Topic: anyone running dunlop k70 tires, what kind of mileage are you getting?

[JBMorse]

Well after a long ride on the CB500 yesterday I realized I better not go too much further on that rear tire.  It currently has an IRC 350-18, slightly over-inflated due to often riding 2-up.  I want to replace the tire myself (surely this will become another thread in the future!) Here's why I like the K70.
1.) low price
2.) tread pattern looks good for dirt roads, which is important because I am often on dirt roads
3.) Dad's Royal Enfield uses them and I like the way they handle.
4.) they'll match the IRC front pretty well
5.) I like the way they look
So I am wondering what kind of mileage I can expect from a K70.  The IRC rear was pretty new this spring and I only have around 3000 miles on it, but I do a lot of 2-up riding. Note that the stock size for the CB500 is apparently 350-18, so this tire will be slightly oversized for the rim.  I have searched and found many users running 4.00-18 tires on the rear, though.
Some of the other choices in 4.00-18 are Metzeler ME77, Avon Roadrider, and conti go.
The COnti and metzeler are a different tread pattern from what I have on the front, and I don't know how good they'd be for dirt roads.  It sounds like they have a pretty long life, though. The Metzeler looks like it would work, but it's not as blocky as the dunlop, again, the dirt roads thing.  So I think the K70 is the best choice based on these conditions.
Thanks for any advice!

[bryanj]

3-5 seems about average for a rear unless you use a Taiwaneese super hard compound that has no grip and slides everywhere! Over inflated will take out the centre tread early, as will fitting an oversize tyre

[BobbyR]

3-5 seems about average for a rear unless you use a Taiwaneese super hard compound that has no grip and slides everywhere! Over inflated will take out the centre tread early, as will fitting an oversize tyre

+1 I went very oversize on the rear since I liked the look. These were Battelaxes. At some point the center wore down to a point where I did not have the rounded edges and wound up with a step. The tranasition took the smooth transition from the center to the sides on the twistys away. I went down a size and the bike is more responsive since the size differential betwween the front and rear is smaller.

I got about 5K miles out of the tire. I would not use the Battleaxes if I was on dirt roads.

[IHWillys]

I like the K70s for exactly the reasons you are considering.  

I currently have a new one mounted up on the front of my '75 CB550F with a similar IRC on the rear(came on the bike and doesn't need replacement yet).  When I need to put on a new rear it will be a K70.  The tire sizes currently on it are 3.25-19 and 4.00-18.  

edit: I don't have enough miles on them to speak as to mileage on the K70s.

Ken

[mcpuffett]

Hi i'm running K70'S on my F1 no issues with grip in the dry or the wet, look good on the bike, i'll post some photos later  cheers Mick.