Topic: What Tires?

[bartsitarski]

Need to get new tires this season for my 78 cb550. Running stock rims and suspension. Looking for something that is good for commuting and the occasional 100 mile run to Milwaukee. Recommendations?


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[Fritz]

I'm using Bridgestone's Battlax BT-45

Rear - 4.00 - 18 64H - 41ps
Front - 3.25 - 19 54H TL - 36psi

I love them. They have lots of grip dry and wet, no wobble at 110MPH, last fairly long. I've got about 6000 miles out of them.

[kghost]

I recommend the search function.

Search makes a great tire that is absolutely the Ultimate for your bike.

[BobbyR]

I think a search would be of help to you. There have been a few long threads on the topic. What that will allow you to see what people who may do the same type of riding you may do. I live in an area with a lot of very hilly winding roads.  I need tires that grip on sharp and sweeping turns. I also need to be able to run at speed on the Highway with good stability. Tread life is secondary.
 
If I lived in a flat area with long straight runs I would need something else.

[reddyvv]

I'm using Bridgestone's Battlax BT-45

Rear - 4.00 - 18 64H - 41ps
Front - 3.25 - 19 54H TL - 36psi

I love them. They have lots of grip dry and wet, no wobble at 110MPH, last fairly long. I've got about 6000 miles out of them.

+1 for the Battlax. But in the US you have to use 110 and 100 sizes, I haven't seen inch sizes available.

Those are some serious tire pressures you are running. Isn't it a little bouncy? I'm running 28 and 36.

[BobbyR]

I'm using Bridgestone's Battlax BT-45

Rear - 4.00 - 18 64H - 41ps
Front - 3.25 - 19 54H TL - 36psi

I love them. They have lots of grip dry and wet, no wobble at 110MPH, last fairly long. I've got about 6000 miles out of them.

+1 for the Battlax. But in the US you have to use 110 and 100 sizes, I haven't seen inch sizes available.

Those are some serious tire pressures you are running. Isn't it a little bouncy? I'm running 28 and 36.

Actucally many of use higher pressures in these newer tires.  The sidewalls are less stiff than the older tires in use when the bikes were made. I and other report a wobble and sloppiness at the pressures on the sticker.

I run 30-31 front and 38 in the rear. It seems to be right for my bike. All of them are differnt at this age. I also live just south of you. I am in Westchester and usually ride up into Dutchess or on the other side of the Hudson.   

[Rgconner]

Heidenau.

They make Metric sized tires with vintage tread on them.  Bias ply so you get a smoother ride. A modern OEM replacement.

Wear seems good, I have 9K+ on the back tire and less than 1/3 gone.

[Fritz]

Rear - 4.00 - 18 64H - 41ps
Front - 3.25 - 19 54H TL - 36psi

...

Those are some serious tire pressures you are running. Isn't it a little bouncy? I'm running 28 and 36.

That's what Bridgestone recommends: 2,5bar (250 Pascal) rear and 2,8bar (280 Pascal) front. I feel comfortable and the bike is very stable on straights and in corners...

[tlbranth]

BobbyR - if I was in close proximity to some of the babes in your avitars, I'd have no energy left to write thread replies. How do you do it?

[jtb]

I'm using Bridgestone's Battlax BT-45

Rear - 4.00 - 18 64H - 41ps
Front - 3.25 - 19 54H TL - 36psi

I love them. They have lots of grip dry and wet, no wobble at 110MPH, last fairly long. I've got about 6000 miles out of them.

I get 3 rears to one front with BT45's.  Only 3-4,000 on the rear.  Is it something I'm doing?

[Trad]

Avon

[Stev-o]

I'm using Bridgestone's Battlax BT-45

Rear - 4.00 - 18 64H - 41ps
Front - 3.25 - 19 54H TL - 36psi

I love them. They have lots of grip dry and wet, no wobble at 110MPH, last fairly long. I've got about 6000 miles out of them.

I get 3 rears to one front with BT45's.  Only 3-4,000 on the rear.  Is it something I'm doing?

Hole shots or braking skids?!

[alacrity]

After trying various Bridgestones and Avons, I'm totally sold on the Michelin "Pilot Activ" tires I am running now.
Great profile, truly predictable and darned sticky in tight corners.  Amazing how well these old bikes handle when properly sorted (new bearings throughout, new springs/shocks, straight parts throughout, etc.).

Remarkably better than the aforementioned battlaxes.

Oh and I am PICKY about this> I used to roadrace...

[jonda500]

After trying various Bridgestones and Avons, I'm totally sold on the Michelin "Pilot Activ" tires I am running now.
Great profile, truly predictable and darned sticky in tight corners.  Amazing how well these old bikes handle when properly sorted (new bearings throughout, new springs/shocks, straight parts throughout, etc.).

Remarkably better than the aforementioned battlaxes.

Oh and I am PICKY about this> I used to roadrace...

+1  -I put Michelin Pilot Activ tyres on one of my cb500's, they handle great and don't cost as much as metzeler/bridgestone/pirelli tyres, where I live they are my #1 pick by far for best value for money.
   I think I'll probably go with them for my other 500 too!

[Rgconner]

I'm using Bridgestone's Battlax BT-45

Rear - 4.00 - 18 64H - 41ps
Front - 3.25 - 19 54H TL - 36psi

I love them. They have lots of grip dry and wet, no wobble at 110MPH, last fairly long. I've got about 6000 miles out of them.

I get 3 rears to one front with BT45's.  Only 3-4,000 on the rear.  Is it something I'm doing?

Hole shots or braking skids?!

Or too much rider... =)