86, k100RT, Best Tire

[pfetter]

I have a 1986 K100 that I just recently purchased, finally got it running thanks to this forum. My next question, are there tires for the front and rear that seem to work well when you get to the end of the pavement and ride on a occasional dirt or gravel road. I run across that alot touring in the Upper Penninsula of Michigan, the Suzuki Cavalcade I had did not make a very good 900 lb dirt bike.

[roy]

I have a 1986 K100 that I just recently purchased, finally got it running thanks to this forum. My next question, are there tires for the front and rear that seem to work well when you get to the end of the pavement and ride on a occasional dirt or gravel road. I run across that alot touring in the Upper Penninsula of Michigan, the Suzuki Cavalcade I had did not make a very good 900 lb dirt bike.

I am running Metzler ME880's on my 85. They work OK on dry gravel and dirt, wouldn't want to ride in loose sand or mud for any distance though.


Roy

[godzilla]

I've gone through a couple sets of Dunlop 491 Elite II's. They are cheaper than the Metz's. I get about 15K out of these on my '85 K.

[Ridealot]

I also ran 491's for years on my old K100. But I thought that the 491's are no longer being made?
That leaves the 880's as the tire to have for a high mileage tire.

[godzilla]

:dunno My wrench, Wilbur, gets them somehow. He's been around so long that he has his sources. I got my last set just last year. :dunno

[Ridealot]

On your next set I would check the DOT stamp on the sidewall. I'm sure there are still new old stock 491's out there. But as hard as the 491's are new you don't want a tire that is even harder from age.

I now put the 880's on my K1100LT and they do handle better than the 491's but I am not getting anywhere near the same mileage out of them. Used to get 12-15k out of the 491's and am only getting 8-10k out of the 880's.

[pfetter]

I have used the Dunlop Elite Series on my old Cavalcade touring bike when I put the last set on last year just before I sold the bike they were then called the Elite Series III. I also got a lot of mileage from them and was quite happy with the handling. I have not checked to see if my local dealer has the size for the K100RT

[jdiaz]

I have not checked to see if my local dealer has the size for the K100RT

The front tire size is 100/90H18, but the rear size departs from metric practice and is MT90HB17.

[osbornk]

I've used the 491 on Goldwings, Honda Magnas, K bikes, and Airheads. The work well and last a long time. I did a search on Dogpile.com and found them available and advertised as 2007 models. They must still be making them.