I have been told that the Block type tire on the front of the Guzzi rig is really unnecessary and contributes to the hard steering to the left.
You folks got any opinions about these...?
It is a Metzler Block K 4.00 x 18 and it has a flat profile, that is the entire tread is on the road across the entire width of the tire...
Should I replace it with a round profile tire...
What do you think...?
I was also told to run a rear tire in the front, backwards....
Thanks,
Rob
stick with the 'block K tire on front. You will have much better traction on turns and longer tire wear, altho the fron rarely seems to wear out.
if you are experiencing hard turning with stock forks, consider triple tree mods...much lighter steering, or else, if ya got the $$$, a leading link front end.
Hi Bob,
I have a LL Unit Fork on the Guzzi... I went and bought a Metzeler ME77 but have yet to put it on, I can use it on one of the other Guzzis anyway....
When I bought the rig I was impressed with the fact that it had that front tire and now I have been told to get rid of it...
I have a fairly long ride scheduled for tomorrow and I will keep a special look out on the front tire for ill handling. I also think the lead of the car is playing into this odd steering. I need to measure it but I think it is too far forward.
Oh, one other thing... Does mixing Radials and bias ply tires have any influence on handling of a Hack...?
Thanks,
Rob
Rob,
if round tread tires were better on tri or quad wheeled vehicles, cars would be using them ;o)
a round tread tire will wear faster than a flat tread, as you will only be riding on the narrow center patch, not leaning left and right like a 2 wheeled bike.
stick with the flat tread. I cant help with the radial/standard mix . no experience there.
the lead can affect steering quite a bit. to much lead will make turns harder, but will create less pull to the right.
less lead will make easier steering, but will make the SC pull more to the right, and the nose dip forward on hard left turns.
try for a ballpark figure between 6-10 "
Rob,
Either tire wil do okay for you on the front. I prefer th eflat treade dones when possible but it is not a huge deal.
As far as mixing radials and bias tires on an outfit most that have done it will agree that it also is not a real big thing.
If you have a good front tire run it..then try sdomething else when iut wears down. Front tire, no matter what they are , will typically wear pretty good if the setup is close to right. Rear tires can be another story though :-). Is this cast in stone? No, not much really is to be honest.
Great, Thanks for the sanity check guys... All of what you say makes sense. As stated earlier, I was impressed that the rig had the flat front on it when I got it but then I started having second thoughts after being advised otherwise...
Anyway, I'm going for a blast right now.
70 degrees at 8:30, weather is for mid 80's, LOW humidity for a change, no rain forecast. ... 🙂
Thanks again,
Rob
