As per the title - what are the pros & cons of either when fitted to an old Bevel with FPS cast wheels? It's wearing radial Conti Attacks at the moment for which I have no complaints but the fitter certainly did when trying to get the inner tubes in. I'm assuming the strong side walls make that difficult.
Agreed, I'm using BT46 on my old Guzzi and have no complaints. Previously used Pirelli Sport Demon which were fine but, last time I wanted tyres I couldn't get the sizes so bought the Bridgestones. Work fine and have outlasted the Pirelli miles-wise, they were even a little easier to fit on the (rough cast) alloy wheels -though still harder than'modern' tyres on smooth wheels.
Bridgestones do seem to be the de-facto choice for the older bikes possibly because they have the greatest size choice and look to have been built specifically for that role. I've never been a 'Bridgestone man' because a few years back I swapped them out on the V-Raptor for Michelins & then Metzelers both of which I felt to be much much better. As these are of a much newer construct perhaps I should give them a go. They're readily available and well priced at around £240 a pair. So is there any, discernable, difference between a crossply & radial?
This is what I was told years ago so there no evidence I can offer. Radials are supposed to be used with stiffer chassis and cross ply deals with flex and vagueness better. I’ve gone from radial to cross ply on an older bike and it’s more relaxed and calmer, feeling more confident. I won’t go near Bridgestone radial really don’t get on with them. But BT45/BT46 are the best cross ply’s available , both grip and mileage. Heidenau are also very good cross ply, can’t recall which model. Bought a cb500 with a set on years ago and couldn’t believe how much grip they had from what “ I thought “ was an unknown manufacturer.
Me neither, I've pretty much bought Pirelli my entire biking life and was quite happy with the Demons but, I'm also happy with the BT46. I can't say whether they are any 'better' but, from my recent experience they're certainly not worse and do appear to be wearing better. I'll still be buying Pirelli for my Ducatis though...
Never used Bridgestone in my life, always Pirellis, until I got my Darmah. BT46 came in the desired size and decent price range. They also seemed to generally have good reputation among people who are still riding bevels today. So that’s what I got. No real feedback yet, with only 300 miles on them, but the few times I rode in « good spirits », I can’t say I was disappointed. Bevel chassis are very, very stiff…
Yeah... the Bridgestones I chucked away on the V-Raptor would have been radials. I've always liked Pirellis too but was well impressed with the feel of Metzeler Roadtecs on the V-Rap, especially in the cold & wet, so used them for most of the commuting time. For the last set I did fit 'budget' Pirelli Angel GTs and was quite impressed with them. Faster turn in than the Metzelers. Anyone remember the old Pirelli Phantoms? which I notice they still do but the only option for the rear is a 130/70. Have read the same thing wrt to stiffer chassis which was one of the reasons I went for the Continentals as they appeared to be the only radials available in bevel sizes. Having said that today's crossply tyres are most probably a good deal better than the tyres of yore when radials weren't even available. Which is why I'm tempted by the Pirelli Sport Demons although availability might well scupper that idea.
That's an old tyre, are they still exactly the same or, presumably have evolved with the advances in rubber technology. I'm fairly sure Phantoms are what I fitted to my old 250 Scrambler - in the 1970s...
I can't believe they haven't advanced and they must be just continuing to use names synonymous with the company. The technology nowadays has got to be so much better what with silicates, synthetic rubbers, oils & such likes that the performance would have advanced likewise.
You would hope so. IIRC the Pirelli choice back then was Phantom or Mandrake, I think the Mandrake were too fancy for a 250cc so I went with the Phantoms.
Pirelli Mandrakes & ME99s !! good lord there's a couple of blasts from the past. And from what I remember there was a Michelin option as well - Pilots was it?
Just stumbled on this interesting article on crossply & radial tyre characteristics. https://www.darleydaletyres.co.uk/content/details/312/cross-ply-motorcycle-tyres
