tires

CHILLY · New Member Joined: Sep 14, 2009 Posts: 6

I'm in the process of restoring an 81 and was wondering what type of tires to run on it. the specification call for a 3.50 SR 19-4PR for the front and 130/90 -16 67S for the rear.

acbanks · Posted: September 22, 2009, 11:23 am Post subject: Re: tires

Were they still running the Dunlop K70 from the factory in 1980? I just put a 3.5x19 on my '75, down from a 110/90/19 Cheng Shin. Made a huge improvement in handling, but probably from just changing sizes. The dunlop is nothing special, and very soft.

acbanks · Posted: September 22, 2009, 11:25 am Post subject: Re: tires

On the back I have a Shinko 712. $45 shipped. Handles fine on dry pavement, less so on wet.

nj1639 · Posted: September 22, 2009, 6:45 pm Post subject: Re: tires

acbanks wrote:

On the back I have a Shinko 712. $45 shipped. Handles fine on dry pavement, less so on wet.

Well, there's one down for Shinko.

pamcopete · Posted: September 22, 2009, 7:22 pm Post subject: Re: tires

CHILLY,

Well, you are going to get as many opinions as there are members, but my choice is Bridgestone "Spitfire" S11's.

100/90 - 19 Front
110/90 - 18 Rear
or
130/90 - 16 Rear

tacoswild · Posted: September 22, 2009, 9:02 pm Post subject: Re: tires

I've got those bridgestones on right now and now complaints, but I really like metzellers too. Not much of a Dunlop fan.

IAmGrowler · Posted: September 23, 2009, 7:59 am Post subject: Re: tires

I'm partial to Pirelli Speed Demons.

Very sticky and a nicely rounded over crown for cornering.

pamcopete · Posted: September 23, 2009, 8:16 am Post subject: Re: tires

The Bridgestone S11's have a dual rubber compound construction with a hard rubber in the center tread for greater mileage and a softer rubber used in the outer tread for better cornering.

Joseph · Full Member Joined: May 22, 2007 Posts: 767 Location: NY

I have chen/shing I think they are Barracuda's v rated set, front and rear, I am very pleased got them from JC Whitney at a reasonable price they are 2 compound also. Middle is a bit harder rubber for mileage and the edges are softer for corners and the have a nice "shoe print".

acbanks · Posted: September 23, 2009, 10:44 am Post subject: Re: tires

Cheng Shin no longer sells tires for highway vehicles in the US...hasn't for 9 months now. Even if they were still in business, there is now a 35% tariff on Chinese tires thanks to Uncle Sam.

Visegrippe · Full Member Joined: Sep 03, 2009 Posts: 10

i've been trying to hunt down some cheng shins in canada, as we've got a few bikes that need tires, and have had many recommendations to get the cheng shins, anyone know where to find 'em? pretty much everywhere online is american, so no luck there...

anyone know where i can grab a few sets?

tacoswild · Posted: September 23, 2009, 5:19 pm Post subject: Re: tires

i bought some cheng chins recently in canada, just got them at the local shop.

mtc57 · Posted: October 7, 2009, 11:00 am Post subject: Re: tires

I second the Pirelli Speed Demon nomination, if you're not all that interested in having a vintage, original tire look. I have a pair on the XS650, and another pair on a Ninja 250 that has been run on everything from dirt and gravel roads to interstate and even a few track days. Good tires.

What Happened to 650rider.com?

Yamaha xs650