Tire Time

[Larrydplummer]

Good Day guys, its tire time. I've done some reading and really want to go with a new set of Dunlop K70s. Why?.. i like the way they look. The tires on the bike are original and in really great shape (other than the cracks on the side walls...lol) the way a tire looks on a bike is not a reason to purchase them. any pros or cons before i pull the trigger on this would be greatly appreciated.

 

[jetmechmarty]

Dunlop is a quality brand.

 

[drgonzo]

I've never owned a set of K70s but I have owned many Dunlops and never regretted it.

 

[jetmechmarty]

I've never owned a set of K70s but I have owned many Dunlops and never regretted it.

Same.

 

[GLJ]

I put K-70s on a XS-2 this year and have been very happy with them.

 

[Mailman]

I put a set on my XS2, mostly because I feel they look right on a vintage bike. Generally I was very happy with them, if you push them hard through a corner , they can squirm a little bit and they felt absolutely wiggly on the concrete highway rain grooves we have near me. Modern tread profiles with more rounded shapes and stickier rubber do not have those same bad habits. But having said all that, I still like them on classic bikes , they felt perfect on country two lane roads at more modest speeds, and their more aggressive tread pattern , I believe, would be better at handling the occasional dirt or gravel road.

 

[zrx1100]

Agree with everything Mailman said. I run these on mine. Like them other than the rain grooves . Also the rear last 2-3K miles or so

I put a set on my XS2, mostly because I feel they look right on a vintage bike. Generally I was very happy with them, if you push them hard through a corner , they can squirm a little bit and they felt absolutely wiggly on the concrete highway rain grooves we have near me. Modern tread profiles with more rounded shapes and stickier rubber do not have those same bad habits. But having said all that, I still like them on classic bikes , they felt perfect on country two lane roads at more modest speeds, and their more aggressive tread pattern , I believe, would be better at handling the occasional dirt or gravel road.
View attachment 333846View attachment 333847

 

[Kevin Werner]

I do like my K70s. Unless you do a lot of curves they will be "profiled" (rear) in 2.5 - 3k miles. I pay for tire mounting so saving $10 - $30 on a tire doesn't matter much after you figure in the shop charges. I am not the canyon charger (thought I was) that I used to be in my youth. And , yes, any tire with a center break in the tread design will "hunt" on grooved pavement. I only post alot of pics of this bike so that @Jim will become famous...

 

[WideAWAKE]

I posted this as a response on another thread but I don’t think the k70s are a good tire.

My rear seems to have flattened out much like a car tire. Can’t wait to change em.

The pic Kevin posted looks to be flattened like mine.

Makes for not so great handling in my experience.

 

[Kevin Werner]

I posted this as a response on another thread but I don’t think the k70s are a good tire.

My rear seems to have flattened out much like a car tire. Can’t wait to change em.

The pic Kevin posted looks to be flattened like mine.

Makes for not so great handling in my experience.

The tire does have about 2.5k miles on it now, so yes it's time. I want to keep the retro look.

 

[Mailman]

I posted this as a response on another thread but I don’t think the k70s are a good tire.

My rear seems to have flattened out much like a car tire. Can’t wait to change em.

The pic Kevin posted looks to be flattened like mine.

Makes for not so great handling in my experience.

Have you got a brand and style in mind?
I was running Michelin Pilot Activ on my ‘77, which I thought was a very good, modern design tire. Excellent handling too!

 

[WideAWAKE]

Have you got a brand and style in mind?
I was running Michelin Pilot Activ on my ‘77, which I thought was a very good, modern design tire. Excellent handling too!

View attachment 333881View attachment 333882

I’ve been happy with the irc gs-11s.

Nice round profile and classic look.

Someone on here said they read reports of fast wear, I’ve only a thousand or so miles on mine so can’t speak too much on that, just that mine seem to be holding up fine.

I’ve got them on 2 bikes now.

 

[Melnic]

These are the tires i WISH I put on my XS650. I do short back country easy going rides with the bike so they would be fine I think. I put Dunlop 404s. I don't put that many miles on my XS650 so it would be YEARS until I need new tires but K70 will be on the top of the list.

 

[jetmechmarty]

I put Dunlop 404s

The rear will last about 4,000 miles. I hope it doesn’t take you years to ride 4,000 miles.

 

[Melnic]

The rear will last about 4,000 miles. I hope it doesn’t take you years to ride 4,000 miles.

It will,
I have 4 other bikes
This bike spent a couple months this summer while I was painting the tank but should be doing 1-1.5K a year with the older bikes.
I don't ride to work (people here too crazy during rush hour) just pleasure riding and group trips which I don't take the older bikes on.
Total riding this year so far is 4K for all bikes combined but should increase now that I'm not coaching Ice hockey anymore

 

[Larrydplummer]

I put a set on my XS2, mostly because I feel they look right on a vintage bike. Generally I was very happy with them, if you push them hard through a corner , they can squirm a little bit and they felt absolutely wiggly on the concrete highway rain grooves we have near me. Modern tread profiles with more rounded shapes and stickier rubber do not have those same bad habits. But having said all that, I still like them on classic bikes , they felt perfect on country two lane roads at more modest speeds, and their more aggressive tread pattern , I believe, would be better at handling the occasional dirt or gravel road.
View attachment 333846View attachment 333847

That is one handsome bike and you have to admit those are some good looking tires. I am wishing my xs2 had the original paint scheme as well.....perhaps some day

 

[Mailman]

That is one handsome bike and you have to admit those are some good looking tires. I am wishing my xs2 had the original paint scheme as well.....perhaps some day

Thanks! I sold it to a fellow forum member, it’s now living the good life on the California coast!

 

[WideAWAKE]

Thanks! I sold it to a fellow forum member, it’s now living the good life on the California coast!

They both came here??

We should have a rally!

 

[Mailman]

They both came here??

We should have a rally!

No, no…..the other is in Minnesota.