R75/5 -- long lasting tire recommendation

[dwyer12180]

Hi --- I ride a 1973 R75/5 and I don't ride very fast or sporty, so I don't really need the sticky sports tires that wear out quickly.

Anyone have a recommendation for longer lasting good rubber for these skinny tire bikes? I have Michelin Macadams now. I'm at 8000 miles and beginning to see the wear bars, so not too long left. I was hoping for 12,000 miles or better. Any thoughts?

Thanks --- Scott

[20774]

Anyone have a recommendation for longer lasting good rubber for these skinny tire bikes? I have Michelin Macadams now. I'm at 8000 miles and beginning to see the wear bars, so not too long left. I was hoping for 12,000 miles or better. Any thoughts?

The Dunlop K491 Elite II was the mileage king AFAIK...I have one and I'm well past 10000 miles at this point. Unfortunately, they're not being made. Maybe you can still locate one in somebody's stock.

[dduelin]

Tire threads bring out the best in forums - we all have our favorites. I currently have 12,640 miles on a set of Bridgestone S-11 Spitfires. The first set went about 11,000 miles. I do need to replace them in the next 1000 miles or so. The third set is in the garage. I find the front might go 10-15% longer than a rear but I replaced them at the same time. The grip is adequate for the sporty style of all weather riding I do. A 750 cc bike might get better mileage. I run a 110/90-18 rear and 100/90-19 front. I have heard the 90/90 is a better size for /5's.

The inch size hound dogs can start barking at me now.

[47512]

Tire choises are like oil choises, the debates will never end. I think bridgestones are a good choise, I have BT45's on a R75/6 looks like the rear could make it 10,000 miles. I have used Metzlers, Michelins, and Continentals over the years the Contis gave the best milage, but the poorest traction. The BT45's are not expensive and work well for as hard as I ride the old relic.

A 325X19 is suppose to be on the front, a 90/90 is pretty close. A 400X18 for the rear. A 110 will fit fine, a 120 can be alittle wide for some machines, can rub on the drive shaft tube. A 110 size tire is alittle wider than a 400. A 400 size tire is alittle taller than a 110 but not as wide. The load range is about the same.

Ken G.

[lkchris]

Hi --- I ride a 1973 R75/5 and I don't ride very fast or sporty ...

Ah, but you could ride in rain ... meaning you don't want hockey pucks like Dunlop 491.

[20774]

Ah, but you could ride in rain ... meaning you don't want hockey pucks like Dunlop 491.

Never had a problem with my Dunlop in the rain... :dunno ...works just fine for me. Maybe people aren't as sure of themselves or push things too much in the wet.

[dwyer12180]

What there needs to be is a tire with variable tread composition. We need a strip in the center of the tire which has the durability of a 50,000 mile automobile tire, but once you go off the sides by 1/2 to 3/4 inch or so, you get into the stickiness of a sport motorcycle tire. That way it will keep you upright in the corners, but on the long straights, which constitutes the vast majority of riding, it will wear a long time.

Probably too good of an idea which is why the tire manufactures won't do it. Then we'd only need new tires maybe every 20,000 miles.

--Scott

[dduelin]

What there needs to be is a tire with variable tread composition. We need a strip in the center of the tire which has the durability of a 50,000 mile automobile tire, but once you go off the sides by 1/2 to 3/4 inch or so, you get into the stickiness of a sport motorcycle tire. That way it will keep you upright in the corners, but on the long straights, which constitutes the vast majority of riding, it will wear a long time.

Probably too good of an idea which is why the tire manufactures won't do it. Then we'd only need new tires maybe every 20,000 miles.

--ScottI guess you mean they don't make one in airhead sizes because Dunlop and Michelin immediately come to mind as makers of dual and even triple compound motorcycle tires.

[Polarbear]

Probably the BEST tire ever made for any m/c...I ridden so many of them and found it unreal when they stopped making them:(. Rain an issue, NOT. If you slid on them, you slid on anything made, imo. Too bad they discontinued that tire. I still use a Dunlop 404(R100/7,same as your /5), which is a lesser tire than the 491, but its the same demensions, with less weight carrying ability. Same tread. Miles unknown. The 491's went a long ways in miles for sure. Its was made for numerous m/c's up to Gold Wings/HD's and it had a huge rep among most riders. I think its still made for HD, under their name only. Check it out, as the Sportster may have similar sized tires on the 883. Not sure. Randy