[Jack Straw]

The local bike mechanic here in my town charges $30 to $35 for carry-in jobs which I think is reasonable

[mwmosser]

btw, found a great local shop to swap tires on wheels brought in for $25 each.  got the tires for $300
I'm slow and cheap and I think it pays

Glad that worked out for you - quite a savings from what you originally thought/feared it would cost, right?

[gregrb41]

@jack if the tyres are brand new I would leave them and add the ability to add front preload. I have the standard fit tyres and honestly don’t believe the tyres are the limiting factor to the bikes handling

True. The suspension is the area to focus on if you ever feel the need to press on. The OE tyres are ok, not bad, not the best, and unlikely to cause a WTF moment - unlike the suspension.

[NVDucati]

Good Lord, I just read every post in this thread......my eyes and brain hurt.

I'm thinking I'll go with the BT 46 when I change.  I love the inexpensive Shinko 712 but can't get the right size rear.

I don't ride fast these days but I do value accurate and predictable steering response.   I'm skeptical about the "faux" Pirellis in that regard.  Having said that I've really not had enough time in the saddle of this RE yet to be making changes.

   Looking at your other bikes and previous replies I'm sure both the OEM tires and front end leaves you unsettled.
There is a now old thread (also long) called, effectively, "the front end sucks". Some of it is ranting but it does wind through a lot of the recipes to spiff up the front. Some easy and cheap and some complete re-do.
   At a minimum you should change the fork oil. Mine was a different oil in one side from the other. One smelled like burnt hydraulic fluid and the other was a low fill. Almost everyone has benefited from sort of spacer from washers to adjustable fork caps to add some preload.
   I take your point about getting some more time on it before making changes. I did that, too. And yeah the Pirellis are not bad. But after 2000 miles they didn't get better, either. The good news is that this RE has great bones and you will get it just right.

[Jack Straw]

Thanks for the thoughtful reply.  I'll likely leave everything alone for a few weeks to become more familiar with the bike.  Simply experimenting a bit with tire pressure has improved the steering noticeably.  At present I've not noticed the deficiencies in the front fork that so many have mentioned which probably has more to do with my sedate pace than anything else.  Time will tell but I agree that the bones are quite good and should respond well to tweaks.

[Bagonne]

Glad that worked out for you - quite a savings from what you originally thought/feared it would cost, right?

much better, yes.  thanks.  I have a strange wobble now, though.  I think I may need to realign

[gregrb41]

much better, yes.  thanks.  I have a strange wobble now, though.  I think I may need to realign

You have a strange wobble, or the bike? 

[Bagonne]

You have a strange wobble, or the bike? 

both of us

[Bagonne]

BTW, Roadrider MKII was a great choice for me.  Not excessively expensive and a much improved ride and handling.  I rode the bike rather quickly this evening and my line was held with less wavering and slipiness at about 50-60 mph on twisty roads.  Smooth response and a steeper lean.  Previously it would have been a messy situation with the stock tires. 

I can now dig in and truly shift my weight forward and down on the bike around a turn without feeling it want to slide on me.  I don't know if the tires ever actually did slide but that feeling is gone now.  the confidence is worth it.  They also ride smoother over those tar spiderwebs, too

110/80 front
140/70 rear.
Radials. 

I recommend a switch sooner than later to better enjoy the ride. 

[greentrumpet]

Are they radial?

[Bagonne]

Are they radial?

yes

[Bagonne]

https://www.avontyres.com/en-us/tyres/roadrider-mkii

[greentrumpet]

Sorry, I can't see anywhere that Avon claim this is radial. They say "New Tyre Construction" but don't say what they mean by that.

[twocoolgliders]

Look at sizes available. like this form Revzilla

130/ 80 R 18 63V

See the R?   Radial!

Sorry, I can't see anywhere that Avon claim this is radial. They say "New Tyre Construction" but don't say what they mean by that.

[greentrumpet]

No sign of that on Avon's site. Haven't looked at Revzilla (?)