I need new tires for my 03. Of course, I want to upsize the rear tire. I have read several threads on the forum and have obviously came up with the Avon tires or the Metzeler 888.
I like the Avons with the 200/55/18 V-rated rear size. The previous owner of the bike changed the sprocket. I don't like the high rpms at highway speed, so I know the tire will drop the rpms down a little. I'm not worried about a slower take off, a twist of the wrist takes care of that. I'm also not worried about the speedo being off a couple mph. What worries me is that they are Bias ply tires and not radials. Will they handle as good as the Metzeler888?
I have had Metzelers on previous rice rockets and always like the way they handled. I have read a lot of great info on the forum about them. I like that the 888 are an improved version of the proven 880 model. The 200/50/18 is H-rated, which concerns me. I don't like pushing a tire to the limit. I know I don't want to think about my tire speed rating when I'm hitting 130mph. If I could find 888's in V-rated or higher I would probably go with them.
So here I sit, ready to flip a coin to select my tires. Any input would be helpful.
I like the Avons with the 200/55/18 V-rated rear size. The previous owner of the bike changed the sprocket. I don't like the high rpms at highway speed, so I know the tire will drop the rpms down a little. I'm not worried about a slower take off, a twist of the wrist takes care of that. I'm also not worried about the speedo being off a couple mph. What worries me is that they are Bias ply tires and not radials. Will they handle as good as the Metzeler888?
I have had Metzelers on previous rice rockets and always like the way they handled. I have read a lot of great info on the forum about them. I like that the 888 are an improved version of the proven 880 model. The 200/50/18 is H-rated, which concerns me. I don't like pushing a tire to the limit. I know I don't want to think about my tire speed rating when I'm hitting 130mph. If I could find 888's in V-rated or higher I would probably go with them.
So here I sit, ready to flip a coin to select my tires. Any input would be helpful.