Tires for 1978 kz200 - cant find exact size tire for rear

  • RustToRedemption
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07 Aug 2019 11:54 #808869 by RustToRedemption
Having trouble finding the rear tire for this bike. Supposed to be a 3.25x17, but literally no one makes that size anymore. I believe the original OEM tires are still on the bike, and are dry rotted and obviously unsafe. The front tire seems to be available in limited brands at a 2.75x18, but I would like to get a matched set of tires if possible. Anyone got a line on a set of modern tires that fit these bikes? TIA

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07 Aug 2019 12:31 #808871 by RustToRedemption
Replied by RustToRedemption on topic Tires for 1978 kz200 - cant find exact size tire for rear
Ok after thinking it through some more, I think a 120/90-17 or a 130/90-17 will work for the rear, and a 110/80-18 or 110/90-18 will work for the front.

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  • DoctoRot
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07 Aug 2019 12:33 - 07 Aug 2019 12:33 #808872 by DoctoRot
few manufacturers use standard sizes anymore. You need the metric equivalent. 3.25 is about 90mm but its common to run a 100mm in place of a 3.25 so I would look for a 100/90-17 or 100/80-17

www.bikebandit.com/tires-tubes/motorcycl...orcycle-tire/p/56157
Last edit: 07 Aug 2019 12:33 by DoctoRot.
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07 Aug 2019 12:34 - 07 Aug 2019 12:36 #808873 by DoctoRot
typically a 4.00 wide tire is a 120. smaller tires will perform better as they have less rotational mass which has a profound effect on acceleration, stopping, and handling. Not to mention a too large of tie on a small rim will deform the tire profile

I would look for a 90/90-18 for the front and a 100/90-17 for the rear
Last edit: 07 Aug 2019 12:36 by DoctoRot.
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  • TexasKZ
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07 Aug 2019 14:12 #808880 by TexasKZ

1982 KZ1000 LTD parts donor
1981 KZ1000 LTD awaiting resurrection
2000 ZRX1100 not ridden enough
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07 Aug 2019 14:17 #808882 by TexasKZ
Or this if you want a bit more information

www.mad-ducati.com/Technical/TireInfo/TireChart.html

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1981 KZ1000 LTD awaiting resurrection
2000 ZRX1100 not ridden enough
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07 Aug 2019 15:41 #808888 by TexasKZ
Pretty dang close here--
Rear tire is 3.00 instead of 3.25

www.metzeler.com/en-us/products/tires/me-22

1982 KZ1000 LTD parts donor
1981 KZ1000 LTD awaiting resurrection
2000 ZRX1100 not ridden enough
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10 Aug 2019 17:13 #809012 by RustToRedemption
Replied by RustToRedemption on topic Tires for 1978 kz200 - cant find exact size tire for rear
Found some Dunlop k70s in exactly the specified sizes. Nice to have some more info on tires for this bike, this is my first bike that uses standard sizing for OEM tires.

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10 Aug 2019 18:07 #809013 by loudhvx
I would have thought 120 was probably too wide for a Kz200. Like Doc said, I would expect the Kz200 to use a 100 tire.
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10 Aug 2019 19:03 - 10 Aug 2019 19:05 #809015 by 650ed

loudhvx wrote: I would have thought 120 was probably too wide for a Kz200. Like Doc said, I would expect the Kz200 to use a 100 tire.


You are correct. Maybe he is mixed up and thinks metric (street tires) and alpha (off-road tires) sizes are the same. They are not. 120 metric is 4.50" - 4.75". That is far too wide for a KZ200 and would be very deformed if he was able to squeeze in onto the KZ200 rim. The chart in the link below might help him. Ed

www.revzilla.com/common-tread/motorcycle-tires-101-guide

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Last edit: 10 Aug 2019 19:05 by 650ed.
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