ST1100 question

[HawkGTRider]

As you said, I hate to get into a tire thread discussion because everyone has varying opinions and experiences with tires. I owned a '96 ST for over 15 years and typically used Bridgestone Battleaxes. I thought the handling was good and usually got well over 10k. Not sure if they even produce the B021 any more. Either way, I agree that 6k is disappointing. Goodl uck.

Prior to seeing Andray's recommendation of the Bridgestone T30, I ordered a set of Avon Storm 2 Ultra tires. The front is now mounted while the rear is back ordered for another week or so. I've only ridden the bike a couple of times since installing the new front tire, but it seems ok. I'll know more when I get the new rear.
One thing that became really obvious with the front tire off the ground was that the steering head bearings appeared to be badly notched. That undoubtedly exacerbated the accelerated wear characteristics of the Michelin Active front tire, so I'll have to get that corrected asap.
It'll be interesting to see how the Storm 2 Ultras hold up, and it'll be even more intereting to compare them to the Bridgestone T30s.

[Brick]

HawkGTRider errr... Geoffrey Tom McKiernan from Ohio has the stealing bearings all figured out. I'm sure he can save you a bunch of time and probably money too.

[DirtFlier]

At least on my Honda NT700V, the Storm Ultra 2s are doing much better in regards to wear rate than the set of T30s that I had previously but every situation is a little different.  Dry grip is about the same between the two but wet grip better with the Storm Ultra 2s.  The T30s also seem to cup prematurely and start their irritating howl.   

[HawkGTRider]

At least on my Honda NT700V, the Storm Ultra 2s are doing much better in regards to wear rate than the set of T30s that I had previously but every situation is a little different.  Dry grip is about the same between the two but wet grip better with the Storm Ultra 2s.  The T30s also seem to cup prematurely and start their irritating howl.   

That's good info...thanks. I've never been one to jump from brand to brand or model to model in a search for the "perfect" tire...they're all just different. Once I find something that works well for the way I ride, I tend to stick with it. But maybe, just maybe, the Avons will be my "perfect Storm".

[Partsguy1982]

The best tire for our st1100's from Michelin is the pilot road 3 or 4. That is right from my Michelin rep. The weight range of the bike fits perfect with these tires. Run them at max pressure rating on the tires which is 42 psi and they perform very well. I switched from bridgestones to the michelins this previous season and am very happy with how they have performed and how well they are wearing.

[DirtFlier]

[That is right from my Michelin rep.]

Going by most accounts, the PR3 and PR4 are wonderful tires but do you really think a Michelin guy would recommend another brand of tire? 

It's like asking a Ford rep if their F-150 is better than a Chevy or Ram. They get paid to sell their company's products.

[Partsguy1982]

That is why I specified best tire from Michelin not just best tire. 

[motodoc42]

Geoffrey,


I've had 2 ST's, a 93 ABS/TCS that came with bias Dunlops as oem tires. I later ran radials, both Metzeler and Avons, on it. I traded it after about 45k miles following an engine rebuild for 98ABSII/TCS that came with radials as oem. I liked the Metzeler radial(Z2's?)best with the Avons next. I sold the 98 ST last summer after about 55K miles. The best mileage I recall was about 8k miles. About 1/3 of that was 2up. 


Ride Safe,


Robert H. Williams

[DirtFlier]

It's pretty unlikely to have to rebuild the engine on an ST1100 at any mileage.  One club member put 300k on his ST11 before selling it and as far as I know, it's still running out there. 

[STLTHMSTA]

HawkGTRider errr... Geoffrey Tom McKiernan from Ohio has the stealing bearings all figured out. I'm sure he can save you a bunch of time and probably money too.

Why, Thanks you Mr. Brick. Indeed I still am installing them. Been doing it most my life it seems, hahahaha. Have plenty in stock.  TM

[HawkGTRider]

It was a tough choice between going to Tri-STAR and going to Acadia NP in Maine, but this time around, Maine won. By the time I get home I'll have another 3500 miles on the Avons on the ST, and so far, I like 'em. After the first 2k, I couldn't tell any difference in the way they looked from new. And even after another 1500 mostly straight line miles, they still look pretty darned good. I may go ahead and order another set in case Avon does something weird like drop the requisite sizes from their inventory.

[roginoz]

Geoff:

If your steering stem bearings are toast, it's a good time to switch to tapered roller bearings.  They made a world of difference on my '93, eliminating the headshake under deceleration that was common to the ST1100.

[HawkGTRider]

Geoff:

If your steering stem bearings are toast, it's a good time to switch to tapered roller bearings.  They made a world of difference on my '93, eliminating the headshake under deceleration that was common to the ST1100.

I'm happy to say that I have no headshake whatsoever. I happened to take both hands off the bars for a few seconds on this trip and was pleasantly surprised to find the steering as solid as a rock with no funny stuff going. That's with 4,000 miles on this set of Avons. And yes, when the steering bearings were changed a thousand miles prior to the tire change, they were  switched to tapered roller bearings. I didn't personally do it, but the guy that does the vast majority of my mechanical work did it. If he says that what he did, I believe him (I guess I have to trust him...I'm not going to tear things apart just to look).

[Brick]

Ok... But which Avon tires are you talking about?

It was a tough choice between going to Tri-STAR and going to Acadia NP in Maine, but this time around, Maine won. By the time I get home I'll have another 3500 miles on the Avons on the ST, and so far, I like 'em. After the first 2k, I couldn't tell any difference in the way they looked from new. And even after another 1500 mostly straight line miles, they still look pretty darned good. I may go ahead and order another set in case Avon does something weird like drop the requisite sizes from their inventory.

I must be out riding my Super Teneré'!

[HawkGTRider]

Ok... But which Avon tires are you talking about?

I got back yesterday from my trek to Maine. After needing to cut my trip slightly short, I put only 3200 miles on the Avons rather than my anticipated 3500. They are now exhibiting a bit of center flat-spotting, but after 5000 miles total, I'm not surprised. In order to get back home when promised, I did a good thousand miles of interstate (yech!) at pretty typical interstate speeds. The bike wasn't loaded down tremendously, but had maybe 50-70 extra # of gear spread out between the saddle bags, top box, and strapped on the seat behind me.

Anyhow, I'm feeling pretty good about these tires and went ahead and ordered another set today. As you can see from the pic, they have considerable tread left for a tire with 5000+ miles.

I'm not sure what I did to attach this file twice...it's the same picture.

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