Posted by WD on March 11, 2001 at 02:57:45:
In Reply to: tires and tubes posted by George on March 10, 2001 at 20:56:16:
Based on experience with tube type tractor trailer tires, it is best to change the tube when you put on a new tire. You should also consider changing the rim strip (rubber liner that covers the spoke heads) at the same time, as it is also considered a wear item. Inner tubes have a tendency to conform to any casting discrepancies inside the tire carcass, leading to thin spots in the tube. These thin spots will not conform to your new tire, even it is from the same company, the same batch of rubber, and cast from the same mold.
Metzeler makes an extremely good tire. The 880 should give a fairly long service life, provided you use the inflation specs on the tire sidewall, not that given on the bike. I like to run my rear tire at 10 pounds less than the maximum pressure on the tire, it helps to absorb some of the road bumps. As you know by now, by shocks on the Savage leave alot to be desired, and anything you can do to help compensate for their deficiencies can save you some serious butt and lower back pains.
Happy motoring.
-WD