Author Topic: CB550 Tire Thread (Read 26159 times)

kayaker43 · « **Reply #25 on:** March 10, 2008, 07:30:41 PM »

Ok, better question to narrow things down, who makes tires in 18 -19 inch sizes?

I'm just old but I really miss catalogs where you could scan and find things faster. I don't have the patience to open 50 windows to find something. None of the tire stores seem searchable for sizes, just pick a brand and go fishing..

cafe750 · « **Reply #26 on:** March 10, 2008, 07:42:13 PM »

If you're looking for an original style tire, then I'd go for a Continental KB112 rear, and an RB2 front. Thats just for a start though. All of the major tire manufacturers make a tire or two for our bikes, it all depends on the type of riding you want to do....

jesus freek · « **Reply #27 on:** March 10, 2008, 08:02:54 PM »

If your looking for a catalog to order from try Dennis Kirk.www.denniskirk.com or
1-800-969-7504 to order a free catalog,be sure to ask for metric bikes

Also I ordered my tires from americanmototire.com and agree with chopstar they have great prices and they were delivered on a Saturday morning.

Cant get that from the Brown truck.

GNXFan · « **Reply #28 on:** March 10, 2008, 08:15:44 PM »

Just wanted to add that I tried to order some new tires from Dennis Kirk last week and they wanted to stick me with a $5.00 per tire shipping fee. The lady said they just started charging it. I think it's just their way of charging the Enviromental Disposal Fee the dealers collect for the EPA when you buy new tires in the US.

kayaker43 · « **Reply #29 on:** March 10, 2008, 08:16:43 PM »

I might just go for the K81's if there's nothing much better. Looking for something kinda sporty, not some hard touring tire. I thought the K81's used to come in a 350x19 for the front? the 410 looks kinda fat up there.

I got a Dennis Kirk catalog coming, seems like all I could find were 16 & 17 inch sizes online,.. I'll look some more.

Thanks

kayaker43 · « **Reply #30 on:** March 10, 2008, 08:23:05 PM »

I just ran across this info,.. looks good to me?

http://www.classicbikes.com/750-tires.html

cafe750 · « **Reply #31 on:** March 10, 2008, 08:27:37 PM »

Those GT501's are a great tire, if thats the style you're after, then I'd check out a Bridgestone BT45, or an Avon RoadRider...There are guys here that swear by all of them.... I personally run RoadRiders on my bikes, and I love them, I can grind the little "hero tabs" on my footpegs without any worry of losing grip....hope this helps a bit....

squirley · « **Reply #32 on:** March 10, 2008, 08:34:37 PM »

I just looked through all the tire manufactures that I could. I am going to purchase some later this week and have decided to go with the Metzeler Lasertecs. Good reviews, nice looking, can find them in 18 and 19" rims, but cost good money.

Stevien1 · « **Reply #33 on:** March 10, 2008, 08:39:38 PM »

I have Dunlop 404's on my 550. As far as width..... 100 front and 120 rear. Yeah they're Harley tires, but I have no complaints thus far (2000 miles).

kayaker43 · « **Reply #34 on:** March 10, 2008, 08:54:16 PM »

The Dunlop GT 501 comes in a 120/90 and a 130/80 rear. does anyone know the stock rear rim size?

cafe750 · « **Reply #35 on:** March 10, 2008, 09:00:39 PM »

The actual stock rear tire size is a 3.75-18. Which translates out to about a 110/90-18. You can run the 120/90 without a problem, and that is about as wide as the stock rim will support....

TwoTired · « **Reply #36 on:** March 10, 2008, 10:42:41 PM »

Stock rear rim sizes for the 550 are 1.85 inches front and rear.

A 120 on the rear will work ok when new, but will square off much earlier than the proper size tire and lead to undesirable handling qualities. Thus they wear out faster because you have to run higher tire pressures to compensate for lack of sidewall support from the narrow rim.

After trying oversize tires on my 550s for several years, I went back to near stock sizes. 3.25 Metzler fronts, and 4.00 Metzler rears.

They adhere well enough to scrape the pegs. And, they have restored the nice handling characteristics the bike had with stock tire sizes. I'm getting better tire mileage, too. But, haven't yet worn out a set.

I'll keep buying Metzler till they don't make the right size anymore.

Cheers,

DCDeBolt · « **Reply #37 on:** July 24, 2008, 10:46:20 PM »

I've done a search and found very little. I'd like some tires that will handle well but not break the bank. In one post Hondaman said an unspecified Continental tire worked well years ago because they matched the bike's lean angle. Any ideas?

BARDAR · « **Reply #38 on:** July 25, 2008, 12:26:35 AM »

I just got some Bridgestone Spitfires for my 550F. From all that I have researched they seem to be the best bang for the buck.

Hush · « **Reply #39 on:** July 25, 2008, 12:50:16 AM »

I second the Bridgestones, they perform and wont cost an arm and leg.

Kevin400F · « **Reply #40 on:** July 25, 2008, 03:36:01 AM »

The Avon AM26 Roadrider is a great tire at a very reasonable price.

ken74-550K0 · « **Reply #41 on:** July 25, 2008, 06:02:37 AM »

Last year, on my 74 550 I installed a Metzler ME 77 4.00 x 18 on the rear and a Metzler Lasertec 3.25 x 19 on the front. The handling and wet weather performance are very good. I paid about $150 for both tires.

ProTeal55 · « **Reply #42 on:** July 25, 2008, 06:38:27 AM »

Quote from: Kevin400F on July 25, 2008, 03:36:01 AM

The Avon AM26 Roadrider is a great tire at a very reasonable price.

I 2nd that....

Great traction (wet & dry), Good looking tire, decent price, etc...

gkw120649 · « **Reply #43 on:** July 25, 2008, 07:27:33 AM »

Has anyone have any thougths on the Dunlop D404's.

TwoTired · « **Reply #44 on:** July 25, 2008, 09:01:42 AM »

Quote from: DCDeBolt on July 24, 2008, 10:46:20 PM

I've done a search and found very little. I'd like some tires that will handle well but not break the bank. In one post Hondaman said an unspecified Continental tire worked well years ago because they matched the bike's lean angle. Any ideas?

http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=38093.0

Ichiban 4 · « **Reply #45 on:** July 25, 2008, 11:25:24 PM »

Well..

On my 550..I've had Chen Shin (Chen Shi* as far as I'm concerned)..Continental..and AVON VENOMS.

The difference between the Avon's and others is almost astounding (much stickier..can lay-over in turns..stop..et al..much better). They were recommended to me by guys that race old Honda's.

FYI

Ichi

oldbiker · « **Reply #46 on:** July 25, 2008, 11:56:29 PM »

The well known makes are all pretty good, although personally I always recommend Metzelers for good price and excellent grip and handling.

Deltarider · « **Reply #47 on:** July 26, 2008, 12:37:37 AM »

I have used the Continental TK 22 (front) 3.25 S 19 and TK 44 (rear) 4.00 S 18 for the last 20 years. Since here in Europe everybody seems to favour the Bridgestone BT-45 nowadays, I might give it a try.

hymodyne · « **Reply #48 on:** July 26, 2008, 03:57:40 AM »

I was recently told that the dunlop 404's were just a step away from the cheng shins-thus the low price. it appears in the world of tires like elsewhere that you get what you pay for (or don't). My cheng Shins have about one season left on them, and the way my engine rebuild is going I'm gonna need all my pennies to get it working properly. I've decided to save up for Metzlers or Avons over the upcoming winter for next season.

hym

ieism · « **Reply #49 on:** July 26, 2008, 02:24:32 PM »

I have Bridgestone BT-45's on one of my 550's, they are very good. Good grip wet and dry, don't wear out to fast either as they are dual compound.

I have Continentals on the caferacer 550, they are not as sticky but they looked better. I couldn't find Avon Venoms in the size I wanted for this bike.

I also have a Guzzi that had Avon Venoms previously, but now has a BT45 in the rear too. As far as I can tell, there is no difference in grip between these two.

Off topic: I recently put a new Pirelli on my CB-1. It was nearly twice the price of a budget tire, but what a difference! It's just so much faster trough the twisties now. Must be some kind of racetire, hope it lasts a season or two.

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Author Topic: CB550 Tire Thread (Read 26159 times)

jesus freek

Stevien1

DCDeBolt