Tires

I have been searching here for tire information as well as usual online resources not seeing much for 100/90 -16's. The bike I am working on has Dunlop 591 on the front and a Battleaxe 110/90 - 18 rear, dated 2002? I think the Dunlop is older. If there is any resources for research out there I am not finding let me know.

TNX

WaveyDavey

 

Denniskirk can provide applicable tires; you can ship/buy wherever is cheapest after that.

 

Cool site thanks! I see the Metzeler Roadtec right off, Can anyone provide feedback? I had good experience with Metzeler back in the 80's when I rode with Mission in Norcal. Also had them on my 1100E for the road. All I was finding at my usual outlets were Battleaxes! I have no experience wih them at all. (Bridgestones, in the old days had really soft floppy carcasses)

Also would like to hear what others experience with sizing for specific conditions if possible. I am in NW New Mexico, where it is high nineties and greater in the summer, ( I avoid riding when during he hotter part of the day). Asphalt in my local area can be pretty variable from broken up dirty crap to hot gooey sticky. I am not being to aggressive these days but still, well you know, pushing is in my heart but not my brain any longer.

Cheers and thanks,

Wavey Davey

 

with all his bikes and years of experience, captain 80s would have the best tire info.

recently put a new BT-45 rear on my '90 VTR 250 after some research.

 

Bridgestone learned a lot by being the spec tire supplier to MotoGP. For awhile, they were the "it" tire for aggressive riders. Always hated Michelin's due to the profile. Huge fan of Pirelli's.

 

Not sure if Bridgestone's MotoGP experience necessarily translates into bias ply sport touring tires, but the BT45/46 tires are very good. I've had them on a couple bikes, including one of my 1986 VFRs.

While I haven't personally sampled Metzeler's latest bias ply tires, I am VERY confident they would perform for your application just as you suspect they would, and remember.

If the Continental ContiGO! are available in applicable sizes, I can also vouch for them. They have been very good tires, from a VTR250 on up to a VF1000R.

 

Good information all! Kind of a shame the bike has a BT45R on the rear with little wear. Unfortunately it was manufactured in March of 2002. The bike was stored in a conditioned space for a good part of the 8 years it was stored so there is no obvious checking. My installed last summer 805 shinko on my KLR has more checking?

Wavey Davey

 

22 years old. Just because it is not checking doesn't mean it's not as supple as wood.

 

Yeah I have a history of riding on wooden tires! Mistakes you can recover from when you are young are pretty much out of the question now. Did I tell you about my friend George and his GB? Armorall and tires = No Bueno!

 

Ouch. GBs don't typically crash well.

When I worked at the dealership we had a few Armor All customers. Some made it and got a warning and a cleaning as best we could. Some came because they didn't get a warning/cleaning.

 

Speaking of tires,gen 3 and 4 OEM is 170 rear. With a 5.5 inch wheel I can not see a down side to running a 180 tire. Or am I missing something?

 

Height is a % of width, and the # on the tire isn't actual size...so you may want to check the actual measurements on the manufacturer sites and run the real #s.

 

My last Metzeler was a Lasertec 110/80x18 on the front of my ST1100. That tyre was truly awful, heavy steering and loved to follow lines in the road, and gave no confidence, fortunately it also wore out very quickly. I have been a Metzeler fanboy for ever but that one put me off, but I know their new radials are excellent. I have had great experience with the Bridgestone BT45 or 46 on my 86 VFR and can recommend those.

 

They have a different profile, it's not just ~10mm wider. The 170/60 tends to have a slightly rounder profile. It's going to be a lot of personal preference, but I find the 170/60 feels livelier on the same bike than the 180/55. They can also provide a little more ground clearance when compared to the same model/manufacturer 180/55.

Down side for me is that 170/60 tires are usually way more expensive and less common.