The Bridgestone Exedra Max is a tire that has been a staple in the Japanese cruiser-riding community for years. It has been a part of the Bridgestone family since 1984 and has since become the key metric Japanese cruiser tire.
It is the go-to tire for heavy bike cruisers, including the Suzuki Boulevard, Honda VTX, and Shadow, and other bikes that are longer and have a heavier weight distribution with more weight resting on the rear tire. The Exedra Max is a rock-solid tire that handles well in straight-line and curved riding.
But, the main question I will answer in this review will be: Is this the best cruiser tires for you? Let’s find out!
Bridgestone Exedra Max
A Reliable Choice for Metric Cruiser Japanese Bikes
The Exedra Max is available in both front and rear tire fitments, with 13 sizes for each. It is a single compound tire that provides a good wet grip thanks to an array of transversal grooves and a center groove on the tire.
The front tire has a negative groove pattern that is set up differently based on the bike’s weight distribution.
It is a tire that is built for heavy bikes meant to be enjoyed in straight lines but that can also handle curves and sharp turns.
Continuous Research and Development
Bridgestone has been continuously improving the Exedra Max tire for over 25 years, working closely with motorcycle manufacturers to ensure that it works well on a cruiser or touring motorcycles.
The tire is designed using CAD technology, built by hand, and continually tested to ensure its quality and reliability.
Multiple Sizes for Different Bikes
The Exedra Max is available in both radial and bias ply applications and fits most of the different cruisers available in the market today.
Each size is unique, with construction done differently based on the size of the tire, the materials used, and the belt package. The tire’s construction ensures it performs well on small and heavier motorcycles.
| Front Tire Sizes | Rear Tire Sizes |
|---|---|
| 120/70ZR18M/C (59W) | 170/70B16M/C 75H |
| 130/70R18M/C 63H | 180/60R16M/C 74H |
| 120/70ZR19M/C (60W) | 180/70R16M/C 77H |
| 130/70R19M/C 66H | 200/55R16M/C 77V |
| 110/80R19M/C 59H | 200/50ZR17M/C (75W) |
| 100/90-19M/C 57H | 200/55ZR17M/C (78W) |
| 110/90-19M/C 62H | 180/55ZR18M/C (74W) |
| 90/90-21M/C 54H |
Excellent Grip and Comfortable Ride
The Exedra Max features a brand-new rubber compound that blends the best of several compounds to provide excellent grip and a comfortable ride.
The tread pattern is designed to dissipate water and works well in wet conditions. The tire also has a fairly flat crown, providing a stable footprint that gives heavy cruisers a nice feel on the road.
Features and Benefits
| Features | Benefits |
|---|---|
| Available in 13 sizes | Easy to find a perfect fit for your bike |
| Single compound tire | Good wet grip |
| Transversal grooves & center groove | Improved traction on wet roads |
| Negative groove pattern | Optimized for weight distribution of the bike, provides stability in curves and turns |
| Continuous research and development | Optimized for the weight distribution of the bike, provides stability in curves and turns |
| CAD-designed and hand-built | Quality construction for excellent performance and durability |
| Brand new rubber compound | Comfortable ride and excellent grip |
| Fairly flat crown | The stable footprint for heavy cruisers provides a smooth ride |
| Available in radial and bias ply applications | High-quality and reliable performance |
Our Likes and Dislikes
I have put over 16k miles on the tire, and it still has more to go. So as far as longevity goes, it is good value for your money.
The two best things I like about this tire are it handles well in almost all conditions with good grip. The second thing I liked is that the pair option for front and rear makes it easier when choosing a pair of tires.
I have seen some reviews stating that the reader tire was on the wear bar at only 8000 miles and another at only 3500 miles, but I didn’t have the same problem.
As far as the tire wearing away quickly, I think it has more to do with how the bike is set up, not the actual tire itself. After all, other are many different bikes you could put any tire on, and it will perform differently on each one.
Conclusion
The Bridgestone Exedra Max is a high-quality tire that provides excellent grip, a comfortable ride, and stability.
It is designed for heavy bikes and has been continuously improved through years of research and development.
If you are looking for a reliable tire for your cruiser or touring motorcycle, the Bridgestone Exedra Max is an excellent choice.
Previous Article: Pirelli Night Dragon V-Twin Cruiser Tire Review
Next Article: Review of Shinko 230 Tour Master