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Corporatemonkey
| | Posted on Tuesday, April 28, 2009 - 04:53 am: | 
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Are many of you guys doing your own tire changes?
Me: I have no place, and not the proper tools, so I am reliant on my credit card  |
Gentleman_jon
| | Posted on Tuesday, April 28, 2009 - 06:12 am: |
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I do my own tire changes. My riding buddy Gerry, has a No Mar machine.
Last time I did I left home at ten, got back before one. I was in no hurry, cleaning things as I went, and balancing the tires as carefully as I could. A guy who does it every day could probably do it in half the time.
Some things to remember:
1. The front axle has a reversed thread, the rear does not.
2. I use wooden carpenters shims to slide into the brake calipers to keep the brake pads from closing.
3. Get the shop manual, and follow the directions closely on the rear wheel removal and install.
4. While the front wheel is off, check the front forks for play. If there is any at all, tighten the steering head bearings as per manual: approx. 50 ft. lbs.
5. I use plastic wheel chocks to position the wheels so the axle goes in more easily, if I don't have a friend to hold the wheel up off the ground.
6. Once the wheels are on the bench, it is easy to give them a thorough cleaning. I use Plexus for the job. I clean the rotors with some brake cleaner, careful to not get it on the paint.
7. I place the balancing weights in the center of the rim if possible: I think this gives better side to side balance, and makes the rims easier to clean.
That's about it, or at least that's all that comes to mind right now.
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Johnnymceldoo
| | Posted on Tuesday, April 28, 2009 - 07:28 pm: |
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Ok, I got pilot road 2's ordered today. I called Aces and Eights today and they quoted me $66 to mount and balance both tires. I figure a harley dealer will be well equipped and practiced in not scuffing up rims.
I got them from ride direct.com(thanks Gentleman_jon). They had the best price I could find. Funny thing is the local metric dealer quoted the rear tire at $270 and the front around $210. I actually laughed out loud. I wanted to give them a chance because they will mount and balance for $20 each if you buy from them. What a jip.
I cant wait to try these out. |
Gentleman_jon
| | Posted on Tuesday, April 28, 2009 - 07:45 pm: |
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I figure a harley dealer will be well equipped and practiced in not scuffing up rims.
That would definitely NOT be my supposition.
Buell wheels and sport tires are not something that the typical Harley dealer has any experience with.
As someone who owns a Harley, I can assure you that Harley wheels are nothing like Buell wheels, the tires are
different, and most Harley wheels are not painted.
Of course if your Harley dealer is a real Buell specialist, than go ahead.
Otherwise, look for a good sport bike shop.
Just my . 02¢ |
Johnnymceldoo
| | Posted on Tuesday, April 28, 2009 - 08:08 pm: |
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Yes they are a Buell dealer. Decent selection last time I was in there too. |
Corporatemonkey
| | Posted on Tuesday, April 28, 2009 - 10:20 pm: |
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I have to look through my records, but I think I spent $190 front, $245 rear last summer.
At the time I did have much of a choice as the tires were sold out worldwide.
It took near 4 weeks to locate a front tire.
Just an FYI the RP2 are not made in huge quantity. Since their release the availability has been tight during spring.
If you are thinking of getting a pair this season, time to get them now, as the deals will dry up very soon. |
Johnnymceldoo
| | Posted on Sunday, May 03, 2009 - 04:37 pm: |
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I dropped my rims and tires off saturday and picked them back up today. Aces and Eights in Mason seem to be fast and professional. I just like going in there. They have about 7 Buells in the showroom including 2 or 3 1125R's.
I only rode my bike home after putting the new pilot roads on but I could tell the difference quickly. The bike leans smoothly now. The old dunlops you had to almost fight them a little to lean. Not the pilot roads. Very smooth and effortless.
I could also tell a difference in ride height. My old tires must have really been worn. They had about 5200 miles on them and had about a 2 inch flat spot on the rear. |
984gasm
| | Posted on Sunday, May 03, 2009 - 08:14 pm: |
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I just ordered a rear. I had the regular pilot powers, but definitely want more life, as I do a lot of longer distance straights to get to the curves. Hoping these will prove as good as the pilots. |
Jraice
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 05, 2009 - 11:34 pm: |
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http://www.vfrdiscussion.com/forum/index.php?showt opic=42750
After reading this it would be hard to go with any other tire...
984gasm, I would say the grip overall will not be the same as the powers and the profile is not as aggressive (read that review I just posted) but overall I think handling will be better in the long term as a sport tire gets flat from almost any significant straight line riding, in which case it will handle worse then the properly shaped sport touring tire.
Also it should work even better in a straight line compared to the regular Pilot Roads because the center 20 percent is even harder then the pilot roads on the rear tire. Then it has a softer material on the edges of the rear tire. The front tire has the softer material in the middle (but its more like 40 percent) and an EVEN softer material on the edge. Its like dual compound but a mix of 3 compounds.
But 984gasm, it sounds like you are sticking with the regular pilot power front? I have heard a lot of people like the pilot power front pilot road rear combo because you have braking and cornering grip of a sport tire with rear tire longevity of a sport touring tire. This combo should prove to be even better, more straight line longevity, and an even grippier side. |
Johnnylunchbox
| | Posted on Wednesday, May 06, 2009 - 12:14 am: |
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"A froghair (a quantifiable measure in the South) slower steering than the stock Dunlops, but otherwise a good choice in my opinion so far."
Couldn't have said it better myself. I wondered why my 12R (supposedly the best handling bike ever made) was scaring me. I got it with the stock dunlops at about 1500 miles on the d207s. It handled like crap. I got the PR2 2 CT, WOW! what a difference. The bike is now a pleasure to ride. Totally stable, neutral and predictable handling.
As to the harder center compound... I think the center is the same as it always has been, but it is the sides that are now softer. It seems for most of us it allows the tire profile to remain more uniform as wear progresses thus retarding funky handling issues. |
Jraice
| | Posted on Wednesday, May 06, 2009 - 12:22 am: |
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Johny...
Everything that I have read has pointed me to believe that the center on the rear tire is in fact harder then the regular pilot road. Michelin did this in order to make the tire desirable not only to those wanting a sportier tire but also people wanting better mileage in general, without sacrificing performance, even if not riding at a sport level.
The tires use three compounds. A hard which is harder then the regular pilot road, a medium which is softer and a soft which is even softer.
The rear tire has the center 20 percent made of the hard so that in a straight line it will give you the best mileage and shape. The rest of the rear tire is the medium.
The front tire has the medium in the center (although it is more then 20 percent, I believe its 40 percent of the center) and the soft on the sides. This gives you more grip up front for braking, and just for the general need for more traction and feel in the front tire.
The front has the extra soft compound on less of the tire then the rear for what I assume is to keep the shape better, as the front in general is softer so the change does not have to be as early, but the rear is only 20 percent hard so that it quickly (minimal lean) will transition to the grippier rubber, because the center is so hard (a bit harder then regular pilot road).
Definetly have decided it is the tire for me, I may research the Road Smarts later on but for now, I have decided from what I have read its the way to go.
Amazing mileage, holds its shape (important!) and I have heard the grip is amazing for any level of street riding. |
Johnnylunchbox
| | Posted on Wednesday, May 06, 2009 - 12:26 am: |
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I stand corrected. |
Jraice
| | Posted on Wednesday, May 06, 2009 - 01:00 am: |
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Basically... sounds like the best tire out there from reviews and technology for high performance street riding! |
Gentleman_jon
| | Posted on Thursday, May 14, 2009 - 06:56 am: |
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Update:
I have now done 300 miles on these tires, virtually all on tight back road twisties, riding with aggressive street riders on fast Italian iron, Ducatis and Aprilia, as well as the usual IL fours.
My conclusion is that these are just plain great tires. They appear to get better for the first two hundred miles.
I would say I am more comfortable going fast on these than I was on my Qualifiers.
Since my main riding pal moved from a Triumph Speed Triple to a Ducati 999S, I think the pace has increased as well.
Bottom line: Great handling, long wear, great tire, get some!
PS: As a bonus, they look like a sport tire, not some "second best". |
Union_man
| | Posted on Sunday, May 17, 2009 - 10:39 pm: |
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550+ miles on ‘em and 1/3 on gravel roads.
So far great feel and not bad off tarmac! |
Jraice
| | Posted on Sunday, May 17, 2009 - 10:48 pm: |
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Was riding today with a group of guys, one of whom was riding an XB12R. He said he has tried several brands and this is the best tire he has used. He really likes the round profile and says transitions are easier then with pilot power and other more aggressive sharper tires. He said he has yet to find the traction threshold and he rides fairly hard.
Definetly the tire I am getting and he has made me decide to stick with the same tire front and rear rather then a pilot power in the front and the road 2 in the rear.
Pretty excited to get those on and see how they feel on the bike!
Just rolled over 2000 miles on the stockers today. How much have you guys been getting out of your diablo T's? I will probably be riding less in the next week as finals approach but my dad and I are planning a trip down to SoCal with riding in between which will get a good deal of miles on them. Probably will need a new set before the end of summer! |
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