Topic: Best period correct tires?

[Dunk]

I'm running Continental RB2/K112 tires on my CB750 K1. I like them, they're obviously not modern tires but the bike feels comfortable adn well planted through twisties at the pace I normally ride. The rear is near time to replace after 3700 miles, getting squared off. I'll probably get another K112, but just wondering if there's anything that performs better while maintaining period correct appearance that I should consider for the rear or for a new pair.

[BomberMann650]

Maybe try Metzeler?  Avon?

[CycleRanger]

I like the Pirelli MT66's.  They are sort of a mix of retro and modern look.
Pretty sticky too. I have them on my K5.

The IRC GS-11's are total retro. A lot like the old Bridgestone Super Speeds that used to be Honda OEM.
I just put a set on my XS650. They're ok but I'm not laying into the corners real hard.
Then there's Dunlop K87's.
And on and on.

[TwoTired]

If you want period correct tires, don't they have to be in inch sizes?  I believe so, anyway.  That's the size and aspect ratio Honda tuned the chassis for when the bike was new.

Ever since I decided to do this with Metzeler tires, I couldn't be happier with both performance AND tire wear, as you don't have to run the really high pressures, that make the tread square off prematurely.
 
I find these do indeed work well after trying many year with "modern" tires in metric sizes at tire sellers recommendation.  Unfortunately, dealers like to sell what is best for them, profit and quick sales income, not necessarily what is best for you or your bike.

Metzeler still makes tires in inch sizes.  But, almost certainly you'll have to order them from your local dealer, as they don't normally stock them because they are "slow movers" out of the stock room.

But, if they can't convince you to switch your choice to what they have in stock  (they have lot's of practice saying just the right things),  they will order it to make a sale.  They don't EVEN want to turn you away.

So, 3.25x19 front for me and 4.00x18 rear for both the 550s and 750s I have.  Not disappointed.

Definitely avoid oversize tires for your rim width.  That's a sure recipe for squaring off early, and contributing more often to the local tire dealer's wallet.

Cheers,

[PeWe]

Metzeler ME77 is a good looking rear tire with old style. Recommended by many using stock sized tires.

[RAZZ]

I use bridgestone battlax bt 45  it is a very Nice tire in wet and dry


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Johnie]

Conti's gets the thumbs up from me on my 750's. Won't even consider a different tire. I am not an aggressive rider and I like the retro look so they are fine for me with good mileage.

[RandomOrbit]

I've used Metzler, Bridgestone, and Avon & Dunlop over the years.

I liked ME55s, but they were expensive and didn't last very long. The last rear I replaced was an Avon, and I feel like I didn't get that many miles out of it either, but it's hard to say how many I actually got because I hadn't ridden that much in the past few years.

Right now I've got a Dunlop K70. I've used them a lot over the years. They're not very expensive, and I've always been happy with them.

[mj1176]

I run dunlop k70 gold seals on mine, no issues and they last awhile. Great in the rain too.

[RandomOrbit]

Here's a picture of My K70 rear with about 2 miles on it.

[PeWe]

Any other tire sets like Continental RB2+ K112?  It look good when the old look with 3.25-19 and 4.0-18 is the thing.

I did not like K112 in early 80's, the rubber mix might be better today and no sudden loss of grip as I experienced. But CB750 handling was not improved by longer fork and 16" rear wheel either

- Heidenau k44 front and Heidenau k36 rear has the right look . Correct sizes too. I might give those a try on my CB750 K2 stock looking bike project.
http://heidenautires.com/tirepress/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/K44.jpg
http://heidenautires.com/tirepress/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/K36.jpg

Which front to match Dunlop K70?
Avon Speedmaster is a tire I have seen on a friends old Triumph 750 (Morgo cyl stuff) and AJS 650. Dried up tires from the 70's

[PeWe]

I'm running Continental RB2/K112 tires on my CB750 K1. ....... The rear is near time to replace after 3700 miles, getting squared off.......

Which size do you use?
I have used 120/90-18 rear which squared off really quick, before 5000km (3125 miles). First was Metzeler Lasertec,  last was Dunlop Streetsmart which had better handling on my bike.

I replaced the Dunlop 120/90-18V with stock size 4.0-18H which is often said to be better on CB750. Correct so far and good handling.
It felt funny to get a thinner tire than I ever had bought for the bike when the engine is stronger than ever.

[Dunk]

I use the 4.00-18. I haven't experienced much in the way of sudden loss of grip. The K112 seems predictable and consistent. Only a couple times the rear has got a bit squirrely and that was crossing tarsnakes in a turn, but I suspect any tire would behave similarly.

[mj1176]

with the k70's I've heard you want to run them front and rear or not at all

[RandomOrbit]

I'm running Continental RB2/K112 tires on my CB750 K1. ....... The rear is near time to replace after 3700 miles, getting squared off.......

Which size do you use?
I have used 120/90-18 rear which squared off really quick, before 5000km (3125 miles). First was Metzeler Lasertec,  last was Dunlop Streetsmart which had better handling on my bike.

I replaced the Dunlop 120/90-18V with stock size 4.0-18H which is often said to be better on CB750. Correct so far and good handling.
It felt funny to get a thinner tire than I ever had bought for the bike when the engine is stronger than ever.

I've run a lot of 120/80-18 over the years, and found they tended to square off. My last couple of rears have gone back to 4.0-18, and I think they wear better in the OEM size.

[beemerbum]

Here's a picture of My K70 rear with about 2 miles on it.

What are you getting at?

[TwoTired]

I've run a lot of 120/80-18 over the years, and found they tended to square off. My last couple of rears have gone back to 4.0-18, and I think they wear better in the OEM size.

I agree.  Better wear has been my experience, too.

 Most of our bikes have narrow rims which don't support the sidewall properly when wider tires are used.  This makes the rear of the bike squirm sideways under stress unless you up the tire pressure to aid sidewall strength.  The higher pressure in the tire, however, also presses the center of the tread outward, increasing crown, leading to increased center tire wear, or rapid squaring off.  Further, increased pressures negate any benefit of the wider tire as the over-inflated contact patch is the same or smaller size than the proper size tire for the rim with standard pressure.

Tire sellers neglect to to mention that your more expensive wider tire (and their increased profit ratio), will also have you coming back sooner for a replacement.

Cheers,

[RandomOrbit]

Here's a picture of My K70 rear with about 2 miles on it.

What are you getting at?

It held up fine for 2 miles? Nothing really. I just happened to have a picture of my back tire.

[tlbranth]

Lots of ideas here. I've been using K70 on my 750 and I like them but the mileage sucks - maybe 6k tops on a rear and 10k on a front. How about giving us some mileages for the tires you like. And 2T, how about giving us a Metzler model.

[TwoTired]

The Metzeler Catalog lists these tires with the inch sizes for our SOHC4s.
http://www.metzeler.com/site/us/products/tyres-catalogue.html

I have used the Lazertecs, as well as the ME 77 Perfect.  It's rated for better wear duration.  I haven't worn out the ME77 yet.  The bike I put it on developed other issues, that kept me from driving it to wear out replacement.  Some of my front tires are ME33, which look identical to the Lasertecs in tread pattern.

The Lasertecs seem a bit grippier, than the ME77, though.  But, I seldom push bikes to their limit anymore.  I think my bones are too brittle to endure a mistake.  I haven't gone too far into the slide out range to push my luck.

I would expect a 750 to wear out a rear tire faster than the 550, because it has more power and weight, though.

I haven't squared off any of them since I stopped using metric oversizes.  I had some ME55 tires (now discontinued) in 120 width, that were softer compound but squared off badly and had to be replace at 5000 miles.  All the prior mentioned tires have lasted well beyond 5000 Miles, with the fronts lasting at least 15K.

Cheers,

[RandomOrbit]

Lots of ideas here. I've been using K70 on my 750 and I like them but the mileage sucks - maybe 6k tops on a rear and 10k on a front. How about giving us some mileages for the tires you like. And 2T, how about giving us a Metzler model.

I've got almost 4k on my K70 I put on this spring. I fgeel like it's been wearing pretty well, but I should take a pic and compare them.

I've used ME22 Metzler fronts, and ME55 and ME77 rear. ME55 definitely wore out fast. It was a long timer ago, so I can't remember for sure, but it's a good bet I was using 100/90/19 and 120/80/18 back then. I wouldn't mind giving an ME77 another go in the correct size, but they are more expensive, so I'd want them to last longer, and perform better than the K70, and so far I've go no complaints about k70s.

[tlbranth]

Here's the real problem with short-wear tires, for me anyway: I'm going to Dolores. The rear has 4k on it and for some reason I don't know the front mileage (I keep good notes but must've had happy hour early that day). Dolores and back is 3,000 miles. So I have to toss 2 good tires to make the trip. If it was all local, no problem.

[TwoTired]

Here's the real problem with short-wear tires, for me anyway: I'm going to Dolores. The rear has 4k on it and for some reason I don't know the front mileage (I keep good notes but must've had happy hour early that day). Dolores and back is 3,000 miles. So I have to toss 2 good tires to make the trip. If it was all local, no problem.

What tires (brand and size) do you have now?  What rim width?  Did you note how much wear you got with the last trip?

Trend data of your tire wear pattern should tell you if could make another 3000 miles.


For touring, I'd want the ME77 rear for sure.  It's a nice tire.  I've never used the ME11.  But Metzler says it wears longer than the Lasertec.  Seems a good match for the ME77.

I think my lazertec/ME33 fronts have gone 15K miles at least. 

But, the other half of the wear equation is road surface composition.  Polished concrete has less abrasion than, asphalt, and chip seal surfaces.  Further, both asphalt and chip seal traction is related to the gravel type used between binders.  Smooth gravel, crushed gravel have different abrasion qualities.  Some areas of the country use crushed sea shell material which is very jagged and abrasive, at least when first laid down, and not worn smooth by traffic.

Cheers,

[tlbranth]

Here's the real problem with short-wear tires, for me anyway: I'm going to Dolores. The rear has 4k on it and for some reason I don't know the front mileage (I keep good notes but must've had happy hour early that day). Dolores and back is 3,000 miles. So I have to toss 2 good tires to make the trip. If it was all local, no problem.

I put K70s back on. There was no way the rear would make it to Dolores and back.

What tires (brand and size) do you have now?  What rim width?  Did you note how much wear you got with the last trip?

Trend data of your tire wear pattern should tell you if could make another 3000 miles.


For touring, I'd want the ME77 rear for sure.  It's a nice tire.  I've never used the ME11.  But Metzler says it wears longer than the Lasertec.  Seems a good match for the ME77.

I think my lazertec/ME33 fronts have gone 15K miles at least. 

But, the other half of the wear equation is road surface composition.  Polished concrete has less abrasion than, asphalt, and chip seal surfaces.  Further, both asphalt and chip seal traction is related to the gravel type used between binders.  Smooth gravel, crushed gravel have different abrasion qualities.  Some areas of the country use crushed sea shell material which is very jagged and abrasive, at least when first laid down, and not worn smooth by traffic.

Cheers,

[Bankerdanny]

They aren't period looking, but the Shinko 712's on my 550 held up very well over the 4700 miles I put on them in August. The rear shows some wear, but the front none at all.

[kmb69]

Yamiya sells very near period correct Dunlops - http://www.yamiya750.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=246_251_184_87&products_id=1799

[CycleRanger]

Here's a genuine 1973 Bridgestone Super speed.

[RandomOrbit]

I know the tread pattern doesn't look very period correct, but has anyone had experience with  Michelin Pilot Activ? They come in the correct sizes, and are a sport/touring compound. I'd be willing to sacrifice looks if the performance is OK ands wear characteristics are significantly better.

[PeWe]

Not vintage look: Dunlop StreetSmart is available in correct sizes too. 3.25-19 and 4.0-18. Work fine. I'm in the first front tire, 2:nd rear.

I'll soon order the Heidenau K44, K36 I mentioned earlier in this thread and made me to have a look about what I need.
Vintage look and probably a good tire, good price too. For a stock looking CB750
http://heidenautires.com/vintage-motorcycle-tires/

[RandomOrbit]

Not vintage look: Dunlop StreetSmart is available in correct sizes too. 3.25-19 and 4.0-18. Work fine. I'm in the first front tire, 2:nd rear.

How many miles did you get it of a rear tire?

[PeWe]

Not vintage look: Dunlop StreetSmart is available in correct sizes too. 3.25-19 and 4.0-18. Work fine. I'm in the first front tire, 2:nd rear.

How many miles did you get it of a rear tire?

First rear was the usual wrong size on std rim, 120/90-18 and squared off rather quick, started at 4000km (2500 miles replaced around 5000km (3150 miles)

Mostly hard acceleration due to break in of new pistons, carb jetting and difficulties to not twist. Rwhp between 81-93 hp, the latter had also much more torque twisting the rubber The rear will last longer on a stock CB750.
The 4.0-18 tire is not used much but it look like the people that recommend the size are right, 4.0-18 is better and flatten less.

I'll continue with Dunlop Streetsmart on my K6 (10005cc) that will produce more power next season when it will get a Hindle 4-2-1 exhaust. It should be something between 95-100 rwhp which will reduce the rear tire a little bit quicker .  (I have a dyno run of 93rwhp with No numbers 4-4, June 2017)

Avon AM26 Roadrider is reccomended on this forum too. Also with correct sizes and a long mile tire according to many guys. I might give them a try when my Dunlop front tire need to be replaced together with rear. I guess the front tire will survive 2-3 rears on a CB750 street bike.

[TwoTired]

Something to be wary about with a long wearing tire, is that pretty much all rubber gets harder with age.  While there is some wear resistant benefits to this, it is accompanied by less road grip, as well.

Not a problem if the bike is in such regular service as to need frequent replacement.  But, when the tire gets ten years old and still has lots of tread, don't go out and canyon carve like you did ten years ago.   

Cheers,

[PeWe]

Yes, old tires can be slippery. My cars users manual warns about tires of 6 years old or more.

[RandomOrbit]

Something to be wary about with a long wearing tire, is that pretty much all rubber gets harder with age.  While there is some wear resistant benefits to this, it is accompanied by less road grip, as well.

Not a problem if the bike is in such regular service as to need frequent replacement.  But, when the tire gets ten years old and still has lots of tread, don't go out and canyon carve like you did ten years ago.   

Cheers,

Yeah the reason I'm thinking about higher mileage tires is that I don't think my rear will last 2 seasons at this rate. Checked the tread last night, and it's OK after almost 4000 miles, but I'm thinking 5000-6000 total is about how long this tire will last with expressway commuting being primary use. So it will last out this season which is almost over, but not much of next season if I'm doing the same kind of miles next year.

I never kept very good track of mileage in the past, but it seems like a season and a half for a rear tire was pretty much par for the course when I was riding regularly, and I think I've tended to replace the front half as often. I like to push it in the twisties from time to time, and lord knows Vermont has plenty of them, but I'm never really pushing that hard, and lately most of my rides are commuting not pleasure rides. So a touring compound makes sense for that at least as long as it's OK in the wet.

[Bankerdanny]

If I ended up spending $250 every other year on new tires I wouldn't be too concerned. That's the cost of a single tire for my SUV. Now if we were talking fancy crotch rocket radials that go for $150/$200 a tire and only last a single season of moderate mileage that would be annoying.

[PeWe]

5000 miles (8000 km) was good for a rear tire back in the 80's on my bike. Most of it on holiday riding to Austria, Italy, Jugoslavia or Spain and back again (5000-6000 km). With Metzeler ME99.
softer compounds lasted less