BREVA 750 REPLACEMENT TIRES-RADIAL OR BIAS?

[timonbik]

At the risk of great personal injury I dare ask the question.  Radial of Bias?  As brought up in previous threads, the manual specifies radials but the bike came from the factory with bias.  What is up with this?  Just about all sport bikes now come equipped with radials.  Had them on my Multistrada and have them on my Honda NT700V.  Why not on the Guzzi?  What is the downside if any?  With all the new Adventure touring bikes out there, many more radial tire options exist.  The Pirelli Sport Demons on my bike have some pretty good side wall cracks which I never got on radials so I  want to replace them.   Let the games begin!!!
Cheers,  Tim

[Tom]

Bias-ply.  If you have the traditional spoked rims.  The owner's manual probably didn't make the translation mode.  If you put radial tires on, you'll feel the negative difference.

[Muzz]

Surprised about the sidewall cracks in the sidewalls Tim. You do not say the year of your Breva, just wondering how old the tires are. I guess the bike has cast wheels rather than spokes.

I have had a very good run out of the Sport Demons; find them a good mix between stickiness and reasonable life. I guy on the site has gone to a Michelin Pilot Active on the rear and gets far greater life out of it without sacrificing too much on the grip side. Still uses the Demon on the front.

My advice would be to stay away from the Bridgestone BT45. Rode a Breva that had them fitted and it felt horrible.

From previous tire discussions here about the Breva tires, the Sport Demon comes out the most preferred option.

[jackson]

I previously owned a Breva 750; presently have a V7 Classic (2010 model).  I had Sport Demons on the Breva and they were very good tires but they wore down VERY quickly.  Unless they've changed the rubber formula for the Sport Demons, be prepared to get around 3500 miles from a rear tire and not a whole lot more from the front.  I switched to Metzler on the Breva and that's also what I'm running on the V7 Classic.
I have used Avons on a couple of airhead Beemers and they gave provided a comfortable ride with long wear. 
If you're a heavy canyon carver, you'll love the Sport Demons; just be aware that they wear quickly.

[timonbik]

Yes, rims are cast so tubeless is fine.  The bike is a 2008 but the rear tire has been replaced for sure but the front not sure.  Previous owner states he changed both about 3 years ago (bought the bike this last September with 10,700km) but I'm not sure I buy his story.  Any how they are quite cracked on the sidewalls so will replace them.  I would like to go to radials and was hoping for input, either pro or con.
Thanks,  Tim

[jackson]

You should NOT put radials on a Breva.  The factory specifies bias tires for this model.

[timonbik]

Everyone keeps saying "Do not put radials on the Breva" stating "factory specifies bias ply".  All the specifications that I see and the manual clearly state radials.   Is there a manual update or a technical service bulletin the I am not aware of that specifies bias ply.    Has anyone personally tried fitting radials and found that the bike becomes some evil handling beast that is totally unrideable?
Cheers,  Tim

[jackson]

MG is notorious re. misinformation in owners manuals that seem to constantly change from printing one version to the next. 

The Breva came from the factory with bias ply tires and the manual that came with my 2007 said bias ply tires. 

The 07 & 08 Breva 750's were identical.

[cee2cee]

I have been running Sport Demons on my Breva for the last 4 years with no complaints.