Pirelli Sport Demon

[caliph23]

Does anyone ride with Pirelli sport demons? I am looking for a sportier tire for my R65LS. The Pirelli's get some good reviews on other bikes, but don't seem to show up on R65 tire threads. Curious? Thanks

[caliph23]

Can only find 100/90-18 (56) for the front. Not sure if those will fit or upset the handling. any thoughts?

[montmil]

Besides tires, do you have plans to upgrade the front and rear suspension on your LS? If you still have the stock setup, perhaps some upgrades to the bike's chassis components might aid in improving the LS's sporty performance. Doing so would open up many more tire options.

[caliph23]

According to the PO I have upgraded springs in the forks. I have a San Jose fork brace and a new pair of Ikon shocks ready to go on. Maybe these will provide noticeable improvements.

[Barry]

100/90 front is a little wider than stock so likely to make the bike feel less sporty.  

[montmil]

According to the PO I have upgraded springs in the forks. I have a San Jose fork brace and a new pair of Ikon shocks ready to go on. Maybe these will provide noticeable improvements.

Has the steel OEM fork brace been removed? Larger front tires will slow down the corner entry steering and may require more effort to hold the bike on your chosen line. In this case, bigger is not really better.

[caliph23]

I don't see any OEM fork brace. I would prefer to go with 90/90-18 tires, but can't find the Pirelli's in that size. Would the Bridgestone BT45's be the sportiest tire in the standard sizes?

[montmil]

I don't see any OEM fork brace. I would prefer to go with 90/90-18 tires, but can't find the Pirelli's in that size. Would the Bridgestone BT45's be the sportiest tire in the standard sizes?

If still installed, the stock -and quite adequate- fork brace is under the front fender. It will be bolted to the fork lowers with two bolts each side and also provides the attach point for the front fender. It's also lighter weight. This is all contingent upon any fender/fork/brace mods done by the PO.

[Matt Chapter]

Can only find 100/90-18 (56) for the front. Not sure if those will fit or upset the handling. any thoughts?

I've ridden with a 100/90 on the front.  I did not like it.  The handling is much sharper with a 90/90.  In this case, that would rule out the Pirellis, if you had to have matched front and back.  I'm about to get a new rear tire, and a front very shortly.  I'm thinking Avons.  In the other active tire thread I posted a link to bike bandit showing tires that were available in 120/90 18.  Of those, the metzlers and the battleaxs are similar performance wise.  Realistically as someone else mentioned, if you're pushing your R65, the last thing to fail or be outside it's performance range will be the tires.  Including the rider.

In short, pick a tire that you like the tread pattern, size, and cost.  Then go ride!

[Tony Smith]

Does anyone ride with Pirelli sport demons? I am looking for a sportier tire for my R65LS. The Pirelli's get some good reviews on other bikes, but don't seem to show up on R65 tire threads. Curious? Thanks

I have city demons which I believe are actually a softer compound than the Sport demons.

City demons are available in imperial sizes. I have a 3.00 "proper" front on the the front of my R65 and a 3.50 rear on the front of my wife's R65/80.

Mine turns in quicker, but also tends to wash out just a little.  The R65/80 feels more stable but the steering is slightly slower.

[georgesgiralt]

Hello !
I've heard good reviews of the Bridgestone BT45 and also of the Michelin Pilot Activ tires.
I use Heidenau K34 and K36 on my R65 and I'm delighted by them.
If you want some sport, there are the Continental Radials but I wonder if they make a suitable front tire for the R65
Of course YMMV ;-)

[MikeFossl]

I had the 100/90 front and 120/90 rear on my R65 when I bought the bike.  On the advice of many posts I wanted to size back to original so I went with 90/90 front and 4.0 rear Avons.

The Demons seemed to fit fine despite the slight oversize.  The Avons were tricky enough to fit although that is likely due primarily to the narrow snowflake rims.

I'm happy with the Avons and am hoping they last a bit longer but I'm no speed Demon