Bridgestone S11

Hello everyone, i am thinking of getting a pair of Bridgestone S11 Spitfires for my 1981 KZ550 LTD. I was wondering if anyone else is running them and if they perform well. I can't find many reviews on them and I was hoping maybe some of you would have a general idea as to their performance. As well, i was wondering if removing a dry rot tire would be easier or harder than a regular tire. This will be my first tire change and I just want to know what I'm getting in to first thanks for any and all help!

If for some reason you cannot break the bead of the old tire to remove it you may want to cut both sidewalls of the tire all the way around using a box knife. This will enable you to remove all of the tire except the two beads. They will then be very easy to remove. Ask me how I know. :laugh: Ed

I removed an old old old rear tire by hand once. never again. a utility knife wasn't much help as the old carcass was pretty hard.

I'm currently running Bridgestone BattlAx BT45 tires & expect to go with the same next time.

I ran those on my kz650. They were fine.
No complaints. That model has been out for a long time. There may be a more modern tire that could offer better performance. But the s11 is from a respected manufacturer and is probably better than an off brand tire in the same price range.

Many people recommend the Avon Roadrider, but I have not tried those.

650ed wrote: If for some reason you cannot break the bead of the old tire to remove it you may want to cut both sidewalls of the tire all the way around using a box knife. This will enable you to remove all of the tire except the two beads. They will then be very easy to remove. Ask me how I know. :laugh: Ed

Thanks ed! I've heard about this before but I wasn't sure if it had any validity behind it, now i know for sure

DOHC wrote: Many people recommend the Avon Roadrider, but I have not tried those.

Thanks for the input, I looked at the Avons as well however they're pricier and I can't find my rear size on fortnine.ca . For around the same price as the s11 i can find either the Shinko 712 or Kenda K657, and I'd rather go with bridgestone for the same price. Thanks for all your help guys!

I've been using a Kenda K657 Challenger for quite a few years now. For a budget tire it was pretty good. It's been around forever, and I know many people who use them so I wouldn't be afraid to recommend them. Mine is now worn flat, but not cracked. It's at least 10 years old.

I'll be replacing it with a more expensive Avon, though, based on recommendations from this forum.

I would try and break the bead with a C clamp first. Get the opposite side of the tire in the center groove of the rim and try to work the bead off around the tire. Removed a 15 year old Chin Chin off mine. It wa hard as a rock but I did it. If you can't work the tire off then at least the beads will be loose (if you cut the tire) so they should come off easier.
Steve

Has anyone tried a heat gun to soften it up?

I vowed to never change a tire myself again, but now that I'm stuck at home I may actually try it.

Here are 2 ways to break a bead without special tools, I really think the first guy has a clever/simple way to do it.
Get your self a couple of nice spoons

I've heard nothing but bad things about the S11 and Kenda Challenger in the wet. The Shinko 230 and 712 have a much better reputation. They are shorter lived than something like a Avon Roadrider but at least they are cheaper.