When to replace tires?

As I said, I have Shinko 705's on my VStrom (tho I call 'em Stinko's for no reason). Rode them on our trip on the MABDR - lot of dirt and gravel roads. They had more traction (they are designed for that) on the off road parts than street tires, but the bike still wandered somewhat on loose gravel - its the nature of motorcycles on anything other than blacktop. I did NOT find them to be significantly better riding across wet grass (lawn to campsite) than my ST. One of the guys I ride with who has a LOT more off road experience than I says they are no good on wet dirt. The tread blocks are not well defined and are separated by comparatively narrow groves. It is not, after all, a moto cross tire. But it is smooth on the road.

Adventure Rider reviewer rated them the best overall of combo road/off road tires out of 11 different tires.
 
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thanks for advice, ill check if shinko 705 is avaliable on local market in our size)
 
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Interesting.. why there are so few options for ST1100ABS.. haven't find 80/20% offfoad tires with apropriate size. We need for front 120/70-R18 and rear 160/70-R17, right?
 
dual sport tire will not last as long as the Michelin's. For some reason they are priced much higher. The dual sport tire is also a compromise you loose something and gain something.
 
is diagonal tire suitable for st1100? I found Metzeler ME-888 160/70B17 with 73W index, but not sure, if it fits..
 
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Alberto said:
is diagonal tire suitable for st1100? I found Metzeler ME-888 160/70B17 with 73W index, but not sure, if it fits..
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yes, but it's a hard tire and from what I have read not very good in rain. What do you mean by diagonal? Its a bias ply tire.
 
Pop-Pop said:
Won’t they hum at speed?
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Everything in life is a tradeoff, and that's even more true with motorcycles. But we need not follow that bunny trail at the moment.
Yes, they will sound different.
But please note, the entire concept of dualsport tires on the ST was made in jest by me.
(It's not like we're in a Mission Impossible movie, where they actually DID put semi-knobbies on the 2 Ducati and the Triumph, as they battled through grass off the tarmac.
Exciting scene, but it requires an immense effort to willingly suspend your disbelief at the onscreen bike antics.)
 
just wanted to share my experience - slight change in tire dimensions doesn't affect ABS - had to install 170/60R17 instead of recommended 160/70-R17 (because of limited availability of recommended tire size on local market)
 
Alberto said:
just wanted to share my experience - slight change in tire dimensions doesn't affect ABS - had to install 170/60R17 instead of recommended 160/70-R17 (because of limited availability of recommended tire size on local market)
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Alberto, glad you got sorted.
It's the rolling radius, which can sometimes cause issues with the vehicles brains. I don't think a 170/60 and 160/70 would be that different on radius anyway.
It can be a problem on the 11 as the tyre runs pretty close to the drive shaft side of the swingarm. You should now have 5 mm extra each side to squeeze in. Ive found that tyre width varies from one manufacturer to another anyway, so one manufacturers 160 won't be anothers.
Upt'North.
 
thanks, Upt'North)

if assume that second number is % -age of tire width, 170/60 gives 10 mm less of rolling radius. Visually tire profile looks little bit lower, but on practice I didn't note any difference. From the shaftdrive side there was clearance enough to squeeze index finger ))
 
Alberto said:
just wanted to share my experience - slight change in tire dimensions doesn't affect ABS - had to install 170/60R17 instead of recommended 160/70-R17 (because of limited availability of recommended tire size on local market)
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I’ve been using the 170/60 tire in the rear for several years without any issues. I do appreciate the ABS statement as I was wondering if that’s why my 94 has currently wonky ABS- I guess it’s just something I have to live with. I have to change the tires soon so maybe when I take it all apart, I can clean the sensors and see if that helps
 
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