What tires do you have?

[shelhead210]

I'm looking to replace tires on an 84' R65.  Currently I have Continental Conti Twins.  What model and sizes are you using?  I'm looking for ideas as the Conti Twins seem to be getting hard to find.

[nhmaf]

Some of the most popular options are either the Bridgestone Spitfire S11 tires or the Battlax BT45 tires.    It is hard to find tires in the original 3.25 x18 and 4.00x18 english sizes, but there are some out there.   I've found that the Battlax 110/90 x18 works well on the back and very close to the original tire configuration.   If you go with a 120/90 series on the rear, it might fit or might rub on the swingarm, but in any case, it will be more of a pain to remove the rear wheel for maintenance (must partially deflate tire for clearance under fender).  This doesn't happen with the 110/90 series.     On the front, you can go with the 90/90x18 (pretty close to the original profile or just under) or with teh 100/90x18 series (a tiny bit oversize, but fits fine and I have no complaints at all with it's handling, etc.)   The BT45 tires are a bit stickier and I really like how they handle in turns.  The S11 tires are good too, possibly slightly longer mileage with them but the bike is light enough that there likely isn't much difference.

Or you can go with the usual Metzlers, they have alot of good things about them, but I don't like how the front behave on scarified pavement, metal corrugated bridges, or tar snakes..

[k_enn]

I just put on the Metzler Lasertecs.  I like them.  The Lasertec model is a good design improvement over the ME77 in terms of stickiness and on road irregularities (scarfed pavement, metal grating, tar snakes, etc.).

k_enn

[Bob_Roller]

I've got Lazertec tires on the '81 and '82 .

Three 'complaints' about them, they are costlier than other makes, take a while to get warmed up in cool weather, not as long lived as other makes .

Good in wet weather,stick like 'velcro' when warmed up .

[wa1udg]

I bought Shinko 712s, since at my advanced age back roads at 45 or so is a fine experience.  Shinko used to be the bike tire division of Yokohama,  Amazon had a very good price and I get free shipping.  They are slightly larger than the OEM (OEM?? yes) Conti's I replaced and they work well for my purpose, though it is fair to say the Conti's were too old  for a fair comparision.   My son, who rides a 700 cc Honda shaft drive took the "retired" BM out (after several "be carefuls" from me while my wife gave me the 'like YOU were' look) and said "not bad".  

[montmil]

... Shinko used to be the bike tire division of Yokohama... 

Not exactly, Herr Stig

The following is from the Shinko corporate website:

"Established in 1946, the Shinko Group began as a manufacturer of bicycle tires and tubes in Osaka, Japan that today has become a burgeoning manufacture of rubber products."

"In 1998 the Shinko Group purchased the motorcycle tire technology and molds from Yokohama Rubber Co., and began production of these products under the Shinko Tire brand. With manufacturing based in South Korea and design based in Japan, the company has seamlessly combined Japanese engineering and design principles with South Korean production and quality control standards. Today Shinko Tires produces approximately 200,000 motorcycle tires per month."

The Shinko line of motorcycle tires are growing in popularity. I'm still rolling Bridgstone S11 Spitfire tires (made in japan) on the '81 R65, Avon 404s (made in USA) on the '83 R65 and Michelin Pilots (made in Thailand) on the '95 Triumph Trophy.

Monte

[nhmaf]

As with everything else, most things are now made in the Asia/Pacific region.  This doesn't mean that some of these things aren't still of good quality, it just means the western world has become too expensive and profit margin minded to be able to support a broad manufacturing base anymore.  Sad.

[montmil]

As with everything else, most things are now made in the Asia/Pacific region.

Or our so-called good neighbors to the south... Mexico.

So many of my VW "factory OEM" parts for the old Cabriolet- including Bosch- are hecho en Mexico.

Monte

[nhmaf]

Actually, even the things which are hecho en Mexico are often assembled from components which are made in Asia.    This is what happened to my division in Rockwell - actually first production switched from the USA to Mexico for the cheaper labor and largely nonexistent labor laws.   Then they found that the more complex parts couldn't be made with adequate quality assurance in Mexico, and those components were further subcontracted to be made in Singapore, and then shipped to Mexico for assembly, and then shipped to the USA to get placed in warehouses.  All makes perfect sense, doesn't it?     Now, several of the clients I have been doing engineering consulting for are going through the same drill, but 8-10 years after I was subjected to it.   But of course, we cannot raise taxes on anybody now or it might cost some US jobs.... sure....
 

oops, sorry for the rant...I guess that tire threads can do that to a person!
 

[wa1udg]

I stand corrected, but the tires ain't bad regardless.

[montmil]

I stand corrected, but the tires ain't bad regardless.

Did not say nor even imply that your tire selection was not a good one.

Simply made the correction regarding corporate history, ownership, design and manufacturing location.

Ride safe,

Monte

[TXRider60]

I use Metezler "rubber products" (on the R65).  My Triumph doesn't even use tires, it uses "tyres".

[Justin B.]

Michelin Macadam 50...

[Julio A.]

I use Pirelli City Demons. I find the grip adequate although I find it surprisingly easy to loose traction when roads are wet.

I was aiming for Metzeler Lazertecs before a fellow Airhead rider here in my country adviced against it. His new pair, less that 100 km, blew up during a 80 km/h run on the expressway. Apparently, this dis not happen once on a single rider, Metzelers here have a reputation for blowing up prematurely; yet those who were lucky and did not experience premature self destruction swear over it's superiority over other brands.
(Like those snobby Hexhead riders I used to talk with   )

[Bob_Roller]

That's the first I've heard of issues with Metzeler tires, I started using the ME33/ME99 tires on my '81 R65 in 1986, the Lazertec tires for about the last the last 4 years or so .

I think I probably live in the worst conditions for tires, with the incessant heat here in the suburb of hell I call home (road surface temperatures on fresh asphalt can reach 185F.), other than one front tire 'cupped' the outside edge of one front tire, I haven't had any issues .

They routinely are at highway speeds of 75-80 mph for hours .

I check tire pressures at least once a week .