Touring tire and shock recomondations for a kz1000

I live out in the country and plan on using the bike for a lot of highway travel so I'm looking for a set of tires and shocks that will be good for long rides but are still decent for cornering.

I have spoke tires so they will need tubes.

Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Thanks,

JD

I'm using Hagon shocks, Pirelli Sport Demon tires, and Metzeler tubes (as recommended by Pirelli). They work great and any speed, and the tires are holding up very well so far (about 4,000 miles). I'm really happy with this combination! Ed

davequinnmotorcycles.com/cgi-bin/webc.cg...GON_TWIN_SHOCKS.html

www.pirelli.com/tire/us/en/motorcycle/sh...rl=%3Fsubtype%3Droad

It's hard to get better value for money than Ikon shock absorbers, but Hagon also have some shocks with adjustable damping for a fair price. If you want to support local industry, Progressive Suspension have decent products, but they cost a bit if you want adjustable damping and the ability to rebuild them.

The good thing about adjustable damping is that A) you can compensate for wear and you can adjust them to suit your riding at the moment. Cruise gently and you can dial in the least amount of preload and damping. Want to go crazy around the corners? Add preload and damping for added cornering clearance and control.

I think you will be hard pressed to find a better compromise than the Metzeler Marathon ME88 for the riding you describe. I know tyres are like engine oils; everybody have an opinion. And it's highly subjective. Also, a tyre that works with one riding style and/or bike may not work so well for another combination. Still, the Metz is a high quality tyre that gives lots of miles while offering more stick than your bike has cornering clearance. And it's also quite respectable in the wet.

EDIT: The Pirelli suggested by Ed is a higher performing tyre for serious scratching, but tyre life will be noticeably less. Personally, I prefer high grip over long life, but if I ever were to go on a long tour, I'd take the 3 times extra mileage of the Marathon.

i run Dunlop Roadsmarts .they have superb grip. i use them for track days too. Not sure if they are avail in kz size though , since i run dif rims.

I looked up everyone's suggestions and I'm Finding 18" rear tires are not available in Dunlop road smart or Metzeler Marathon ME88 unless I'm confused which I know I am.

Hey Ed, those Pirelli Sport Demon's are looking good.

Just for fun I looked up Carlisle Tour Max which is what I was running and it's still available but only for golf carts :silly:

Thanks everybody,
JD

One of many sources www.americanmototire.com/catalog/product...php?products_id=3588

Here's another source for tires:

www.ronayers.com/ProductDetails/N/10023/SKU/1652548

It's time to buy tires and so far the only matching sets I have found are Michelin Pilot active though www.ronayers.com
And Avon AM 26 through www.motorcycle-superstore.com

The Avon's front tire is almost a 1/2" thinner that stock.
I have more places to check.

From what I'm told the Pirelli Sport Demon's are not available for my stock rims :S

Ed, don't you have a 19" front and a 18" back ?

If anyone has an opinion on either sets of tires, or a line on another brand that will fit my stocker please let me know.

Front 3.25 x 19
Back 4.00 x 18

I plan on pulling the trigger before the end of the month.
Everyone seems to have sales going on right now.

In the mean time I'm cleaning and truing the wheels .
This is the way the shop I went to years ago used to do it, see any problems with doing it this way ?

JD

i have used Metzler lazertechs. they were good.

www.us.metzelermoto.com/web/catalog/moto...atalog/sport_touring

I’m running a Pirelli 100/90 V 19 Sport Demon on the front and a 120/90 V 18 Sport Demon on the rear. I am using Metzeler tubes; these were recommended by Pirelli (a Metzeler business partner) because Pirelli doesn’t offer the tubes in the sizes I need.
Ronayers code for the front is 871-2096 @ $95.14; the rear tire is code 871-2115 @ $102.71. At the link below click on the drop-down menu to the right of the picture of the tire.

www.ronayers.com/ProductDetails/N/10023/SKU/1652548

bump

I'm calling Ron Ayers back tomorrow and asking why they didn't come up with the Pirellis ?
The Metzler's look sharp too, but if I have a choice I think I'm going to give the Sport Demons a shot.

Thanks guys

JD