replacement tire for 2012 RT

[pegasus1300]

I went down to my local tire store here in Spring City Ut and asked him what he could get and we put a Mastercraft 215/60/15 on it.When I brought him the wheel,I asked him if his machines would work on that rim.His reply was he had 4 different machines and one of them would work but he couldn't balance it. I asked him if knew what Dyna beads were and he said yes he had them so we went with those. 2400 miles later it seems to be running well,nice and smooth. I do notice the handling seems better. He told me it had an 80k mile warranty on the tire so I am interested to hear what he has to say when I bring it back with less then 80k on it all worn out.

 

[Bob Denman]

Mastercraft? Do you have a picture of that tire? :dontknow:

 

[Peter Aawen]

I wonder if that taller sidewall might just be felt as a touch of "squirminess" in spirited cornering? :dontknow:
Generally speaking; they tout the lower profile tire's better handling; a good part of that is the reduction of sidewall flex...:thumbup:

The taller profile is probably compensated for by the stiffer/stronger sidewall construction of the 'P' construction tire - the OE lower profile tires have a lower load rating & often a lower speed rating too, so have a 'softer' sidewall; most running a taller profile auto tire instead of the OE motorcycle tire probably either don't notice any difference, or feel that the replacement tire handles better than the original!!

Me, I've gone for Kumho KH17's to better suit our Aussie roads & the distances in travel, and there's no way I'm going to return to the poor traction, sloppy handling, & appalling wear rates of the original Kendas, the Kumho is Waaaay ahead on all counts!! As for hydro-planing, we've had a bunch of really wet weather down here & not one sign of that in about 3000 miles of wet riding; but then I do run slightly lower tyre pressures which is one way of increasing traction & reducing the chance of hydroplaning....

 

[pegasus1300]

No but I will try and post one later. It is nothing special. Round,black with deep grooves running around it. You know just a standard tire.


Ok just went and took pictures with Cell.Now to see if this works

 

[SailnDive]

I just called my local tire shop and he will mount and (he thinks he can) balance a MasterCraft MC-440 215/60/15 for $85. Anyone use that one yet?

 

[Bob Denman]

I just called my local tire shop and he will mount and (he thinks he can) balance a MasterCraft MC-440 215/60/15 for $85. Anyone use that one yet?

How many miles have you piled on that bike already?

 

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

BALANCING

I just called my local tire shop and he will mount and (he thinks he can) balance a MasterCraft MC-440 215/60/15 for $85. Anyone use that one yet?

It's the WHEEL that's the issue .....not what kind of tire is on the wheel.................jmho......Mike :thumbup:

 

[DrewNJ]

All of you that are having problems getting the rear balanced at a shop on the balancer. Are you breaking down to the bare wheel, taking the hub and bearings off/out?

 

[pegasus1300]

I just called my local tire shop and he will mount and (he thinks he can) balance a MasterCraft MC-440 215/60/15 for $85. Anyone use that one yet?

Mine is a MasterCraft Touring LSR (whatever that means) 215/60/15. mounted and balanced with DynaBeads. Rides very nice

 

[wiredgeorge]

Would be nice if someone started a tech data base on tires. Would help keep down some of these endless tire threads and the suggestion to "search". Most times when a tire is mentioned, there is no follow up for mileage and such. Most threads end up in OEM Kenda vs car tire squabbles.

 

[tofriendscreek]

I've never had decent performance out of Kenda's on either my previous RS (27K miles) or my current RT (30K miles).. The most I could get out of Kenda's was 7-8K miles.
I ran General's on the front of my RS for awhile. They seemed to wear better, but just didn't like the feel.
I've ordered the Vee Rubber Arachnid's for front and rear. They go on next Monday. Then the Spyder is heading to SQ and on to Maine.
I've always used RideOn to balance my Spyder tires.


Sent from my little piece of paradise!

 

[belowme29]

Here's the differences between the two sizes...
The only downside that I've heard about the Kumho, is that it's prone to hydroplaning as the tread wears down.
ALL tires will do that... :shocked:

Oh come on - all bald tires hydroplane? Oh wait a minute - that would be simple physics. No tread to help displace the water, so the balloon tire will float on water at higher speeds. Kind of like skipping a fat rock across the water with a 90 mph throw.

I have the Kumho tire - still has some tread left. I would hope so with only 4,500 miles on it. But I think that I will replace that tire with the General Altimax RT43 when its time. Seems like the tread on it is a little bit better.

Bruce.