[sdsting]

I’m getting ready to replace my stock tires. For about a year now I’d been planning to go Avon 240 + matching front. However after reading all the 240 discussions, and speaking with expert installers/riders at the shops, etc… I’ve decided to stick with the stock tire sizes because all info that I’ve gathered indicates that putting on an over-sized tire on that rim will change the handling of the bike in the turns, and I’m just not willing to sacrifice cornering agility & speed. A ½” more ground clearance sounds appealing, but not at the expense of handling and feel. Just wanted to address why I’m sticking with stock sized because I knew there would be questions on that. So my question is: does anybody have any experience with putting stock-tire size Dunlop, Perelli, Michelin, Avon, etc.. on the Stryker? Would like some feedback on that as I need to choose a brand. Life of the tire is not as important to me as traction in the turns, and I don’t ride in wet weather. On the track I always ran Dunlop but that was 25yrs ago..

 

[mikoloe]

I run a metzler 240, I would like to say I am an aggressive rider but where I live I don't have the hills and turns you do. I will never look back, the 210 was nice but the 240 is where its at. Bump those guys that tell you otherwise.

 

[bekohlko]

I agree with Miko. You really don't loose anything in terms of handling ability or overall agility. It is different, but I wouldn't say it's worse. My recommendation is to give a 240 a try. I highly doubt you'll have any regrets, and the benefits are awesome. Especially since it corrects the speedometer!

 

[kraaazymike]

****, if you don't like the 240 after you try it out, I might even take it off your hands

*edit: I can't even say "h e l l". I am slowly reminded why I'm drifting away from this site...

 

[11Stryker]

Don't do it Sting! 240 will be your best friend. Handling improves as does every other aspect of riding.

 

[WOLFStryke]

Don't do it Sting! 240 will be your best friend. Handling improves as does every other aspect of riding.

++1

 

[Silkentek]

So my question is: does anybody have any experience with putting stock-tire size Dunlop, Perelli, Michelin, Avon, etc.. on the Stryker?

I also prefer stock size as well. I have occasion to ride BOTH, Toby uses 240, my bike is still stock, and I prefer stock.
to address your question:
I have been unable to find any manufacturer that makes a 210 other then bridgestone, and metzler.
The price for a 210 will be more then a 240. I have found only the bridgestone 210 to be close in price or less then a 240 of your chosen brand. (e.g. Metzler sells their 210 for 260$ but their 240 was 240$ or so last time I checked)
I have decided that if *I* get 4 to 5k miles out of my bridgestone, I will just keep using bridgestone. They are a nice sticky grippy tire, it works very well up here in the mountains and if I get even close to 5k miles out of it, that is more then toby got out of his metzler 240 he put on last year.
If you find another manufacturer that makes a 210 cheaper then $300.00 let me know lol I can get a Metz 210 from motorcycle superstore for 260$ right now... or I can go bridgestone for 190$
I haven't looked into perelli, and avon, dunlop and michelin do not make a 210 that I know of.

 

[toby]

I think you are making the right choice. Despite what others are saying there is a noticeable decline in control and increase in effort it takes to transition smoothly back and forth in sweepers. I can assure everyone because I have both bikes at hand to compare, one with the 210 and one with the 240, and I live in the mountains where I have all kinds of different cornering conditions to test it on. I also ride right behind my wife and watch her whip back and forth in corners with no effort and I'm struggling. And I've been riding on 240s for near two years now. So it's not a lack of practice.
This falls back once again to what the pros say and how the engineers designed the bike. I'm sure they have it set up the best it can be.
The next time I change my front tire I'm going to increase the size to match the rear 240 to see if that makes a difference. I am sticking with the 240 because of the over all performance for cruising. If I was going to just race around all the time I would go with a 210.
Terry you should look into the Metzler 210. A far better tire than the Bridgestone.

 

[sdsting]

First of all I respect & appreciate all the feedback and experience you guys are bringing to this topic, and I know you guys truly love the 240. You guys give me a lot to ponder on..
What Toby & Loren are saying is exactly what I have been determining in my research. I’m still going to think about it for another week or 2. Thank you all!

 

[toby]

First of all I respect & appreciate all the feedback and experience you guys are bringing to this topic, and I know you guys truly love the 240. You guys give me a lot to ponder on..
What Toby & Loren are saying is exactly what I have been determining in my research. I’m still going to think about it for another week or 2. Thank you all!

Really Terry if you can get a chance to ride one with a 240 it would be to your benefit to see how it feels for you. If the little bit of extra effort it take isn't that great for you you would deffenetally benefit from the extra clearance it gives especially without lowering it. You should also look into the idea of a larger front tire along with the rear. And remember I mentioned the difference in tire brands like the E3 handles more like a standard cruiser tire than the other ones. Also you can get a bit more clearance with spring changes. It's just a matter of finding the right configuration for how and where you ride.

 

[mikoloe]

All I have to say is this is not a crotch rocket, this is a Stryker do the 240. Consider the diameter of the tire with or without the 1'' drop.
The 1" drop and the Metzler is key for me. I will try the Avon next time.
I loved the 2.25" drop even better but it did take me out of my safe zone.

Metzeler: 240/40R/18 = 25.8" tall
Dunlop: 240/40R/18 = 25.91" tall
Avon: 240/40R/18 = 25.5 " tall

 

[toby]

All I have to say is this is not a crotch rocket, this is a Stryker do the 240. Consider the diameter of the tire with or without the 1'' drop.
The 1" drop and the Metzler is key for me. I will try the Avon next time.
I loved the 2.25" drop even better but it did take me out of my safe zone.

Metzeler: 240/40R/18 = 25.8" tall
Dunlop: 240/40R/18 = 25.91" tall
Avon: 240/40R/18 = 25.5 " tall

You have to take into consideration the Sdsting likes to race/take the Stryker to it's limits. Very little cruising. And the Stryker was designed for more aggressive riding than standard cruiser out of the crate.:thumb:
The one draw back to the 210 is you are on the very edge of the tire at max lean. A 240 gives you much more side tread. So at stock height with a 240 you will deffenetally gain more lean angle before hitting the pegs an still have side tread to spare.

 

[mikoloe]

Your right Toby, He has a red stripe on his front rim..That means he is faster, younger and more aggressive than me! You and I can almost take the side line but not just yet! Cheers my Friend !

 

[sdsting]

from Toby: ” A 240 gives you much more side tread. So at stock height with a 240 you will definitely gain more lean angle before hitting the pegs an still have side tread to spare.”

That is the ONLY reason I am even considering the 240. And if it hindered the nimbleness of the bike in the switchbacks then it wouldn’t be worth it to me.

mikoloe – thanks for the suggestion of lowering the bike but Toby is correct, I ride it like a sportbike and I’m beyond dragging the pegs, I’m grinding the frame when the suspension bottoms out.

Toby – yeah my rear shock is set to setting 7 and I have Progressive Springs installed in the forks as of yesterday.
To be honest I have a burning desire to get back on the track, really wanting an R1, but I also don’t want to give up the Stryker either. Conflicted right now..

 

[BillyD66]

I also prefer stock size as well. I have occasion to ride BOTH, Toby uses 240, my bike is still stock, and I prefer stock.
to address your question:
I have been unable to find any manufacturer that makes a 210 other then bridgestone, and metzler.
The price for a 210 will be more then a 240. I have found only the bridgestone 210 to be close in price or less then a 240 of your chosen brand. (e.g. Metzler sells their 210 for 260$ but their 240 was 240$ or so last time I checked)
I have decided that if *I* get 4 to 5k miles out of my bridgestone, I will just keep using bridgestone. They are a nice sticky grippy tire, it works very well up here in the mountains and if I get even close to 5k miles out of it, that is more then toby got out of his metzler 240 he put on last year.
If you find another manufacturer that makes a 210 cheaper then $300.00 let me know lol I can get a Metz 210 from motorcycle superstore for 260$ right now... or I can go bridgestone for 190$
I haven't looked into perelli, and avon, dunlop and michelin do not make a 210 that I know of.

Good luck getting 5K out of the Bridgestone on your roads. In flat Illinois(with a few trips to curvier places) I'm at 7400 and pretty much at the wear bars across the tire. I ride a little aggressive but don't weigh too much etc.
So, hoping to meet up w/ Josh or someone and ride their 240 tire to make the final decision for me. Probably won't have to get it done till next spring, however, there could be another 2 months of riding left here so it might have to get accelerated to this season. Good and bad there...

 

[sdsting]

Actually BillyD, I have no complaints out of the milage I’ve gotten out of my stock tires. Here’s a pic of my rear today, starting to show cupping. I’m over 6k and as you know I’m pretty aggressive with it. No complaints with traction either as Loren mentioned. My only complaint would be how the front tire seems to kick up a lot of fine rocks/sand/debris. Not sure if this would be any different with another brand of tire but I am willing to test out.

 

[toby]

Your right Toby, He has a red stripe on his front rim..That means he is faster, younger and more aggressive than me! You and I can almost take the side line but not just yet! Cheers my Friend !

Point taken Miko. lol. I ride extremely hard from time to time but most of the time I'm following my wife, whom also is no slouch on the Sryker.
The thing is we go out for leisurely cruises too. I think Terry goes out most of the time with the intention of riding as hard and fast as that bike and conditions will allow. That's why he is concerned with the set up.

 

[BillyD66]

Actually BillyD, I have no complaints out of the milage I’ve gotten out of my stock tires. Here’s a pic of my rear today, starting to show cupping. I’m over 6k and as you know I’m pretty aggressive with it. No complaints with traction either as Loren mentioned. My only complaint would be how the front tire seems to kick up a lot of fine rocks/sand/debris. Not sure if this would be any different with another brand of tire but I am willing to test out.

Not directed at you Sting(was meant for Toby's wife) but still 6K or anything under 10K is terrible in my mind. Then again some of you have been riding much longer and some from sport bikes so this mileage might actually be an improvement Just tough when my point of reference is car tires...

Agree with you on traction and the like but I have nothing else to compare against. The OEM seems fine but others might be better. Actually the Avon with claims of super stickiness and longer life had my spidey sense tingling as those are generally mutually exclusive factors. However if it just has more thread to start with that would explain it. I do like the price but again I'm being sucked in here since I'm thinking $225ish for a tire and then 35-75 to have it mounted is a good deal. That would be an insanely ****ty deal for a car unless you have very special and limited run tires with super fancy rims that need only the best shop to work on.

 

[toby]

Actually BillyD, I have no complaints out of the milage I’ve gotten out of my stock tires. Here’s a pic of my rear today, starting to show cupping. I’m over 6k and as you know I’m pretty aggressive with it. No complaints with traction either as Loren mentioned. My only complaint would be how the front tire seems to kick up a lot of fine rocks/sand/debris. Not sure if this would be any different with another brand of tire but I am willing to test out.

I noticed a considerable decrease in what the front tire kicks up when I put the Metzlers on and I just happen to take a look at that on the way home right now and the C II doesn't kick much up either.
I have to correct what I said the mileage I have on the C II, It's was only 4,400 instead of 5,400 miles. So it's looking like it will be equal to the Metzler but no where near as chewed up. And it still feels like it has plenty of traction where as the Metzler started getting squerly at that point.
Also <Terry, I test rode both bikes today and I'll have to say that the pros of the 240 out weigh the cons. The little bit more effort it takes to transition sweepers is minimal compared to how much more stable the bike is in hard corners and how much more tire edge you have and the clearance you gain. It's a totally different feel than the 210. You really should test a bike with a 240 on it before you make your decision.
Remember your riding a cruiser on public streets so setting it up for total race is questionable. You should really get a sport bike and hit the tracks to scratch that itch and just enjoy the Sryker.
I'll have Loren comment on how she felt between bikes today.
Oh one other thing you will gain with the 240 is a couple mph per gear.

 

[Silkentek]

Not directed at you Sting(was meant for Toby's wife) but still 6K or anything under 10K is terrible in my mind. Then again some of you have been riding much longer and some from sport bikes so this mileage might actually be an improvement Just tough when my point of reference is car tires...

Agree with you on traction and the like but I have nothing else to compare against. The OEM seems fine but others might be better. Actually the Avon with claims of super stickiness and longer life had my spidey sense tingling as those are generally mutually exclusive factors. However if it just has more thread to start with that would explain it. I do like the price but again I'm being sucked in here since I'm thinking $225ish for a tire and then 35-75 to have it mounted is a good deal. That would be an insanely ****ty deal for a car unless you have very special and limited run tires with super fancy rims that need only the best shop to work on.

We consider ourselves blessed up here if we get 5k miles out of a rear tire. This might improve now that they have just paved the back of the mountain with all nice fresh asphalt. I just wish they would get the lines painted on the road so it would be easier to see at night time lol or when you go from 'sun in your eyes' to 'deep shade' in a blink... literally.

Toby wants me to give the metzler 210 a try, he likes how they construct their tires. I am not so sure spending the extra 60$ or so will pay off in miles... I will have to just see if I can afford to try it I guess.