130/70 or 140/70 to replace 130/80 stock rear (86 VFR700)

Posting here instead of the 2nd gen forum because it gets so little love, and this is really a question about profiles and changes.

The stock 130/80-18 rear is hard to find, and $$$ when you can. I can find Dunlop GT501s and Michelin Pilot Activ in the stock size, but for about $400 installed (front and rear). I can get Pirelli Sport Demons in either 130/70 or 140/70 for about $250 installed. I have the Pirelli 130/70 at the moment, and I've liked the grip they have. The handling hasn't been an issue, but on fast left/right transitions it feels like it wants to keep going over to the new direction.

OTOH, I have 28K miles on the shock, at least 10K of which are on rough mountain 2-lane twisties, and it's not doing much damping (and is at the stock rate). I have a new shock from Jamie waiting to go on. I'd rather not do both together for determining impact changes, but due to time, if the rear wheel is coming off, it's going back on with new shoes.

By my math, the 140/70 is a closer fit in terms of diameter, but is the extra width going to create some odd profile changes? The 130/70 is round enough that I never scrubbed the shiny off on the last few mm of the side of the tread. But then I'm not a knee-down sort of rider, either. Fast through the sweepers, but not THAT fast. Also, I'm not sure the bias ply tires deform enough to actually use all the tread out to the edge.

 

I know the price is sky high but I always like to run the intended size for a bike. But if I had to choose I would go with the 130 instead of the wider tire. Usually a putting a wider tire than what's called for will actually give you less of a contact patch. My 98 calls for a 180 and a guy at the shop I buy them from keeps telling me to put a 190 on it. He says that's what everyone runs and how much better it is? I just say no thanks I will stick with my 180. I don't even bother telling them how stupid that is. I get good prices s I shut up. It really comes down to your rim size. I don't know what yours is but if its call ing for a 130 that's what I would stick with.

 

16x2.5" front and 18x3.5" rear are the stock wheels. The 1988 and 89 models went to a 17" wheels, with a 140/80-17. Which is 1% smaller in dia than the 1986-7 tire. But I can't seem to dig up the rim width for those years (since not imported to the US, info a bit harder to find).

I'm really leaning towards the 140/70 route.

 

When I still had my stock wheels (decades ago) I believe I went to the 140/70 and loved it.

 

To each his own. It is your bike. But think of what you are doing. The 140 is meant for a wider rim. So when you put it on the skinnier rim you are squeezing the bead tighter together and that will pull the edges of the tire over to where you will have a much rounder tire on top with less actual rubber on the ground. Take a tire and squeeze the beads together and you will see what I mean. I know I tried it once. If the tire you have been running is workng ok why do you want to try something else?

 

Continenal makes both front and rear, tire name is Conti Go's. Great tires. Better than the Dunlop 501's. I hate that 501 front tire.

 

I'll look into the conti's. Any idea of how sticky they are vs. the sport demons?

 

Actually, looking elsewhere, I can get either the Avons or the BT45s in the stock sizes. So I think I'll go the safest route and get the stock size tires in one of the brands.

Now to decide between BT45s, GT501s, Avon or Pilot Activ...

 

Don't know how they compare with the others. But you can roll them down to the edge anytime, even in rain, with confidence.

 

Good move sticking with stock sizes. And yes it is the safest. Do they not make a pilot power in that size?

 

Oh yeah very nice looking 2nd gen you have there woody. I use to have a rwb 86 wish I never sold it.

 

Bias ply tires, so none of the really good tires are available. I was going to go with the Pilot Activ, but no 110/90-16 front tire is available. I ended up with the Avon AM26 Roadriders in the stock sizes. Well, they're ordered and come in early next week at least. I didn't get a great price on them, but it's only about $20 off getting them myself online and then having the shop mount them (Cycle Gear in Redwood City).

Thanks, taylor65. I do really like the bike. It needs some cosmetic work at this point (crack repair and new paint on the left side of the bike).