Topic: Tires/What to buy and why

[DWS]

I'am at the stage of buying new tires and look at a few but cant decide, please help

[calj737]

Some of the most popular around these builds seems to be Bridgestone BT45, Avon RoadRider, even newer model Shinkos are getting decent reports.

[seanbarney41]

What are you looking for?  Best grip?  Best durability?  Best price?  Vintage looks?  I have found Metzeler Lazertecs to be a pretty good combo of 3 out of the 4...it's pretty much like the old race adage-  "cheap, fast, durable, pick two"  And don't be tempted to get bigger than stock...it looks wrong and will do nothing but screw up handling

[seanbarney41]

Shinkos are getting decent reports.

not from me, the 712's(?) I tried were the worst tires ever, borderline dangerous imo

[calj737]

Shinkos are getting decent reports.

not from me, the 712's(?) I tried were the worst tires ever, borderline dangerous imo

Recently 70CB bought a set and reported they were very good handling, provided excellent service to Barber and back in the pouring rain, and they were also inexpensive. I give any manufacturer an opportunity to improve their product. Afterall, aren't all tire reviews subjective opinion? 

I like Avons, and also like Metzlers. Even have a set of Contis on my 550.

[Stev-o]

Another vote for Avon and Bridgestone BT45's. I like Dunlop's too.

[70CB750]

Cal got me covered  - thank you.

I decided to get Shinkos when I realized K3F will not be ready for Barber and I had to take Dorothy.  I wanted new set for the trip, but Dorothy needs transmisson rebuild as soon as I have another bike, skipping the 2nd is getting quite old.  That's why I got a set of cheap tires because I did not expect to run them till the cord shows, once I take Dorothy apart, nobody knows how long she will sit in the shop.  She is too far gone to be restored back to original and I am gonna get creative - oh boy 

But my experience with Shinkos was good, I am 260 pounds plus camping gear, saddle bags and top case and she never felt bad going south on 29 and in the twisties of the dragon tail or pushing 90 to a ton on US20 to Birmingham or on the very wet US81 travelling home.

Your experience may vary of course, but I got my money worth out of that set of 712s.

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

Avons provide good grip, but at approximately 82 mph, I experienced an oscillating wobble when riding on grooved highway concrete. I have since switched to Bridgestone BT45s. I previously had Spitfires on my 750, whick looked great, but had terrible edge grip.

[750cafe]

Starting with stickiest first and working down: Pirelli Sport Demons, Shinko 230's, Michelin Pilot Activ, BT-45's, Shinko 712 and S-11
I have all of these tires on several of my bikes.
The only ones to avoid that I know of are the Avon 26's as they tend to have sidewall cracking appear magically within a few months of ownership.
Avon is quite aware of the problem and will replace the tires with new ones that will also crack prematurely. 

Eric

[Blackfin5]

No real frame of reference, but I love how BT-45s feel on the 550 and 750.

[DWS]

Thank you all for your replies, it looks like the BT 45 Are the way to go, I will look at them really close. The type I am looking for?, I like tight corners, going fast and or just crusine, the temperatures get 100° in the summer, right now it's cold here, there's no snow so I could be riding, the temperatures are 50 to 60° I don't want to have to buy them every year or two, but I just want a good all around tire that looks good. corners good and feels good I don't want to feel every bump in the road. I don't want the cheapest, just all around best one, I won't be racing.
Thank you all
Duane

[Stev-o]

You'll be happy with the BT45's

[750cafe]

You can take them all the way to the outer edges even with a passenger no problem.  You should get 12-16,000 out of the fronts and 8-12,000 out of the rear.

Eric

[DWS]

Do they sell them as sets? And where would be the best place

[Stev-o]

Do they sell them as sets? And where would be the best place

No, buy the size you need. Free shipping here....

https://www.denniskirk.com/bridgestone/front-bt45v-100-90v-19-blackwall-tire.p540356.prd/540356.sku

Be sure to order new tubes too.

[70CB750]

You can take them all the way to the outer edges even with a passenger no problem.  You should get 12-16,000 out of the fronts and 8-12,000 out of the rear.

Eric

You must have some other BT45s where you live. I got 10000 out of the front but had to have two rear tires for that.

[Stev-o]

You can take them all the way to the outer edges even with a passenger no problem.  You should get 12-16,000 out of the fronts and 8-12,000 out of the rear.

Eric

You must have some other BT45s where you live. I got 10000 out of the front but had to have two rear tires for that.

There are H & V rated BT45's, wonder if you have the softer, V rated ones?

[750cafe]

The rider's weight has a lot to do with mileage as well as checking the air pressure at least once per week. I use 36psi on the front and 38psi on the rear solo and
38 front 40 rear with a passenger. Some riders need to adjust air pressure to two-up pressures due to their weight. Don't exceed the GVWR of your bike.
I only use V-rated tires in all of my bikes. Not only are they rated for higher CONSTANT speeds, they also tend to have a higher load capacity rating depending on
the brand and tire.

Eric

[seanbarney41]

I have definately noticed when you let your tires get a little low on air, they get ate up fast!  I have never had a rear of any kind last more than 7500 miles on a cb750.  I often wonder how road surface/condition affects this.

[flatlander]

BT-45's here, too. and now i need to go look if they're V or H...

[Retro Rocket]

I have definately noticed when you let your tires get a little low on air, they get ate up fast!  I have never had a rear of any kind last more than 7500 miles on a cb750.  I often wonder how road surface/condition affects this.

They heat up more with less pressure, that will help them wear......

[70CB750]

You can take them all the way to the outer edges even with a passenger no problem.  You should get 12-16,000 out of the fronts and 8-12,000 out of the rear.

Eric

You must have some other BT45s where you live. I got 10000 out of the front but had to have two rear tires for that.

There are H & V rated BT45's, wonder if you have the softer, V rated ones?

They are long gone, but Motorcycle Superstore carries only H in the size I use - pretty sure mine were H.  Must be my heavy ass than that wears down them tires.