OliverB
XS400 Junkie
Since I had my new IRC (Japanese) Durotour RS310 H series tires installed last week I have put about 100 miles on them. Beginning to get some first impressions as to handling. The tires that were on my bike were mismatched brands and models. I now have a set of matching front/rear directional tires. I don't really notice any difference in the firmness of the ride - the other tires were also H rated - but the handling is less twitchy at speed and cornering feels more positive. I don't really demand that much of the tires and am not into dragging the pegs when I corner - LOL. My next test will be on ridges caused by patches on the edges of the road which extend about 1/3 into the lane. These will throw any tire but some tires are affected worse by the ridges.
I am running tubeless, 100/90 front and 120/90 rear - that's up one width in front and just what my Yamaha service manual calls for on '80 & '81 years with tubeless rated mag rims. Have not ridden another XS400 with a 90/90 front tire so I can't really compare the difference. My son's '81 still has a 3:00 (Chinese) front so I will try it before he switches out to a new Dunlop 404 to match his rear tire. Got the tires last December at a sale price with a free S&H special promo for about $150, IIRC.
I am running tubeless, 100/90 front and 120/90 rear - that's up one width in front and just what my Yamaha service manual calls for on '80 & '81 years with tubeless rated mag rims. Have not ridden another XS400 with a 90/90 front tire so I can't really compare the difference. My son's '81 still has a 3:00 (Chinese) front so I will try it before he switches out to a new Dunlop 404 to match his rear tire. Got the tires last December at a sale price with a free S&H special promo for about $150, IIRC.