TooOldForThis41 Posted June 16, 2013 Share Posted June 16, 2013 I bought my ER6f about a month ago after 20 years without a bike. I have done 900 miles in my first month, so I have certainly got out and ridden the thing. I have used it for work a few times and for some long rideouts two up. At first, any handling problems I put down to me being nervous/inexperienced/useless but all these things are less true now. My biggest problem is the rear tire. If there is the slightest imperfection on the road, the tire will follow it in a sickening manner. Also, the rear of the bike does not feel in way assured over anything slightly loose on the road surface, to the point that I have to stick to the white line or gutter on B roads with their usual strip of crap down the middle.I got so fed up of this insecure feeling today, I went to a bike dealership to look at a replacement. The bloke in Streetbike in Halesowen was decent, and while he had a bit of a go at selling me a CBF 1000, he also had a look at my bike and suggested the tires were squared off. As I have been driving cars for 20 years, I looked at the tires which had reasonable tread and decided they were ok. Although I can now see what he means about them being squared off.Therefore I searched online for new tires for the ER6f, and before I found any, came across someone complaining about the same problem. He said his tires were at the manufacturers recommended settings but he did not find them reassuring in any way. So, he rang Bridgestone and asked them. They said they would recommend the tires being run at 36 and 42 psi rather than the handbook's 32 and 36. I have tried this today and in the short trial ride, it did feel much better. Instead of following bumps or lines it felt very bouncy but less unsettling. I was also much more able to avoid problems on the road surface as I was able to pick the inch of road I wanted to ride on rather than the four inches I could choose previously.So all good then? Well, I am a natural worrier and I was just wondering what the considered wisdom was of running tires at pressures not recommended by the manufacturers? Also, I have this thing at the back of my mind that overpressure tires will be a nightmare in the wet.Am I worrying about nothing? Many thanks for reading my neurotic ramblings!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stu Posted June 16, 2013 Share Posted June 16, 2013 yes your worrying about nothing when I fitted a set of michelin pilot power 2ct's the rear used to move about on the stock pressures 36 front and rear after talking to michelin they said to increase the pressure 2 psi at a time until it stopped up to a max of 44 psi this only took 2 psi to stop it moving it just shows it doesnt take a lot I would drop yours and then raise them 2 psi at a time till it stops or if your tyres are really bad I would change them Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TooOldForThis41 Posted June 16, 2013 Author Share Posted June 16, 2013 yes your worrying about nothing when I fitted a set of michelin pilot power 2ct's the rear used to move about on the stock pressures 36 front and rear after talking to michelin they said to increase the pressure 2 psi at a time until it stopped up to a max of 44 psi this only took 2 psi to stop it moving it just shows it doesnt take a lot I would drop yours and then raise them 2 psi at a time till it stops or if your tyres are really bad I would change them Yeah, increasing the pressure by degrees sounds like a good idea. I will do that, but not tonight as I have opened a Father's Day beer !!I suppose I am just naive enough to think the manufacturer would've tried the tires before printing information in their handbook! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stu Posted June 16, 2013 Share Posted June 16, 2013 It could be the fact that they are squared off and nothing to do with the pressure Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bonniebird Posted June 16, 2013 Share Posted June 16, 2013 I had a lot of problems tramlining with my Bridgestone BT45s, particularly when they were getting worn and had squared off a bit.I couldn't believe the difference when I swapped to Michelin Pilot Active. I run them at the recommended pressure for the bike or just a little above but only about 2psi.I've had the Michelins on for about 3K miles now and they are wearing well, haven't squared off and still don't tramline so I'm pretty pleased with them Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TooOldForThis41 Posted June 16, 2013 Author Share Posted June 16, 2013 I'm planning to change them in the not too distant future but, as someone who has driven cars for the last 20 years, it is pretty painful to throw tires away with so much tread still visible.So long as they are quality tires it doesn't matter whether they are the same as I have on now, so I will look at Michelins.Cheers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tango Posted June 16, 2013 Share Posted June 16, 2013 Some tyres really tramline badly....even when they are not worn....... I've got Pirelli Strada's on my Sprint ST and they tramline badly.....although they are getting pretty worn now....... The Michelin Pilot Powers I have the Speed Triple are also quite worn.....but don't really tramline at all..... So, maybe the Bridgestone's don't suit the ER...... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TooOldForThis41 Posted June 16, 2013 Author Share Posted June 16, 2013 Some tyres really tramline badly....even when they are not worn....... I've got Pirelli Strada's on my Sprint ST and they tramline badly.....although they are getting pretty worn now....... The Michelin Pilot Powers I have the Speed Triple are also quite worn.....but don't really tramline at all..... So, maybe the Bridgestone's don't suit the ER...... Maybe the Bridgestones don't suit the ER. But if this is the case, I'm surprised they are OE. They are not cheap tires are they?Back in the day, I didn't replace a tire until it looked like a slick. On saying that, there are many things I used to do on a bike which I don't particularly want to repeat now I am 'old and wise'! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tango Posted June 16, 2013 Share Posted June 16, 2013 Some tyres really tramline badly....even when they are not worn....... I've got Pirelli Strada's on my Sprint ST and they tramline badly.....although they are getting pretty worn now....... The Michelin Pilot Powers I have the Speed Triple are also quite worn.....but don't really tramline at all..... So, maybe the Bridgestone's don't suit the ER...... Maybe the Bridgestones don't suit the ER. But if this is the case, I'm surprised they are OE. They are not cheap tires are they?Back in the day, I didn't replace a tire until it looked like a slick. On saying that, there are many things I used to do on a bike which I don't particularly want to repeat now I am 'old and wise'! No....Bridgestones aren't cheap tyres......but if the bike is a few years old the OE Bridgestones it had may not be a current tyre......and the newer ones perform differently on that bike...... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TooOldForThis41 Posted June 21, 2013 Author Share Posted June 21, 2013 Hopefully the handling problems will be sorted.Took it back to Cradley Kawasaki today and they took a look. The rear tire is a bit square but the front is really deformed. The bloke in the shop said this is caused by heavy braking going into corners.Not me done that then !!Anyway, long story short, two new tires for free, 5 weeks after I bought the bike.Anyone want a new bike in the Black Country, talk to Cradley Kawasaki.They're alright !! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stu Posted June 21, 2013 Share Posted June 21, 2013 excellent result Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eastanglianbiker Posted June 21, 2013 Share Posted June 21, 2013 good result and well done cradley kawasaki i think sounds like excellent customer service Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TooOldForThis41 Posted June 21, 2013 Author Share Posted June 21, 2013 Thanks all. I'm chuffed to bits for two reasons. One, I can hopefully enjoy my new bike now without it freaking me out every so often.Two, I was right, there was something wrong. My buttcheeks still work after all these years !! Edit: Forgot to mention, they are replacing the 021s with 023s, which are the latest Bridgestone sports-touring tire, so even better !! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CGD217 Posted June 22, 2013 Share Posted June 22, 2013 Thanks all. I'm chuffed to bits for two reasons. One, I can hopefully enjoy my new bike now without it freaking me out every so often.Two, I was right, there was something wrong. My buttcheeks still work after all these years !! Edit: Forgot to mention, they are replacing the 021s with 023s, which are the latest Bridgestone sports-touring tire, so even better !! Happy days, glad it's sorted! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joeman Posted June 22, 2013 Share Posted June 22, 2013 Edit: Forgot to mention, they are replacing the 021s with 023s, which are the latest Bridgestone sports-touring tire, so even better !! You'll love the 023's. I've got them on my gixxer and a few other have had good experience with them. viewtopic.php?f=78&t=44498&hilit=bridgestone+023 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TooOldForThis41 Posted June 22, 2013 Author Share Posted June 22, 2013 Edit: Forgot to mention, they are replacing the 021s with 023s, which are the latest Bridgestone sports-touring tire, so even better !! You'll love the 023's. I've got them on my gixxer and a few other have had good experience with them. viewtopic.php?f=78&t=44498&hilit=bridgestone+023 Some good reviews on there.Can't wait to get 'em fitted and get a bit more confidence with cornering. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GazW Posted June 23, 2013 Share Posted June 23, 2013 The BT45's are horrific. I've heard people rave about them, mine squared off, I used to spin the rear in the wet and they were never confidence inspiring in the dry.. It's crazy to think that the whole feel of a multi thousand pound machine can be ruined by saving a few £'s on tyres. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TooOldForThis41 Posted June 23, 2013 Author Share Posted June 23, 2013 The BT45's are horrific. I've heard people rave about them, mine squared off, I used to spin the rear in the wet and they were never confidence inspiring in the dry.. It's crazy to think that the whole feel of a multi thousand pound machine can be ruined by saving a few £'s on tyres. My old tires are BT 021s. I think they are supposed to be ok, just mine are not ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fozzie Posted June 24, 2013 Share Posted June 24, 2013 Had a Kawasaki ER6fI know exactly what you are on about, the front made cornering "odd" to say the least.And the back followed even a dodgy camber in the road! I found the new Michelins running 36psi front and 40psi back gave good results.I found wacking it to 42psi on the back caused the back end to weave under heavy braking for some reasonHope this is of some use to you in the future Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TooOldForThis41 Posted June 24, 2013 Author Share Posted June 24, 2013 Had a Kawasaki ER6fI know exactly what you are on about, the front made cornering "odd" to say the least.And the back followed even a dodgy camber in the road! I found the new Michelins running 36psi front and 40psi back gave good results.I found wacking it to 42psi on the back caused the back end to weave under heavy braking for some reasonHope this is of some use to you in the future It's reassuring to know other people have felt the same thing but I'm hoping it will be a lot better with the new tires. If it's not, I will experiment with tire pressures to see if I can improve it. I think 42psi in the rear is too much to be honest. It didn't follow every blip, it pattered over everything instead. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TooOldForThis41 Posted June 29, 2013 Author Share Posted June 29, 2013 Long 1:45 minute ride today to scrub the new tires in and it felt great.At first I had to train myself not to haul it into a corner with a big heave, as this wasn't necessary. Cornering was fluid and confidence inspiring and although you could feel a rough surface, there was none of the tramlining and the unsettling feeling that there was no grip. A benefit of this is I wasn't so concerned with the road surface that I was able to look ahead, which also helped greatly with cornering.So, all in all, a success. My bike is now great to ride and I've got a rideout to Bourton on the Water tomorrow to look forwards to. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joeman Posted June 29, 2013 Share Posted June 29, 2013 nice once, knew you would like the BT023's Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TooOldForThis41 Posted June 30, 2013 Author Share Posted June 30, 2013 nice once, knew you would like the BT023's Done about 180 miles now so they must be scrubbed in.They gave me plenty of confidence anyway. On the way to Bourton today, on a really tight but fast corner called Fish Hill or something, I had the bike cranked right over. There I was, thinking I was Rossi or something, and some b******* on an Aprilia overtakes me on the outside!Felt like kicking him off !!But didn't. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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