Tires we run on the 650

[OKC_Kent]

In this thread please just post the tires you run on your 650, type of riding, tire brand & size, mileage gotten from them, and short description.


Bike: 1978 KZ650B2  a commuter and weekend trip bike.

Front Tire: 1:  Cheng Shin, unknown model, 100/90-19 ribbed tread design.
                    Mileage from it: 23,600 had severe cupping when replaced, should have been replaced at 20,000miles.   Overall a good tire but wiggled on rain grooves.
Front tire: 2:   Cheng Shin Hi-Maxx 100/90-19 5k miles, so far so good. Good traction dry and wet.

Rear tire: 1:    Chengshin Hi-Maxx 120/90-18
                    Mileage was 12,000 when replaced. Good tire, no issues. Handles well dry and wet. Not really pushed in the wet, but sticks good in the curves.
Rear tire: 2: Cheng Shin Hi-Maxx 120/90-18 12,300 miles and needs replacement. Center wears out quick, but there are no curves in Oklahoma so that's expected.  Same performance as the first one.
 

[anarki650]

Front Tire:  Cheng Shin Barracuda 100/90-19.  About 4K so far and showing minimal signs of wear to this point. 
Rear Tire:  Cheng Shin Barracuda 130/90-18.  Same mileage as above and is wearing very nicely. 

I went with the Barracuda because of the very round profile of the tire.  I'm a very aggressive rider and these tires are a perfect fit for my bike and riding style.  The extra wide on the rear gives a bit more tire crown along with a fatter tire, both of which compliment my riding style nicely.  Great traction dry, I push hard through curves and corners (close to knee dragging most of the time) and these tires hold that style riding every time I take her out.  Decent in the wet, but can't really say how they truly perform because I always ride very conservatively in the rain. 

[incognito0160]

I run Dunlops GT501's front and rear.  130/90-16 rear 100/90-19 front.  My bike is my daily rider but I ride it very hard.  My front tire was just replaced with a lot of tread left but it was cupping.  My rear tire has over 6,000 miles and 3 big burn outs and it still has another 1000 miles in it. 

I've ridden through some of the worst storms with these tires, over 1 foot deep puddles, and I could do 70mph's on the hwyway in those bad conditions.  I use the whole tire and it's wearing out proportionally even with doing burnouts and just roasting it through an intersection.

[mariozappa]

I also run the Cheng Shin HI-MAXX.

1977 C1
FRONT: 100/90/19   
13,000 miles with plenty of tread left.  After a puncture, replaced with same make of tire.

REAR:  130/80/18
Over 14,000 miles.  The center is worn down fairly low, but useable until the end of the season.  Will probably replace with a 130/90/18 over the winter.


1977 B1
I run the sames tires on the B1, except a 120/90/18 in the rear.  It's only seen about 1000 miles of road this year, so all is good.


I have not had any problems in the rain with these tires (knock on wood).

[fixer5000]

for the past coupla tire changes i used to get the irc durotours from dennis kirk. they wore ok and hung pretty good rain or shine. now ive got dunlop elite 2's on there and they seem pretty good too and seem to be lasting a long time compared to the irc tires

[stampnw]

2-years ago I put a Cheng Shin Marquis on the rear (just slightly wider than stock). I just needed to get some new rubber on the road, and tread was about gone in middle. Don't know if this was the best choice. I didn't look around and compare different brands/types. JC Whitney was just handy.

Just recently (2 months), I replaced the front with the same model from Cheng Shin (100/90H19).

I swear these things look like they should be Mud/Snow rated, but they handle well and I've had no trouble with them.

Anyone esle ever used Cheng Shin Marquis tires? Any comments/observations?

[rstnick]

I had new tires installed in Sept. '04.

Front 100/90-19 Bridgestone Spitfire 11F
Back 130/90-18 Bridgestone Spitfire 11R

I've got about 22000 kms/13670 miles on them.
The front has some cupping on the left side, but don't notice it on corners.
They work well overall, but I'm not very agressive in the corners. There is a good inch of chicken strip on them.
They are showing some signs of cracking due to age. One was manufactured in 2001, the other in 2003.
Thread still have a fair bit of life in them, although I think I will be switching tires this Winter.
I have an 18 front wheel going on, and the rear is over 5 years old and becoming somewhat flat in shape.
I will probibly go to a 120 rear tire. A little narrower than what I have at the moment, but that's what Kawi recommends, as well as a mechanic buddy who races Kawis.

[H2RICK]

Well, I blew the wad and splashed out for a set of Metzeler Lasertecs because I wanted to have the inch-size tires to keep the original look/stance/handling. I've now got about 3K miles on them and they handle just fine. I have NOT ridden any appreciable distance in the rain so I can't comment on that aspect of them. They seem to be durable enough and are just now starting to flatten in the centre after our 1000 mile jaunt to Montana and Idaho in September of this year.
I would have preferred Bridgestones but they no longer offer inch-size tires. I think they're missing out on a nice market niche.....but I guess they're letting Metzeler have it all to themselves.....well except for Continental, which have poor distribution, generally.

[Crash]

pirelli sport demon

130/90-16   100/90-19

Just got them, so can't comment on milage.  Nice round profile.  Still breaking them in, but they hook up in the corners pretty well.  Nice wet weather traction.  Very aggressive look.

[RonKZ650]

For years I ran Dunlop K391, then K591 sport elites, both discontinued now and they have the replacement GT501 which I expect is a great tire, but as mentioned not offered in inch sizing. I'm not about to crossthread 1/4 nuts onto 6mm bolts, and I no longer want to run the wrong size metric tires either. Dunlops can expect close to 10,000 miles. Use 100/90-19, 120/90-18 if you must as 110/90 too low profile and not wide enough. Also did the Dunlop D404 and would highly advise not to use this tire.
Others I've tried are the Continental TKH23/24 which is offered in 3.25-19 and 4.00-18. These were real fine tire. Also the Avon Roadrider offered in correct sizing. I have a set I'm going to install soon. Get tires at Dennis Kirk. Several inch size choices, many tire companies make the sizes,  but not many retailers offer them.

[H2RICK]

Thanks for the tip on the Avon Roadriders, Ron. The sole distributor in Canada does not carry the Roadriders in inch sizes....the goofs....although I can get the Contis from them.
I might give the Contis a try in the inch sizes.....but I still wish I could get some Bridgestones. Grrrrr......

[fury413rb]

whats the consensus on Dunlop 404s? my bike currently has an older version i think of this on the rear now

[Mark Wing]

DO NOT run Avons, they SUCK

[RonKZ650]

I've never heard a bad word about Avon ever til now. What's the deal with them Mark? I'll throw my $0.02 in on the Dunlop 404. "DO NOT run them, they SUCK" 

[Mark Wing]

Well it could be my hot motor but if I gas it coming out of a turn the back will break lose. With the Metzlers I ran before my wreck it would wheelie out of corners.
Mark