Author Topic: CB750 tires - What are you running??  (Read 24950 times)

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Offline longshanks

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CB750 tires - What are you running??
« on: October 28, 2011, 01:37:18 PM »
Its time to replace my old rubbers  ;D

I've been leaning towards the Bridgestone Spitfires just because I love the look of the white lettering so much even though they may not be the best out there performance-wise. I'm comparing them to the BT45's which I hear have outstanding performance but not the best tread life. What are you guys running? Metzler ME-77's? Continentals? Also, if there are any sources on where to get a decent price that would be appreciated too   :D

http://www.amazon.com/Bridgestone-Battlax-BT45-High-Performance/dp/B000GUWN3Q/ref=reg_hu-rd_add_1_dp

http://www.amazon.com/Bridgestone-Spitfire-Sport-Touring-Rear/dp/B0012TUT72/ref=sr_1_1?s=automotive&ie=UTF8&qid=1319833564&sr=1-1

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Offline Rigid

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Re: CB750 tires - What are you running??
« Reply #1 on: October 28, 2011, 04:38:29 PM »
Is this a trick or treat question?
36 years of this stuff, here to help.

Offline Really?

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CB750 tires - What are you running??
« Reply #2 on: October 28, 2011, 05:08:29 PM »
I am happy with the IRC Wild Flares I have. Pics in sig. Prices were good too.
I don't have a motorcycle, sold it ('85 Yamaha Venture Royale).  Haven't had a CB750 for over 40 years.

The Wife's Bike - 750K5
The Kid's Bike - 750K3

Offline Stev-o

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Re: CB750 tires - What are you running??
« Reply #3 on: October 28, 2011, 06:37:29 PM »
I like the Dunlops I have on my K4. Motorcycle Superstore is a great online store, free shipping:

http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/1/28/395/1/0/0/DEPARTMENT/Street-Bike-Touring-Tires-Tires.aspx
'74 "Big Bang" Honda 750K [836].....'76 Honda 550F.....K3 Park Racer!......and a Bomber!............plus plus plus.........

Offline jtb

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Re: CB750 tires - What are you running??
« Reply #4 on: October 29, 2011, 06:36:11 AM »
I'm running BT 45's.  Looks like I'll get between 4 and 5 thousand on the rear this time.  I'm very  happy with them, handling is great.  I'm running them tubeless on my comstars.
1977 CB750F
1985 V65 Sabre
1986 VFR 750 (gone but missed greatly)

Offline longshanks

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Re: CB750 tires - What are you running??
« Reply #5 on: November 07, 2011, 12:35:11 PM »
I have a spare rear wheel that was cannibalized from another bike and given to me by the PO. It's a 130/90-17 tire while the one I have on there now is a 120/90-18(stock for a K6 yes?)  I would like to go to a 130 because I like the look but I'm curious what the characteristics might be with a 17in tire? (higher revs on the freeway,  better acceleration?)  What would the 17in come from anyway? another CB750? Also, the rubber looks old but still feels a little soft which makes me think it might be usable. Is there a way to verify this?
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Offline nancy

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Re: CB750 tires - What are you running??
« Reply #6 on: November 07, 2011, 12:51:33 PM »
BT45's. I went 1 size up from stock on the rear to a 120 and am paying the price as it has squared off and is down to 2mm remaining tread with only 5,500 Km! Happy with the ride - but will look at going back to stock size next time.

Offline yellowbirdrs

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Re: CB750 tires - What are you running??
« Reply #7 on: November 07, 2011, 12:53:38 PM »
I'm running Pirelli Sport Demon on the rear and right now I'm trying an old General Popo @ the front I really like the old look but I worry about the age of the tire because I founded new but it is a very old left over
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Summer 2011

Offline Stev-o

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Re: CB750 tires - What are you running??
« Reply #8 on: November 07, 2011, 04:48:20 PM »
Longshank - I'm pretty sure the K7 & 8 had a17" rear wheel
'74 "Big Bang" Honda 750K [836].....'76 Honda 550F.....K3 Park Racer!......and a Bomber!............plus plus plus.........

Offline BobbyR

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Re: CB750 tires - What are you running??
« Reply #9 on: November 07, 2011, 05:01:55 PM »
The 78K has a 17" rear and my revs at speed seem fine. I also went 120 and got the dreaded squared off tread after a few seasons. I went down one size and it is fine.

No old rubber is safe to ride on.
Dedicated to Sgt. Howard Bruckner 1950 - 1969. KIA LONG KHANH.

But we were boys, and boys will be boys, and so they will. To us, everything was dangerous, but what of that? Had we not been made to live forever?

Offline longshanks

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CB750 tires - What are you running??
« Reply #10 on: March 23, 2012, 07:18:42 AM »
Ok, so I am JUST now about to replace my tires since I ended up not being able to afford them back when I've made this post. Since then I haven't ridden much but they now definitely need to be replaced.

I was reading up on the thoughts of Hondaman about tires and he mentions not going with a "sideslash" pattern on the rear tire but a block pattern since it works better with the 750's geometry and handling. I was set on the BT45's but aren't they the newer sideslash pattern? What are some good alternatives? I really like the old school Firestone Coker tires but I hear they are CRAP for handling. I'm also pretty sure I want to go 120 for the rear 18" and 100 for the front 19". I would really appreciate everyone's expertise since I need to buy them rather soon.
Thanks,
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Offline Big Bob

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Re: CB750 tires - What are you running??
« Reply #11 on: March 23, 2012, 08:06:43 AM »
I've been running Dunlop GT501's for a few years now.  When they get too many heat cycles in them to keep using them on the race bike I put them on the street bike.

I've only been able to get them to slide in two places.  The bottom of the Rollercoster at Barber and the right hand portion of The Bend at Road America.  On the street they do just fine on wet or dry pavement.  Reasonably priced and they last a long time.

Moving to Bridgestone Battlax BT003's on the race bike this year because of the new 17" wheels I'll be mounting front and back but I'll still buy the Dunlops for the street bike.

Offline BobbyR

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Re: CB750 tires - What are you running??
« Reply #12 on: March 23, 2012, 11:30:38 AM »
Ok, so I am JUST now about to replace my tires since I ended up not being able to afford them back when I've made this post. Since then I haven't ridden much but they now definitely need to be replaced.

I was reading up on the thoughts of Hondaman about tires and he mentions not going with a "sideslash" pattern on the rear tire but a block pattern since it works better with the 750's geometry and handling. I was set on the BT45's but aren't they the newer sideslash pattern? What are some good alternatives? I really like the old school Firestone Coker tires but I hear they are CRAP for handling. I'm also pretty sure I want to go 120 for the rear 18" and 100 for the front 19". I would really appreciate everyone's expertise since I need to buy them rather soon.
Thanks,
I use the BT45 and they are fine. Andy CB750 is a long haul rider and all weather rider, he has worn out several pairs of BT45s. They hold very well in wet and dry, saved my butt at least twice. They also seem to be very stable over road irregularities and grooves- not perfect but stable. They wear fine unless you go too large on the rear.
Dedicated to Sgt. Howard Bruckner 1950 - 1969. KIA LONG KHANH.

But we were boys, and boys will be boys, and so they will. To us, everything was dangerous, but what of that? Had we not been made to live forever?

Offline longshanks

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CB750 tires - What are you running??
« Reply #13 on: March 23, 2012, 07:03:40 PM »
Ok, so I am JUST now about to replace my tires since I ended up not being able to afford them back when I've made this post. Since then I haven't ridden much but they now definitely need to be replaced.

I was reading up on the thoughts of Hondaman about tires and he mentions not going with a "sideslash" pattern on the rear tire but a block pattern since it works better with the 750's geometry and handling. I was set on the BT45's but aren't they the newer sideslash pattern? What are some good alternatives? I really like the old school Firestone Coker tires but I hear they are CRAP for handling. I'm also pretty sure I want to go 120 for the rear 18" and 100 for the front 19". I would really appreciate everyone's expertise since I need to buy them rather soon.
Thanks,
I use the BT45 and they are fine. Andy CB750 is a long haul rider and all weather rider, he has worn out several pairs of BT45s. They hold very well in wet and dry, saved my butt at least twice. They also seem to be very stable over road irregularities and grooves- not perfect but stable. They wear fine unless you go too large on the rear.
Bobby, did you go 120 for the rear?
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Offline BobbyR

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Re: CB750 tires - What are you running??
« Reply #14 on: March 23, 2012, 07:32:36 PM »
Yes I went wide for the look. I did get the flat center reported here also. I went down and the bike is more responsive. Even with the flat area, on the highway it was fine. If I had to lean, it went over the lip before it caught the side treads. Not a great feeling.
Dedicated to Sgt. Howard Bruckner 1950 - 1969. KIA LONG KHANH.

But we were boys, and boys will be boys, and so they will. To us, everything was dangerous, but what of that? Had we not been made to live forever?

Offline Stev-o

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Re: CB750 tires - What are you running??
« Reply #15 on: March 23, 2012, 07:37:54 PM »
I just ordered BT45's and got the 120/90 as well. Replacing 11 year old Dunlops that still had good tread but were starting to dry rot.
'74 "Big Bang" Honda 750K [836].....'76 Honda 550F.....K3 Park Racer!......and a Bomber!............plus plus plus.........

Offline andy750

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Re: CB750 tires - What are you running??
« Reply #16 on: March 23, 2012, 08:13:08 PM »
As Bobby as said (and experienced, as have I) the 120 BT-45 on a stock rim will square off after a few thousand miles and handle like crap in the corners. Bobby R describes it very well.

The stock 110 BT45 is a great tire for the wet/dry and is very good in corners. If you ride in a straight line all the time go for the 120 on the stock rim. Matching the front and rear tires makes a world of difference.

cheers
Andy

Current bikes
1. CB750K4: Long distance bike, 17 countries and counting...2001 - Trans-USA-Mexico, 2003 - European Tour, 2004 - SOHC Easy Rider Trip , 2008 - Adirondack Tour 2-up , 2013 - Tail of the Dragon Tour , 2017: 836 kit install and bottom end rebuild. And rebirth: http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,173213.msg2029836.html#msg2029836
2. CB750/810cc K2  - road racer with JMR worked head 71 hp
3. Yamaha Tenere T700 2022

Where did you go on your bike today? - http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=45183.2350

Offline MJL

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Re: CB750 tires - What are you running??
« Reply #17 on: March 24, 2012, 12:17:29 AM »
I have Dunlop 404s on each end, they are about $85 bucks plus install. I forget what size exactly, but they are close to stock.
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Offline KRONUS0100

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Re: CB750 tires - What are you running??
« Reply #18 on: March 24, 2012, 06:01:43 AM »
ran the bridgestone spitfires on my gl1100 wing and loved them, wet or dry, sure footed grip.  had dunlop gt501 om gs500e and again loved em.  have chengshin on 750 right now, getting ready to replace with the bridgestone's.  it all depends on what yu prefer and how much yu want to spend.
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bikes owned:1981 GL1100I, 1990 GS500E, 1981 GS850, 1977 and 1979 GS750, 1974 CB750, 1975 CB750, and a 1982 GS750E

Offline ChuckG750f1

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Re: CB750 tires - What are you running??
« Reply #19 on: March 24, 2012, 07:07:06 AM »
I orderd Spitfires last week.  110/90 rear and 100/90 front.  I almost went with 120/90 for the rear but yielded to the experiences reported on center tread life here on the forum.  This will be my first set of tires since I got my F1.
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Offline longshanks

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CB750 tires - What are you running??
« Reply #20 on: March 24, 2012, 10:08:48 AM »
Aggghh! Still undecided! How much money time is it to get a 16" Harley rim and lace it? Or rather since I have a 17" wheel sitting in my garage, is there a lot involved in getting my sprocket on? Are the carrier assembly's different?
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Re: CB750 tires - What are you running??
« Reply #21 on: March 24, 2012, 10:16:23 AM »
Just to be different,I went with Shinko 705's. They are at the dealership waiting to be mounted. Here's a sneak peek.

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Offline nayto550

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Re: CB750 tires - What are you running??
« Reply #22 on: March 24, 2012, 03:39:07 PM »
I'm gonna rock Duro 64H rear and 54H front in stock sizes on my hack-job.


Running Cheng  :P Sheng garbage on my 550F...  that bike needs new tires.
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Offline Shane72

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Re: CB750 tires - What are you running??
« Reply #23 on: March 24, 2012, 08:27:37 PM »
Just mounted a set of Shinko Tourmasters yesterday, replacing the Mitsumoto's that were there.

Seemed smooth on the first ride, but the 130 on the 16" rear makes turning a deliberate affair with the clubman's...

Shane
I mount and balance MC tires--while-you-wait service by appointment.  Send me a PM.

Offline somesuch

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Re: CB750 tires - What are you running??
« Reply #24 on: March 24, 2012, 09:55:06 PM »
I've been running Dunlop GT501's for a few years now.  When they get too many heat cycles in them to keep using them on the race bike I put them on the street bike.

I've only been able to get them to slide in two places.  The bottom of the Rollercoster at Barber and the right hand portion of The Bend at Road America.  On the street they do just fine on wet or dry pavement.  Reasonably priced and they last a long time.

Moving to Bridgestone Battlax BT003's on the race bike this year because of the new 17" wheels I'll be mounting front and back but I'll still buy the Dunlops for the street bike.

I really like GT501 as well,  BT45 are very good too.