Topic: Give me tire recommendations!

[Bakeoff]

I see lots of talk about sizes, but not about what people love/hate. 

I'm in the market for a pair for my 74 cb550.  I'd love a dual compound and I'll be taking a few long trips on it, but love to push through corners. 

Give me some recommendations available in 18 and 19" tires.

[Lavis500]

I've heard lots of good things about the Metzeler ME77 for the rear, but I don't think there is a matching front tire so you'd have to find something else for up front.  Continental conti-twins are pretty common, as are bridgestone spitfires and battleaxes.  I myself and going to try the continental conti-ultras, but can't speak for them as I don't have them yet and won't be riding for a while.

As far as sizes go, 110/90-19 seems to be fine up front and 100/90-18 in the rear.  I think 100/90 is technically a 4.00 rather than the stock 3.50, but it should fit just fine.

I'm sure somebody can add lots more, but at least that's a start.

[paulages]

I love Avon Road Riders. They're sticky but seem to last long, good in wet and dry, and aren't too bad on the wallet.

[Bakeoff]

Okay, maybe the previous owner did a little experimentation.  I got the bike with a 4.5 85/18 in the rear and a 3.5 / 19 in the front.  I like the fatter tires for looks, but they're hard to find. 

[loaferoatan]

I've got Avon Venoms on my 72 and they look great and preform well on the gravely roads of Honduras...

[Anti-Johnny]

I put pirelli sport demon touring on mine, 120 rear standard front.

They look cool and havent had any problems in turns. definitely not classic look, but my bike has a tentacle paint job.

[Kong]

I put Bridgestone Battlax BT-45 tires on mine.  My rear is 120/90-18V and the front is 100/90-19V.  Needless to say the V rating was not necessary, but that's what I got anyway.  Also, I bought a wider rim for my rear because the stock 1.85" wide rim was too narrow according to Bridgestone's recommendation for the tire model.  I got a 2.15" rim (from a 750) and after power-coating it laced it back to my 550's hub.  The stock front rim, also 1.85" wide, was fine for the 100mm wide tire.

[Bankerdanny]

Great thread timing as I am looking for tires for my 550 too.

I used the Roadriders on my last two bikes, the Royal Enfield 500 and the FJ1200, and liked them alot, especially on my Enfield, which was closer in size to the 550 than the FJ.

The Enfield had vintage Dunlop style tires on it (ribbed front, flat blocky rear) when I bought it from my dad. The Roadriders have a more rounded, sport-touring shape, handling was vastly improved as the bike easily flicked from side to side and interestingly the overall ride improved too.

They seemed to be durable too. I put about 5k on the ones on the FJ (a 600 pound bike with a 220 lb rider) and they were in great shape when I sold it without much visible wear.

I will say that they didn't feel quite as secure though on the FJ. My confidence level in the twisties was only so-so, but then again I didn't really have prior experience with a large powerful bike like the FJ before I bought it, so it could just have been me.

[Johnie]

Here is what the conti looks like. Click pic to enlarge it.

[Stev-o]

I put Bridgestone Spitfires on my 550, very good tire for the money (very reasonable).
Motorcycle Superstore is a great place to get tires...

Www.motorcyclesuperstore.com

[jumpnkill]

I put Bridgestone Spitfires on my 550, very good tire for the money (very reasonable).
Motorcycle Superstore is a great place to get tires...

Www.motorcyclesuperstore.com

I just bought a set of spitfires for my 750: 100/90/19 front and 120/90/18 rear.  Both from J&P cycle delivered for 125.00

[pdxPope]

Another vote for the Avon Roadriders.
I've had Metzlers, Avons & Pirellis and I like the Avons the best by far.


-JP

[chippyfive50]

I really like my perelli routes...

[dave500]

sport demons,ive used two sets of the bt45s before,,i think it turns better with the demons,my bt45 fronts would actually squeal when cornering hard.

[TwoTired]

You can get Metzeler Lasertecs front and rear.  Or, use a Lasertec front and an ME77 rear.

Fatter tires on the stock narrow rims will just make them wear faster in the center (ruins neutral handling), especially on long trips.

3.25 Front  and 4.00 Rear.  They are working really well on my 550s.

If you want fatter tires for looks, then get wider rims to put them on.

Cheers,

[Bakeoff]

You can get Metzeler Lasertecs front and rear.  Or, use a Lasertec front and an ME77 rear.

Fatter tires on the stock narrow rims will just make them wear faster in the center (ruins neutral handling), especially on long trips.

3.25 Front  and 4.00 Rear.  They are working really well on my 550s.

If you want fatter tires for looks, then get wider rims to put them on.

Cheers,

Some real advice!  Thank you!

I'm looking for good and bad experiences, sizes you've liked or disliked, and why.  Not just a name. 

Has anyone found a dual compound in an 18/19?

[BobbyR]

You can get Metzeler Lasertecs front and rear.  Or, use a Lasertec front and an ME77 rear.

Fatter tires on the stock narrow rims will just make them wear faster in the center (ruins neutral handling), especially on long trips.

3.25 Front  and 4.00 Rear.  They are working really well on my 550s.

If you want fatter tires for looks, then get wider rims to put them on.

Cheers,

+1 I went too wide on my first set and the center wears flat and u get a step. The transition on turns over the step on curves messes up the handling.

[jumpnkill]

+1 I went too wide on my first set and the center wears flat and u get a step. The transition on turns over the step on curves messes up the handling.
[/quote]
Sounds like you need to petition the state to make more curvy roads   But seriously, every bike I've owned has/will develop flat spots if you don't lean over pretty frequently.  The only reason I loved living in in California was the proximity to the mountains...and the girls

[TwoTired]

But seriously, every bike I've owned has/will develop flat spots if you don't lean over pretty frequently.

Has every bike you've owned had over sized tires?

[BobbyR]

+1 I went too wide on my first set and the center wears flat and u get a step. The transition on turns over the step on curves messes up the handling.

Sounds like you need to petition the state to make more curvy roads   But seriously, every bike I've owned has/will develop flat spots if you don't lean over pretty frequently.  The only reason I loved living in in California was the proximity to the mountains...and the girls
[/quote]
Oh, don't get me wrong I am still one size over stock, it is when you get 2 sizes the problem show up. It actually feels more nimble with a thinner tire.

[Bakeoff]

Perfect!  I just ordered some Lasertecs from a local shop, and should have them mounted tomorrow night.  Now to finish the rest of the bike!

[Kong]

sport demons,ive used two sets of the bt45s before,,i think it turns better with the demons,my bt45 fronts would actually squeal when cornering hard.

The very first sign of air pressure too low is a squeal when cornering.

[TwoTired]

Perfect!  I just ordered some Lasertecs from a local shop, and should have them mounted tomorrow night.  Now to finish the rest of the bike!

I hope you ordered the correct inch sizes.  3.25 front , 4.00 rear

[dave500]

sport demons,ive used two sets of the bt45s before,,i think it turns better with the demons,my bt45 fronts would actually squeal when cornering hard.

The very first sign of air pressure too low is a squeal when cornering.

36 psi and squealing.

[BobbyR]

sport demons,ive used two sets of the bt45s before,,i think it turns better with the demons,my bt45 fronts would actually squeal when cornering hard.

The very first sign of air pressure too low is a squeal when cornering.

36 psi and squealing.

The modern tires have different characteristics than the old tires. The recommended pressures make for sloppy handling. You now need to adjust the pressures up until you like the handling.