Question about tires, Bias vs Radial.

Some opinions on this tire choice for -99 ST1100A, front Michelin Road 6 120/70 ZR18 and rear Michelin Road 6 170/60 ZR17 …
 
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Speedo's are all off, I use my gps for accuracy. I believe ABS models came with radials but with a 25 yr old bike it's seen all kinds of tires by know. I had both kinds of tires when I had my 1100 and couldn't tell the difference. Just putting new tires on makes a ride difference.
I currently own three motorcycles that have speedometers with accuracy within 1%. Odometers are up to 3% off but speedometers agree with onboard GPS up to at least 100 mph. I know this thread is ST1100 related so maybe all ST1100 speedometers are off and that is what you meant.
 
AFAIK, unless it is a ST1100 Police model, the USA speedos are off, usually around 3-5 mph optimistic in my experience.
Weird statement...
On all my standard ST1100's (110/80 front tire) the speedo is dead on... (always requiring attention as the one on the car reads 12kph ahead)
On all the ABSII/CBS ST1100's (120/70 front tire) the speedo reads optimistic...
ST1100Y, gear box SPD, P/N 44800ML7003
ST1100AY, gear box SPD, P/N 44800ML7691
 
Weird statement...
On all my standard ST1100's (110/80 front tire) the speedo is dead on... (always requiring attention as the one on the car reads 12kph ahead)
On all the ABSII/CBS ST1100's (120/70 front tire) the speedo reads optimistic...
ST1100Y, gear box SPD, P/N 44800ML7003
ST1100AY, gear box SPD, P/N 44800ML7691
None of mine were dead on - not the Standard or the three ABSII models.
What year is your standard - pre-96 by any chance?
 
What year is your standard - pre-96 by any chance?
Actually all of them: '92 (the first), '00 (the second/current), '96 (the one I sold)... compared to the GPS speed indicator all pretty accurate...
I assumed Honda did try to compensate the altered ABSII tire dimension with a differently geared drive, but didn't get it right...
 
Actually all of them: '92 (the first), '00 (the second/current), '96 (the one I sold)... compared to the GPS speed indicator all pretty accurate...
I assumed Honda did try to compensate the altered ABSII tire dimension with a differently geared drive, but didn't get it right...
It may be a US 'thing' I don't know but all of mine have been optimistic - and still are.
 
My 96 non ABS read high as well, but I don't recall the from tire size. It may have been non stock as I remember having difficulty finding the tires I wanted in the stock sizing, but that could've just been the rear.
 
It may be a US 'thing' I don't know but all of mine have been optimistic - and still are.
Every one of my US-bought motorcycles / speedometers have been likewise overstated.
That includes no less than 5 Hondas, and at least 5 of other manufacturers, while all of my Honda automobiles have agreed with all my GPSs.
Chalk it up to American optimism...?
 
All of my motorcycles prior to the ST1300, and this included a 1999 non-ABS ST1100 and a 2000 ABSII ST1100, were accurate to within 2kmH/1.2MPH based on those mobile radar speed signs that the police set up on the side of the road. I would purposely ride past then at a constant speed to compare it with my speedometer. The variance is based as much on different readings from different radar speed signs as from my speedometers. All of my current four-wheeled vehicles are the same. When I first got my ST1300 I was surprised at how inaccurate it is as I had never had that on any vehicle before it.
 
The reason for the GT version is it is supposed to have stronger sidewalls to deal with the weight of the ST1100.
Excessive sidewall flex can 'burn' a tire up in short order - like 1800 miles ....
I have a long personal 'story' about that one as BT MC tire headquarters is/was located in Nashville, TN where I live. ;)
 
I just replaced the old T32s on my '01 1100 with new T32s yesterday. I think they have been on it for three years. T33s and GTs don't come in OEM non-ABS 1100 sizes, and I prefer the crisp handling.

This is the first time I replaced tires on a shaft-drive bike myself, but it was in my friend's shop. The entire process took about 4 hours, and I learned quite a bit. Now to scrub them in before OH-STOC.
 
I would also prefer staying with the stock size, but swapping tires a few times during a season is also a bit annoying, and takes away time i could spend on riding instead.

Having a hard time finding the G547 in stock anywhere around here, so maybe its time to try the 120/70 and hope the ABS wont freak out.
 
Quick update, 6000 ish kilometers later and the front tire is worn flat in the center, so don't install non GT tires on a ST1100.
The flat center is usually from where the edges of the harder center rubber meet the softer side rubber.

The center should continue to wear slower as the sides wear, making the "corners" more pronounced.
 
Quick update, 6000 ish kilometers later and the front tire is worn flat in the center, so don't install non GT tires on a ST1100.

Now looking for a Bridgestone G547 to replace it.
That will be the consequence of fitting tires that are not designed for the weight and in the worst case you will only get half the mileage out of the tire. Have bought Bridgestone T31 GT front and rear :thumb:
 
I would also prefer staying with the stock size, but swapping tires a few times during a season is also a bit annoying, and takes away time i could spend on riding instead.

Having a hard time finding the G547 in stock anywhere around here, so maybe its time to try the 120/70 and hope the ABS wont freak out.
To get GT tires front and rear I chose to change the tire size at the rear which differs by 3% in rolling diameter. Bridgestone T 31 R GT 170/60 ZR17 TL (72W) rear Wheel and Bridgestone T 31 F GT 120/70 ZR18 TL (59W) M/C, front wheel is the standard dimension of ST1100 ABS-II
 
That will be the consequence of fitting tires that are not designed for the weight and in the worst case you will only get half the mileage out of the tire. Have bought Bridgestone T31 GT front and rear :thumb:
Yep, it really bit me in the ass.

The rear is holding up fine, so im not replacing that right now, was thinking about getting a Bridgestone BT46 for the front, that should also be a bias ply tire, and will hopefully last better than the T32.
 
Yep, it really bit me in the ass.

The rear is holding up fine, so im not replacing that right now, was thinking about getting a Bridgestone BT46 for the front, that should also be a bias ply tire, and will hopefully last better than the T32.
You have bias tires on the back since you choose the front …
 
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