I like michelin tires, and routinely buy them for cars I own. But, they seem to cater only to motorbikes 1994 and newer that use metric sizes. I couldn't find any data for michelin tires that stated they would fit properly on the narrow 1.85 inch width rims the CB550 has. Michelin is selling into the populous market, not the vintage market, it appears.
I did find a 3.00 19 for the front. But, the 550 should have a 3.25. I couldn't find any inch sized tires for the 550 rear being offered by Michelin.
You will have to do a metric sub for the rear if you insist on Michelin, and those profiles are different from the inch sized tires. And, I know from experience that going way oversize on tires is not good and leads to rapid wear of the tire center with advancing handling quirks as the tires wears.
You'll be immediately happy with just about any new tire you put on. Its after the miles pass by that the true suitability is assessed.
I cannot speak to why your selected circle of friends don't know about Metzler. But, it may be a similar phenomenon where eskimos (who do eat food) don't have much culinary knowledge about cajun quisine.
I don't understand why you are shopping Brand first and fitment as a secondary concern.
OK, I understand that good tires are important. Michelin producing a junk tire? Seriously, Michelin, recognized as one of the most respected brands of tires in the world, makes garbage?
Seriously, I ask about tires and you guys make it seem that I should not even consider Michelin tires at all. Any reasons or do you just prefer Metzeler because that is the way it is.
Who said they made garbage? Do you know they make tires for YOUR BIKE?
The value of the bike is not the purchase price. You can increase it's value by making improvements.
Absolutly. I pay $500.00 for the bike and put $250.00 in tires on it. My bike is now worth $600.00. I put $150.00 in tires instead of the $250.00 tires and my bike is worth $600.00.
Clearly the bike is worth more to you than $600, or you would have the cash instead of the bike! Further, the value to YOU is NOT the sales value, it is the utility and enjoyment value. If you don't feel confident about how the bike handles with $150 tires, did you increase the value or diminish it? If you spent more, and then subsequently enjoy riding it more, is that not an increase in value beyond $600?
Additionally, what will the value of the bike be after it is wrecked? (Ok, over-dramatic, I admit. But, if you have more confidence in your bike's abilities, you just might be able to avoid an accident, rather than just ride it out to its expected conclusion.)
... but I just cant see investing half the purchase price for something that is no better than something much cheaper.
I am telling you, the proper tires for your bike is better than something that will "just do". It took me years to find a combination that makes the bike ride, handle and perform really well. It was quite a surprise that stock sizes worked better than all the "upgrades" I had tried. If your own Brand loyalty supercedes that discovery, then so be it. I'm not going to tell you what you want to hear just so you can feel better about your purchase.
I just don't do "coddling", as I am sure others on this forum will atest.
There is a difference between cheap and inexpensive.
Are you saying the Michelin or IRC tires are cheap tires?
No, I am saying that buying a cheaper tire, and then another the fits properly a performs properly, is more expensive than buying just one proper, slightly higher priced tire in the first place. And, you've saved the time and effort it took to determine that the first purchase was incorrect.
But, I doubt I'm going to sway you from you predetermined decision. If you keep the bike long enough, you might just find out for yourself.
Some say that experience is a good teacher. The frequency of this saying seems to be inversely proportion to the age of the sayer.
I hope you are happy with your Michelins, and wish you well.
