TIRES?

tadd442

dude.....
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Looking to get a set of vintage style (K70) Dunlops for my XS2. From what I see & what is on the bike, a ribbed style is the choice for a front tire.

Knowing the early bikes liked to wobble at speed, I can understand that a ribbed tire would be ideal.

Most of my riding will be country roads where there is always gravel present scattered in an intersection, so I was considering a K70 for my front tire as well.

I trust today's vintage style tires are made with modern compounds...will it really matter what style I choose for a front tire?

Input welcomed. :thumbsup:
 
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Years ago, we used to experience more wobble incidents with ribbed fronts. K81s were much better.
The ribbed front also loved to do that white-knuckle dance in rain grooves...
 
I'd avoid the ribbed pattern tyres - had them as standard fitment on my W650 (Bridgestone Accolades) and they were awful - used to follow the rain grooves and even cause mild "tank slappers" when slowing down :mad: They didn't inspire confidence in the rain either :doh:

Now got TT100's (Dunlop K81's) and the bikes been transformed :bike: Modern rubber can put extra strain on these old bikes - loading suspension more - but most well known name brand tyres should do. I'd defo go TT100's as they look the part - period style :thumbsup:
 
So modern rubber is bad? :bs: I suppose iridium plugs and a bigger coil will blow the heads off? :laughing:
Modern rubber is one of the best things you can do for an old bike. Of course you have to actually maintain things like the steering head, swing arm, forks, and rear shocks to realize the difference, but it IS significantly better, and won't hurt ANYTHING on your bike. :thumbsup:
 
I wouldn't get K70s. They're a square profile. Guys run them on sidecar rigs and they are well suited for that, not so much for a regular bike that must lean into the corners. I'll second the K81 choice. They're wonderful tires and can be run on both front and rear.
 
5twins...Is there an advantage to running a front tire the same width as the rear? K81's seem hard to get in the advertised 3.6" width in the states. I'm only really seeing the 4.1" width.
 
So modern rubber is bad? :bs:


My post (just before yours) isn't saying "modern rubber is bad" :doh: If you read it, it says I found the modern Accolades were shite! But the MODERN TT100's are great. You understand now? :thumbsup:

As for square-section tyres - I'd not have them on a solo unit - round profile tyre are designed for cornering & leaning :laugh:

Stay away from cheap stuff like CHEN SHIN - they are lethal in the rain :eek:
 
Maybe I misunderstand the sizing system? I just read on an ebay auction that the 4.1 is actually 3.25" and the 4.25 is actually 4 inches?

A little clarification is appreciated!
 
IMHO leave the museum style tires to the guys with museum bikes, put on the best tires you can find....

Sadly these are still in the shop waiting to be fitted to a bike

Michelin Pilot Activ Rear Tire
Color- --, Size- 4.00H-18 SKU#188558 $108.99


Michelin Pilot Activ Front Tire
Color- --, Size- 100/90V-19
SKU#186702 $98.99

I ran a pair of Shinko's last year and was quite satisfied, can not comment on use in the rain because I didn't
 
Pigford, your statement was " Modern rubber can put extra strain on these old bikes - loading suspension more" That's what I was responding to. I understood you found the accolade to be crap, but the statement I quoted is directed at modern rubber, not just the one tire.
Tadd442, It would help if you posted a link to the ad you are looking at, or the full tire size you are looking at. There are 3 primary sizing systems in use. Alpha, Inch, and metric. Here's a chart that may help you out. Look up the standard size for your front and rear, and compare it to the ad you are looking at. I'll gladly help if you need it, but can't recommend a size for you. My bike is a Special, and I don't have any experience with tires in the sizes on the roadster.

http://www.kgmotorcycletires.com/size_conversion_charts.htm
 
IMHO leave the museum style tires to the guys with museum bikes put on the best tires you can find....

Sadly these are still in the shop waiting to be fitted to a bike

Michelin Pilot Activ Rear Tire
Color- --, Size- 4.00H-18
SKU#188558 Approved $108.99 1
@@REWARDSPROGRAMNAME 109
$108.99
Michelin Pilot Activ Front Tire
Color- --, Size- 100/90V-19
SKU#186702 Approved $98.99 1
@@REWARDSPROGRAMNAME 99
$98.99

Those would be my top choice for a standard. :thumbsup:

Since they don't have the rear size for the specials, I will probably go with a matched set from someone else. I think raised white letters look sweet on a special (or any early cruiser, really) but the Bridgestone S-11 (which I DO like) is the only option there. Probably where I'll end up. I liked the S-11 on the previous 2 bikes I ran it on, and it would take me 7 years to wear out a set of Commanders on a weekender bike. I like the balance of wear and performance from the Pirelli MT-66. With cruiser related sizing, high performance tires don't exactly abound, but there are some decent options anyway.
 
I ran modern style tires at first, and they were great. I really like the look of vintage tires(made with modern compounds) now, so much that I will gladly trade a bit of performance for the right look. Curvy roads are usually asphalt around here, so the rain groove dance only happens on the slab, which sucks to ride anyways. I run a speedmaster up front and a shinko dual whitewall on the rear, and drag metal bits in the corners without any issues.
 
I'm running K-70s front/rear on my stocker, by choice. They're the dirt-track style I need out here in rough/rocky dirt-road land. We have many low-water crossings here that develop a super-slime coating of algae, and some modern bikes with large ungrooved rubber sections go down in that stuff. Fresh cow patties get slick too.

Then there's the open-range loose cattle, and easily confused deer that pop-up around every curve. No need to push it, enjoying the scenery from close up.

Due to my age and health, I ride very sedately anyways.
 
I am in no way, an aggressive rider. I only ride painted roads when I absolutely have to because I feel like I am holding up traffic. I will ride with others on occasion, but that is the exception, not the norm. My style of riding is directly associated with the bike I'm riding. I will push my bikes limits on acceleration on a known straight to check its tune, but that's about it. That being said, I want the machine to perform as intended when it was produced....I chose this bike for what it is, not what it could be. It is a completely stock XS2 survivor and I have gone to some lengths to keep in its original form.
 
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