Rigid Ride Quality with 300mm Tire?

linx · 12-19-2009, 10:57 AM

Hey guys,
I know it's been discussed a bit. I have done a search and read a lot about rigid ride quality and I know there was a recent 300mm tire thread as well. Don't beat me up, I'm just trying to find answers, lol.

I'm coming from a soft tail bike and wondering how well a rigid is going to ride with a 300mm tire. In particular I'm talking about a 2006 Pitbull. I have heard the Ridgebacks ride decent and the Pitbull's ride really rough. The roads here in Tennessee are not the best. At the beginning and end to just about every bridge is a ridiculous bump where they don't float the asphalt up well to the concrete. There's one bridge in particular here local to me that I have bottomed by soft tail out on. I managed to keep control but I'm worried about keeping control the rigid frame.

I know the best thing to do is to test drive one. I want to get down to the dealer and take it down the interstate a few miles then cruise back to the dealer on bumpy back roads to see how it feels. I haven't had time to do so b/c I've been swamped with work and it's been raining non stop.

I do a lot of "day trips" with friends. On these day trips we ride about 200 miles in a day. Other than that I will be riding it to and from work at 15 miles each way...in the dark. Also we're planning on running up to the Dragon here in the spring and that will be about 200 miles each way.

I was originally looking for a 06 or newer Mastiff or K9 until this Pitbull fell in my lap. The Pitbull is the same thing as the Mastiff but just hard tail.

I really just want to know about ride quality of a rigid with a 300 tire. Will it be a really rough ride and will I be able to enjoy the ride? I know my Dixie Chopper lawn mower has no suspension and with 4 PSI of air in the rear tire, it's the bumpiest thing on earth. I'm also concerned about cornering a 300mm tire, but I guess I can get used to that.

Thanks guys.

Eric · 12-19-2009, 01:30 PM

I've got a 07 pitbull, & love it. yeah its a bit rough,, that the hard tail life... you learn to watch for bumps,potholes,& rough roads... yeah I have cought air going over bridges.. just keep your cool & feet on the pegs... the look of the close fender to tire is great to me.. just test one out..but then I also have a softail & touring bike.. so a hard tail wouldnt be my only bike...nuttin to ridin on a 300..

pitboss · 12-19-2009, 07:51 PM

He who thinks to long,thinks wrong.

Stinky7-11 · 12-19-2009, 09:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pitboss

He who thinks to long,thinks wrong.

If you want a ridged frame then just do it, you won't be sorry, i bought a Ridgeback and the Pitbulls are the money shot, i love them. May have to make more room!

Stinky

PA Chopper · 12-19-2009, 11:57 PM

Linx, get yourself a Mastiff. As a matter of fact, i know where you can get a real nice 09 with killer paint and chrome package.

linx · 12-20-2009, 11:09 AM

Thanks for the input guys. Anymore would be great. I'd like to hear from some Pitbull guys that actually take day trips on their rides. I've already got some day trips planned next spring.

Mastiff09, it's a sweet bike. Wish it was in my price range.

Artie · 12-20-2009, 02:44 PM

I can't offer any help on a 300mm tire but my 02 has a 250, I have ridden many times for a full day, stopping every hour or so and no ill effects.... That being said, I have never even ridden a motorcycle much less owned one before August of 08, so my experience is a little naive at best. I love the way my Pit looks and the tire really close to the fender from the back is the only way I would go. I have hit some pretty big bumps and been airborne, but I just hold on and let the bike land straight. Maybe I'm too stupid to know any better, but I love the way it rides and looks!

Five Five · 12-20-2009, 08:19 PM

all my bikes have been rigid...i love em... roads are a little rough at times but i dont pull over and stop because it's beating the hell out of me...just need to pay attention.....i run my rear tire pressure at 25psi and when the wife is on the back if even a little smoother...

my observation from most of the events i ride too ...is that 95% of the bikes are soft tail or swingarm....the remaining 5% are rigids
were a passionate breed...join us...

Artie · 12-20-2009, 08:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bikerbilly

all my bikes have been rigid...i love em... roads are a little rough at times but i dont pull over and stop because it's beating the hell out of me...just need to pay attention.....i run my rear tire pressure at 25psi and when the wife is on the back if even a little smoother...

my observation from most of the events i ride too ...is that 95% of the bikes are soft tail or swingarm....the remaining 5% are rigids
were a passionate breed...join us...

Yeah! What Billy Said!
I have my rear tire at about 22psi, guess my 240 lb ass needs a little less pressure Bill! :O

Baldielox · 12-20-2009, 08:36 PM

I was worried about getting a rigid too but the shop I bought my '08 Pitbull from let me take her out for a ride before buying. I still love the Pitbull and I'd do it again in a heartbeat.

- B

Big Mike · 12-20-2009, 08:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by linx

Thanks for the input guys. Anymore would be great. I'd like to hear from some Pitbull guys that actually take day trips on their rides. I've already got some day trips planned next spring.

Mastiff09, it's a sweet bike. Wish it was in my price range.

I've taken mine about 250 miles in a day and it was comfortable, but at about 200 miles I was ready to get off it for the day. Agree with several others here, rigids can be rough depending on your roads, but the trade off is the outstanding looks!!!

What actually bothered me the most was no cruise control. My forearm was killing me from hanging on that long. After that ride I bought a cruisemate and solved that problem

GDOG_PITBULL · 12-20-2009, 09:00 PM

Ride my 04 all day with no issues at all

G

bobby bigdog · 12-20-2009, 09:20 PM

i must start out saying i love my 06 pitbull. next is i lowered my 300 pressure down to 15 lbs. it rides better (alittle bit) but with the lower tire pressure my tire has a real bad wear I will try and get a pic of the wear soon.

Eric · 12-20-2009, 09:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bobby bigdog

i must start out saying i love my 06 pitbull. next is i lowered my 300 pressure down to 15 lbs. it rides better (alittle bit) but with the lower tire pressure my tire has a real bad wear I will try and get a pic of the wear soon.

to each his own about low tire pressure. I would worry more about the tire comming off the wheel when cornering than tire wear.. but if it works for ya great..

J.T. · 12-21-2009, 05:00 PM

I would never run less that 28-30 psi in the rear. Askin for trouble in my opinion.

12-19-2009, 10:57 AM	#1 (permalink)
linx Member Name: Rob Member #: 3635 Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: NashVegas, Tennessee Posts: 932 My Bike(s): 2006 Big Dog K9 My Gallery Rep Power: 4	Rigid Ride Quality with 300mm Tire? Hey guys, I know it's been discussed a bit. I have done a search and read a lot about rigid ride quality and I know there was a recent 300mm tire thread as well. Don't beat me up, I'm just trying to find answers, lol. I'm coming from a soft tail bike and wondering how well a rigid is going to ride with a 300mm tire. In particular I'm talking about a 2006 Pitbull. I have heard the Ridgebacks ride decent and the Pitbull's ride really rough. The roads here in Tennessee are not the best. At the beginning and end to just about every bridge is a ridiculous bump where they don't float the asphalt up well to the concrete. There's one bridge in particular here local to me that I have bottomed by soft tail out on. I managed to keep control but I'm worried about keeping control the rigid frame. I know the best thing to do is to test drive one. I want to get down to the dealer and take it down the interstate a few miles then cruise back to the dealer on bumpy back roads to see how it feels. I haven't had time to do so b/c I've been swamped with work and it's been raining non stop. I do a lot of "day trips" with friends. On these day trips we ride about 200 miles in a day. Other than that I will be riding it to and from work at 15 miles each way...in the dark. Also we're planning on running up to the Dragon here in the spring and that will be about 200 miles each way. I was originally looking for a 06 or newer Mastiff or K9 until this Pitbull fell in my lap. The Pitbull is the same thing as the Mastiff but just hard tail. I really just want to know about ride quality of a rigid with a 300 tire. Will it be a really rough ride and will I be able to enjoy the ride? I know my Dixie Chopper lawn mower has no suspension and with 4 PSI of air in the rear tire, it's the bumpiest thing on earth. I'm also concerned about cornering a 300mm tire, but I guess I can get used to that. Thanks guys.

12-20-2009, 02:44 PM	#7 (permalink)
Artie Certified Gear Head! Name: Art Member #: 3200 Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Lee's Summit MO Posts: 105 My Bike(s): 2002 Pitbull, 2005 BDM Chopper Black Cherry My Gallery Rep Power: 4	I can't offer any help on a 300mm tire but my 02 has a 250, I have ridden many times for a full day, stopping every hour or so and no ill effects.... That being said, I have never even ridden a motorcycle much less owned one before August of 08, so my experience is a little naive at best. I love the way my Pit looks and the tire really close to the fender from the back is the only way I would go. I have hit some pretty big bumps and been airborne, but I just hold on and let the bike land straight. Maybe I'm too stupid to know any better, but I love the way it rides and looks! __________________ 2002 BDM Pitbull 2005 BDM Chopper

12-21-2009, 05:00 PM	#15 (permalink)
J.T. Member Member #: 221 Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 239 My Gallery Rep Power: 6	I would never run less that 28-30 psi in the rear. Askin for trouble in my opinion. __________________ JT 06 Candy Blue Pitbull---sold new one coming soon hopefully

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12-19-2009, 01:30 PM	#2 (permalink)
Eric Banned Name: Eric Member #: 1358 Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: griffin ga Posts: 5,803 My Gallery Rep Power: 0	I've got a 07 pitbull, & love it. yeah its a bit rough,, that the hard tail life... you learn to watch for bumps,potholes,& rough roads... yeah I have cought air going over bridges.. just keep your cool & feet on the pegs... the look of the close fender to tire is great to me.. just test one out..but then I also have a softail & touring bike.. so a hard tail wouldnt be my only bike...nuttin to ridin on a 300..

12-19-2009, 07:51 PM	#3 (permalink)
pitboss ground pounder Member #: 1955 Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 312 My Bike(s): 07 pitbull My Gallery Rep Power: 5	He who thinks to long,thinks wrong.

12-19-2009, 11:57 PM	#5 (permalink)
PA Chopper Member Name: Dan Member #: 2992 Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Western PA Posts: 504 My Bike(s): '06 HD Night Train My Gallery Rep Power: 4	Linx, get yourself a Mastiff. As a matter of fact, i know where you can get a real nice 09 with killer paint and chrome package.

12-20-2009, 11:09 AM	#6 (permalink)
linx Member Name: Rob Member #: 3635 Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: NashVegas, Tennessee Posts: 932 My Bike(s): 2006 Big Dog K9 My Gallery Rep Power: 4	Thanks for the input guys. Anymore would be great. I'd like to hear from some Pitbull guys that actually take day trips on their rides. I've already got some day trips planned next spring. Mastiff09, it's a sweet bike. Wish it was in my price range.

12-20-2009, 09:20 PM	#13 (permalink)
bobby bigdog Member Member #: 2513 Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Maryland/Delaware Posts: 230 My Bike(s): 06 PITBULL My Gallery Rep Power: 5	i must start out saying i love my 06 pitbull. next is i lowered my 300 pressure down to 15 lbs. it rides better (alittle bit) but with the lower tire pressure my tire has a real bad wear I will try and get a pic of the wear soon.