Triumphrat

JTKMX · 06-01-2008, 03:25 AM

I put Conti Road Attacks on the Bonneville. Intially, the steering required FAR, FAR, FAR!!! more force on the bars to get the bike to turn. I have since jacked the preload to max height in the rear, which helped some. I raised the forks 1.25" today, but haven't test ridden it yet. I'll report back with results.

As of now, I will say that the overall handling has been significantly negatively affected. However, the Road Attacks grip incredibly well. I will run them on my next bike where the tire sizes fit the application.

Thruxtonboy · 06-01-2008, 05:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JTKMX

I put Conti Road Attacks on the Bonneville. Intially, the steering required FAR, FAR, FAR!!! more force on the bars to get the bike to turn. I have since jacked the preload to max height in the rear, which helped some. I raised the forks 1.25" today, but haven't test ridden it yet. I'll report back with results.

As of now, I will say that the overall handling has been significantly negatively affected. However, the Road Attacks grip incredibly well. I will run them on my next bike where the tire sizes fit the application.

So, if I understand this correct, the handling of your bike did not improve? You would not advise this tyre for a Bonnie or a Thrux?

tooblekain · 06-01-2008, 06:08 AM

I've heard that when you run Continental tires, you want to run the pressure significantly less than what the manual states. I read this from guys that ride them on their 675s and prefer them over the Michelin's and Pirellis. All of the pro-Conti riders says that you have to run at a lower pressure. Give that a go

JTKMX · 06-28-2008, 11:41 AM

I have settled on raising the forks 0.75". The preload is at max height in rear. Pressures are 42 psi front and 40psi rear. Overall, this works pretty well. The tires stick, period!!! However, the steering effort is still higher than I would like. It isn't bad, but the playful feel that the Bonneville originally had is gone. It is a tradeoff that I don't think I would accept on my next set of tires. Now, if I had a V-Strom 650, I would run these tires in a heartbeat (they are the correct size for the Strom).

As far as pressures go, Continental recommends running the tires at the maximum allowed pressure on the sidewall. I am pretty much there. Actually, the front end felt better when I went to 42psi than it had up to that point. I could even feel an immediate difference between 40 and 42psi...weird.

AKT100 · 06-29-2008, 06:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JTKMX

I have settled on raising the forks 0.75". The preload is at max height in rear. Pressures are 42 psi front and 40psi rear. Overall, this works pretty well. The tires stick, period!!! However, the steering effort is still higher than I would like. It isn't bad, but the playful feel that the Bonneville originally had is gone. It is a tradeoff that I don't think I would accept on my next set of tires. Now, if I had a V-Strom 650, I would run these tires in a heartbeat (they are the correct size for the Strom).

As far as pressures go, Continental recommends running the tires at the maximum allowed pressure on the sidewall. I am pretty much there. Actually, the front end felt better when I went to 42psi than it had up to that point. I could even feel an immediate difference between 40 and 42psi...weird.

Is that not a liitle high for the tyre pressures?manual asks for 33 in front 38 rear...
regards
AK

bendavanza · 06-29-2008, 01:30 PM

When you fill them up to max, and then ride, your pressure goes up with the heat of the tire.
I would not fill them to max.

JTKMX · 06-29-2008, 03:35 PM

You guys did read above where I said that Continental recommends running at max pressure. Their reasoning is that the tire runs cooler resulting in more consistent performance and less wear. It wouldn't bother me to run them at 100psi if the manufacturer recommended it.

AKT100 · 06-29-2008, 05:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JTKMX

You guys did read above where I said that Continental recommends running at max pressure. Their reasoning is that the tire runs cooler resulting in more consistent performance and less wear. It wouldn't bother me to run them at 100psi if the manufacturer recommended it.

I missed that ...and suppose you do right to follow the manufacturers guide lines... why do think Triumph spec varying pressures front to rear (front being less than rear) Is it purely metzler related? Just seem odd to me...what do metzler recommend ?I wonder how it differs to triumphs own specs?. I'm running avons front and rear and have kept the tire pressure in and around the 33/38 mark ...can't say i've had any handling problems so far

Anyway...good luck
AK

JTKMX · 07-13-2008, 05:59 PM

The stock tires are Bridgestones. They recommend higher pressures in the rear as well. I think that if I put on ANY tire that was of the OEM size, the bike would handle more playfully as it did when it was new. I know there would be differences Between the handling of Avons and the Bridgestones, but it would restore the nimble feel of the bike IMHO.

The Bridgestones only last about 4500 miles on the rear. Anyone getting better mileage out of another tire?

Skull Crusher · 07-13-2008, 07:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bendavanza

When you fill them up to max, and then ride, your pressure goes up with the heat of the tire.
I would not fill them to max.

Max pressure on any tire is the maximum allowable air at cold. They have tested and made allowances for running tires at their maximum pressure, so your still within the allowable range of the tire when at maximum pressure.

Cheers

Jeff

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