newbie needs info re: tires

[raybanjan]

so i'm taking the plunge & buying a 1984 r65 off of ibmwr.org. apparantly it needs new tires. any opinions on what works best & where best to get 'em? that & any other info/encouragement would be welcome!

[steve hawkins]

Asking advice about tyres is like asking which colour bike you prefer...You will get a different answer from everyone that responds.

My advice is - as long as they are black and round, of the correct size and rating, and made by a company you have heard of, there should not be much of an issue.

Unless you are a 'Riding God' and are off to the race track.

Avon, Bridgestone, Continenal, Metzler etc.  Everyone has their preference.

I have even had a set of Chen Sin's (or whatever) on mine when I first bought it.  They were not bad enough for me to consider changing them before I wore them out - and it took some time!  

I have had Bridgestone BattleAxe's (BT54??) dual compounds, but I found that they did not last long enough for me - but gripped well though.

I am currently running Contentals (tk22/44) and have found them to be long lasting and predictable.  

My local 'ye old bike shoppe' is trying to push me towards Avons, but I have not tried them yet, apparently the front tire profile makes them quick steering - who knows?

Horses for courses.

Steve H

[not-so-fast-ed]

Congratulations on buying the '84, Ray.  And WELCOME ABOARD!

Steve's right on his post for tires.  We've all got opinions.

I would point out that having a tire shop that you can count on to properly mount & balance the tires (if you're not doing it yourself) is a big help.  The one I use was a word of mouth referral that proved to be well known far & wide.  Although a somewhat small shop.  

We have forum members in Oregon that may be able to steer you towards a shop near you, if you need one.

My Bridgestone Battleax's (BT45) are too new for me to comment on their wear characteristics, but they seem to hold well.  I won't be putting the long distance miles on my bike that many of us typically ride, so wear isn't as important to me as it might be to you.  My set cost $224 - drive out, as a reference point.

Good luck & post pictures when you can.

Best,
Ed

[Justin B.]

I'll chime in and say that recent history has sold me on the Michelin Macadam 50e/50 combination for a good compromise between performance and longevity. I routinely get over 14k miles out of a rear on an R100.

Your question as way to broad for any kind of meaningful answer (except for a lot of arguing/pontificating, etc) as the correct tire depends on how you ride, what your expectations are, etc.  I almost long for the old days when your choices were Conti Twins or some Metzler - but I guess it's worth more choices to not have to think 5 k out of a rear is damn good!

[MrRiden]

A popular [classic] setup is the Lasertech http://tinyurl.com/3kmugq up front and the ME88 behind http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/3/31/401/6125/ITEM/Metzeler-ME-88-Marathon-Touring-Rear-Tire.aspx
They look proper and you'll find a lot of BMWs at gatherings with this setup.
Me, I use the Hy-Max by Cheng Shin http://www.motorcycleproshop.com/tires/chengshin.asp
Not a bad little tire and inexpensive to boot. I'm a bit of a poverty rider but I do believe in nice new rubber. Stick to the factory sizes for the quick and nimble handling of the R65. Once you get 'er up to speed you want to be able to keep her there. A fatter rear [alone] will get you nothing and a fatter front [alone] slows the steering somewhat.
My 2¢
rich

[steve hawkins]

I must also add that the Battleaxes i put on my bike were immediately after the Cheng Shins wore out.

That was 5 years ago.  A lot can change in that time.

I am, however, happy with the Conti's.  

I am also a poverty rider to some degree.....Conti's are a cost compromise.

I have Conti's on the R100, but they are all but worn out.

I would agree, that it is almost more important to have the proper tires fitted properly and balanced than worring too much about the make.

But everyone has their favourites - normally the last tyre they had fitted to their bike - because it made a massive difference to the worn out ones they replaced.

Just Joshing!

Steve H

[Semper Gumby]

+1 on the Michelin Macadams.  Go with one size over on the front 100/90-18 and stock size on the rear 4.00-18 (easier to pull off the bike.)  On my R65 I got 20,000 miles out of a set of Macadams.   8-)