The New And Improved Unofficial R65 Forum V2
Technical Discussion => BMW Technical Q&A, Primarily R65 => Topic started by: Roy on June 18, 2015, 12:51:33 AM
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Quick question - I am looking to put new tires on my '83 R65. I swear I've seen threads about this but can't find any.
The manual - Snowbum and everything I read says stay with the original sizes 3.25H-18 Front and 4.00H-18 Rear. Plenty of 4.00's available but I cannot find a 3.25H-18. Any ideas where I might find one or what have you all done 90/90 or 100/90's
Thanks
Roy
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So many Airhead owners select Bridgestone S-11 or BT45 for their bikes, myself included. A 110/90 is about the max size to fit the rear shaft/swingarm.
Snaoobum writes the for 'classic handling' he prefers the Bridgestones. All three of my Airheads follow da 'Bums advice. My thoughts may be different than other responders.
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The last front tire I had mounted on my '81 R65, a 100/90 Metzeler Lazertec, the person doing the job said that the tire was a bit too wide for the rim .
He recommended a 90/90 for the next front tire .
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The last front tire I had mounted on my '81 R65, a 100/90 Metzeler Lazertec, the person doing the job said that the tire was a bit too wide for the rim .
He recommended a 90/90 for the next front tire .
Between manufacturers, tire sizes can vary. A 100/90 Spitfire S11 fits my R65's just fine. 110 on the rear.
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I'm back to using the same as Monte's.
When I see my tire threads I know it's time for new tires.
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The last front tire I had mounted on my '81 R65, a 100/90 Metzeler Lazertec, the person doing the job said that the tire was a bit too wide for the rim .
He recommended a 90/90 for the next front tire .
Same here with the Metzeler
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I'm back to using the same as Monte's.
When I see my tire threads I know it's time for new tires.
"...time for new tires." My Airheads are tire-wise fine but it's getting to be new shoes time for the Triumph Trophy 900. :'( Now there's some big rubber bucks required.
I'm in Austin, Texas this week hangin' with grandkids. Saturday morning, I launch on the Trophy for Zapata, Texas down on the Rio Grande. Zapata is the south end of TX Hwy 16 and splashes into Falcon Reservoir just one mile from the US-Mexico border. Z-town arrival marks the end of my Antelope-to-Zapata ride.
Of course, I'll then turn around Sunday morning for the 740+ mile ride back to my home.
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Some 100/90 front tires are slimmer or can work with a narrower rim width than other manufacturers tires.
The 90/90 in several brands will work fine, but may seem a little bit small. The 100/90 BT45 works just fine on my R5LS, but those LS-specific wheels are a bit wider than the snowflakes are at the rim width. Still the 100/90 S11 Spitfire or BT45 will probably work OK for you. They may be a little more 'pinched' and have a higher center profile (less rounded) than ideal, so the bike may tend to fall into turns a little quicker, and you won't get full tread wear out of them. The better tire manufacturers will actually specify the rim width requirements/range for their tires - I wish that they all did it.
You can also look at Kenda K657 Challengers or continental's Conti-Go series, and of course their is Shinko, and Metzler for other sources that can fit/work - and others!
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I had a hard time finding a matched set in the standard size,I ended up with Michelin Pilot Actives 4.00 rear and 90/90 front.
Fit no problem. I was a little disapointed I think they were made in the Check republic. Would have preferred west of there a ways.
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I'll add another plug for Pirelli City demons. Firstly I freely admit that these were a "forced choice" as when I wanted tyres I had the usual problem of finding tyres in our beloved machine's "legacy" sizes.
The city demons are available in imperial sizing, but I suspect it is a bit "approximate" as the installed size of the 3.00 *18 on the front is as wide as the 3.50 Conti (from the 1980s) that is installed on my spare time.
I first sampled the Pirelli on the RE I borrowed lasst year and I have to say that the ability of the tyres on the R65 far exceed my enthusiasm. They are as grippy às $hit to a blanket, track well and :(, as I discovered last weekend, work on dirt too (unexpected 40km frolic on a dirt road that varied from washboard corrugations to foot deep "puddles" of bulldust. I think that if they are available where you live, they are worth a punt. Sorry for any spelling/grammar errors - typed on Nexusx 7
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If this turns into a "Brand War" it will be moved to the approproate section...