1100 Sport or other Spine Frames Tyre Recommendations pleeeeeez

[Old Jock]

So I'm rebuilding the Magni 1100, the tyres, among many other things are shot so I'm wondering about my options and thought I'd ask

As the bike is built around the 1100 spine frame then I thought maybe members could help me with a good sports tyre for road use only.

I'd prefer grip over longevity and the bike is very unlikely to see rain as I'm a girlie fair weather, softy.

Current tyre sizes on the bike are

120/70 ZR17

180/55 ZR17

I'm ass-uming that is the same as the Sport 1100, but don't know

John

[rocker59]

Sport 1100 (carb) was 160/60-18
Sport 1100 (inj) was 160/70-17
v11 Lemans came with 180/55-17  (but handles better with a 170/60-17).

What width is the wheel?  If it's a 5.5 or narrower, I'd go with a 170/60-17.

But anyway, you asked about tires.  180/55-17 has a huge selection.  Pretty much every street bike tire is available in that size.  The few that are not, are available in 170/60-17.

My current best compromise is the sport-touring T30 from Bridgestone.  It's been a real nice tire on my Sport 1100 (carb).

Since you are running a 17 rear, you have lots of options to go sportier, and in that case I would look at something in the Michelin Pilot Power range.

If you don't like Michelins, then I'd recommend the Bridgstone BT-017 as a nice sporty tire that will work nicely on the Guzzi spine frame.

[Doug McLaren]

I had  Metzeler Z6 Roadtec in standard sizes on my 1100i and recently changed to Bridgestone BT 023, again in standard sizes and I'm very pleased with them.

Front is 120/70 ZR17, rear is 160/70 ZR17.

[ponti_33609]

(but handles better with a 170/60-17).

 :1:  I switched on my old v11 and handles MUCH better IMO.

[rocker59]

I had  Metzeler Z6 Roadtec in standard sizes on my 1100i and recently changed to Bridgestone BT 023, again in standard sizes and I'm very pleased with them.

Front is 120/70 ZR17, rear is 160/70 ZR17.

The Z6 always handled well when new, but I hated the way the rear would flat spot in the middle.  Handling went away pretty quickly.

I ran a few of them on my V11 LeMans, eventually switching to the ME880 on the rear ( and finally the front, too).

[Doug McLaren]

That was exactly my experience with the Metzelers, the rear developed a flat spot down the centre very quickly and really upset the handling even though there was still about 4mm tread on it . The Bridgestones were a world apart.

[Old Jock]

Keep em coming & that was fast

So I thought I'd double check Magni's site to check wheel and tyre sizes and got this

Front Wheel
17x3.50
Front Tyre
120/70ZR17

Rear Wheel
17x5.50
Rear Tyre
180/55/ZR17

The bike was originally shod with Pirrellis.

I have Rossa Corsas on the 1098 and really like them but they are a bit like the Metzlers they tend to square off quickly, which is not the best but I haven't looked into what sizes they produce

So it looks like I could go the 170 route, for now though I'm thinking I'll stick to what Magni put on the bike as he probably know his cipolle a lot better than I know mine

At one point I was thinking of a thread on the build but its taking forever due to external factors. Its pretty much stripped down at the moment, well nothing on the front yet, engine gbx more or less complete, spine on and working on the back end right now. Once the rear is together I'll put up a picture if anybody i interested

Many thanks to everybody.......... .... Oh & good and bad experiences are appreciated, avoiding a real lemon is just as important as finding a goodie

[rocker59]

I did not like the Dunlop RoadSmart.  They got good reviews when they came out, but made my Nero Corsa handle like Crapola.  Mainly due to the rear tire's flat round profile, I believe.

My only other bad reviews are getting old and stale.  The Avon AV45/46 and the Metzeler ME Z4 were crap on my Sport 1100.  That flat round profile on the rear tire causing most of the problem, IMHO.

Metzeler ME Z4 after the OEM Michelins.  Didn't like 'em after a couple sets, then Switched to the Pirelli Dragon GTS for several sets.  Loved that tire!

Then tried the Avon AV45/46 and it sucked.  Took them off within 1500 miles and started using the BT-014.  Then, a set of the Pirelli Diablo ST tires, which were OK.  And, now it's on the Bridgestone T30 and I'm liking them.

I've run two sets of "sport" tires on the Sport 1100:  The original Michelin TX 15/25 and the Bridgestone BT-014.  Both were great.  Both only lasted 3,000 miles.  So, though I liked the handling, the short life sent me looking other directions (Bridgestone T30) instead of to the BT-017 that replaced the BT-014.

 

[Chuck in Indiana]

I like Angels on spineys.. good wear considering the available traction.

[redrider]

I switched to Avon from Dunlop on all my bikes except the Norton. The current Storm Ultra 3D is on the Sport 1100, Benelli CR 1130 and Café Sport. I get 8-10 K miles on the Benelli rear. That bike is the most powerfull of my collection. Wet or dry, the Avons have never done anything scary. I do not dawdle, BTW. Even wear and consistent grip regardless of lean angle.

[Blueboarhound]

OJ,

For what it's worth I have Michelin Pilot Road 2's on the 900SS and the Pilot Road 3's on the Daytona and Sport 1100. I was happy with the Pilot Roads on the Ducati and they make an 18 which fits the rear wheel on the Daytona and Sport 1100 so I stuck with them, no complaints from me.

[Old Jock]

Thanks for all the replies, really appreciated

BBH Pilot Road sounds a good option, mmm need to look at some pictures of profiles now and then get out the wallet

[Murray]

Bridgestone 030 sports touring tyre will cope with anything a 90hp old puss box can throw at it, they have improved over recent years.

[Blueboarhound]

.....and then get out the wallet

When I bought the Road Pilot 2's for the Ducati the 3's had come out with the addition of rain sipes (grooves) to improve wet road performance. The 2's were 40% off so I took advantage of that.

When I was looking to replace tires on the Daytona and Sport 1100 the 4's had come out and I found 3's for 40% off.

For me going back one generation / iteration of tire was worth the savings.

[Scud]

I like Angels on spineys.. good wear considering the available traction.

 :1:

I have the 170 on my Scura and a Michelin 180 on my LeMans. The Scura also has the Ohlins so this is not a perfect comparison. However, I think the 170 makes the Scura a little more nimble in the transitions, while the 180 on my LeMans contributes to it feeling more stable and planted.

Be careful when people say a certain tire size makes it handle "better." That just means it suits their preference. If your preference is quicker transitions, then a narrower tire is "better." If your preference is stability (and the slower transitions that come with it) then the wider tire is "better."

[Old Jock]

Scud that is very good point and well taken

On my Sfida 1000 I went up a size from (130 to 140 as I recall) when I got the EPM wheels and really liked the increased stability as I felt it was just a little squirrelly on the 130.

Now the spine frames, in my experience (previous Daytona 1000 owner) is the opposite they are very stable and slow to turn so you've got me thinking perhaps a 170 is the way to go.

Apologies Rocker you suggested this in the first place and I didn't take it in properly

John

[dl.allen]

I went with T30 Bridgestones on Rockers recommendation and they have been fantastic.  I have ridden them hard and fast and everything in between.  I did go with the 180 on the back so I have no basis of comparison for a thinner back tire.

[LowRyter]

I am running Dunlop Qualifiers on my Sport.  The Pilot Road 4 didn't get great mileage and wore out fast.  Surprising, since I've been running Michelins on my Bandit when I had switched away from Dunlops for the same reason. 

The Quals were on special and I had used one to replace a flat rear Pirelli prior to Michelins.  They seem to be holding up and handling fine. 

I am using the factory size, IIRC that's a 170 rear.

[Scud]

I am using the factory size, IIRC that's a 170 rear.

I think that's right for the early, red-frame sports. The later models got a bit wider rear wheel and a 180 tire at the factory.

[rocker59]

I just remembered, the last tire I used on my V11 Nero Corsa was the Pilot Road 3.

It was a really good tire.  Fantastic in the rain.  We rode most of the way to the Homer Louisiana get-together in the rain in 2012. 

Good turn-in.  Good feel.  Great in the rain.  Slightly better than average sport-touring tread life.

I ran the 170 on the Nero's 5.5-inch rear wheel and turn-in was great!

Almost went with a set for the Sport 1100 when I got the Bridgestone T30, but favorable reviews tilted me towards the Bridgestones.

[flangeman_70]

I like Angels on spineys.. good wear considering the available traction.

:1:

My Centauro loves them

Adam

[earemike]

I've run Bridgestone BT003's for years, great grip. Once had a 2 wheel slide on cold roads when I was too aggressive but the tyres saved my arse.