Tires (Tyres)

[Andrewsteward]

I am sure this topic had been exhausted but I cant seem to find any Threads via the search. I need to replace rubber, R65 81'.
I do a very small amount of gravel road travel but mainly road.
Any suggestions?

[Andrewsteward]

Ok, I have since found some threads.

Has anyone tried the Heidenau K60 scout? The rear being 120/90 x 18, I was wondering if it will fit OK.
Front looks fine.

[Barry]

According to the attached spec sheet, If I'm reading it correctly your suggested tire has a max. width of 131 mm. Anything over 120mm becomes a problem so I doubt that would fit even with the optional wider spacer that's available.  Looks to me like they also do 4.00 and 110/90's though.

[Ed Miller]

The 4.00 x 18 would be great for the rear, but what would you put on the front?

[Andrewsteward]

Hey Barry, they also do a 110/80 x 18. Would it be a stupid idea to have a lower profile rear?

[Andrewsteward]

Ok, so the Scout 4.00 – 18 M/C 64T TT for the rear and Scout 90/90 - 18 51S for the front might work?

[nhmaf]

If I was looking for that style of tire, those would be sizes I would try.

[Tony Smith]

For what it is worth I had some difficulty in finding tyres to suit an R65 when I wanted them a few months back.
 
I ended up buying a pair of Pirelli City Demons and thus far I am very happy with them. They seem very "sticky' and to the limited extent that I have pushed the envelope, they seem to be predictable to to give lots of feedback. They are also quite resistant to "tram-lining" on both grooves int he road and genuine railway lines.
 
To be quite honest, the amount of wear showing after only 1500 miles tells me that they are not going to be a long life tyre, but then I am happy to trade grip and predictability for a shorter life.

[Tony Smith]

Sorry forgot to mention, the other nice thing about the Pirelli City Demons is that they come in "proper' sizes - 4.00 * 18 rear and 3.50*18 front.

They are a "slim" fitting tyre so next time round, if such things are available I might up the sizes to 4.50 and 4.00 respectively.

[Barry]

Hey Barry, they also do a 110/80 x 18. Would it be a stupid idea to have a lower profile rear?  

It would as there is a difference of 44mm in diameter between a 110/80 and a 4.00.

110/90's are better and lots of people use them but they are still generally smaller in diameter than the proper 4.00 tire. E.G. a typical 4.00 tire is 671mm in diameter and a typical 110/90 is 655mm in diameter. It's a small difference and no big deal but one reason why I stick with the original inch tire sizes. I'm talking typical road tires here and enduro style tires tend to be a little bigger.

[Semper Gumby]

Michelin Pilot Activ 4.00H18 rear.  For the front I would go with the Stock sized tire 3.25 -18 from Hiedenau.  Continental is now making Radials for Classic bikes.  I might try a set of those...

http://www.conti-online.com/www/motorcycle_de_en/themes/motorcycletires/conti_classic_en/classic_attack_en.html

[Ed Miller]

Those would work for your BSA Semper G, but not an R65.  

[wa1udg]

I've been pleased with my Shinko tires.  Of course I'm not into "head scraping".  

[Semper Gumby]

Those would work for your BSA Semper G, but not an R65.  

Hi ED - I e-mailed them and asked and they said AOK for the BSA.  Curious - Why not the R65?

[Ed Miller]

Those would work for your BSA Semper G, but not an R65.  

Hi ED - I e-mailed them and asked and they said AOK for the BSA.  Curious - Why not the R65?

No skinny (3 1/4 x 18) for the front.  Not even a close metric, like 100/90-18.

I actually bought some Dunlop K70 tires for my Triumph.  That's the factory tire, I don't know if BSAs used them.  I can't even remember what they are like or if I've even ever had them on the bike.  They look like they'll be good on gravel.  I hope to have it out on the road before the end of summer.