Topic: Tires for '75 CB550K - BT-45's or Spitfire S11's? or other?

[brettster26]

Everyone,
   I am looking for some help in getting some Rubber for my build... I have the stock 19" front and 18" back spoke rims, and am looking for some tires... There are alotopinions on tires so i could use some help on picking out a good but not to expensive tires for my ride... looking to spend total of $150 on the set and have heard good things about Bridgestone's BT-45's and Spitfire S11's? and i can get these for just about that off e-bay or some other sites for close to that  Any one have any other good or better suggestions for good priced tires!

Could use the help on sizes was thinking 90/90 on the front and 100/90 on the back from just what I read on here?  I will just be city riding and maybe some windy roads but no racing, at this time anyway   

Help please!

[Triffecpa]

The BT-45 is a stickier tire than the Spitfire.  If your forays into the twisties are few and far between, then the Spitfires would probably be fine.  If cost and tire life are your primary concerns, then go with the Spitfires.  Otherwise go with the BT45's.

A 90 or a 100 for the front would be fine.  I'd put a 110 or a 120 out back.

TR

[Skunk Stripe]

I have used the spitfires and they are cheap but work well in wet weather. As stated earlier, not the stickiest but ok.
I have used shinko and they seem to work quite well. I can't compare to the 45s as I have not used them. The shinkos are inexpensive too but seem well built.

[BeSeeingYou]

Both good choices.  The Spitfires seem to be a bit wider for the same size as the BT45s.  A 100/90 19 S11 is 26.2 x 4.2 and the same size BT45 is 26.1 x 3.9.  Same with the rear the S11 110/90 18 is 25.9 x4.6 and the BT45 is 25.8 x 4.3.  I think the BT45's may be closer to the stock size but if you wanted a slightly fatter tire go with the S11 and still have a proper tire size on the older narrow rims.  Because of the fatter S11 you could also go with the 90/90 19 and still be a close to stock fit.  Not sure they make that size in a BT45. No need to go bigger than 110 on the rear even though a wider tire will in theory fit.  You can check dimensions here.

http://www.motorcycle-karttires.com/glamourindex.aspx?productID=4&LookupID=8

[TwoTired]

Just make sure the tires you select will work properly on 1.85 inch rims, which is what the 550's have.  Too wide tires work okay (not better) when new.  But, after some wear, oversized tires will lose the crown, flatten at the tread, and then the bike will handle harshly in turns making you fight the bars to steer where you want it, instead of just following your lean predictably.

Cheers,

[kck3]

As said by Skunk Stripe I went with Shinkos as well.  I put them on my cb550 and have been quite impressed.  Cant say anything about wet weather riding, I don't get out in the rain, but when dry the tires are pretty impressive.  I bought them after looking around and was just going to use them a season, but I cant see a reason to get rid of them.

[brettster26]

Thanks for all the feedback guys!  Gotta love this forum so much info!

Twotired,
  Do you have any other suggestions for tires?  If these arent the right ones to get it looks like you have had your fare share of 550's what do you recommend for a getting around tire that may go into some twistys for the stock rims?

Thanks!

[TwoTired]

Thanks for all the feedback guys!  Gotta love this forum so much info!

Twotired,
  Do you have any other suggestions for tires?  If these arent the right ones to get it looks like you have had your fare share of 550's what do you recommend for a getting around tire that may go into some twistys for the stock rims?

Thanks!

I am quite happy With Metzeler Lastertec fronts 3.25 x 19, ( I see they have this line for the rear now too, in 4.00 x18).
But, when I bought a new replacement a few years ago, I got an ME77 4.00x18 for the rear.

With this combination, I was able to scrape bits of bike in corners without losing tire traction, which to me means it is more tire than the bike actually needs, traction wise.  I actually never found the limits of traction on decent pavement.

I can't do these limit tests anymore.  Finding the traction edge means a let off or skid out (crash).  With blood thinners, this means a bleed out, or an internal injury that causes blood to fill my torso, killing the internal organs, if I am not in hospital surgery within 15-30 minutes.
I've had to tone down my risk taking.

I have used Continentals, Dunlops, and Metzelers.  I never had a Dunlop that didn't wear out too quickly.  I was talked into a 120 oversize for the rear.   Worked well when new, lasted 2000 miles, and with a flattened crown, the bike handled progressively and miserably worse for the last 1000 miles.
The Continentals lasted a good long time, but they would start to skid out in high G turns, due to the harder compound.
I had a Metzeler ME55 on the rear that lasted 3000 miles.  It was also a 120, pretty soft compound, and the flattened tread crown made the last 1000 miles without the nice neutral handling the bike normally has with rounded crown tires.   I haven't worn out any of the new Metzelers, yet.  The distributed riding among several bikes doesn't get many miles on any one of them.  And, I really can't do the aggressive riding thing, anymore.

Hope this helps!

Cheers,

[mjstone]

I put Shinko 712's on my 500.  Work well wet or dry.

Front 100/90-19
Rear  110/90-18

Tires, tubes and rim strips $110 + change from www.motorcycle-superstore.com
Free shipping over $90!

MJ

[kck3]

I put Shinko 712's on my 500.  Work well wet or dry.

Front 100/90-19
Rear  110/90-18

Tires, tubes and rim strips $110 + change from www.motorcycle-superstore.com
Free shipping over $90!

MJ

Thats the combo I have on my cb550.

[Tews19]

I put Shinko 712's on my 500.  Work well wet or dry.

Front 100/90-19
Rear  110/90-18

Tires, tubes and rim strips $110 + change from www.motorcycle-superstore.com
Free shipping over $90!

MJ

I was at one of the local bike shops today and I had them look up my tires needed for my 78' Cb550. For the rear they sized me up with a dunlop 404 and some other brand for the front. They said Dunlop doesn't make the front tire in my 90/90 size... IS this correct?

[Stev-o]

I bought Spitfires for my 550 last year and most likely will buy them for my 750 soon.

Motorcycle Superstore has them on sale, and free shipping if purchase is over $89:

http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/1/28/396/6020/ITEM/Bridgestone-S11-Spitfire-Sport-Touring-Blackwall-Front-Tire.aspx?WT.ac=SLIsearch

[Tews19]

Dumb question stev but what size should I get.. I think my front reads 3.25x19... Not sure as she is at the shop right now...
I think the rear read 3.75x18....

I am able to get the dunlop and other brand installed balanced for 200 total....

Looking for the best fit on the rim.

[Stev-o]

Dumb question Steve but what size should I get.. I think my front reads 3.25x19... Not sure as she is at the shop right now...
I think the rear read 3.75x18....

I am able to get the dunlop and other brand installed balanced for 200 total....

Looking for the best fit on the rim.

The new tires will be sized metric - millimeters. See above for sizes, I don't recall what I bought and my 550 is gone!

[TwoTired]

Dumb question stev but what size should I get.. I think my front reads 3.25x19... Not sure as she is at the shop right now...
I think the rear read 3.75x18....

I am able to get the dunlop and other brand installed balanced for 200 total....

Looking for the best fit on the rim.

You can still get inch size tires.  But, you will have to order them.  Sport bike tires weren't made to be used on the Cb550K.  So, buy tires that ARE made for the bike and it's narrow rims.  3.25x19 is available from Metzeler and others.  The 3.75x18 is not so easy to find, but 4.00x18 is available from the same places that offer 3.25x19, and fit well onto the narrow rims.
Locals won't stock them as they aren't sold in high numbers.  And, it is far easier to sell you something from stock rather than special order.  Nevertheless, the stock sizes are available and are the right choice for the stock CB550.

Cheers,

[Retro Rocket]

With this combination, I was able to scrape bits of bike in corners without losing tire traction, which to me means it is more tire than the bike actually needs, traction wise.  I actually never found the limits of traction on decent pavement.

You would have to remove your centre stand and move your pegs before you would come close to finding the limits of those tyre's. I have a mate that used to race a RZ350 using the same size Metzlers and he goes over far more than we ever will on the street. Nothing wrong with having tyre's that will out do your bikes capabilities....Just one more thing, when modern tyre's let go they do so in a controlled manner, if you feel the "slip" and panic you are off, if you continue to ride sensibly they will recover extremely well, this is if your bike is set up well with good swingarm bushes and suspension. the centre stand is the biggest limiting factor in cornering clearance on these bikes..

[Bankerdanny]

You should have no issues finding a 3.25-19 front, it's a common size. I would go with 100/90-18 for the rear rather than the 4.00x18. It's slighly narrower, which is better with our skinny rims.

I have a Michelin on the front and a Kenda 671 on the back.

[Bankerdanny]

I compared the tire sizes here: http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=92152.0

[immortal]

I bought the Bridgestone S11 the reviews were great and recommended by a few others here. I have not run them yet but the price was great too with super low shipping...I got the from Bikebandit.com on Sale. I was also thinking about Avon tires as they seem to get good reviews too.