Let's Talk Tires...For A Cruiser

[Audiomechanic]

I know, I know. This is largely a SB site but there are those amoung you that ride or have riden cruisers and those amoung you that don't, but know a heck of a lot more about tires than me.

Anyway, when I had the Gix, it was Pilot Powers all the way. Now that I have the Magna, I can't rock powers, nor would I want to as they wear too quickly. What I'm looking for is a good dual compound radial tire for front and rear that will allow for many miles upright, but also allow me to hammer the throttle in a corner and come screaming out of it with sparks flying from the peg sliders.

The tire sizes for this bike are:
Front: 120/80-17
Rear: 150/80-17

I would mind also going with a taller tire in the rear for faster turn in if possible. The tires on the bike now aren't that bad, but they're both bias-ply and mismatched (Maxxis in rear, Metzler in front).

Any ideers?

[Phenix_Rider]

What year magna? How do you like that thing?

[Audiomechanic]

Tiz a 2000 and I LOVE it! Handles like a dream, I can whoop "Hardley" VRods and 1700-1800cc jap v-twin "power cruisers" on my "little" 750. Bout the only cruiser out there that'll pull on me in stock form is a Triumph Rocket III and a V-Max. Those two are faster in a straight line but both handle like a school bus full of fat kids. The Magna handles like no other cruiser I've ever ridden.

It's very light and VERY nimble for a cruiser and pretty much let's you do anything you want to it. It's very forgiving. Bout the only complaint I have is it could use better brakes (drum in the rear and single disc up front) and the aftermarket is very small.

Other than that, I am in love with this thing and have put 1200 miles on it in the past month.

[Phenix_Rider]

Originally Posted by Audiomechanic

Tiz a 2000 and I LOVE it! Handles like a dream, I can whoop "Hardley" VRods and 1700-1800cc jap v-twin "power cruisers" on my "little" 750. Bout the only cruiser out there that'll pull on me in stock form is a Triumph Rocket III and a V-Max. Those two are faster in a straight line but both handle like a school bus full of fat kids. The Magna handles like no other cruiser I've ever ridden.

It's very light and VERY nimble for a cruiser and pretty much let's you do anything you want to it. It's very forgiving. Bout the only complaint I have is it could use better brakes (drum in the rear and single disc up front) and the aftermarket is very small.

Other than that, I am in love with this thing and have put 1200 miles on it in the past month.

Forget dad commuting, that thing sounds like a blast!

[Audiomechanic]

Originally Posted by Phenix_Rider

Forget dad commuting, that thing sounds like a blast!

Dad commuting? Oh heck no. I open this thing up every chance I get! I think the main reason it's so fun for me is that I'm not scared of it. The 1000 I owned previously scared the jeebus out of me and proved to be a force to be reckoned with...at least for me and my noviceness.

If you know anyone that owns one or can find one to ride, take one out and see how you like it. From what I know, the V65's were the really fast one's (1100cc V4) but the 3rd generation Mag's (94 - 03) are the best handling and are still darn fast.

[NONE_too_SOFT]

Originally Posted by Audiomechanic

Tiz a 2000 and I LOVE it! Handles like a dream, I can whoop "Hardley" VRods and 1700-1800cc jap v-twin "power cruisers" on my "little" 750. Bout the only cruiser out there that'll pull on me in stock form is a Triumph Rocket III and a V-Max. Those two are faster in a straight line but both handle like a school bus full of fat kids. The Magna handles like no other cruiser I've ever ridden.

It's very light and VERY nimble for a cruiser and pretty much let's you do anything you want to it. It's very forgiving. Bout the only complaint I have is it could use better brakes (drum in the rear and single disc up front) and the aftermarket is very small.

Other than that, I am in love with this thing and have put 1200 miles on it in the past month.

my dad has a magna, think its an 01 maybe an 00, and i gotta say it is a nice ride. hes got some aftermarket stuff that keeps it from leaning very far, but it is very capable. lemme check and see what rubber hes got on there.

[Phenix_Rider]

Originally Posted by Audiomechanic

Dad commuting? Oh heck no. I open this thing up every chance I get! I think the main reason it's so fun for me is that I'm not scared of it. The 1000 I owned previously scared the jeebus out of me and proved to be a force to be reckoned with...at least for me and my noviceness.

If you know anyone that owns one or can find one to ride, take one out and see how you like it. From what I know, the V65's were the really fast one's (1100cc V4) but the 3rd generation Mag's (94 - 03) are the best handling and are still darn fast.

What kind of mileage does it get, riding like that?

[Audiomechanic]

Originally Posted by NONE_too_SOFT

my dad has a magna, think its an 01 maybe an 00, and i gotta say it is a nice ride. hes got some aftermarket stuff that keeps it from leaning very far, but it is very capable. lemme check and see what rubber hes got on there.

Thank you kind sir. Mine's got the engine guard but it doesn't get in the way. I lean mine almost to the frame.

Originally Posted by Phenix_Rider

What kind of mileage does it get, riding like that?

Bout 40-45mpg. Seriously. I'd be in the 50's if I took it easy.

[No Worries]

The Magna uses the VFR 750 engine, so it's gotta be good. Cruiser riders that I talk to get 10K or more miles on those Dunlop D402 or Metzeler 880 Marathon tires. They wear like iron, but probably handle like it too. IF I had the Magna, I would try the Avon Storm sport/touring tires.

[Phenix_Rider]

Originally Posted by Audiomechanic

Bout 40-45mpg. Seriously. I'd be in the 50's if I took it easy.

Nice. That's awfully close to what I get- and that thing's a V4 750!
Wonder if you could get something like the Road 2s in that size? Don't know if you'd ever hit the side compound though.

Need Marko to get me some info on his uncle's...