Tires

chilliwackwestie · Full Member Joined: Sep 26, 2008 Posts: 37

Anyone know what the stock tire size on my 1974 xs 650 standard 18" spoked rear 19" spoked front.
and what size would give me the best cornering performance to life ratio.
any ideas would be a great help.
cheers

knightrider · Posted: June 18, 2009, 12:40 pm Post subject: Re: Tires

I partial to bridgesone bt45s and or the avon roadriders.

both great tires that perfom well and last.

JeffM · Posted: June 18, 2009, 2:38 pm Post subject: Re: Tires

Another vote for BT45's. Great tires, nice wet weather performance as well. I'm running 100/90-19 and 120/90-18, you could go with a 90 and 110 as well.

xsjohn · Posted: June 18, 2009, 4:26 pm Post subject: Re: Tires

I will vote for Conti Tour's on the back ....lasted for what seems like forever......but not on the front....and the Metzeler ME 880 Marathon dissapeared way faster than I thought it would and was a complete bear to mount......never again on that one....even if one was given to me...thought I was going to bend my rim....stone stiff........lasted 6 months.........Conti Tour was on almost 2 years........

xsjohn

easytravel · Posted: June 18, 2009, 6:39 pm Post subject: Re: Tires

dunlop qualifiers with raised white lettering

TwistedLeather · Posted: June 25, 2009, 11:57 am Post subject: Re: Tires

I like the Cheng Shin Barracuda but they are difficult to find if not impossible. Metzler makes a lot of good tires in various compounds for pretty much any app, but they are not easy to install. The Kenda Challenger is also a decent tire with fairly long life for the money. Sizes for that bike are a 4" wide on the back (metric equiv 110-120) 3.5" front or metric 90-100. I don't suggest trying to go wider than 120 on the back and 100 on the front...it's tough and the chain will rub a 120 just a little bit.

Butch.

xackley · Posted: June 25, 2009, 12:29 pm Post subject: Re: Tires

If you made a purchase in the last month or so, a url to the site/item would really help.

TwistedLeather · Posted: June 25, 2009, 3:10 pm Post subject: Re: Tires

Generally I try to buy my tires and other bulky items locally since shipping is outrageous. I live in a very large metropolitan area (Dallas/Fort Worth TX) and there are many many connections I have within that community where I can get killer deals...like my 10 dollar brand new avon Road Runner....hehehe...Gotta love being da man.

B.

JeffM · Posted: June 25, 2009, 4:27 pm Post subject: Re: Tires

I try to buy everything locally before going to the net... There is only one indie shop in this city that has an appreciation for old bikes, and I have a vested interest in them staying in business.

gordo · Posted: June 25, 2009, 5:11 pm Post subject: Re: Tires

Dunlop 404 for me, good wear,& not bad to mount.

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

jc whitny has a nice selection of tires including chen shin... well pretty much every brand I know of.

JeffM · Posted: June 25, 2009, 5:47 pm Post subject: Re: Tires

Personally, I have not had good experiences with Cheng Shins and would avoid them. Price should not be the main factor in tire choice. CS's are hard as a rock and they will wear well, but lock-up or slide far too easily. I stopped using the rear brake when I had CS's due to lack of traction. It's extremely hard to lock up the rear with bt45's.

Climate and temperature may play a factor in their performance however, and I wouldn't be surprised if they work better on the hot, dry roads of Texas than in this environment.

650newbie · Posted: June 30, 2009, 11:50 pm Post subject: Re: Tires

sounds like BT-45 is a good choice. I need a new front tire, how about them in the Denver Colorado summer climate. Dry with occasional moisture in the form of rain. Won't be ridden in real cold weather.

Teebs · Full Member Joined: Aug 26, 2008 Posts: 255

gordo wrote:

Dunlop 404 for me, good wear,& not bad to mount.

Gordo, how are these tires as far as handling? Wet weather?

I'm debating between a set of 404s or Shinko Tour Masters. Anybody with any info/experience with the tour masters?

gordo · Posted: July 4, 2009, 9:38 am Post subject: Re: Tires

Teeb's, they are pretty good on the wet pavement. The will slip, of course, but predictable. I've got 5000 mile's on them now, and they look good as new. Handling is good, I no longer have any 'tank slap'. I did do the suspension over, too.
The front & rear tread match's, & I think they look good on a bike of this vintage. I'm very happy with them.Price wasn't bad either, $130 for both, but I run a tire store.

Retiredgentleman · Posted: July 4, 2009, 10:20 am Post subject: Re: Tires

I agree with gordo, Dunlop 404s are great value. I use them front and back, very happy with them.

xsjohn · Posted: July 4, 2009, 11:39 am Post subject: Re: Tires

Just bought a Kenda kruz for the back....130 90 16.........looks great and the rubber is thick and not too soft........and a me880 100 90 19 same deal there.....no more dunlop fronts for me ....they just don't last......put one on last fall and it is already bald........

70K and has never run better.........

xsjohn

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