Topic: CB750 tires - What are you running??

[GreenHornet74]

I use Bridgestone Spitfires as well. Went on a 4 month 12,000mi tour in all types of weather and they did nice. In fact they are still on there right now. Almost 15k miles and still some thread left!!!

[Terry in Australia]

I've been running BT45's on just about every bike I've had over the last 12 years, at the time I started using them I was running expensive Metzlers on my BMW R100RS and it was fine until it hit a white line or road irregularity, when it would just wander all over the place.

The BT45's were fantastic by comparison, so I kept using them, and have recommended them to everyone who's asked, but over the last 12 years I've had bikes (CB750's and Suzuki GS1000's) fitted with Dunlop, Michelin and Metzler tires, and to be honest, they've all been good. I get around 10,000 miles from a set of BT45's on average, but I imagine most modern tires would offer comparable mileage.

I see that Michelin is offering a new touring tire that promises twice the mileage of any comparable tire, if they sell them in 240 widths, I might buy a set for my Triumph Rocket III, the last thing I want to be doing is shelling out for a new set of tires (around 500 bucks a pair here in Oz currently) every 10,000 miles......... Cheers, Terry.    

[Stev-o]

Terry - $500 for a set of BT45's? Why so high? I just paid $175 and they are made in Japan, which is closer to you.

[longshanks]

Ok, so I'll probably go BT 45's based on the overwhelming recommendations for them. If I go 120 and use my 17" wheel can I not attach my 530 sprocket carrier on the 17 hub? What's all involved in a conversion if needed?

[BobbyR]

Ok, so I'll probably go BT 45's based on the overwhelming recommendations for them. If I go 120 and use my 17" wheel can I not attach my 530 sprocket carrier on the 17 hub? What's all involved in a conversion if needed?

If you are going wide on the tire, why go narrow on the chain? The wide chain and tire look best together.

[longshanks]

Ok, so I'll probably go BT 45's based on the overwhelming recommendations for them. If I go 120 and use my 17" wheel can I not attach my 530 sprocket carrier on the 17 hub? What's all involved in a conversion if needed?

If you are going wide on the tire, why go narrow on the chain? The wide chain and tire look best together.

My 530 chain sprocket combo is fairly new. Know what's involved in swapping to a 17"?

[Don R]

If they are both from 750's the existing carrier should fit the 17" wheel. The 77/78  750's had the 17" rear wheel. If that's what it is it should bolt on. Those bikes also had a wider swing arm so check tire width first.

[longshanks]

Bike is a K6. Will it work?

[BobbyR]

Bike is a K6. Will it work?

I believe the wider swing arm was on the 77-78 models. That was due to the 630 chain.

[Terry in Australia]

Terry - $500 for a set of BT45's? Why so high? I just paid $175 and they are made in Japan, which is closer to you.

Ha ha, no, not for the CB750 Steve, for my Triumph Rocket III with it's monster 240/50-16 rear and 150/80-17 front tire's. Actually, I don't think 500 will cover the pair, maybe just the rear and a couple of beers with the change?

[andrewk]

What do you guys think of Avon Roadriders?  They don't seem to be a very popular choice, but they seem to be a good tire?

[paulmac]

The best tire for Honda's are the Dunlop tt100 K81's. The design may be from the seventy's but the modern compound makes them stick like glue and are great in the wet.

[tweakin]

What do you guys think of Avon Roadriders?  They don't seem to be a very popular choice, but they seem to be a good tire?

Thats all I run, I have been more than happy with them.  They just seem to cost a bit more and don't look as vintage as other options.  Most tire comparisons I ever read had the Avons on top, not saying that holds any weight.  Its great to have a lot of choices.

[strynboen]

have any run heidenau on soch..have  on my off road...they have klassic type tires also

[andy750]

Not heidenau but currently running a Kenda K761 on the rear of my K4

http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/2/29/393/15130/ITEM/Kenda-K761-Dual-Sport-Rear-Tire.aspx

Cheaper option. Its more noisy on the road than regular road tires and not as good in the corners and feels a little unsafe in the rain. Have yet to test off road (dirt roads, forest roads) but looking to try very soon.

Bike on the left has a 120/90/18 BT-45 on a Buchanans rim (2.75; so wider than stock and good for the 120). Bike on the right has the Kenda K761 (110/90/18).



Comparing BT-45 rear tires 120 v 110:







Front tire:
Left - Dunlop K80, right; BT-45 (both 100/90/19)



Andy

[nancy]

I see that Michelin is offering a new touring tire that promises twice the mileage of any comparable tire, if they sell them in 240 widths, I might buy a set for my Triumph Rocket III, the last thing I want to be doing is shelling out for a new set of tires (around 500 bucks a pair here in Oz currently) every 10,000 miles......... Cheers, Terry.    

Terry
what was the outcome of the problems you had with the Rocket during your ride with that little rubber bloke?
Mark

[Terry in Australia]

The best tire for Honda's are the Dunlop tt100 K81's. The design may be from the seventy's but the modern compound makes them stick like glue and are great in the wet.

K81's were absolute crap back in the day, I put a pair on my new (discontinued) CB750F1 in 1978 because the OEM Bridgestone's were awful in the wet, only to discover that K81's were worse, within days of fitting them I dropped the bike and squashed my beautiful new Dunstall muffler when the front tyre lost it's grip mid-corner.

Avon Road Runners, Pirelli Phantoms, Michelins or Conti's were all much better tyres, so I pulled those K81's off and fitted Conti's, and a new RC 4 into 1 pipe. I'm glad to see that the new softer compound K81's are so good, until I read your post I wouldn't have put one on a wheelbarrow! Cheers, Terry.

[Terry in Australia]

I see that Michelin is offering a new touring tire that promises twice the mileage of any comparable tire, if they sell them in 240 widths, I might buy a set for my Triumph Rocket III, the last thing I want to be doing is shelling out for a new set of tires (around 500 bucks a pair here in Oz currently) every 10,000 miles......... Cheers, Terry.    

Terry
what was the outcome of the problems you had with the Rocket during your ride with that little rubber bloke?
Mark

G'Day mate, well it turns out that all the 2004-2008 Rocket III's have the potential to destroy themselves because the output shaft bearings don't get much oil and are prone to collapse without warning unless the bike's have been fitted with an "Upgrade Kit" which Triumph will install for free, if you pay the labour. The labour cost (which the Triumph dealer forgot to tell me about before they fixed it) was $2204.50 and it was in the shop for a month before I got it back two weeks ago.

I sent the service manager an email last Friday to let him know that I'd drafted a letter which I was about to send to every motorcycle magazine in Oz advising potential used Rocket III buyers to rethink their purchase and why, and more importantly, not to deal with Melbourne's main Triumph dealer. (which is also Triumph Australia) The service manager replied straight away, apologising, and offering me a $300.00 refund, and the next service (which is worth 600-900 bucks apparently, depending on mileage) for free.

Well I suppose I could have asked for more, but I really hadn't expected anything two weeks after I'd picked the bike up and paid them, so I graciously accepted their offer, and when I got home from work today, the cheque and free service letter were waiting for me. I think I might put the 300 toward a comfier seat, the OEM item is rubbish on a long ride. Cheers, Terry.    

[dave500]

wow two grand labour terry,,they take it apart,,enlargen an oil feed hole maybe and put it back together?

[Terry in Australia]

Ha ha, no, it's a bit more to it than that Dave, I'm yet to find out for sure what the upgrade kit includes, but I believe it's a couple of new gearbox bearings, some new seals, a new 2nd gear, new clutch springs and bolts, a new sump plate, (possibly) a new bearing housing, 3 new coils and leads, 6 new Iridium spark plugs, and some other stuff I've forgotten.

The guy at the service desk told me that the retail price of the parts in the kit was more than what I paid for labour, and it takes the bike up to current spec. The upgrade kit doesn't actually include the output shaft bearing though, that was another 100 bucks. Cheers, Terry.

[dave500]

probably an awkward job aswell?

[Terry in Australia]

probably an awkward job aswell?

I reckon you or I could do it Dave, it's obviously an "engine out" job, and that's a big fcuking engine (one CB750 in each cylinder) but it's a stressed member of the frame and just drops out underneath, so wouldn't be that hard. Trouble is, Triumph won't give you the upgrade kit to install yourself, so if you had to buy it, it'd be horribly expensive.

I was feeling sorry for myself until I read a new post from a member on the R3 forum who had the bearing let go at 80 MPH on an "Around Oz" ride last week, and pretty much destroyed his whole engine. He got it to a Triumph dealership who pulled the engine down and quoted him $10,000 bucks to repair it. Kinda makes my 2 grand pale into insignificence...........     

[Retro Rocket]

Send him a copy of your letter Terry.....

[70CB750]

Not heidenau but currently running a Kenda K761 on the rear of my K4

http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/2/29/393/15130/ITEM/Kenda-K761-Dual-Sport-Rear-Tire.aspx

Cheaper option. Its more noisy on the road than regular road tires and not as good in the corners and feels a little unsafe in the rain. Have yet to test off road (dirt roads, forest roads) but looking to try very soon.

I was going to ask you about the K761.  I see fair share of gravel roads and these seem like a good option for our rural area.  Did you pair it with BT45 front?   I guess it is a no no, but looks like there 100/90-19 that would fit front wheel on CB750K.
Is rear tire in front really a bad juju?

[Terry in Australia]

Send him a copy of your letter Terry.....

Ha ha, I haven't actually written it yet Mick, I need to cash the cheque and get my free service first!