Topic: Best Tires

[Jbosma]

Hello SOHC owners,
I currently have a 1981 Honda cb650 that I am doing a cafe racer build on but I'm in desperate need of some new tires. This is my first motorcycle ever and I have only ever ridden a handful of times. I know nothing about tires so thats why I'm asking for suggestions. I know I would love something thats got plenty of grip, good for freeway miles and has a classic vintage look if possible.

My tire size is a
Front: 3.5H19
Rear: 4.5H17
Which in today’s world would be??
Front: 100-90-19
Rear: 120-90-17
(Correct?)

My friend sent me this article with tire suggestions: https://www.motorcycleclassics.com/classic-motorcycle-gear/motorcycle-tires-zmmz13sozbea

Thank you in advance!

[70CB750]

Lot of people here run BT45s.

I am a cheap ass and use Shinko 712. 

[Pielz]

+1 I just put 712s on my bike. Look decent, they're cheap, great reviews. My friends run them too.

[Stev-o]

I have BT-45's on my K4, highly recommended.  I also have Avon's, Dunlop, Continental and IRC's, all good tires.

Soft compound tires are better for grip, hard compound for long mileage, try to find a happy medium.

Dont buy china tires for your Japanese bike!

[Bankerdanny]

Lot of people here run BT45s.

I am a cheap ass and use Shinko 712. 

I have used the 712 also and been perfectly satisfied. If you live somewhere with actual curvy roads and like to ride hard then there are better options.

[ckahleer]

Decide if you want high mileage or good grip. You can't have both.
I regret putting a set of expensive, high mileage tires on my V65 Magna, because grippy tires wore out too fast.
Now I can't wait for the things to wear out, so I can go back to grippy tires.

[Nicklopic]

If you opt for a tire that doesn't have a vintage feel you can get dual compound tires that's might suit your needs. They have a harder centerline for extra miles, but the edges are a softer compound for grip in a corner.
I just put perelli angel GTs on mine. It may be hard to find your size in more modern bike oriented tires but it may be worth searching

[ckahleer]

Dual compound does address cornering concerns of a high mileage tire, But in the case of my Magna the rear wheel spins easier on a hard pull out, and locks up quicker on hard braking.

[BenelliSEI]

I just mounted a set of Shinzo 712s and have not tried them yet. Feedback was positive and frankly for the price, worth trying!

[PeWe]

Cafe racer might have tires with a specific look? The old look is Dunlop TT100 (K81) still available. Your rear maybe not.

Both my bikes have Heidenau tires that look like old Metzeler from the 70's in CB750 stock sizes 3.25-19, 4.0-18. K36 rear, K44 front
 Just back from a ride where bike ran stable in 190-200kmh when testing main jet, new tires.
 
Work fine with relatively longer life than Metzeler LaserTek, Dunlop StreetSmart. Grip maybe better too.

Find good looking tires for bikes design, then go for the best of them, grip and life.

[Jbosma]

question on the BT-45' and the Shinzo 712s are those a more 'Grippy" tire?

 I think from what I'm hearing I rather have a grippy tire that wears out faster I also don't mind paying 100-150 per tire.

[PeWe]

I'm happy if rear tire last longer than 5000km. So far only the Heidenau K36 that has done that.
 Too wide tire as 120 on 2.15 rim became flat with bad handling after 3500km. Like a snake when leaning bike in a curve. Stock tire size on stock rim is often recommended for these old bikes. BMW forums mention that too.

The later classic racer tires if you want grip?

[Terry in Australia]

Don't put those stupid coker "vintage" style tyres on your bike, they look "cool" but don't handle for sh1t. Stinko's are fine, they're actually the old Yokohama brand, still made in Japan, and great value for money, I just bought some for my CB750, but I've had them on my GL1200 and my previous K2 build, and they're just as good as more expensive tyres.

[70CB750]

Cafe racer might have tires with a specific look? The old look is Dunlop TT100 (K81) still available. Your rear maybe not.

Both my bikes have Heidenau tires that look like old Metzeler from the 70's in CB750 stock sizes 3.25-19, 4.0-18. K36 rear, K44 front
 Just back from a ride where bike ran stable in 190-200kmh when testing main jet, new tires.
 
Work fine with relatively longer life than Metzeler LaserTek, Dunlop StreetSmart. Grip maybe better too.

Find good looking tires for bikes design, then go for the best of them, grip and life.

Lot of my czech buddies run Heidenau tires. 

[dave500]

forget looks,just use sport demons,you aint hardly ridden you say?put the better grippier tyres on then.

[seanbarney41]

I am gonna have to disagree about the stinkos...the set I had straight up were #$%*...very unpredictable lack of grip...dont skimp...tires are the most important part of your bike.

[Tim2005]

Can you get Avon AM26s there? They are very hard to beat overall.

[Bodi]

My tire size is a
Front: 3.5H19
Rear: 4.5H17
Which in today’s world would be??
Front: 100-90-19
Rear: 120-90-17
(Correct?)

No. These are wider but may be acceptable on your rims. There are online tables of what the recommended width is for a given rim width.

Very close metric sizes would be 90/90 front and 110/90 rear.

[Terry in Australia]

I am gonna have to disagree about the stinkos...the set I had straight up were #$%*...very unpredictable lack of grip...dont skimp...tires are the most important part of your bike.

Thats interesting Sean, how long ago? I hated Metzlers for many years, not cheap, but no grip, and followed every scallop in the tar, and I almost threw my BMW R100RS away when I hit a white line in a corner on a wet day. I've since had them on my Triumph Rocket III (original fitment) and haven't had any issues with them.

Dave and I love the Pirelli Sport Demons, and I recommended them on another forum, but was howled down by a guy who had negative experiences with them. I'm fitting Stinko's new "Touring" tyres on my K2 bitsa this weekend, and depending on how serious my gearbox issue is, I'll make a point of writing progress reports on how they feel, especially as we're heading toward wetter, colder weather.

I just had Pirelli Sport Demons installed on my big black Kawasaki Z1000, but haven't ridden it enough to form an opinion on how good they are on this bike.

[seanbarney41]

I am gonna have to disagree about the stinkos...the set I had straight up were #$%*...very unpredictable lack of grip...dont skimp...tires are the most important part of your bike.

Thats interesting Sean, how long ago? I hated Metzlers for many years, not cheap, but no grip, and followed every scallop in the tar, and I almost threw my BMW R100RS away when I hit a white line in a corner on a wet day. I've since had them on my Triumph Rocket III (original fitment) and haven't had any issues with them.

Dave and I love the Pirelli Sport Demons, and I recommended them on another forum, but was howled down by a guy who had negative experiences with them. I'm fitting Stinko's new "Touring" tyres on my K2 bitsa this weekend, and depending on how serious my gearbox issue is, I'll make a point of writing progress reports on how they feel, especially as we're heading toward wetter, colder weather.

I just had Pirelli Sport Demons installed on my big black Kawasaki Z1000, but haven't ridden it enough to form an opinion on how good they are on this bike.

Yeah, I love the Sport Demons too...and I hear ya about Metzeler greasiness, but at least they are a predictable, controllable slide.  Whereas, the Stinko's I had (about 5 years ago?), would turn in with a confidence inspiring grip and then suddenly and unpredictably jerk 6 inches or more off line, wash out under hard braking, and lasted several thousand miles more than proper soft rubber does...yeah, I said that.  I am complaining about how long they lasted, as I was eager to pitch them in the trash, but still couldn't justify wasting unconsumed rubber.  I will never buy another set.  If I am ever that hard up for cheap #$%*, I will go for some good old chinese Duros.

[seanbarney41]

And just so I am not negative nancy...I highly recommend Conti's, Avon Am26(probably the best tire and available in the perfect sizes for sohc4's which makes them work even better) and aforementioned Pirelli Sport Demons...

[PeWe]

That sudden loss of grip reminds me about Continental K112 rear tire in the 80's. Metzeler ME-99 was my best experience back then.
Better if it loose grip earlier in a controlled way.

Edit: A tough looking tire back then was Avon Roadrunner that lost the grip early, sliding in the corners before my CB750 got more horses.

Avon AM26 often mentioned as a good tire.

[Stev-o]

Can you get Avon AM26s there? They are very hard to beat overall.

Yes, and I agree, great tire.  However, not a vintage tread. I have them on my Z1....

[Don R]

 I put michelin on my gl1000, like Avon roadriders on a 750 but recently have used the shinkos old looking tires because they look right and my tires expire on time or dry rot before I wear them out. Too many choices of what to ride. 

[PeWe]

Can you get Avon AM26s there? They are very hard to beat overall.

Yes, and I agree, great tire.  However, not a vintage tread. I have them on my Z1....

The old Z1-900 is one of the best looking bikes ever made!!

[Stev-o]

Can you get Avon AM26s there? They are very hard to beat overall.

Yes, and I agree, great tire.  However, not a vintage tread. I have them on my Z1....

The old Z1-900 is one of the best looking bikes ever made!!

Agreed PeWe!  You should come by for a ride...after this virus thing blows away, of course.

[scunny]

Used to use the  Avon Roadrunners back in the day, as was mentioned, they tended to let go early but in a very controlled manner, went well with the wallow of the frame when pushed.
Have BT45 now and highly recommend them.

[PeWe]

Can you get Avon AM26s there? They are very hard to beat overall.

Yes, and I agree, great tire.  However, not a vintage tread. I have them on my Z1....

The old Z1-900 is one of the best looking bikes ever made!!

Agreed PeWe!  You should come by for a ride...after this virus thing blows away, of course.

That would be fun!

[Jbosma]

Thanks for all the feedback!!! Think I’ll either go for the Avon’s or the demons. Will do some price matching and see what I get.