Not another tire question, but yes another tire question

[SMF]

I've just finished changing the fork oil and installing progressive springs. The new rear shock went on last week so now I'm at the tire replacemnet issue.

I've read and read posts, looked at tread patterns, specs of different tires and I'm still scratching my head.

Bike 87 K100rs
Lets start by asking can a 140/80-17 fit on the rear without rubbing the swingarm/driveshaft?

Lasertec's are on the bike now. They are at least 8 years old. I will feel more comfortable putting some new rubber on.

I feel safe in putting them same Lasertec back on but I'm thinking I want a bit sportier/sticker tire. From other posts someone said for me to try the D205's. They only come in a 140 rear. Looking at the 130 tire now, It looks like sticking a 140 is going to be real close to rubbing the swingarm/driveshaft. Has anyone tired these and was there any issue?

I'm also looking and the Bridgstone BT-45, Michelin Pilot Activ.
Any new suggestions would be great.
Thanks all.

[motoedde]

I've just finished changing the fork oil and installing progressive springs. The new rear shock went on last week so now I'm at the tire replacemnet issue.

I've read and read posts, looked at tread patterns, specs of different tires and I'm still scratching my head.

Bike 87 K100rs
Lets start by asking can a 140/80-17 fit on the rear without rubbing the swingarm/driveshaft?

Lasertec's are on the bike now. They are at least 8 years old. I will feel more comfortable putting some new rubber on.

I feel safe in putting them same Lasertec back on but I'm thinking I want a bit sportier/sticker tire. From other posts someone said for me to try the D205's. They only come in a 140 rear. Looking at the 130 tire now, It looks like sticking a 140 is going to be real close to rubbing the swingarm/driveshaft. Has anyone tired these and was there any issue?

I'm also looking and the Bridgstone BT-45, Michelin Pilot Activ.
Any new suggestions would be great.
Thanks all.

The 140-80-17 can fit on there...I used that size on my 93 K75s this past summer...Michelin Anakee...no problems with swingarm clearance...150 WILL have issues.

Don't forget the Metzeler ME-88 as an option for the rear...it does very well handling the twisties, et al...rain or shine!

[bikerfish1100]

Why do you want the fatter tire?
Really, that question is mostly rhetorical, as the final answer is "you don't". There is nothing to be gained on the street by pushing a larger tire onto a smaller rim. Go with what is spec'd, unless tires in that size just don't exist. And they do, so go with stock sizing- you stand to lose more than you might gain by changing unnecessarily.
As far as brand & model of tire- everyone has their faves; just search & read some threads that already exist. Next to the "what oil should I use?" thread, the "what's the best tire for my bike?" thread is the most common and least conclusive thread on any m/c forum.

motoedde- you taking that K75S down some serious dirt roads, or even onto the trails? that's what the Anakee is made for- they usually get fitted onto a dual sport bike; never heard of someone voluntarily slapping them onto a pure street bike.

[motoedde]

Why do you want the fatter tire?
Really, that question is mostly rhetorical, as the final answer is "you don't".

<snip>

motoedde- you taking that K75S down some serious dirt roads, or even onto the trails? that's what the Anakee is made for- they usually get fitted onto a dual sport bike; never heard of someone voluntarily slapping them onto a pure street bike.


Not sure why he'd want the fatter tire specifically, BUT a lot of manufacturers are discontinuing the size offering of 130-90-17...in the tires they carry.

Why wouldn't you consider the K75s a dual sport bike?

In my Anakee situation, I couldn't get a hold of an ME-88 Metz, and considering where I'd be travelling the next 15k miles (http://www.motoedde.com/Pictures.htm)...I figured it wouldn't be a bad option. Again, it was my second choice tire...my fave being the ME88!

[PGlaves]

Why do you want the fatter tire?
Really, that question is mostly rhetorical, as the final answer is "you don't". There is nothing to be gained on the street by pushing a larger tire onto a smaller rim.

In my case I wanted to use the Me880 bias ply touring tire on a K75. The 130-90/17 wasn't available as in wasn't made. And if you cross reference the 140/80 you find that it is still an allowable size for the rim width of the wheel.

Sure I can buy a Shin Shen in the right size - even some good sport touring tires that last 5,000 miles but that isn't what I want in a touring tire. I am very fussy about my tires. I have criteria which includes the fact that the wear needs to be essentially linear. That is, I don't run tires that wear OK for a while then hit the soft stuff and go away in a couple of hundred miles or less. I do too much traveling in the west for that. It's 110 miles to town and back for me.

[SMF]

I was only asking about a 140 on the rear for the D205's. They do not come in a 130 so I'll cross them off the list.
Just say I can't go wrong with the Lasertec and I can stop reading and start riding.

[bikerfish1100]

well, I did say "Go with what is spec'd, unless tires in that size just don't exist". Not riding a bike with bias tires currently, so not up on specifics of which brand/model is available in what sizing; but figured that SMF could probably figure that out on his own.
I understand your concerns for types of tires PG. If i was racking up your miles, I'd be on something a bit less sticky myself.
When I had my K75, I liked the ME88 rear, but also had good success with the ME55A Metronic.

[bikerfish1100]

oh yeah. you probably can't go wrong with the Lasertecs. Most any of the top tier tires available today are going to be quite a bit better than anything that was available in the mid-80's.

[PGlaves]

well, I did say "Go with what is spec'd, unless tires in that size just don't exist". Not riding a bike with bias tires currently, so not up on specifics of which brand/model is available in what sizing; but figured that SMF could probably figure that out on his own.
I understand your concerns for types of tires PG. If i was racking up your miles, I'd be on something a bit less sticky myself.
When I had my K75, I liked the ME88 rear, but also had good success with the ME55A Metronic.

I ran a lot of 88s myself. I put an ME55 on the bike one Thursday for a Pridmore CLASS school on the track Friday - then rode down to Arkansas for a weekend in the Ozarks. The next weeked we rode to Deals Gap for a day or two and rode home. All told - 12 days, about 3,000 miles - tire shot and replaced. The Visa bill hadn't even come yet and the tire was worn and gone. Went back to 88s. Now I run bias 880s on our K bikes and radial 880s on our Oilheads. Still using the 140/80 on the K75s without problem.

[bikerfish1100]

maybe the track day ate up the tire more quickly than normal. I would typically get about 7K out of a 55A.

[motoedde]

I ran a lot of 88s myself. I put an ME55...Went back to 88s. Now I run bias 880s on our K bikes and radial 880s on our Oilheads. Still using the 140/80 on the K75s without problem.

Paul,
Why did you decide to switch from the ME-88 rear to the ME880? I've endlessly debated that switch myself...I run the ME880 in front and love it!

[nfowler]

I have a 90 K75RT I bought in 2005. I'm on my second set of LaserTecs, and I'm looking to change so this thread has gotten interesting. The front LaserTec comes new with only 4mm of tread. Maine requires 2mm of tread to pass inspection. For me and my easy riding style, that comes to 3000 miles. The rears last about 4000 miles, not good in my opinion for an expensive, high tech tire. Furthermore, I notice with dismay, and sometimes fright, that the front LaserTec loves to track groves, like those in metal bridge surfaces, but especially the snake-like long longitudinal cracks in the excellent (not!) Maine secondary roads. I've had some unsettling experiences doing mild apex cornering only to find the front tire headed into a long grove as I round the turn on what should have been a nice line.

So the ME880 is a logical candidate for my next set, but then there's no 130-90/17 rear. So, what's the better option for the rear: the 130-90/17 ME88 or the 140-80/17 ME880, and why.

Thanks (Paul?) for shedding light and sharing your experience.

N. Fowler

[BuddingGeezer]

Listen to Paul Glaves. He recommended ME 880s bias for my K100LT. Compared to the Dunrock 491s, I now have a sport bike. Rode 500 miles in the rain, tires hooked up great. 140/80 fits with no problem. I didn't even have to remove the brake caliper.

Thanks for the recommendation, Paul.

Ralph Sims

[cayuse60]

Conti Blitz 110/90 18 front. 130/90 17 back. I have 3K miles on them with great performance (pavement and dirt) and littile wear.
They also have a good price.:clap

[dgoodwin]

I have a 1985 K100RT with Perelli Sport Demons that were already on the bike with about 500 miles on them when I bought it 1 1/2 years ago (the bike had mostly sat for about 2 years). 6K later, the rear is all but bald - I guess it was the Ozarks twisties. I was thinking about Bridgestone BT-45's recommended in another and older thread. I have also read with interest the current discussion about the ME88's and 880's. But, is there any experience with the Bridgestone's? Would this be a mistake for sport touring riding in the Ozarks with the RT? Lots of twisties, hills, asphalt, chip&seal.

Thanks,
Dave
'85K100RT
'91YamahaXT600

[PGlaves]

Paul,
Why did you decide to switch from the ME-88 rear to the ME880? I've endlessly debated that switch myself...I run the ME880 in front and love it!

I first ran 880s in the summer leading up to the 2003 Iron Butt Rally. I ran Dunlop 491s in 1999 and they left an awful lot to be desired while riding in rain in West Virginia. I knew I didn't want to run them again - and was looking for better (longer) wear than I historcally got from the Me88s. I got enough more miles out of the "test" 880s that I concluded I could ride from home to the start in Missoula, and ride the entire rally without needing to change either tire (absent a puncture or damage). In fact the rear lasted till after I got back home from the finish in Missoula and the front I finally took off a few months later just to get the front and rear better matched.

I also like the profile of the Me880 better than the 88. The 880 begins life with a more oval profile and holds the profile better over the life of the tire than the 88 does.

And I don't have the wet weather traction problems I had with the Dunlop 491.s

The 880 is a full generation later tire than the 88, and it performs like a later generation tire.

[Kayseventyfive]

I was thinking about Bridgestone BT-45's recommended in another and older thread. I have also read with interest the current discussion about the ME88's and 880's. But, is there any experience with the Bridgestone's?
Thanks,
Dave
'85K100RT
'91YamahaXT600


In June, 2004, the German magazine Motorrad tested several brands of tires on a K100RS.

Results:
Bridgestone BT45....................81 pts
Conti TKV 11/12......................77 pts
Dunlop Arrowhead GT...............59 pts
Pirelli Sport Demon..................56 pts
Avon Roadrunner.....................53 pts

[RICHO2006]

I installed a set of Dunlap Elite II 491's on my k100 in September of '06. While riding home from Memphis it started to rain just out side of Memphis and didn't stop until I got home to SE Michigan, 750 miles. Even thought I rode in the rain through Tennessee, Kentucky, Ohio and Michigan I didn't have any traction problems until I got to northern Ohio. It seamed like I was losing traction when riding over the tar snakes on the interstate. That was the first and only time I noticed anything funky while riding on those tires. On the upside, I now have over 22,000 miles on the tires with a little more than 1/8” of thread left on the rear. The front looks like it will wear out first. The rear is belted, the front isn’t.


If there is another tire out there that has the same longevity as the Dunlap’s I’ll try them, if not I will put another set of Dunlap’s on my bike next year.