Le Mans 5 Tires?

[MikeW]

Anyone have any recommendations on tires for the LeMans 5?

Front: 100/90 - 18
Rear: 120/90 - 18

I'm currently running Pirelli Sport Demons which have been good in the grip department but not so good for handling as they have worn. I replaced both tires at the same time but the front has worn out first. Not in the middle as you would expect but on the sides. The way the edges of the tread on the sides have worn on the front causes a wobble if you take your hands off the bars at just under highway speeds.

It's been a few years since my last Tonto Guzzi but I remember having the same handling issues with worn front tires back in the eighties. 

Mike

[guznax]

On the Dutch Moto Guzzi forum they generally prefer the BT45's

How many miles did you drive before the were worn?
I have my Sport Demons on the Le mans IV for 5000 miles now.
the start to get a little bit 'square' now. I think the lifespan is ok 

[Chuck in Indiana]

I *like* SDs on Tontis. Wearing out on the side is a good thing..  Not much chance of that happening in central Indiana. That said, I changed out the front SD on the Lario at about 5K miles. It was cupping, and feeling kind of weird. I'm ok with that kind of mileage, though.

[dsrdave]

I agree, SD's  are my first choice for my tonti Lemans'

[Tobit]

Michelin Pilot Activ on my LeMans IV.  Excellent tire but a bitch to get seated on the bead.  Actually, I have the Pilot Activ on the front and a Michelin Macadam 50 on the rear.  Going with the Pilot Activ rear when it's time.

100/90V18 F @ 32psi
130/80V18 R @ 40psi

Tobit

[redrider]

Happy happy happy with Avon Roadrider on Millicent(Mille GT)

[charlie b]

SD's are the best on my T5.  But, the rear doesn't last long so I put a Shinko on the read and SD on the front.

Yep, the sides go first, usually cupping by 8 or 10k miles.  The BT-45's didn't last any longer and the front 'hunted' in highway grooves and tar snakes.

[groundhog105]

I have run metzlers and now have sport demons. I it about 5000 miles put of the metzlers with good stick and performance.  The sport demons have about 1500 on them and are performing as others have described.  My fronts always wear out before the rear.

[double.d]

Happy happy happy with Avon Roadrider on Millicent(Mille GT)

I recently bought a set of Roadriders and am happy with their performance but have to have around 40psi in the front for good feel unlike the Macadams and BT45's . Mine is the 16" LM4.

[Roebling3]

I've had good service from Metzelers on the Daytona. IIRC, it was the version with grit in the rubber compound. This goes back several years. I also used Metzelers on several bmw's, while drinking the kool aid.
I've grown to like Pirelli Corsa's on the sometimes track, mostly street bike. I've not had cupping, ever. Side wall wear? Yes.
Looking for tires for Pirelli's the Lario. Seems I may not find the exact replacement sizes.  R3~

[MikeW]

My big issue with the Sport Demons is the deterioration in handling as they wear, not so much the mileage I'm getting out of them. I've never had this issue on modern bikes with radial tires. This seems to be an issue with the bias ply tires made for old school bikes. As I said in my original post, this was a common problem in the 80s.

Mike