out Dunlop wasn’t much of a comparison. I can tell you this, the X hooks-up on the starting line like nobodies business, it’s whole different ballgame.

Brian

 

[ARCHIVE_gosupes]

Funny this should get bumped back up. I got the new tire in today, a 170 Metzeler. Got everything disassembled and laying on the ground and was thinking I should probably replace a few seals while I'm in there. Last month it started leaking a gear oil from around the head of the axle bolt. I see there is an oil seal in there. How easy is this to replace? I see the large seal on the back of the ring gear and there was another o-ring back by the damper I am going to replace if the local dealer has them in stock. I am scheduled to go to a rally next weekend and don't want get in over my head. Thanks.

 

[panther]

I was going past a bike shop today and noticed a bike with "Eliminator" on the tank, not being a common sight over here i had to double back for a look. Sure enough it was a Kwaka and looked almost new. I was surprised how big they've made the "small" bikes, i'm sure it was a v-twin 250, although there was no badge or logo stating the engine size. I'm sure Kawasaki Australia doesn't sell an eliminator bigger than 250. It is bigger, lower and looks heavier than my 400 and the seat is wide enough to fit a chicks arse (no offense) . From all appearances it's a scaled down Vulcan. Surely bike manufacturers aren't following the trend of automobile manufacturers who make each new model (as an example) 20% bigger and heavier then talk up the 10% power increase or the fuel economy? :nonono: