Tire preferences
- N0NB
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- Blue handles better
Tires are an interesting choice. With a number of manufacturers, the choices are varied. We can choose performance tires and give up mileage or touring tires and be careful in the turns but get a long lasting tire. Most of us (me at least) would prefer a combination. Also, we can't forget that for an older bike a tire should "look right".
With that in mind I've been shopping for a rear tire for the 650B (the front is a nearly new Cheng Shin and the jury is out on that one, but it "looks right"). Since a Dunlop D404 rear was put on the recently completed '78 SR project, I got to really like the profile and pattern on it. Online reviews for it don't give it high praise for mileage and it has been panned on here as well.
So, today I call the bike shop in Manhattan (Kansas, i.e. The Little Apple, home of Kansas State, etc.) and asked if he had a D404 in a 120/90H18 in stock. He said no and that he'd been moving away from Dunlops. Interesting. He did say he has the Pirelli MT66 in stock in either 110 or 120. After checking a pic, I think it would "look right" on the B as well. Last fall he had shown me an IRC tire, but he's moving away from them too.
My SR has a pair of Conti Blitz TKH23/24 on it. So far they are showing a good wear characteristic despite being ridden on gravel. But, they don't "look right" to me and I've had to get used to the way they handle gravel (kind of squirrelly). On pavement, they have been well planted, although I've not ridden in rain (I'm a wuss, okay?).
So, what's everyone else's thoughts on tires for a KZ?
Nate
Nates vintage bike axiom: Riding is the reward for time spent wrenching.
Murphys corollary: Wrenching is the result of time spent riding.
1979 KZ650 (Complete!)
1979 KZ650 SR (Sold!)
1979 KL250 (For sale)
1994 Bayou 400 (four wheel peel )
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- neilage66
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Installed a set of the aforementioned Pirelli's on me Honda early this spring and like them so far over numerous hundreds of miles.
Of course I would prolly like Metzlers or Dunlops or Bridgestone's too. :whistle:
The Pirelli's seemed to be a good tire for the money...so far so good. ...and they "look right!"
BT45's on the GPz.
Post edited by: neilage66, at: 2007/06/06 20:43
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- EsaPro
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I like the look of those Pirelli's, but I think I like the 404's better.
Jim
79 KZ750 Twin (Fun!)
07 Yamaha 1300 (Plush!)
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- Z1R rider
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good thread topic,
thumbs up!!
1978 KZ1000, Z1R
1999 250 Ninja race bike
2013 WR250F, fun in the dirt
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- steell
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I have a new set of 404's I am putting on my 79 twin, but only cause I don't want to spend the extra $$ for GT501's at the moment
I am putting 18" GPz750 wheels on my KZ750E and am planning to use Bridgestone BT45's because I can't get the 140/80 (or 70)/18 size in the GT501's.
Post edited by: steell, at: 2007/06/06 21:06
KD9JUR
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- RonKZ650
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321,000 miles on KZ's that I can remember. Not going to see any more.
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- wireman
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yeah i used to love the me99s also!The first ones I put on mine after the OEM Dunlops was a set of ConiTwins. Wore good, about 5000 on the rear and 8000 on front. Then tried a set of SuperTwins, better grip lasted about as long but had a habit of trying to stand up in corners and followed rain grooves bad. Then tried Metzeler ME33 front and ME99A rear and feel in love, lasted around 6000 on rear and 10,000 on front, stuck well enough to drag the Kirker and pegs, and they stayed where you put them in the corners. They didn't follow rain grooves too bad and stopped well, now they've quit making them and I have just started looking for something to use now. Tried a Pirelli Sport Demon rear and though it stuck well at the track (never did get it to slide) it only lasted 2000 miles. It wore uneven, smooth on one side and .135" opposite. When I called Pirelli to complain they gave me the "take it back to the dealer and we'll see" bs. As I got it through D. Kirk I just tossed it and reinstalled a used 99A and will likely not try Pirelli again. Havn't tried the Dunlop GT 501 yet, but it's next on my list. Not many choices anymore for bias ply 18" on both ends.
good thread topic,
thumbs up!!
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- dkmk
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Northern Ontario
Zapp: "Kif, I'm feeling the Captain's Itch."
Kif: "I'll get the powder, sir."
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- caffcruiser
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- N0NB
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- Blue handles better
I got very close to an Internet price for it and free mounting, at least!
Nate
Nates vintage bike axiom: Riding is the reward for time spent wrenching.
Murphys corollary: Wrenching is the result of time spent riding.
1979 KZ650 (Complete!)
1979 KZ650 SR (Sold!)
1979 KL250 (For sale)
1994 Bayou 400 (four wheel peel )
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- Fossil
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