Tire question

[andrewdell19]

I definately need a new back tire on my R75/5 and searched the forum for suggestions.

From what I read these were most popular:
Bridgestone 110/90-18 spitfire and 100/90-19 spitfire
BT45 Rear Super Venom on Front
Metzler ME 88 on rear with a Lasertech on the front
Michelin Macadams

So I ride a lot in Arizona not too aggressively but sometimes I like to get some wind! I am looking for a good all around tire with good wear that doesnt cost and arm and a leg. It doesnt rain much here but wet traction is nice when I go on trips. I liked the Lasertechs I had on my K100RS but that bike was much heavier.

Just looking for some suggestions. Thanks!

[andrewdell19]

oh yeah and I am wondering which to use: tubeless (TL) or tube tires (TT)? I think I read you should run a TT tire on the /5- and TL tires are not good for this bike? sorry for being a tire noooooob

[20774]

You're going to have a tough time finding a tube-type tire, so you'll end up with a tubeless. But you'll definitely need to put a tube in that.

My suggestion would be to find the proper inch-size tire. The bike should have a 4.00x18 for the rear. It's harder these days with all the metrics that are available...you might thing they're equivalent, but they're really not. The bike's geometry was designed with the proper inch-size tires front and rear.

A small case in point... I've been running metric tires on my /7. I was noticing that my sidestand was not as functional as it used to be. In fact, the bike would sit almost bolt upright when on the sidestand...a puff of wind and it would blow over. I changed out the front metric to a 3.25x19 tire, a Metzler Lasertec. Amazingly, the sidestand now works much better...the bike actually has some lean angle again. This tire was 0.5 inches taller (in radius) than the metric. When the rear tire needs changing, I'm going back to the 4.00x18 instead of the 110/90 to get complete function of the sidestand back...and get the handling that the bike was designed for.

My 0.02...

[andrewdell19]

Thanks 20774

I had Lasertec tires on my K100RS and liked them alot... I think that I will probably go with the Lasertec. Thanks

[dduelin]

You're going to have a tough time finding a tube-type tire, so you'll end up with a tubeless. But you'll definitely need to put a tube in that.

My suggestion would be to find the proper inch-size tire. The bike should have a 4.00x18 for the rear. It's harder these days with all the metrics that are available...you might thing they're equivalent, but they're really not. The bike's geometry was designed with the proper inch-size tires front and rear.

A small case in point... I've been running metric tires on my /7. I was noticing that my sidestand was not as functional as it used to be. In fact, the bike would sit almost bolt upright when on the sidestand...a puff of wind and it would blow over. I changed out the front metric to a 3.25x19 tire, a Metzler Lasertec. Amazingly, the sidestand now works much better...the bike actually has some lean angle again. This tire was 0.5 inches taller (in radius) than the metric. When the rear tire needs changing, I'm going back to the 4.00x18 instead of the 110/90 to get complete function of the sidestand back...and get the handling that the bike was designed for.

My 0.02...
As if all 4.00 x 18 tires are the same diameter and width and the same dimensions as tires from 30 years ago.....and I'm not sure I want tires that handle like those of 30 years ago either.

Measure different brands or dig into their websites if the info is available to see if you are comparing apples to apples. Inches aren't what they used to be, are they? A Bridgestone 100/90 is the same exact diameter as an Avon 3.25 while their rear 110/90 is 0.5 inch smaller than an Avon 4.00 x 18. Mix and match.

[20774]

As if all 4.00 x 18 tires are the same diameter and width and the same dimensions as tires from 30 years ago.....and I'm not sure I want tires that handle like those of 30 years ago either.

Measure different brands or dig into their websites if the info is available to see if you are comparing apples to apples. Inches aren't what they used to be, are they? A Bridgestone 100/90 is the same exact diameter as an Avon 3.25 while their rear 110/90 is 0.5 inch smaller than an Avon 4.00 x 18. Mix and match.

Correct in that all tires of a given size are not the same measurements brand to brand. But I'll take the variations around inch-size tires rather to go down in size and take the variations with the metrics...my limited experience shows that the 90/90 tire was smaller than the 3.25 tire. Besides, the dimensions I'm interested are as-mounted, not on the showroom floor. I don't have the time or money to experiment with every tire product to find the right combination. Then they discontinue that tire, and you start over.

This page shows what you're talking about:

http://www.webbikeworld.com/Motorcycle-tires/sizes.htm

Dimensions are all over the map. And most of this is probably from published data...what's it like when you put rubber to road? Just doing the basic calculations for a front metric tire, there really is nothing that matches the basic calculations of a 3.25 inch tire. 90/90 is close, but what about the manufactures deviations. Again, I don't have the resources to go through every combination.

Handling of 30 years ago? My riding of 25 years ago is the same today, so I guess that wouldn't bother me. But I'm assuming, might be wrong here, but I'm sure they've improved the tires somewhat since then. It's not so much the tires themselves, but it's the geometry. Change the dimensions a little bit here and there, and you end up with a hodge podge in terms of handling.

[GregFeeler]

I definately need a new back tire on my R75/5 and searched the forum for suggestions.

From what I read these were most popular:
Bridgestone 110/90-18 spitfire and 100/90-19 spitfire
BT45 Rear Super Venom on Front
Metzler ME 88 on rear with a Lasertech on the front
Michelin Macadams

So I ride a lot in Arizona not too aggressively but sometimes I like to get some wind! I am looking for a good all around tire with good wear that doesnt cost and arm and a leg. It doesnt rain much here but wet traction is nice when I go on trips. I liked the Lasertechs I had on my K100RS but that bike was much heavier.

Just looking for some suggestions. Thanks!


I just bought a set of the Avon RoadRider tires for my /5. (http://www.avon-tyres.co.uk/motorcycle/?page=tyres&method=showtyre&id=6)

They are a fairly new design from Avon which replaces two earlier series. The RoadRiders come in something like 32 sizes, both metric and inch. They are available in the correct inch sizes for the /5. I've read a lot of good comments about them off the Airheads list (won't follow groves, neutral handling, excellent grip), so thought I would give them a try. No indication about tire life, however.

I've used Metzelers and Michelins (Mac50's) on my /5 and other bikes. I don't like the Lastertechs as I think they are really bad about following rain groves, and in my experience they melted like butter. The Michelins are a much better tire in my opinion, both for handling and wear. What interested me about the RoadRiders from the Airhead comments was the number of people who had switched from the Mac50's and liked the RoadRiders much better.

[pitriver]

Recently installed (45 miles ago) Am26 Roadriders in the inch sizes on 1982 R100 and the transformation over the metric Dunlop 591s 120/100 F/R is amazing. In only one short ride i feel like I'm on a whole new improved motorcycle. The new tires' profiles are much rounder, steering/leaning is much smoother and easier, and straight line stability is much better; very noticeable on lengthwise cracks and seams in the pavement.

[russbritt]

I have about two weeks of riding the road riders, so far they are great. Had road runner before. Bike handles great......