K11 Owners Group

HoosierStu · Posted: Thu Aug 07, 2008 1:04 pm Post subject: Cut in tire sidewall

I saw this today while at a stop sign. Two cuts or splits in the sidewalls of my Macadam front tire. The tire only has 5K on it. What's the deal?? You ever seen anything like this??

How critical does this look? It appears to just effect the outer rubber on the tire and not anything below it. Looks like someone literally took razor blade to the sidewall. The pictured "cut" is about 1" long. There is a second one that is about 1/2" - 3/4" in size.

Is this a "Danger, Danger, you must change tire immediately" thing? OR can I keep an eye on it for a while.

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"Still can't find 6th gear" 94 K1100LT

Off the grid · Posted: Thu Aug 07, 2008 1:13 pm Post subject:

I would swap out the tire, I don't mess with sidewalls.

Looks like some road detritus sliced it, maybe a rock or a small piece of glass or metal.
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Bane of your existence since July 2006
2007 Triumph Tiger ABS. "Sabertooth"
2009 Husqvarna TE610. "The dirty Italian mistress"

HoosierStu · Posted: Thu Aug 07, 2008 2:35 pm Post subject:

Ok, I'll replace it (have it replaced). The question then begs, do I change one tire or both with only 5K on them.

Also what tire should I buy and where should I get it.

Your help is always... helpful
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"Still can't find 6th gear" 94 K1100LT

Phil Marvin · Posted: Thu Aug 07, 2008 3:23 pm Post subject:

Hi, Stu,
I have a brand new Macadam 50E 110/80V18 which I bought a year ago, just before the deer encounter. I have no bike on which I want to use it. (The K75 bikes use the 100/90V18 size.) It is currently mounted and balanced on a K1100LT front wheel, which I had set up as a spare for my K1100LT, complete with good brake rotors, so I would only have to change the wheel and could then change the tire on the old wheel when it was convenient, not RIGHT NOW. I'll sell the complete wheel, as is, for $400. I'll remove the rotors (good bobbins, too) and sell the wheel for $250 and the rotors for $150. I'll pay the packing and shipping to the continental USA. I won't see any further posts until I return home Monday afternoon, Aug. 11.
Ride Safe,
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Ride Safe,
Phil Marvin in El Paso, TX
'94 K75A/3
'95 K75RTP

HoosierStu · Posted: Thu Aug 07, 2008 4:04 pm Post subject:

Phil,

That sounds like a good deal, but I am in no need for a new wheel or rotors.

I assume someone will snatch it up.

Okay...

I'm looking at tires. I might just replace the front. Might do both.
Which Lasertecs fit my LT?

Should I do the Macadams or Lasertecs? If I just get the front I'll get the Macadam to match the rear.
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"Still can't find 6th gear" 94 K1100LT

HoosierStu · Posted: Thu Aug 07, 2008 4:22 pm Post subject:

update:

I've decided to put one new Macadam on the front.

I like those tires. Very Happy

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"Still can't find 6th gear" 94 K1100LT

Flying Duck · Posted: Thu Aug 07, 2008 4:33 pm Post subject:

Looks like duct tape'll fix that right up. Razz

When you do your next SET of tires, go radial. Performance is light years beyond the Macadams.
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93 LT (x2)
94 RS
86-97 K75F(K75/100/1100 Frankenbrick)
86 K75C w/paralever, hi perf cams,TURBO!
91 & 92 K75Ss
91 K1
86 custom K100
14 WR250R
IBA #17739 (SS1K, BBG, 50CC)
Buy parts HERE

HoosierStu · Posted: Thu Aug 07, 2008 4:35 pm Post subject:

Drake,

What's the best choice in radials?
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"Still can't find 6th gear" 94 K1100LT

Flying Duck · Posted: Thu Aug 07, 2008 4:40 pm Post subject:

I'm putting BT020's on my LT - but they don't make a LT rear in those. I'm putting an RS rear wheel on the bike. That's what LArry did with Dunlops and he prefers radials too.

I really liked the Avon Azaro tires but had to ditch tem after 1500 miles because the front had quality issues. If Avon has their quality issues figured out or you buy from a local dealer who will work any waraanty issues with Avon then that might not be a bad idea.

I rode hard from Seattle to SF and really liked the Avons. Then dumped them and went back to Macs for the ride down the rest of the coast because of the front tire issue. The diference was night and day. With the Macs the rear end would wallow on high speed sweepers while the Avons were rock solid in comparison. I was lucky in that I could compare them back to back to really feel the difference.

Call SW Moto Tire and see what radials come i nthe LT size that they like. They know their chit.
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93 LT (x2)
94 RS
86-97 K75F(K75/100/1100 Frankenbrick)
86 K75C w/paralever, hi perf cams,TURBO!
91 & 92 K75Ss
91 K1
86 custom K100
14 WR250R
IBA #17739 (SS1K, BBG, 50CC)
Buy parts HERE

HoosierStu · Posted: Thu Aug 07, 2008 4:49 pm Post subject:

Okay, I have to ask. What is the construction difference between radial and non-radial tires and why does it make for a better tire in the corners?

I probably don't lean far enough for it to make a big difference Embarassed

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"Still can't find 6th gear" 94 K1100LT

HoosierStu · Posted: Thu Aug 07, 2008 5:21 pm Post subject:

Drake, I emailed your guys. Here is a list of compatible radial tires with the LT (according to them). Does this list seem correct??
I have seen lots of adds for Dunlop tires. Does anyone have experience with them??

Avon StormAV55 110/80R-18
Code: 305564
Price: $106.95
Quantity in Basket

Avon AV46 140/80-17
Code: 305466
Price: $115.95

Dunlop D205 110/80ZR-18 Front
Code: 310326
Price: $106.95

Dunlop D205 140/80ZR-17 Rear
Code: 310330
Price: $126.95

this is all that I know of

blaine
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"Still can't find 6th gear" 94 K1100LT

HoosierStu · Posted: Fri Aug 08, 2008 8:26 am Post subject:

My mechanic says he can get a good price on the Dunlop D205 and that they are good tires. However, he says that people are only getting about 8K miles out of them.

Anyone have experience with these?
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"Still can't find 6th gear" 94 K1100LT

Flying Duck · Posted: Fri Aug 08, 2008 9:03 am Post subject:

I'd go with the Avons. I've never had good luck with Dunlops on K bikes.
_________________
93 LT (x2)
94 RS
86-97 K75F(K75/100/1100 Frankenbrick)
86 K75C w/paralever, hi perf cams,TURBO!
91 & 92 K75Ss
91 K1
86 custom K100
14 WR250R
IBA #17739 (SS1K, BBG, 50CC)
Buy parts HERE

HoosierStu · Posted: Fri Aug 08, 2008 9:12 am Post subject:

My new (and highly trusted mechanic) says that the Avons are nice tires. He said that a few years ago he didn't like them but they have been performing very well lately.

He said he had one guy who didn't like them because he felt the edge was too steep. Made him feel like the bike wanted to fall over while riding down the road.

I'll ask him again about the mileage expected from the Avons. If it's decent, then I'll get them.
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"Still can't find 6th gear" 94 K1100LT

HoosierStu · Posted: Fri Aug 08, 2008 10:34 am Post subject:

I'm scheduled to have Avons put on my bike on Thursday. I'll report back and let me know what you think.

Drake has (of course) been a great source of moto info. Although the highway pegs he sent me ended up falling off. Shocked

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"Still can't find 6th gear" 94 K1100LT

hockeyshifter · Posted: Sun Aug 10, 2008 12:33 pm Post subject:

HoosierStu · Posted: Thu Aug 21, 2008 8:48 am Post subject:

UPDATE:

My mechanic put my new Avon tires on yesterday. Drake was right, they sure do feel good in the turns. Since they were brand new, I didn't lean too far but I can already tell that they grip better than my old Macadams.

Thanks, Stu
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"Still can't find 6th gear" 94 K1100LT

Jim · Posted: Thu Aug 21, 2008 6:13 pm Post subject:

Wait a minute - Drake said the Avons sucked - he had 'em ripped off the bike before the little rubber thingies (yeah, I know they have a name - I just forget what it is) had a chance to wear off!!!

You ride an LT, right? Did you put radials on it???

Tim (Midland Section) · Posted: Fri Aug 22, 2008 6:36 am Post subject:

HoosierStu · Posted: Fri Aug 22, 2008 8:28 am Post subject:

Jim,

Yes these are radials. Drake (as I remember - now afraid to read the above post Shocked

) said that they were great tires, he just got a bad one.

My mechanic said that the Avons have been holding up really well. He said that a few years ago, he wouldn't give them the time of day, but likes them now.
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"Still can't find 6th gear" 94 K1100LT