120 vs 130 rear tire on Kz 1000A

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03 Jul 2015 16:02 #679301 by Slyde77
120 vs 130 rear tire on Kz 1000A was created by Slyde77
Not sure which to run 120/90/18 or a 130/80/18 on my 77 KZ 1000A....anyone have thoughts on this and what brand of tires are u guys running. I heard its better to keep the stock size tire...but I heard if you can go wider it would be better in the rain. Ive been riding for like12 years but Im really new to the Kz world, so I have a lot to learn. ty for your time guys :)

ah one thing where do u guys get your tires???

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03 Jul 2015 17:14 - 03 Jul 2015 17:15 #679312 by 650ed
Replied by 650ed on topic 120 vs 130 rear tire on Kz 1000A
My KZ650-C1 has the same size wheels as your bike; I've owned it for 38 years. For many years I ran Michelin 130/90-18 tires on the rear. What I eventually discovered was that even though the 130 tire is somewhat wider than the 120/90-18 when unmounted it actually does not deliver more tread to the pavement than the 120. The reason is that the 130 tire is a bit too wide for the stock rim. As a result, the cross-section profile of the 130 tire is distorted when the tire is squeezed onto that fairly narrow rim. About 8 years ago I started using a 120/90-18 tire on the rear. I have found that it performs as well, if not better, that the 130 tire. I'll never go back to a 130 tire. They are more difficult to mount on the rim and they don't provide better performance that the 120.

I have been running Pirelli Sport Demon tires for quite a few years. They perform very well and they last longer than some other tires I have used in the past. I use 100/90-19 on front; 120-90-18 on the rear. I bought my first set from DennisKirk.com and got the the second set locally. Here's what they look like. Ed

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1977 KZ650-C1 Original Owner - Stock (with additional invisible FIAMM horn)
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Last edit: 03 Jul 2015 17:15 by 650ed.

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  • SWest
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03 Jul 2015 18:20 #679317 by SWest
Replied by SWest on topic 120 vs 130 rear tire on Kz 1000A
I'm running Shinko Tour Master tires on mine. 110/90-19 front, 130/90-18 on the back. I get them on sale at Chaparral. I had a 100/90-19 up front but it washed out on dirt roads too much. Couldn't wait for it to wear out. This time I have a working odometer so I can tell just how many miles I get on a tire. I figured about 4000 miles but that was only guessing.
Steve

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