Topic: Another tire thread: Need help locating size 120/90-19

[squirley]

Hi there, sorry for another tire post, but I am not having any luck finding what I am looking for.  Does anyone know a manufacturer the makes a 120/90-19 front tire and a tread pattern that looks modern.  The only company that makes newer tires for older bikes sizes that I know of is really avon, but they still don't even have even a 110/90-19 with a matching rear.  Any help would be appreciated as I have honestly looked everywhere with no luck. 
On a side not, I really like avons, but the only sport tire that I can find in a 110/90-19 pattern is the venom, anyone have any experience with it?
Thanks
Jens

[333]

I seriously doubt a 120 would fit inside the fender, but I've never seen a 120/anything/19.  And, as stated in many threads, going way large on a motorcycle tire results in less rubber in contact with the ground.

[MrZxp]

Not sure which bike you are enquiring for, but I am really happy with these on my 750...



Michelin Macadam 50's - matching set....

Cheers, Phil

[squirley]

My bad, always put what bike, I know.  They will be going on a 550, the rear swingarm will remain, but the front is a gsxr inverted fork with a 2.5" rim so I should be able to put a pretty good size meat up there.

[bwaller]

I've used Macadams lately too, lots of sizes available and so far I like em.

[hymodyne]

what do those tires go for$? (Macadams)

hym

[FunJimmy]

Jens

You are really limited with a 19" rim. I'm using Bridgestone BT45's on my bike.
I havn't ridden them but the reviews I've read are very good.

Check recommended rim widths too.

http://mc.bridgestone.co.jp/en/products/battlax/bt45.html

[cbass*gxc]

The maxxis classic come in a 110/90 - 19 and they have a pretty modern pattern.

http://www.motorcycletire.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=CTGY&Store_Code=tires&Category_Code=MAXXIS+TIRES

[bwaller]

I just called the shop where I buy my tires and Michelin has replaced the Macadam with the new improved Pilot Activ, classified as Sport/ Touring.  Seems like when Dunlops changed the 591 for 501's, I quess we all need more modern looking tread patterns.

110/80/18 front is $86.00 CDN
130/80/18 rear     $109.00   "

Not the size most would want but just for the info.

[squirley]

Well, not being able to find the exact tires that I want I think I am down to two choices, and would like to check here before I bite the bullet.

Combo 1
Avon venom front 110/90-19
Avon roadrider rear 140/70-18 or 130/80-18

combo 2
metzler lasertec 110/90-19
metzler marathon 140/70-18

Please chime in on opinions/preferences on what you would buy differently, or if there are better combos/sizes

Once again the front rim is a 2.5"x19", rear is a 3.5x18",  plenty of space in the front, but confined to a stock 550 swingarm ( can I fit a larger tire back there than what I have listed?).

[FunJimmy]

Jens

I would stick with the same series of tire on both front and rear.
Why not Avon Venom's for both?
I have a 130 on the rear of my 550 and there is lots of room for more.
Should also be said that the wider the rear tire the slower your bike will turn in.

Jim

[Tower]

Tyre design over the last twenty years has been very dynamic - constantly going through major discovery and retooling cycles - with major breakthroughs every 4 - 5 years.  

A big breakthrough in tyre compounds and construction hit the market about 5 years ago, making older tyre compounds obsolete.  In response, tyres were replaced with the newer compound tyres, but the general public wasn't well informed (e.g. Macadam 50 was replaced with Pilot Activ)  In addition to the compound change, came tread redesign (maybe to mask the fact that the compounds had changed - conspiracy anyone  ).  Many folks kept buying the old designs not realizing why they were getting harder and harder to find - perhaps thinking it was only tread design, until production finally fully retooled.

[squirley]

Thanks for all the replies.  I will try and stick with the same make tire if that makes things better.  I was just worried that the venom might be a more ideal tire for a heavy style cruzer and not a light 550.
As for size agreement, do my choices sound close?
Funjimmy, you habe a 130x? on the back of yours?
Thanks again

[scondon]

Jens

I would stick with the same series of tire on both front and rear.
Why not Avon Venom's for both?
I have a 130 on the rear of my 550 and there is lots of room for more.
Should also be said that the wider the rear tire the slower your bike will turn in.

Jim

Tyre design over the last twenty years has been very dynamic - constantly going through major discovery and retooling cycles - with major breakthroughs every 4 - 5 years.  

A big breakthrough in tyre compounds and construction hit the market about 5 years ago, making older tyre compounds obsolete.  In response, tyres were replaced with the newer compound tyres, but the general public wasn't well informed (e.g. Macadam 50 was replaced with Pilot Activ)  In addition to the compound change, came tread redesign (maybe to mask the fact that the compounds had changed - conspiracy anyone  ).  Many folks kept buying the old designs not realizing why they were getting harder and harder to find - perhaps thinking it was only tread design, until production finally fully retooled.

    Good points. I don't see that finding the fattest tires you can possibly fit is going to gain anything except having the fattest tires, squirly. If your goal is to have a good handling bike that will really stick in the corners you can go down in size in order to find a matched set.

    I personally don't like the way the Venom's wear and have found the Roadriders to be more than adequate in dry weather. A better year round tire is the Pirelli rte66(better on wet pavement than the Roadriders). Neither tire is listed as a "performance" tire but they are PLENTY good for traction on our old bikes.

     I ride a '78 750 with a modified engine that has near 80bhp at the rear wheel and am running a 90/90/19 up front and a 4.00 in the rear(Roadrider). I put it hard into the turns and the bike frequently sees speeds over 110mph. The only reason I would like to go UP one size front and rear is for taking sweeper turns at speeds over 80mph. I haven't lost traction on dry roads yet but there is that "little voice" that chirps in when I lean it far over at speeds over 80, "will it be enough?".

    Just my opinion, but unless you've got a modified race engine why not pick some tire sizes that will give you more choices and better handling?

[FunJimmy]

Funjimmy, you have a 130x? on the back of yours?

I went with Bridgestone Battlax BT45's

110/80/18 on a 2.50" front rim
130/80/18 on a 3.00" rear rim

They look very well sized and I could have fit larger, but I'm glad I didn't.

I still want it to look loke a vintage 550 but with modern tire technology.