Questions and comments: Cra-z1, nice 72. And thanks for the Jakewilson site. I'll compare it with Dennis Kirk
Ernie, I have an 18 on the back, but do they wear well on your bike?
I had Avon AM23 Roadriders front 3.25x19 and rear 4.00x18. Handled great but the rear was squirrely on highway when hitting the grooves in the road. it lasted about 6K.
Then an Avon AM44 60/40, rear only 120/80x18. It handled as well as the roadrider, but no wobbling in the grooves and much better on dirt roads and grass. It lasted about 7K. I believe this tire has been discontinued.
Then an Avon AV54 60/40, rear only 120/80x18. Again handles great, no squirreling and great on dirt and grass. I have about 4k now and holding up well.
Note: Just put another Avon AM23 roadrider on the front since the last one lasted 15K or so, and it wore evenly. Well, this install was a bitch. I try to install the tires using powder because I feel it allows the tube to move more freely. The bead wouldn't pop on one side, so I did the usual, let out some air, hit it with a rubber mallet all around, bounced it on the ground, put in air again -- same thing. Now I try dish soap and water. I don't like to use soap because I have steel rims and it promotes rust. Anyway, did all the same stuff -- same thing. Now, I remove the tire and tube. Inflated the tube on the ground. It was bulging on one side. Ah - hah! Put in the old tube, (that didn't have a bulge), used WD-40, (now I'm serious), some more pounding and bouncing and the bead line looked even on both sides. Road the bike and ......... same fu-kin thing. At first I thought it was too much fork oil and I was feeling all the minute bumps in the road. It's really obvious with no hands as I slow down. Ok, so this is the 5th tire I've changed in 3 years and I've probably changed more than 50 in my life time.
Anyone out there ever had a bad tire?
Oh, i've been thinking I may go back to the original 4x18 Dunlop k70 rear and a 3.5x19 ribbed front. That was stock for 72.
