I already have the BT020 for the rear, so its just the front i need, the choice right now is the T32 or the BT46, so radial vs bias for the front.
Question about tires, Bias vs Radial.
- Thread starter Ronni.N
- Start date
Uncle Phil
Site Supporter
I think you'll like the T32 much better. 
To my knowledge, I always thought OEM tires on the 1100 were bias-ply. My rear is original brand, not the original tire (obviously). lol. Metzeler Z6 Sport Touring 160/70ZR-17. Unless someone else here can correct me. I can't find info on it to check myself and too lazy to go crawl on the cold floor in the cold garage.
Phil answered this, but if you ride a lot, it is something to consider. Read this thread:
Vredestein Hypertrac All Season Tire | Darksiders
I did a lot of investigating the lastest brands of Dark side tires looking for the thinnest and roundest tire that would work on an ST1300 that would not rub the swingarm. I think that this tire maybe a winner, it is very round on the sides not flat like most dark side tires. I have about 1/2"...
We have an impressive number of miles racked up on car tires. The only downside that comes to mind is the need to pull the rear wheel every 8 to 10,000 miles to put paste on the splines. I'm not starting a mxxy thread here, I just said paste.
Uncle Phil
Site Supporter
IIRC, the standards and the ABSIs came with bias.
The ABSII came with radials (at least my 2002 did),
The ABSII came with radials (at least my 2002 did),
T32 it is, now i just need to find a dealer that will install them for less than the price of the BT020.I think you'll like the T32 much better.
ST1100Y
Site Supporter
Well, there restrictions...I think you'll like the T32 much better.
the [GT] is only avail in the following dimensions:
front: 120/70 R18 TL 59 W
rear: 170/60 R17 TL 72 W, 180/55 R17 TL 73 W, 190/55 R17 TL 75 W
for my non-ABS
T32 front 110/80 R18 TL 58 W
T32 rear 160/70 R17 TL 73 W
only the "regular" version is offered...
Which bears the question if I'll shred them to pieces within 3000 to 4000 miles...
This would ban any regular holiday trips in the future, as I'm not keen on having to plan a pit-stop half way through the trip...
Mmmmm that will be interesting to see. If mileage is that low, then it actually makes buying the G547 from the USA just as financially viable as I know I can expect at least 10,000 miles out of a G547!Which bears the question if I'll shred them to pieces within 3000 to 4000 miles...
The question is if 3000-4000 miles really will shred them, i know the GT should have a stiffer sidewall, and a bit higher weight rating 59 vs 58, i guess time will tell since im going for the 110/80 for my old ST.
If they do, i guess next step will be finding a ABS2 frontwheel and change to a 120 tire.
If they do, i guess next step will be finding a ABS2 frontwheel and change to a 120 tire.
Uncle Phil
Site Supporter
As I said I've run a 120 on 110 rim and had no issues at all.
Unless it mattered to the 'authorities' I'd use the 120 GT on the 110 in a heartbeat.
Unless it mattered to the 'authorities' I'd use the 120 GT on the 110 in a heartbeat.
And no trouble with the ABS1 system with a 120/70 in front and the 160/70 in the rear ?As I said I've run a 120 on 110 rim and had no issues at all.
Unless it mattered to the 'authorities' I'd use the 120 GT on the 110 in a heartbeat.
ST1100Y
Site Supporter
Well, so far all those "modern" tires wore down to the legal limit within ~6500km/4000miles, whilst the Exedra set easily lasted 12,000km/7500miles/a full riding year/season...
Loss of registration, all insurance coverage and being held liable in any form of accident, regardless if the other party caused it...Unless it mattered to the 'authorities' I'd use the 120 GT on the 110 in a heartbeat.
So for me any experiments with other dimensions are out; also swapping the front end with an ABS-II/CBS one is voiding the Homologation...
Uncle Phil
Site Supporter
Never tried it on an ABSI since I don't have one.
I would be surprised if it did cause an issue.
My basis is I ran a 170/60 instead of a 160/70 on the rear of one of my ST1100s (in a crack and no other choice at the time).
The ABS was perfectly happy with no complaints.
BTW, the front and rear sensors are the same unit.
Uncle Phil
Site Supporter
Glad we have not gotten to that level of 'nanny' state yet ...
ST1100Y
Site Supporter
There pros and cons to this... the pros predominate...Glad we have not gotten to that level of 'nanny' state yet ...
So what do they do if your 5km over the limit, lock you up as a danger to society?
Uncle Phil
Site Supporter
Swapping 120 rim for the 110 rim require no changes except installing the 110 discs on the 120 wheel (same bolt pattern).
It does not require a fork change - ran one on my standard ST1100 for years as I did not want to stock 2 sizes of front tires.
The ABSII discs are smaller in diameter than the non-abs discs so the standard discs have to be used with the standard calipers.
Everything bolts up and the 110 'fender' has plenty of clearance for the 120 tire.
Unless an 'inspector' was very knowledgeable about ST1100 front ends, they would never know the difference - especially if you removed the ABS ring.
As far as working on a ABSI, the wheel would still install and the discs could be swapped.
But I don't know if the ABSII 'ring' and the ABSI 'ring' are located in the same place with the same diameter.
I do know the sensors for both systems are the same and so are the TCS/ABS switches.
I would have to believe that the ABSI ring would bolt onto the ABSII wheel but I've never took the measurements.
According to cmsnl.com the ABS ring is the same on all the ABS models, so it should bolt right on, the main question is if the location of the sensor is the same, since the ABS2 models have a totally different brake setup, different calipers.
Could be interesting, i am just having a hard time finding a cheap ABS2 front wheel around here to experiment with.
ST1100Y
Site Supporter
In my area we still have a <10kph/6mph tolerance, but they're working hard on zeroing that... (car haters, climate panic, revenue, etc...)So what do they do if your 5km over the limit, lock you up as a danger to society?
Fines are moderate (compared to like Norway or Swiss which are way harsher)...
< 30kph: < € 726,-
> 30kph: € 150 ~ € 5000,-
> 40kph: € 300 ~ € 5000,- + suspended license for 1 month (+ mandatory re-training course if repeat offender within the past 5 years)
> 60kph: € 500 ,- € 7500,- + suspended license for 3 months (+ mandatory re-training course + seizure of vehicle if repeat offender within the past 5 years)
> 80kph: € 500 ,- € 7500,- + suspended license for 6 months (+ mandatory re-training course + mandatory seizure of vehicle + official psychological examination if repeat offender)
There is a difference if you're clocked by a mindless, computerized speed-trap/section-control due which the "payment request" is fully automatically printed and mailed, or by a real, protein-controlled LEO, who can either let you off with a warning, or go anywhere up to the max punishment mentioned above...
In any case will you be added into the statistics as "notorious speeder", the omnipresent 'public enemy #1 propaganda' these days...
(cause being inattentive, toying on the phone, running red lights and stop signs is no problem at all... nah...)
And before you ask:
the whole legal situation exploded to above list in the past few years due to the "enrichment" we experience by "southern European -looking young males dominating the street race scene with their tuned cars and loud exhausts"...
ST1100Y
Site Supporter
Well, tire dimensions are noted in the registration... so even a not knowledgeable inspector (or LEO for that matter) could ID the issue as long as he's able to read...
Mind that especially on motorcycles they maintain a critical eye on "customizing" and "tuning"... not that an ST1100 would fit their prey scheme per-se... but it seems better to keep a low profile, already the running lights give reasons to debates during the annual MOT (but they still haven't figured out that I have both low beams energized...
)And let's also not ignore the impact on handling, a wider front tire will be not as precise running straight, whilst handling kinda lazy when leaning over...
I've ridden the ABS-II/CBS and always suffered severe headshaykn' over that completely different handling, turning riding our narrow twisties into hard work...