Exedra Oem Tires (ST1100)

[RCField]

:biker:

I recently acquired a 2000 ST 1100 with 16,000 miles on the odo. It has the BRIDGESTONE EXEDRA tires on it with 4/32 nds of tread on the rear and between 2 & 3/32 nds on the front.

In checking the manufacture date on the tires, I was surprised to find the front was mfg in 2000. Probably the original tire nearly 6 years old. 16K miles.

The rear was dated the 40th week of 2002. Probably the first replacement.
I will need to replace both next summer ,

QUESTION; Has any of you ST 1100 non abs pilots been happy enough with the EXEDRAS to use them again?

They certainly deliver on the mileage. Is there a great improvement in the real world to go with radials on this bike? Better ride? Better handling?

SWMoto tires sells these tires $75 fr and $105 rr. Free shipping.

Would some of you ST 1100 veterans please share your experience?

Thanks & Cheers

RC

[Highrider]

I have 22,000 on my '02 ST1100 and have done 2 tire replacements. The first with the Excedra OEM's and the 2nd time with the Dunlop D205's. I feel the Dunlops offer slightly more wet traction, but I haven't noticed much difference in dry weather. I can't comment on the tire life of the Dunlops as I have only 3500 miles on them so far. I would consider either tire on the next change, depending on availability.

Ride Safe

Dave
:biker:

[Killtimer]

I used about 4 sets of Excedras on my 98 Std. Found them to be the best grip/wear/cost/handling/availability compromise for that bike, although I only tried 1 set of Dunlop replacements after the OEMs wore out. Some have found that radials (Avons come to mind) match their needs better. With tires more than any other topic.......... YMWV. :)

[Mark]

RC,

Three words "go with radials", you'll be glad you did.
Chris's 1100 came with radials and mine with bias (we were the 3rd owner of both bikes with 7400m on each bike). We switched back and forth to figure out which bike fit better. She chose the one with radials because she felt the bias (exedras) felt 'dead' in comparrison.

Chris and I have run about 6 sets of Avon Azaros from swmototires.com on the ST1100. I have a set ready to go on the ST1100 sitting in the garage and will be ordering a set of the same for the ST1300 today.

So obviously I would reccommend a sect of Avon Azaros... great mileage and you can't beat the dry or wet handling (and as Steve says with a smile YMMV).

If your bike is non-abs the sizes are:
ST1100
Front: 110/80-ZR18
Rear: 160/70-VR17 (the V is a longer running tire; but, not rated for 150mph like a Z rated tire, and the ST can't reach Z speeds anyway)

Mark

[GRN]

I think I tried about everything available for my 91, except maybe avon, and the metzlers I ran were clearly better for me - didn't like the dunlops. I have Pilto Roads on the 04 and find they are delivering the best "all-around" performance of anything I have ever used... not sure if you can get them for the 11 though. Good luck :)

[Horst]

I would second the 'go with radials' option ... just a bit more money but much better handling and cornering ... wheels/brakes are made for them, so why not do it ? .... you have only to gain :)

[RCField]

:o:

I must have some deep seated issues with insecurity. This tire issue has me talking to myself.

Unlike our political leaders, I want to confess my errors in judgement and tell you just how things are as of this AM.

I just ordered from SWMoto tires, a pair of new tires for "RUBY". This is irrevocable and as follows...

Front; Pirelli Strada....110/80ZR-18
Rear; Bridgestone BT020...160/70R-17 (this is a BMW spec tire with a 79w rating/48 psi max)

The heavy spec BT020 radial seems logical for the weight involved when riding two up.
The STRADA appears to have a larger block pattern on the front than the Z6 and my reasoning is that this should minimize tread squirm and cupping.

Whew!!!.....good to get that out.

Cheers
RC

[Wake ForeST]

I feel the OEM tires get greasy feeling when they get to the end of useful life and downright slippery in the wet.

[electrajoe]

The Exedra G547 and G548 was OEM and have raised very few complaints. You don't have to worry about wobbles, head shake and proper size on these. I got 11,300 miles from the rear G548, barley to the wear bars and the front is still good at 15,500 miles.

This summer with Exedras I could keep up with the other guys in the Black Hills, but after I tried the ME880 on the rear, I could not keep up with one of the same guys on the twisties around Kerrville, Texas -- had to waive him by. Going back to the G548 as soon as the ME880 gets about worn out.

[tricky_micky]

Just my comments.

I do a lot of motorcycle training over here, and need mileage out of the tyres rather than grip.

I found I was getting over 11,000 miles on the Exedras and when I tried my first set of O2O's, the mileage dropped to 7,500. As a result, I went back to Exedras.

I then started a sub-contracting job for a local company who then started to supply me with tyres, so we tried Avons and Metzelers, I didnt mind as they were free.

I found the Avon tyres were very poor, uneven wear and low mileage, grip to me seemed much the same as the Exedra. This was the same for the Metzelers. Just before I sold the ST1100, I put some new O2O's back on, again they were free so who cares!

The morale of my post is that you have to look at what you want from a tyre. The tried and and tested Exedras give you good mileage, the O2O's give excellent grip, but from my view, less mileage.

Both are excellent tyres, it is down to choice and what your requirements are.

Mick

[RCField]

:biker:

Have radials on order as noted above. Will give them a try and if they don't live up to expectations, it will be back to the Excedras.

As stated in my first post, I like the Exedras. Just wanted to see if I could appreciate a real difference. Couldn't stand to think I might be missing something.

Have appreciated all your input.

Thanks

[Motorace1]

You can use Michelin Pilot Roads in those sizes, too. Both are very common in the Michelin inventory.

The ST1300 does well with them, and I see no reason why the ST1100 wouldn't.

I also have a set on sale right now with a Macadam 100X front and a Pilot Road rear for $189.99 shipped. A screaming deal for some excellent rubber.

[saaz]

Tyres do seem to be a matter of personal preference. Dunlop D205s do not seem to be that popular with some, others will not change from them. If mileage is a big deal, then good bias ply tyres seem to be the go. I had 020s on the ST11 when I bought it last year, got an extra 6,000kms out of them when I thought they were on the last third of wear, so they are reasonable for mileage. They did go greasy at the end of their life, but I think the previous owner did not keep the pressures up, and the suspension was still stock.

I got 10,000kms from from Z6s, good grip, quite ok all round. Current Avon 45/46s are noticeably better than the Z6s and 020s for me, better grip, no warm up time, good in the wet, look barely scuffed up with 2500kms on them, no flat wear as yet. I have upgraded the suspension both ends half way through the life of the Z6s so probably not a fair comparison. We shall see how they go over their entire life, but at the moment I would put on another set without hesitation. The rear tyre is a specially reinforce one, as also used on the BMWLT12, so this could be a factor. They were also A$100 a set fitted cheaper than the Z6s.

BTW, I am used to only getting 5,000kms out of bias ply tyres on my Suzuki 78 GS1000 (which I still have) with less grip, so I am not complainign at all :)

[saaz]

I probably should add that I am in Australia, and we seem to get in kms what those in the US get in miles out of tyres. Must be the road surfaces or something. I also ride in below 0c temps and the rain, as well as 35c plus days, and the tyres have a millimeter or so of unscuffed tread each side..and of course legal speeds only (when I look at the speedo anyway).

[RCField]

:biker:

Have mounted the Pirelli STRADA 110/80-18 and the BT 020 160/70-17 "M"
(79V 48psi) on My ST1100. WOW!! what a difference.
Smoother more responsive ride with easy and completely neutral turn in.
No over or understeer. No wobble with hands off the bar on deceleration.
Could be some of the improvement is the difference between the old Excedras and the new radials, but it surely feel more lively and lighter on its feet.
I am happy I went to radials. (so far)

Cheers
Robert