Topic: Suggested Tires?

[krmtrains]

Hello Enthusiasts!

This is my first post on this forum, and I am excited to find such a resource, full of great information.  I recently purchased a 1975 CB550K that has not bee on the road for about 20 years.  I need to put new tires on it, and wondered what was recommended out there.  I have a '73 CL350 that I recently put tires on, and these are apparently the same size that go on the 550, but I want something that looks like more of a street tire than what I put on the 350. 

Any and all suggestions/recommendations will be most welcome!

Thanks.

[Fritz]

I've got Bridgestone Battlax BT45 on my 550F. 3.5x19 front, 4.0x18 rear installed with tubes.
After 5000miles on dry and wet roads I am still very content with the grip, wear and looks.

Edit: Even survived on snow with them. But I'd prefer studded ones next time

[shizzomynizzo]

Bridgestone spitfire s11 or battlax are my favorite.
Battlax have better grip, but spitfires have better wear.

Metzler are great, but can be pricey.

[TwoTired]

Lot's of tire threads on this site. Not much agreement on what is "best".

I had problems with tire wear and adverse handling when using oversize tires on the narrow rims of the CB550.  The answer to that for me has been to use the stock inch sizes.

I'm pretty happy with the Metzeler Lasertec tires, which can be had in the correct  3.25x19 Front and almost correct 4.00x18 rear.  I think the 3.75 rear is tough to find in a quality tire.

Several of my bikes now have the Metzeler tires.  And, that's what they get when new ones are needed.

Cheers,

[736cc]

Dunlop GT501's worth a look. The latest thoroughly modern tire bias-ply tire using radial tire technology (or so they say) I've used them and will continue to do so.

[dhall57]

The PO of my 76 CB750 had put a new Dunlop 404 on the front shortly before I bought it, but left a older mismatched tire on the rear for some reason. Since the frt. was just about new I just replaced the rear with a new Dunlop 404 also. Im happy with these Dunlop's. They seem to ride and handle good. Decent tire at a good price on sale $87.

[tlbranth]

I used Dunlop K70's and I like them

[HedNut]

I second Bridgestone Spitfire S11's.... although I can't honestly claim many miles on them...I've done my share of research before I decided to go with them on my bike..and for street use they seem to do very well all around....I REALLY liked the price tag on them too! (cause I'm a cheaparse)

[Damfino]

Round ones that hold air....























I too, have spitfires..

[Stev-o]

Spitfires here too.

Buy from Motorcycle Superstore, on sale and free shipping:

http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/1/28/396/6018/ITEM/Bridgestone-S11-Spitfire-Sport-Touring-Blackwall-Rear-Tire.aspx

[HondaMan]

I'd suggest the MT90-19 or 100/90x19 front and 110/90x18 rear in the Roadriders from Avon. Great grip after 500 miles of scuff-in, great cornering ability, ignores those raingroove wiggles in the road nicely!

[shizzomynizzo]

I'd suggest the MT90-19 or 100/90x19 front and 110/90x18 rear in the Roadriders from Avon. Great grip after 500 miles of scuff-in, great cornering ability, ignores those raingroove wiggles in the road nicely!

I put a set of those on my fiance's buell blast. They handle nicely and work great in the wet.
Anything is better than the stock dunlops though!

I might try a set on the new project

[Bluegreen]

I had a set of Dunlop D404's, I liked 'em. Just got a set of Avon Roadriders, I like 'em better.

[dave500]

i run a battlax front and spitfire rear in the stock sizes,i did have an oversize rear battlax but it really turns better with the correct size tyre.

[lowmileage]

I got the Conti's - the ribbed front and block rear - sorta like the original's were.  Work OK for me.

[krmtrains]

Thanks for all the great information.  I previously had a cb900c, and put Spitfires on it. I assumed that since those were tubeless tires, that I couldn't use them on the 550.  Do I just use tubes inside the tires, and they mount up normally?

Thanks!

[dave500]

yep,use the best tubes you can find,not cheap china ones.

[paulmac]

I use dunlop K81 tt100's on my 500/4, they grip well in the wet and are well balanced for this type of bike.

[Stev-o]

yep,use the best tubes you can find,not cheap china ones.

And put new rim strips in there to.

[BobbyR]

I had problems with tire wear and adverse handling when using oversize tires on the narrow rims of the CB550.  The answer to that for me has been to use the stock inch sizes.

Cheers,

+1
I went to the max size on my K8 looked great and handled Ok in the beginning, but I was comapring them to 25 year old tires. As the miles went on it developed a flat profile in the center and a ridge between the eneter tread and side treads.when you leaned into a turn you had to make the transition over that ridge to get on the side treads. Not a great feeling. I went down a size on the new rear tire and she is far more nimble. 

[TwoTired]

If I might add...   
I think you should also pay attention to the aspect ratio.
The stock inch sizes had an aspect ratio of about 95% or higher, despite any marking on the tire (with few exceptions).  When metrics were introduced, the aspect ratio was added.  Bike makers changed their bike geometry to account for this.  The change was not made retroactive to older bikes already manufactured (like ours).

So, even if you manage to get the width of a metric tire exactly the same as an inch size, the aspect ratio (or tire height) will still be wrong for what the designers intended.

I often wonder if present day tire manufacturers give a rat's butt about aspect ratios of their modern manufactured Inch size tires.
 I guess I'll have to go out and measure mine.... OK, here's the results:

(New - nubs still there)
Metzeler 3.25x19  Measures 3.5 OAW (89.6mm) and 3.4 Height (86.3mm).  Aspect ratio = 3.4/3.5 = 97 %

(pretty new, but nubs gone <1000 miles)
Metzeler 4.00x18  Measures 4.2 OAW (108.9mm) and 3.7 Height (95.1mm).  Aspect ratio = 3.7/4.2 = 88%

K591 120/90x18 Measures 4.8 OAW (122mm) and 4.033 Height (102.4mm).  Aspect ratio = 102.4/122 = 88%
This tire looks new but certainly has some wear (no nubs).  Even so, it is still taller than the 4.00 Metzeler.
(a 120/90 width tire should have a height of 108mm or 4.25 inches.  A 4.00 tire should have a height of 3.8 inches or 96.5mm
And finally, a 3.25 inch tire would have a tire height of 3.25 inches, if it were a 100% aspect ratio. The Metzeler measures bigger than marked, but keeps the old style aspect ratio.  I suspect the 4.00 rear does too, but I don't have a brand spanking new one to measure.

(Note: the above Height measurements are with them on the rim.  I have to make an estimate where the bead actually sits on the rim inside.)

Cheers,

[thelowmax]

I have Spitfires on all my bikes. They fit all of my criterea. They are excellent quality. They handle great. And they are pretty cheap. I got a set, front and back for $115. They were on sale but even without the sale, they're pretty cheap.

[stueveone]

+1 on metzlers. They cost more cause they will save your ass more

[BobbyR]

Any tires mentioned here are good solid products, find your price range and just don;t go to big and you should be happy and safe.

[krmtrains]

I believe I am going to go with the Spitfires. What size most closely corresponds to the original size?

Thanks to all for the great information.  I really appreciate it!