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Sport tires on a maxim?

Discussion in 'XJ Technical Chat' started by plantingchickens, Oct 11, 2009.

  1. plantingchickens

    plantingchickens New Member

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    Alright, so i know very little about tires. I have Dunlop's 404 on my front end, But was thinking about getting a Sport bike tire on the rear due to how i have my bike set up but I'm not sure if the dynamics of the bike will be compromised do to the change of tire style. I was thinking about sticking with the same size tire just different style. Though... while i'm thinking about it how wide of a tire can I get without having to shave the shaft housing?

    The pic is a bit older but most mods after were cosmetics. (Paint, mirrors, etc.)

    [​IMG]
     
    plantingchickens, Oct 11, 2009
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  2. Broke_Dirty_Maxim

    Broke_Dirty_Maxim Member

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    When I went to get some tires last time, the guy at the shop recommended a softer front tire since they last longer anyway, and a more sport touring rear.

    His reasoning being, that I could raise the pressure some for when I was riding around town and maximize longevity, or lower the pressure for a bit more heat generation and grip if I wanted to go to the track.
     
    Broke_Dirty_Maxim, Oct 11, 2009
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  3. Cooter

    Cooter Member

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    You really don't want more grip in the rear than the front. I would match the tires, personally.
     
    Cooter, Oct 11, 2009
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  4. mcrwt644

    mcrwt644 Member

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    check out pirelli's. I love mine

    match the tires, it's better for confidence.
     
    mcrwt644, Oct 12, 2009
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  5. woot

    woot Active Member

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    I personally like the GT501 - and you'll see folks racing with them in the vintage classes. Truth is on the street it makes very very little difference.

    You also have to remember on the street you'll never bring a sporty tire up to temperature and as a result they'll never be as sticky as advertised.

    So - my advice is NOT to try and mount a larger rear tire. That'll change the handling of the bike (generally for the worse) and not improve safety.

    If it is just for lucks - call it that, and go for it ;)
     
    woot, Oct 12, 2009
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  6. mhhpartner

    mhhpartner Member

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    Pretty important to match the front and rear for handling and safety's sake. As far as the sport tires, you would probably be happiest with some of the prior generation bias ply tires. As mentioned above, the high $ radials used on newer bikes would be overkill on an XJ, and you would probably never get them up to temperature. I'm not a peg dragger by any means, but I'm happy with the Bridgestone BT-45s on my little Seca.
     
    mhhpartner, Oct 12, 2009
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  7. earz_cd

    earz_cd Member

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    I'm planning on running pirelli sport demons on my 700 once these D404's wear out.
     
    earz_cd, Oct 13, 2009
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