I have searched the major aftermarket retailers and I am unable to find any tires that would fit the Strada that provide pavement grip. I am a retired sport bike lean angle junkie and was hoping something like a Dunlop Sport Max (ala DRZ400SM) would be on offer. Is this a futile search?
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TR 650 Strada tire options...want grip on pavement.
- Thread starter Lewis
- Start date
Ignaciob
Husqvarna
Pro Class
Pirelli Sport Demons grippy enough?
Possibly going up in width and down in profile one notch...you could possibly go with Road Attacks or...one of my favorites are the Pilot Road 3s.
Possibly going up in width and down in profile one notch...you could possibly go with Road Attacks or...one of my favorites are the Pilot Road 3s.
I had not thought of juggling the width with a lower profile. I will check the Attacks and Pilots. Looking for a street compound. I have always been partial to Dunlop Sport Maxes on the street with Pirelli Dragons a close second. I appreciate the suggestion. Has anyone out there tried what Ignaciob suggested?
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Strada Demolitionist
How grippy is grippy enough? Have the stockers ever broken loose on you in a turn? I ride a TKC80 up front and the stocker in back. 4400 miles and never had a tire break loose on dry pavement. This bike is fun, but it doesn't lay down the power that bikes running super sticky tires usually do. That said, I've run road attacks and Sport Demons on other bikes, both stick like glue.
The specific issue I am having is the front losing feel while turning into a corner hard, especially when I give the bars a good shove to knock the bike into a turn. I am not so worried about the rear, but I definitely like to lean on the front.
Steve Hards
Husqvarna
B Class
Unless you're Rossi, you will find some of the leading dual-sport tyres stick a lot better than they look like they should...eg Bridgestone Battlewings, Pirelli Scorpion Trail, Michelin Anakee, Avon Distanzia. I have had personal experience with the Bridgestones and Avons and a "Rossi-like" friend had Avons fitted to his Kawasaki Versys which could lean over till EVERYTHING touched down and still no slippage.
Steve Hards
Husqvarna
B Class
The original poster has a Strada, I think that a 110/80/19 is close to a 120/70/17 in road use. The 21" does stick good for a "hoop that big" but will not lean as far as a 110/80/19 wheel, which will not lean as far as a 120/70/17 wheel. Also, at least in NZ, "sticky" tyre choices for a 21" wheel are very limited.
Greg Jetnikoff
Husqvarna
AA Class
Do USA Strada's not have a 19' front wheel like the Aus ones. Finding a genuine road tyre for the Strada is extremely difficult. And no dual sport tyres are not sticky enough for hard tar riding. The compound is way to hard on most 19's I could find except maybe Pirelli MT60R's which I am still researching but I don't think you can get a 19. The Strada should have had a 17" wheel on it or at least had the option for a 19 or a 17 so it could be a proper street bike or and adventure tourer.
The 19 is aweful when you start pushing it hard on genuine twisties anyway. It wants to run wide and requires big inputs to get it to turn in. I have pretty much given up and just ride it more sedately. It goes very well at a solid pace but just too much work to go tyre feathering. If I want to go mental I ride the F800R or steal Sally's 690 Duke.
Actually Hards I would put a 110/70-17 on the front if I could I think a 120 is overkill and would be a bit hard to get hot enough despite the TR's weight.
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The 19 is aweful when you start pushing it hard on genuine twisties anyway. It wants to run wide and requires big inputs to get it to turn in. I have pretty much given up and just ride it more sedately. It goes very well at a solid pace but just too much work to go tyre feathering. If I want to go mental I ride the F800R or steal Sally's 690 Duke.
Actually Hards I would put a 110/70-17 on the front if I could I think a 120 is overkill and would be a bit hard to get hot enough despite the TR's weight.
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Steve Hards
Husqvarna
B Class
Hey Greg, here in NZ we can get Avon Distanzias for my Strada....give them a try if you can get them there. I promise you they will allow full use of the Strada's road handling capability (up to the limits of the 19" front anyway). They won't last long but they WILL grip. Bridgestone Battlewings are a close second.
I am considering the strada but also a little worried about the 19" front wheel and associated rubber for road riding, should I skip the strada all together
I would not skip the Strada. It seems the stock tires don't provide great feedback through the bars when I shove the bar (counter steer) hard. I have modified my riding a bit to avoid the abrupt input at the bars and found the tires do have enough grip to have good fun. I am working on wearing as much of the Metzeler Elephants off,which are molded on the edge of the tire, as I can. One nice thing about the Metzelers is they do provide a lot of grip at lower tire temps. The Strada is great fun at the price and I can ride it without the ergonomic torture sport bikes and street fighters dish out.
Yes adapting to the style of the bike is a part of riding isn't it
Just looking at these 2 bike types gives some hints -
the strada has long flowing lines, the duke 690 abrupt like a sawed off shotgun
the videos online seem to support this -
the strada is more point and shoot (leaning into a longer arc, soul riding, easier to overshoot the curve but should in time develop a much smoother riding style where as
the duke 690 is shove and shoot (knee out, elbow drop, push bar, lean forward, easier to correct but also allows for sloppy riding)
There must be a Beemer 17" front wheel to fit the strada front, allowing for more rubber choices on tarmac aka ur lean angle diet ....
Have you done the booster plug mod on your bike?
Do you think a single exhaust mod is needed or the stock ones are ok
Cheers
Louisbiker
Husqvarna
A Class
apparently the bmw g650 xmoto front wheel bolts in. 17"
I have not done any fueling or exhaust mods at this point. I may look into it, but I am getting along well after my shop re MOSSED (reloaded stock mapping). As for exhaust, I like the stockers, but I have past experience with StainTune on a Ducati and found them the highest quality exhaust I have ever purchased. If I do go for the exhaust, I will probably go for some type of fueling mods too. But I don't consider the mods as "must haves". I will recommend one mod...a Seat Concepts foam and cover kit. Nicest seat I have ever used!
Why did they have to re Moss?
Does this fix the low down jerkiness the booster plug is supposed to smooth out
yeah i have played with exhausts before and if you dont get it right its money in the clouds
staintune do have a very good reputation - i dont like the chrome look or round shapes lol, prefer the flat finish and oval shape like some of the motocross cans
here is one rider doing it
http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=850525&page=74
http://www.seatconcepts.com/products#!/~/product/category=1671357&id=23998000
the tall version looks very clever indeed
care to upload some pics of ur bike
cheers
I reMOSSED the bike after the shop asked me a few questions and did this as part of the first service. Yes, it did seem to make the bike behave better. I have not stalled it since. I would make sure this is done before you try anything else. I will try to get some nice pics. I am helping a friend of mine list either his BKing or KTM 450, so I will have the camera out soon!