ABC Tire Favs

[montmil]

Springtime riding season is in full swing and on the Airheads List the same questions are beginning to pop up from years past.

I have Spitfires on the 1981 R65 and the Avon AM26 on the 1983 R65.

How about you? And a PS: This is not to be considered as another dreaded tire thread.

Monte

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"In July 2009 I (Mark Maxwell) conducted a tire poll here on the airheads list. Here are the results, which are probably still pretty representative."

Votes Mfr Model
15   Avon RoadRider AM26
11   Bridgestone Spitfire S-11
 2   Bridgestone Battlax BT45
 2   Dunlop Elite II K491
 2   Michelin Macadam
 1   Continental TKV11/TK17
 1   Continental Conti Twin RB2/K112A
 1   Dunlop D404
 1   Metzeler Laser ME33/ME99A
 1   Metzeler Lasertec
 1   Metzeler Marathon ME880/ME88
 1   Metzeler Unspecified

Mark Maxwell
St. Louis
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[NC Steve]

Bridgestone Spitfires or Battlax BT45s are what's going on when I get new tires next Fall. They're inexpensive (relative), wear well, and handle well to boot. Spitfires are usually a few bucks less than the BT45s.

[technothrill]

Spitfires on the 92' R100R and I love them. Variable compound rubber from center to sidewall, minimal tracking, grab like hell in the curves. Ordering a pair tomorrow for the 79' R65. I've gone a size down on the rear wheel wheel for the roadster, as they tend to run large. I heard a story that these were discontinued by Bridgestone at one time and due to popular demand (or the uproar) they were brought back.

Would be interested in hear comparisons as I don't have much tire experience and though I like these, I'd like to know more.

[Crossrodes]

I'm running Bridgestone Battleaxe BT45.

[Mike V]

Guys,
I'm ready to order new tires for the 650. Someone make up my mind, please, since I'm incapable of such decisions.
Most all my experience is with my /7 based on mileage and wet conditions. Loved my Dunlop K491's for the R100 and will go to Avon Roadriders next for that bike. But i'm looking for an affordable performance tire for the 650. I probably won't be doing any cross-country runs on it, but who knows. I will be running the local San Diego mountain roads and excellent riding country. What's the difference in the Spitfire S11's and Battlax BT45?  It seems to me you all are very happy with the Bridgestones. Not trying to wake up any tire threads - just looking for some experienced advice.

[Lucky_Lou]

I have Michelin M45s no problems with them they seem to be wearing well handle well in all conditions and have that retro look to them.
Lou

[azcycle]

I will be looking for tires soon, too. While the Kenda 270s (super knobby 50/50 road/dirt) on there now are okay, but the rear is too wide and has destroyed the mudgard (and rubs the right swingarm a bit).  

I'd like to go with something less aggressive dirt, but still dual-purpose. What I'd REALLY like is something along the lines of the Kenda K761, which looks like a 60/40 street/dirt but I don't think they make the the front in an 18.  


Would a 110/80-18 be okay for the rear AND the front?


I'm not looking to start arguments either... but I lack suck tire knowledge that I really aren't sure what fits well on the front.

[Mike V]

Just purchased some Bridgestone S11's for the 650.  Probably will get them mounted early next week.  Pretty good bang for the buck it seems to me.

[montmil]

Just purchased some Bridgestone S11's for the 650.  Probably will get them mounted early next week.  Pretty good bang for the buck it seems to me.

You'll like 'em, Mike. I enjoy the additional tread that helps the tires stick in the wet. The Battlax may be just fine but the tread design put me off.

Great value tires -the Spitfires. I keep 'em air up around 35 front and 39 rear. Have not noticed any visible wear in 2500 miles.

Monte

[Mike V]

Monte,
You're right on target about the S11's. Even though I was only able to put about 50 miles on them last night - I like the feel, and especially the tread design. I was concerned with the front tire's straight center groove design wanting to track along the CA rain grooves but I felt no wander at all last night, even along the longitudinal roadway seam lines and expansion joints. So far they feel great and won't know about their grip and performance until I make a run up Palomar this weekend. New tires, Michelin Butyl tubes, balance and mounting for $160. Can't beat that.

These bikes really like to spin don't they? 65 mph at ±5,000 rpm? Damn thing will run up to 80mph with very little coaxing. I'll be posting more observations and learned characteristics when it teaches me a little more with more miles on the road.

[nhmaf]

The 248 engines don't really wake up until ~ 3,500 RPM - keep them above that and you will be happy!   I think that many of the people who nay-say these bikes rode them like their 247 engine bikes, and seldom get them ABOVE 4000 RPM (though they shouldn't be "lugged" either).

I VERY rarely go over 6000 RPM on my R65, but life in the 4000 - 6000 zone is good!

Spitfire /S11 tires are good too.   I like my BT45s through the rubber might be slightly softer.  They are quite sticky and I'm beginning to see some measurable wear on the rear with ~4000 miles while the front still appears new (same mileage).   I run front and rear @ 36 PSI.
The BT45s and S11s are pretty good at resisting the raingroove wiggle.  

[montmil]

Mike V... Use the tranny and wind that puppy up in each gear before up shifting. I'm a bit smaller than you physically but both my R65s can hit the ton. I do have to crawl under the paint on the fuel tank.

Monte