Bonneville America Forums Forums Technical Forums General Tech Front tire on 06 America

Its time to change the front tire on the 06 America. Managed to get a little over 9,000 miles out of it. Its the Bridgestone L303. Has anyone not used this tire as a replacement and if so why not and what did you go to instead?

The stock replacement is a Metzler Lazertech. I didn't think they still put Bridgestones on in '06. I think they suck, personally. I now have a 120/90 IRC WildFlare on the front, and I'm very happy with it. I had a Lazertech as a replacement too, it didn't last 8000 before it was all cracked up. Maybe an old tire to start with, I don't know.

I just ordered a pair of Dunlop D404s from Motorcycle Superstore. The front was about $65.

http://www.bonnevilleamerica.com/forums/...ge=1#Post390085

I'll probably replace my stock Bridgestone tires with Metzlers that are stock now. I know everyone talks bad about the Bridgestones but mine seemed fine, have 16000 miles on them, and still have a fair amount of tread left.

I'm tire shopping right now too and going through these threads for opinions will sometimes drive you crazy. Just like oil and pipes, it all comes down to what you try and what you like. I'm looking at Dunlops, Metzlers, and Avons but I'm considering IRC's now too since I know they're working out well on Dave's bike. They look good too. The tires I'm on now and that I'm replacing are Metzler with the Lazertech on the front and I think it's a good tire if your shopping that.

I think the Bridgestones suck too. Wendy's had the dreaded wobble until we got rid of that tire.

I'm blown away by how much mileage some folks are getting out of their tires. I have never gotten more than ten or eleven thousand out of any tire!
I guess it's true when they say if you're gonna play, you gotta pay!
...but it's worth it.

I ride mostly twisty back roads some in pretty bad shape but I ride slab too. Over 20,000 miles and counting on my front Lazertech. On my 2nd rear and have it worn pretty good. I use my breaks together and front alone to bleed some speed sometimes.

I ride a mix of city and hwy. and have a gravel driveway. I'm equally surprised that people get so little mileage on their tires. I'll probably get close to 20,000 on my stock Bridgestone tires (16K now).

I have never had any wobbling problem. I wonder what the effect of tire pressure has on wear, etc. I've kept 32/36 in my stock tires since new and check it regularly.

There is one thing that puzzles me about the front tire I'm replacing. One side of it is warn more than the other, what can cause that?

Hi
I have the Bridgestone BT45 Batlax on the front of my America, many may not like it since its a pretty slim tyre. but i like the look. being slim it handles well and does not want to follow every rut and indent in the road. and the last one i had went for 22,000 Km YES 22,000 NO JOKE.
give it a look.

8000, + on my factory metz and they look new. Mixed city hwy. driving. My driveway is paved though

I measured the center of my Bridgestones. They currently have 2+mm left and little wear on the sides (not a lot of twisties in Florida). I will replace them probably at 17,000 miles which will hit about my 4th purchase anniversary.

I coming up on my 12,000 mile check and it looks as if I need another front tire. I replaced the stock Metzler Lasertec at the 6,000 mile service. So I'm only getting 6,000 miles on the front.

The orignal rear Metzler ME880 is better, but it probably won't be long before it needs replacing too.

Almost all my riding is on the twisties...I live only 15 minutes from the Dragon.

Is anyone else experiencing this low mileage with the Metzlers?

im running d404's front and rear now and love them... Well, except that in 2000 miles I am on my 3rd replacement tire on my speedy, first one was a huge nail, second was a cut down by a piece of glass.... LOL just my luck....

Quite a few of us have been using the Metz Marathon.
They're originally made for 'Wing-type Heavyweights,
so they give good mileage on a 500lb BA/Speedy.

Just got my d404 front and rear the other day. Went with a 120/90-18 up front. Can't wait to get them on and see what I think...
By the way...ebay...both tires for 216.00 including shipping.

So Brian or anyone for that matter, it sounds like the marathons may give a few extra miles if their name has anything to do with it.

Like I said in another post, I want to look at another tyre type cos the lasertechs aren't giving me good milage for some reason and I regularly check their inflaced at 31 and 34psi's.

So what sort of milage could I expect from the marathons?

I had to replace my first front tire. I got 7500 out of that Metzler Lazertec. My Triumph Tech who rides a Speedy said that was about right. I always thought I had plenty of traction. I am going back with the Metzler 880. I run 31 psi front and 32 back like the manual says. The tires are wearing evenly. I do alot of twisties.Am I too low on the psi?

Hi all, I've always used the Lasertechs and overall I have been happy but I would just prefer a little bit more k's out of them without losing grip.

So I've decided to buy a set of Metzler 880 Marathons to see how they perform in comparison. I've also found the front and back do not wear evenly making it difficult as I have to go twice as often to the shop as I would like.

Maybe this is the same with all tyres so I'll see.

Btw, the 880 marathons only come in a 110/90-18 front tyre size which according to the tech vault is 2mm higher side wall than the Lasertechs 110/80-18. I have 15mm gap between the front fender and the current lazertech so it'll interesting to see if both front and back wear longer and evenly. Fingers crossed.

FYI anyone, I'm also getting a dyno done at the same time . Should be interesting how the Staintune pipes stack up against the SS pipes numbers cos that's what I had last time I had a dyno done.

The other day after doing the pre ride check I noticed that my front tire needs replacing which I suspected after getting some strong wobble recently; very little thread left (got almost 10k out of it). The back tire has plenty of thread left tho. So I was thinking in getting the marathon for the front and then later on the back. I was wondering how people liked their marathons. What's your assessment Staffo?

I just replaced the Metz.lasertec on the front of mine with a 120/70 bridgestone battle Ax I had the wobbles with the Metz.but the Bridgestone handles well and thefrontend shake is gone.

i'll chime in on the me880s. they are fine tires. last real long and handle extremely well. avons are better for everything but they wear a lot faster than the 880s. especially the front ones which cup real bad after a ridiculously low mileage. I have the 880s on vera lynn and 4200 miles ago (april) spooned some bridgestone spitfires on cinnamon girl. Why the spitfires? big buck savings. the difference in price is dramatic. I'll be able to post some thoughts on em at the 8 thousand mark this coming August.

don't get me wrong, I love the me880s and I was considering the lasertech for the front and the m880 for the rear before deciding on the spitfires. Why the lasrtech on the front? I heard the lasertechs are finerer tires than the 880s and was considering trying them out.

double post deleted

what inflation do you use on your snake heads?

Turns out that I have lasertech in the front and me880 in the back, I never noticed that before, I guess since I wasn't really looking for it... I guess I'll try the 880 in the front and see. I just don't like the raised letters of the spitfires.