How would a radial tire feel compared to the stock bias ply? v7 stone

[rastoga]

I was wondering what differences I could expect on ride quality if I replaced my v7 stone stock bias ply pirelli sport demons with similar radials.

[lucky phil]

I was wondering what differences I could expect on ride quality if I replaced my v7 stone stock bias ply pirelli sport demons with similar radials.

On a V7 Stone not much I dont think. The advantages of the Radial tyre is more geared to higher performance end of the spectrum.

Ciao

[lorazepam]

I agree with Phil. I think the suspension will limit you more than the Pirelli Sport Deamons.

[pyoungbl]

If you are looking for better ride quality the first thing to do is to upgrade the front forks.  I weigh about 190 lbs.  The stock springs were entirely too stiff for my weight.  I experimented a bit and ended up with .80 springs from Race Tech.  I also installed their emulators to improve the way the oil dampens the suspension.  All this was not horribly expensive, just took some time with wrenches.  Now the bike feels much better all around. 

I did replace the OEM shocks too but I'd recommend doing the forks first and see if you are happy with just that change.  Changing out the shocks was much more expensive for me, but I believe it was well worth the cost.

Peter Y.

[lorazepam]

Guess being a bit rotund helps me with my V7. I weigh 240 pounds and find the suspension ok for what the bike is. It will never handle like a Ulysses, but I don't plan on riding it like one. My days of collecting performance awards from the police are behind me.

[sign216]

My days of collecting performance awards from the police are behind me.

Nice phrase. I haven't heard that one before.

[mtiberio]

The V7 has relatively narrow rims (2.5x18 front and 3.5x17 rear). There are a few 110/80 front radials that are made for the 2.5x18 rim. I had a 2.5x18 rim mounted on the front of my small block racer, and I used to like the front radial in that size a lot. It cured my chatter. On the rear you are more limited. The 3.5x17 rim will not support a very wide radial tire. You might checkout Conti, as they have some radials made specifically for narrow rim (vintage) bikes. They are called "classic attack" I believe. You might look into those. What ever you do, you cannot just put a radial of the same size as your current bias ply on unless the mfgr spec sheet says so (which I doubt).

[Yukonica]

Guess being a bit rotund helps me with my V7. I weigh 240 pounds and find the suspension ok for what the bike is. It will never handle like a Ulysses, but I don't plan on riding it like one. My days of collecting performance awards from the police are behind me.

;-T :+=copcar :o

it seemed a lot less expensive in 'those days'

[RickTReloaded]

As has already been mentioned here, the Pirelli Sport Demons are competent tires. The most significant difference in how the bike performs can be linked to it's suspension.  The V7 suspension is very basic and will be the area that, when modified and dialed-in correctly, completely transforms the bike.  Pete covered the detail pretty much.

I switched from the Pirellis to Michelin Pilot Activs and I love them.  I just hope to get more than 4500 on a set.  But as far as being sticky?  I have no issues, and I ride my V7 Stone pretty hard.

Good luck.  Lets us know what you end up doing...

Rick

[rastoga]

Thanks for the input.  I'll keep focused on the suspension.  So far I've dialed the preload all the way out.  It has helped a bit, but the "pavement character" still nearly throws me from my seat sometimes.  I'm about 200lb and ride solo with about 10lb of gear.  I'm thinking ikons or bitubos are my next step.  Then I'll start working on the fronts...

I'm going to test ride my dealers racer with the bitubos next. 

[Kev m]

"All the way out"? ???

[sign216]

;-T :+=copcar :o

it seemed a lot less expensive in 'those days'

The price of pride.....