Topic: Dunlop K81s, CB500s, and HondaMan

[Noel]

Okay, so I'm thinking about tires again, and lord knows there aren't enough tire threads around here. 

So one of HondaMan's FAQs indicates that the CB500 really likes TT100s. Which leaves me with some questions:

1) Several internet shops lump the K70 and K81 into "TT100s". I'm thinking  HondaMan is talking about K81s. Yes?

2) I can't find anywhere that sells K81s in smaller than 4.10X19 front and 4.25X18 rear. This seems to be a good deal larger than the stock 3.25 front/3.50 rear the manual calls for, although I have a hazy memory of someone saying that the K81s are actually narrower than their numbers imply. So A) are these tires in fact smaller than the numbers imply, B) do they fit correctly on the stock CB500 rims, and C) if not, were/are these tires available in other than the 4.10/4.25 sizes that are the only ones I can find?

[bryanj]

4.10 x 19 front and 4.25/85 x 18 rear are perfectly O.K. as those are the sizes used on he 550 four plus i run those and know they are O.K. Dont expect the rear to last a long time though

[supersport_CB400F]

I wouldn’t use any other type of tyre…..TT100’s are the dog’s bollocks mate 

[cbjunkie]

i want to see what comes up on this thread, noel, i have been doing the same research, and with the same results, as you... 

[jph550]

Does anyone know the size tubes and rubber wheel strips to get for these? I'm about to order and want to minimize any shipping costs.

thanks

[crazypj]

If your getting 'real' K81 trigonal tyres they wont last long are are a waste of money if you dont corner hard. the contact patch is very small when upright to give less drag and increases dramatically the further you lean over. I loved them but 'real' ones were not available for a number of years. If its the later K181 with more rounded profile they last a lot longer (but I dont like them, you can ride off the edge)
Always used 4.10x19 front and 4.25 18 rear. usually got around 2~3,000 rear and about 6,000 front Rim bands  will be same size as wheel 19" and 18" tubes to match tyres (3.50~4.00 front, 4.00/4.50 rear)
PJ

[supersport_CB400F]

http://www.cwylde.co.uk/section.php?xSec=85&jssCart=1125dd72178ba9c8f994bd96d303f7d2

[Noel]

That's an interesting link, Bifta. But I note that they list them as "TT100" tires. Some places list both the K70 and the K81 as "tt100", and I know from experience that the K70 are very knobbly tires, not at all like the K81s. I'd be slightly worried about getting the wrong tire. And between the exchange rate and shipping, those are liable to be godawful expensive by the time they got to California.

[Noel]

And crazypj, how can you tell which K81s you're getting? The "trigonal" tires sound great; my bike is really turning into a race bike and pretty much gets used only for canyon carving.

[supersport_CB400F]

That's an interesting link, Bifta. But I note that they list them as "TT100" tires. Some places list both the K70 and the K81 as "tt100", and I know from experience that the K70 are very knobbly tires, not at all like the K81s. I'd be slightly worried about getting the wrong tire. And between the exchange rate and shipping, those are liable to be godawful expensive by the time they got to California.

These people got my my tyres after a phone call http://www.tst-tyres.co.uk/ I told them what I wanted and they got them and fitted them when they called and told me to bring up the wheels I'm sure they will ship to the US and they are much cheaper than that place in Leeds! 

[Ibsen]

Avon roadrunners.

I have been using Dunlop K70 rear and K82 front on my Kawasaki for many years, but last spring I decided to try out Avon Roadrunners. And they are far much better tyres than the Dunlop. And they look pretty good too, even on a classic. I have a Avon Roadrunner AM21 rear and a  AM20 front.

On the 650 I'm using Avon Venom AM 41 and AM 42.

[Noel]

I'm strongly considering modern tires. But I also really like the idea of putting on "correct" tires, and as long as the K81s are reasonably grippy I think I'll be fine. I'm not trying to keep up with the sport bikes, just have a good time.

[Ibsen]

My Kawa have got the same rim sizes as the CB500. I have fitted a 110/90 rear, and a 100/90 front tire without any problem. And like you I liked the look of the Dunlop tires since they looked like real classic tires. But there is no way I'm going back to the Dunlops.
I also read on a Triumph forum that several Bonneville owners have made exactly the same tire conversion and were very pleased with the improvement in the way the bike handled.

[mcpuffett]

hi noel, i run dunlop TT100s on my 750 f1 plenty of grip wet or dry  you will go through more rear tyres than front though ,  mick.

[crazypj]

This is a Chen-Shin copy of real TT100. its about half worn but you can still see the triangular shape, this is the tread pattern you want. Anything else isnt a real TT100.
 The Avons are pretty good but I have been 'off the edge' of them.
If you in tend to do lot of twisties they will be awsome, you dont need to brake most of the time, just lean it overand gas it, the extra drag from bigger footprint slows you down!
PJ
 

[cafehonda]

Avon Supervenom AM18. Ride off the edge of these and you are riding over your head. I love these tires.

[Rocking-M]

what did you find in the supervenom avon for the 19" front?

[HondaMan]

Okay, so I'm thinking about tires again, and lord knows there aren't enough tire threads around here. 

So one of HondaMan's FAQs indicates that the CB500 really likes TT100s. Which leaves me with some questions:

1) Several internet shops lump the K70 and K81 into "TT100s". I'm thinking  HondaMan is talking about K81s. Yes?

2) I can't find anywhere that sells K81s in smaller than 4.10X19 front and 4.25X18 rear. This seems to be a good deal larger than the stock 3.25 front/3.50 rear the manual calls for, although I have a hazy memory of someone saying that the K81s are actually narrower than their numbers imply. So A) are these tires in fact smaller than the numbers imply, B) do they fit correctly on the stock CB500 rims, and C) if not, were/are these tires available in other than the 4.10/4.25 sizes that are the only ones I can find?

Both the K70 and K81 ar TT100 types. The K70 is lower profile, and I think it carries less load, too.
The 3.25-19 standard tire is directly replaced with the K81 4.10-19: use the 3.25-19 tube. The 3.50-19 standard rear is replaced with the 4.25-19 K81, uses the 3.50-18 tube.

Often, the tubes have these numbers printed right on them for interchange reference.

I've not used the K70 profile of the TT100 tires, so I can't vouch for its performance. But, if you like riding the sides, the K81 TT100 is the right tire!

[Noel]

Fantastic info; thanks!

FWIW, I actually bought a pair of the K70s and sent them right back, as they were pretty knobby. Not quite dirt bike tires, but wouldn't have looked out of place on a a trailie, I think.

I'll go order a set of the K81s right away; thanks again.

[jph550]

I got a pair of the k81s and think they are great.
A freind had the k70 and found they were too flat and not that great in cornering. After seeing the K70 profile on some old triumphs I see what he means. Get the k81s an you'll be happy with them. Sticky and lots of sidewall for cornering.
cheers.