Tire question

[puccini]

I want to get new tires for my R75/7.
I'm confused by the size numbers.

Whats the proper size in the NEW number system?

Also I'm out of work so cost is a big factor.
I'm leaning towards the Avon roadriders, any opinions?

Can anyone steer me towards a discount outlet for tires?

[kgadley01]

let us know what size you have now. then we can convert it to metric sizes. once you know your size go on line to compare prices. on E-Bay you can type in your size under M/C parts and click to view the cheapest first...

[lkchris]

Whats the proper size in the NEW number system?

This is NO equivalent in the metric sizing system.

3.25X19 and 4.00X18 are still available from manufacturers willing to support the Airhead market, and IMHO Airhead riders should support them.

FWIW, there are certain manufacturers who in fact produce these sizes for sale in Europe (where it could be illegal to fit any other sizes) but they don't send them to the USA. Shame on them.

[20774]

I just purchased two Continental RB2 tires 3.25x19 for my new R25/2...got them from the BMW dealer and got a decent discount. It was enough to purchase locally as opposed to ordering on-line or across the pond.

[tghsmith]

http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/1/28/396/6153/ITEM/Michelin-Macadam-50E-Sport-Touring-Front-Tire.aspx not a bad price on a good tire they also carry mezt. tubes...

[83014]

I purchased my last set of Avon tyres in the correct sizes from these folks.http://www.swmototires.com/
The shipping was free. I did check with my local dealer before ordering and the same tires from him would have been about $ 75 more for the pair.

[dduelin]

Metric sizing for airheads are 90/90-19 or 100/90-19 for front tires and 110/90-18 for rear tires. Some brand tires in 100/90-19 size will rub the front fender mount on a /5, the narrower 90/90-19 sizes will not. Avon Roadriders are available in the original inch sizes and also in the above mentioned metric sizes if I recall. A good choice on a budget are Bridgestone S-11 Spitfires and they are very long wearing good handling tires despite the lower cost compared to some other airhead fitments. These do not come in inch sizes and must be purchased in metric. I have about 30,000 miles on S-11's in all weather and are happy with them.

[puccini]

Dave,
With the Bridgestone S-11's, did the 100/90-19 fit the front OK?
No rubbing problems?

[PMonk]

I love mine. Correct size and handle way past my ability (guts)!
and they are cheep.

[kstoo]

I'm reading Paul Glaves benchwrenching column right now. Tires.

[dduelin]

Dave,
With the Bridgestone S-11's, did the 100/90-19 fit the front OK?
No rubbing problems?The S-11 100/90-19 has plenty of clearance on my 1981 R100.

[kstoo]

Paul Glaves column in this month’s ON is a good refresher/ motorcycle tire 101.
That got me in the geek mode so I started searching m/c tire manufacturers to see what is available for the "classics" (meaning English inch sizes primarily). I am looking for 3.25-19 and 4.00-18 bias ply with the 'acceptable' cross-reference being 100/90-19 front and 110/90-18 rear. Some would say that 120/90-18 is acceptable but I have found those hard to get on and off the bike; a little too fat. A couple of manufacturers still offer an old classic product along with a modern tire in the same sizes. For my own purposes I would go with the newer tire engineering.
It is kind of depressing at some sites like Pirelli, Michelin, Dunlop and Bridgestone. It seems like they have lost interest in 18" diameter rear and 19" diameter front tires much less the inch bias ply cross-sections. I find it insulting that I can't find a year or model even close in the fitment selection. Confidence in renewed after working with Avon, Continental and Metzeler.

- Pirelli, nothing.
- Dunlop has something to offer but I was not pleased with my last Dunlop experience on the 1988 R100RT. I used to swear by Dunlop in the day, K81 was the best tire going at that time. Now D404 (http://www.dunlopmotorcycle.com/tirecatalog_tire.asp?id=37) is the best that they can do for me and it doesn't have an inch offering, metric only.
- Bridgestone has the BT-45 (http://mc.bridgestone.co.jp/en/products/battlax/bt45.html) in 3.25-19 and 4.00-18 and this looks kind of promising.
- Metzeler still offers the ME77 (http://www.metzelermoto.com/web/catalog/moto/moto_catalogo_schedaDescription.page?categoria=/catalog/moto/classic/none&vehicleType=MOTO&product_id=878160&uri=/metzeler/en_IT/browser/xml/catalog/moto/Classic_PERF_ME77.xml&menu_item=/products/catalog/classic) but I was pleased that the fitment guide steered me towards the LaserTec (http://www.metzelermoto.com/web/catalog/moto/moto_catalogo_schedaDescription.page?categoria=/catalog/moto/sport_touring/none&vehicleType=MOTO&product_id=876822&uri=/metzeler/en_IT/browser/xml/catalog/moto/SportTouring_Lasertec.xml&menu_item=/products/catalog/sport_touring) tires. I have put a lot of miles on several sets of these on different bikes and they have been good for me. I would do that again if that is the best price but I am thinking of trying something different.
- OK, what I meant was that I used Dunlop K81's on Hondas and Triumphs. What were the most popular and best all-around tires for the seventies BMWs were Conti Twins. RB 2 / K 112 (http://www.conti-online.com/generator/www/de/en/continental/motorcycle/themes/motorcycletires/classic/k112_rb2/k112rb2_en.html) are still available. This has got to be one of the longest lived motorcycle tire designs that worked great back then and is still good today. Last year I rescued a hot-rod R75/6 that the PO had outfitted with these and they do work well. Still, I think that it is really cool that Continental has a really modern tire, the ContiGo! (http://www.conti-online.com/generator/www/de/en/continental/motorcycle/themes/motorcycletires/allround/conti_go/contigo_en.html) in 3.25-19 and 4.00-18 sizes. Hmmm ... looks interesting. Continental; good choices, good fitment guide.
- Avon also has a good fitment guide for airhead purposes which takes me to their RoadRider (http://www.avon-tyres.co.uk/motorcycle/roadrider). This looks competitive the ContiGo! and I have heard good report about this one too.

My choices; Metzeler LaserTec, Continental ContiGo! and Avon RoadRider. So, my next step will be to do some Internet shopping to see what kind of bargains I can find for these. My greatest fear is the date code.

Sidebar:
If you ever do day dream about outfitting your airhead for better gravel roads and trails then take a look at Avon Distanzia (http://www.avon-tyres.co.uk/motorcycle/distanzia) which comes in 4.00-18 rear but only a 100/90-19 front or Continental ContiEscape (http://www.conti-online.com/generator/www/de/en/continental/motorcycle/themes/motorcycletires/enduro/escape/escape_en.html), 4.10-18 rear and again 100/90-19. I'm not saying that you ever do day dream about doing that gravel road a little faster, I'm just saying.

[jforgo]

I love my Avon rears - a real all-weather tire.I have a Laser front I will be replacing soon with the Avon. That Laser really catches the rain grooves.

[mymindsok]

I love my Avon rears - a real all-weather tire.I have a Laser front I will be replacing soon with the Avon. That Laser really catches the rain grooves.

During last Summers "Big Ride" I wore out my Stock laser crossing the country and had to pick up a replacement asap in New Port News. All I could find was an Avon front so I bought it.

What a mistake...! That was one squirrelly handling combination! The front was following every imperfection in the road and at high speeds, it felt like the front end was constantly wanting to wash out.

I finally figured out that whatever I was feeling wasn't actually happening and rode on home but I'll be very happy to spoon on a new Laser.

You live and learn!

[jforgo]

During last Summers "Big Ride" I wore out my Stock laser crossing the country and had to pick up a replacement asap in New Port News. All I could find was an Avon front so I bought it.

What a mistake...! That was one squirrelly handling combination! The front was following every imperfection in the road and at high speeds, it felt like the front end was constantly wanting to wash out.

I finally figured out that whatever I was feeling wasn't actually happening and rode on home but I'll be very happy to spoon on a new Laser.

You live and learn!

Which model Avon front did you get? Was it the RoadRider AM26? Does it grab the rain grooves?

The bike I have with the Laser had an ME77 on the rear before I put the Avon on the rear. It didn't deal with the rain grooves well with the Metzeler either. The Laser has worked fine elsewhere.

I just saw on the Avon website they still make the AM20/21's. I used these years ago in rain groove LA - they worked very well for that - very good tires all around. No longer available in Airhead sizes, I see.