Pirelli Radial/Battlax Bias Combo-Report

Laverda SF

Laverda SF

Hero member
I'm measuring 2.5" (Approx the same width as WM3 Borrani Rims) in which the thread contacts the asphalt under normal cruising on both Front WM3 4446 Rims with Pirelli-Diablo Strada 110/80ZR18 M/C G58W @ 31psi mounted and Rear WM3 4613 Rims mounted with Bridgestone Battlax BT-45 130/80V18 M/C 66V @ 35psi.

Granted I thought the Rear BT-45 130/80V18 might be somewhat rounded on the narrow Borrani WM3 Rim but the road contact is excellent and there is more then enough thread on the sidewalls for burying deep into corners. Both tires stick like glue. The Radial Front tracs unbelievably and the Radial/Bias combination does not seem to cause undesirable effects.  

Over all the combination Looks and Works excellent.

I believe Pirelli has replaced the Diablo Strada with the Angel ST series and their front 110/80ZR18 may no longer be available - There goes another excellent 18" tire - Sish!

Believe it or not, we haven't had any rain this summer so I can't comment on how well the combination works in the rain.
 
Hello 'Laverda SF",

Really, a combination of radial and bias on a motorbike is not done and may evoke very unexpected roadbehaviour.
Are you maybe just joking and challenging us?
Well, it's your bike, your money, your life.

Indeed the Strada 110/80 ZR 18 is no longer, as well as the Diablo in 150/70 ZR 18, which is the combination I used before (on 3.00 and 4.25" rims).

Further the 130/80 really is to big for a WM3 rim, which is the equivalent of a 2'15" rim : should at least be a 3.00" rim.

What made you choose the radial for the front, instead of a 'normal' BT 45 110/80 X 18? And why not a proper 120/90 X 18 BT 45 on the rear, which is already a tidy bit to big for the 2.15 rim, but will do.

Save ride, Hein
 
Hey I'm still 1/2 pituded from yesterday ;o)

hkraanen@xs4all.nl - I'm well aware of the specifications but tires and money do not last at the same rate - It just happens to be where I'm at now and I'm reporting the tires although too big and Radail/Bias Combo controversy seems to work just fine. I had a new Stratos Radial on the front from last year with an Old Phantom Radial 130/80R18 on the rear. Believe me I wanted to buy a 120 or 130/80R18 for the rear but they are not available - So I took a shot to find out for myself.

If you measure the inside of a WM3 Rim you will find they are closer to 2.625" then 2.15" - Of Course if you take the inside of the tire bead as a factor - It will be closer to 2.15".
 
I have a BT023 Bridstone Radial on the front of my 3c and a Pirreli Sports Demon Bias on the rear and I also have found zero problems.Will do it again soon as the front is close to warn out,even wear,no scolops like the BT45 tends to do.
 
If the tyres aren't on the same axles why should there be a problem? Forgive my ignorance as I understood this was only of relevance to mixing tyre construction/tread-pattern on a car axle.

If you can have different wheel sizes front and rear, different widths front and rear, different tread patterns front and rear.. what difference can construction type have? As long as the tyres conform to the speed/power/braking rating of the bike I can't see what difference it would make..

Don't mind me though.. I'm just stoopid :LOL: :D
 
I've often run different front and rear, in fact on the K1100LT (mine is an RS with differnt wheels than the LT) they have no choice as their tyre sizes are strange, one of them is only available as bias and the other is only available as radial these days. Doesn't seem to be a problem for road riding, not sure about the track though.

Is it time to turn this into a beer thread? Mmmmmmmm beer.....
 
Tooheys only fall if you drop them Terry.. :LOL:

Personally, I could go a Fat Yak.. however, out here near Mongolia it pays to be careful what you wish for.. :o :o

:D
 
OOPS! That s what happens after you've felt like a Toohey's or ten. :D
 
Going fishing in the Montes for the last week of July - definitely wont be dry  :P 8)
 
drikko said:
I've often run different front and rear, in fact on the K1100LT (mine is an RS with differnt wheels than the LT) they have no choice as their tyre sizes are strange, one of them is only available as bias and the other is only available as radial these days. Doesn't seem to be a problem for road riding, not sure about the track though.

Is it time to turn this into a beer thread? Mmmmmmmm beer.....
Click to expand...

The whole fucking bike is strange Drikko

VB tins were on special....

Radial and Bias heat up differently, probably wouldnt notice it with subdued road riding, im from the school of run the same brand and type front and rear, and i change as a pair, even if the front dont need it, its cheap insurance

Try the Pirelli Dragons SF, stick ya knee out if you wann with them
 
One thing I do know if you place Radials on the front with Bias on the back of a car the ride will over-steer and if you reverse it with the Radials on the Back and Bias on the Front the car will under-steer.

Granted if you get into a 2 wheel slide on 2 wheels the Bias will probably let go on the Rear before the Radial does on the front.

At 64 years old I don't ride as hard as I did a few years back and don't challenge KZ900's or 1000's anymore, providing one even come across a KZ today, and just content to Cruise and Tourer.

Yes it's been one Hot and Dry summer so far here on the North Shore of the Great Lakes.
 
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