Tire Sizes and Models for 1987 VFR700

I need to replace the tires on a 2nd generation VFR due to side-cracking and old age. I wanted to get the Pirelli Sport Demons but I can't find the original 130/80-18 rear size in stock anywhere so I'm very tempted to get the 140/70-18 size which is available from a few places. This size is a bit wider and has a slightly smaller outer diameter but it should fit the 3.5" width rim from what I have gathered. If anybody has had a good or bad experience with this non-stock size I would appreciate your insight.

Thanks,

Scott

 

While a 140/70 will mount on a 3.5, it is slightly out of the preferred range. You are going to pinch the tire in, ruin the profile, and end up on a smaller contact patch.

Depending on how good a rider you are, you might not care.

While Sport Demons are decent tires, there's some pretty damn good bias options out there to pick thru in these times of supply chains woes.

AmericanMotoTire has the Pirelli in 140/80, plus a bunch of other brand options.

 

I thought the Bridgestone BT45 or 46 were perfectly decent tyres in the stock sizes, and the 46 is a current generation so should be available minty fresh from the moulds.

My recollection is that there wasn't much difference in handling with the 140. Back in the day I even had a 160/60 on the back, and that WAS a bad idea with an awful profile, even though it fitted the swingarm etc fine. Good for bragging rights however.

 

I've done more research and have developed the following tire information for the second generation VFR:


VFR700 OEM Front Wheel = 16 x 2.50 inches
VFR700 OEM Rear Wheel = 18 x 3.50 inches


Compatible Tire Sizes (per Bridgestone bias ply information):
(*= OEM tire size)

100/90-16: Front Rim = 2.15 - 2.75 Tire OD = 23.1
110/90-16*: Front Rim = 2.15 - 3.00 Tire OD = 23.8
120/80-16: Front Rim = 2.50 - 3.00 Tire OD = 23.6

130/80-18*: Rear Rim = 2.50 - 3.50 Tire OD = 26.2
130/70-18: Rear Rim = 3.00 - 4.00 Tire OD = 25.2
140/70-18: Rear Rim = 3.50 - 4.50 Tire OD = 25.7


Compatible Tires (currently listed available):
(*= OEM tire size)

Avon Roadrider MKII: Front 120/80-16
Avon Roadrider MKII: Rear 130/70-18
Avon Roadrider MKII: Rear 130/80-18*
Avon Roadrider MKII: Rear 140/70-18

Bridgestone Battlax BT46H: Front 100/90-16 (#12325)
Bridgestone Battlax BT46H: Rear 130/70-18 (#11656)
Bridgestone Battlax BT46H: Rear 140/70-18 (#11640)

Bridgestone Battlax BT46V: Front 110/90-16* (#12671)
Bridgestone Battlax BT46V: Front 120/80-16 (#12328)
Bridgestone Battlax BT46V: Rear 130/80-18* (#12253)
Bridgestone Battlax BT46V: Rear 140/70-18 (#13496) (Not available)

Bridgestone Battlax T32: Front 110/90-16* (Radial)
Bridgestone Battlax T32: Rear 140/70ZR-18 (Radial, may not fit, Bridgestone specifies 4.0 rim width)

Continental Go Tire: Front 120/80-16
Continental Go Tire: Rear 130/70-18
Continental Go Tire: Rear 130/80-18*

Continental TKV11 / TKV12: Front 110/90-16*

Continental Road Attack 2 CR: Rear 130/80-18*
Continental Road Attack 3 CR: Rear 130/80-18*

Duro HF918: Front 100/90-16
Duro HF918: Front 120/80-16
Duro HF918: Rear 130/80-18*
Duro HF918: Rear 140/70-18

IRC Durotour RS-310: Front 120/80-16
IRC Durotour RS-310: Rear 130/80-18*

Kenda K676 Retroactive: Front 120/80-16
Kenda K676 Retroactive: Rear 130/80-18*

Metzeler Lasertec: Front 120/80-16
Metzeler Lasertec: Rear 130/70-18
Metzeler Lasertec: Rear 130/80-18*

Metzeler ME888 Marathon: Rear 130/70-18
Metzeler ME888 Marathon: Rear 140/70-18

Metzeler Roadtec 01: Front 100/90-16
Metzeler Roadtec 01: Front 110/90-16*

Metzeler Roadtec Z8: Rear 140/70-18

Michelin Pilot Activ: Rear 130/80-18*

Michelin Road Classic: Rear 130/70-18
Michelin Road Classic: Rear 130/80-18*
Michelin Road Classic: Rear 140/70-18

Pirelli Sport Demon: Front 100/90-16
Pirelli Sport Demon: Front 110/90-16*
Pirelli Sport Demon: Front 120/80-16
Pirelli Sport Demon: Rear 130/80-18*
Pirelli Sport Demon: Rear 140/70-18

Shinko SR735: Front 110/90-16

 

Matching Combinations (open to opinion):
(*= OEM tire size)

Avon Roadrider MKII: Front 120/80-16
Avon Roadrider MKII: Rear 130/70-18

Avon Roadrider MKII: Front 120/80-16
Avon Roadrider MKII: Rear 140/70-18

Bridgestone Battlax BT46V: Front 110/90-16*(#12671)
Bridgestone Battlax BT46H: Rear 130/70-18 (#11656)

Bridgestone Battlax BT46V: Front 110/90-16*(#12671)
Bridgestone Battlax BT46V: Rear 130/80-18*(#12253)

Bridgestone Battlax BT46V: Front 120/80-16 (#12328)
Bridgestone Battlax BT46H: Rear 130/70-18 (#11656)

Bridgestone Battlax BT46V: Front 120/80-16 (#12328)
Bridgestone Battlax BT46H: Rear 140/70-18 (#11640)

Bridgestone Battlax T32: Front 110/90-16* (Radial)
Bridgestone Battlax T32: Rear 140/70ZR-18 (Radial, may not fit, Bridgestone specifies 4.0 rim width)

Continental Go Tire: Front 120/80-16
Continental Go Tire: Rear 130/70-18

Continental Go Tire: Front 120/80-16
Continental Go Tire: Rear 130/80-18*

Duro HF918: Front 120/80-16
Duro HF918: Rear 140/70-18

Metzeler Lasertec: Front 120/80-16
Metzeler Lasertec: Rear 130/70-18

Pirelli Sport Demon: Front 110/90-16*
Pirelli Sport Demon: Rear 130/70-18

Pirelli Sport Demon: Front 110/90-16*
Pirelli Sport Demon: Rear 130/80-18*

Pirelli Sport Demon: Front 120/80-16
Pirelli Sport Demon: Rear 130/70-18

Pirelli Sport Demon: Front 120/80-16
Pirelli Sport Demon: Rear 140/70-18

I wonder how the bike would handle with the Bridgestone Battlax T32 radial tires (fit not yet checked). I verified with MotoSPORT that the T32 size 110/90-16 is actually available as listed on their website.

 

Are you positive the T32 radials are recommended for your wheel sizes? They are usually built for wider rims even though the sizes appear to be compatible.

And I would go 120/80-16 on the front, even if I was going to run a 130/80 or 130/70 on the rear.

You'll be disappointed when you see the tall sidewalls on a 110/90. At least I am every time I see one.

 

Out of the Bridgestone guide to T32

"140/70R18 M/C 67V TL 4.00 4.00～4.50"

I can't find any Bridegstone literature regarding a 16" T32 front, but I guarantee if there is one, it isn't built for a 2.5" rim.

If anybody was making radials that fit these rim sizes, we all would have heard about it and manufacturers wouldn't bother updating or re-releasing most of their Bias offerings.

 

I would rock the BT46
120/80-16
130/70-18

And corner the shit out of it.

That 130/70 on a 3.5" would have a KILLER looking low profile and sweet contact patch. It would also probably "look" wider than a 140/70 pinched on the rim. And maybe even measure wider or at least the same when each were mounted.

But get the 140/70 I know you're gonna get. It'll be fine. They just don't look right to me, the edges curl in when mounted.

 

nice one scott !

your info will prove useful to many gen 2 riders.

 

Thanks. I edited the list above and added more tire combinations using the 120/80-16 front tire size per your input. I lean toward using the 130/70-18 rear tire size (no pun intended). Is there any issue combining a V-rated front tire with an H-rated rear tire?

 

The S, H, V or Z ratings refer to the maximum continuous speeds that the tyres are rated for. Speed = tyre heat. H max is 130 mph, V is 149 mph. How fast are you planning on going?

 

I'm planning on staying alive for posterity so not too fast.

I thought perhaps the H and V rated tires have a different type of internal construction or stiffness in relationship to their speed rating that might affect their compatibility. I understand it's likely inconsequential and just the OCD part of me speaking out.

 

Nice list update.

I've put ContiGo on a couple bikes and really like them too.

Cheers!