Tire recommendations

[F14CRAZY]

I got 12k miles out of a rear Shinko Tour Master...it remains me recommended tire

[beemrdon]

I ended up replacing my rear PR4 @6,000 miles for the trip from Boston to Las Vegas. So here I am in Vegas now with a rear tire that has 3,000 miles on it and that's good. I am glad I changed it because I ended up spending zero time worrying about it on the trip and that is priceless.

RANT coming...

BTW, do not travel the interstate highways on a cross country motorcycle trip like I just did. The interstates have been taken over by tractor-trailers and I've never seen so many which has made the trip just about unenjoyable. They can be dangerous as you always have to "run the gap" between them as when they are hogging both lanes - one trying to pass another when they are going about 1/2 mph difference in speed. And smelling the burning trash exhaust for 4 days just plain sucks. :musicboohoo:

[beemerphile]

Some feedback on the Continental Classic Attacks (but not on a Kbike).

1)  They were easier to install than Pilot Activs, but not by much.

2)  They corner very well and give high confidence at extreme lean angles.  I am sure that I can ride faster on these than the Michelins.

3)  But here is the kicker...  The profile of the tires fall off very quickly from center.  As a result, the bike falls into turns and you have to apply opposite steering pressure to keep it from falling deeper.  Then to exit the turn, you have to apply a strong righting force.  This is vs. some tires (like the Pilot Activs) that seem "on-center" and when pushed into a turn you have to hold them there with steering pressure.  If you let up, the bike returns upright.  The net is that it takes a lot more concentration and effort to hold a line - even in straight line riding.  I find myself using more of the lane than before.  On gravel, they hunt around rather mightily.  Since I have a mile of gravel driveway to get to my house, this is an important aspect for me.

The jury is out and we will see how they last, but right now this minute, I wish I had a new set of Pilot Activs instead.

[Sledoholic]

Has anyone tested the Metzeler Sportec Klassik? Im thinking of buying a set soon.

[Laitch]

Has anyone tested the Metzeler Sportec Klassik? Im thinking of buying a set soon.

I bought a set 1000 miles ago—for the thrill. We've had a mild season so there's not much to say about them. They corner well; they don't willingly follow tar snakes; they seem to give slightly better traction on gravel than the Lasertecs did. It didn't rain much where I rode but when I was in it they performed as well as the Lasertecs—which I like.

[beemrdon]

Hello everyone from Las Vegas, Nevada

I was reading on another forum where some folks advocated that somewhat lower tire pressures will yield better tire life.

I had been using 42 psi in the rear and it seems that the last Michelin PR4 was wearing most in the narrow middle inch ( to about 1/2 inch on either side of center) more than further out.

Is that normal?

I would like a more even wear across the middle flater part of the tread.   

[Martin]

Tyre wear depends a lot on tyre compound, road surface, how aggressively you ride, and whether you ride a lot of twisty roads. Riding a lot of highways will result in a lot of wear in the centre of the tyre. Some tyres try to counteract this by having a harder compound in the centre and softer compounds as you move out towards the shoulder of the tyre. It's a bit of a juggling act, as most riders want tyres that grip but also wear. The tyre pressures also come into the equation and are dependant on the bike weight, rider weight, and whether you are carrying luggage or a pillion. All in all it's a big juggling act I've tried various tyres on my K75 Michelin Macadams ( No grip tried 2 sets), Avon Venoms ( 2 sets better grip but started cracking in the sipes), Bridgestone BT 45's ( 2 sets better grip but high wear), and now on Michelin Road Pilots ( even better grip and seem to be wearing better than the BT 45's). With each change of tyre grip or wear have improved  I will probably try Shinko's next.
Regards Martin.

[kris]

I'm no Mario Andretti but I like my Shinkos!! :clap:

[F14CRAZY]

I'm no Mario Andretti but I like my Shinkos!! :clap:

Don't bother with other, more expensive tires. Shinko 712's and Tour Masters (my favorite) are better than all others it seems. On the plus side, they're cheap

[zalle]

Hi guys,

What's you opinion on the Michelin Anakee 3 as a back tire?

https://www.google.pt/search?q=michelin+anakee+3&client=firefox-b-ab&biw=2317&bih=1266&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiPqurM4o3SAhWF0RQKHWaSB74Q_AUIBigB#imgrc=ELfEhEi8cw3ugM:

[motodude]

I have not used the Anakee 3 but a few years ago I used an older version of the Anakee on a big dual-sport ('00 Triumph Tiger).  No complaints.  In fact they were better than a lot of other tyres I've run.


I'm currently running a dual-sport radial (in 130 /80r - 17) on the rear of my K75RT.  A little shorter than stock.  If you do a lot of free-way riding that will make a difference.  But otherwise, I'm going to keep using radials on my K-bike.


Tom

[Bryan Davis]

Has anyone successfully used a 150/70R 17 tire on the rear on a K75?  It is getting very difficult to find good tires in stock, or even +1 sizes.
Cheers,
Bryan

[ricketyclik]

I'm thinking of fitting Shinko 705's to my 1995 K1100LT, stock rims.


The sizes available are:


Rear 150/70-R17 (recommended 140/80 - 17)
Front 120/80-R18 (recommended 110/80 - 18)


Does anyone know if they'll fit OK?

[K1300S]

there are actually a number of different tires available in the correct, stock, sizes.   i just put michelin activ's on my K75.  local bmw dealer had them in stock.

[Laitch]

Rear 150/70-R17 (recommended 140/80 - 17)
Front 120/80-R18 (recommended 110/80 - 18)
Does anyone know if they'll fit OK?

there are actually a number of different tires available in the correct, stock, sizes.   i just put michelin activ's on my K75.  local bmw dealer had them in stock.

He's going for the knobbified look, mlytle. Hard to find in stock size.

Your question about the fit of the rear tire size you've selected, rickety, was answered in post #82 of this thread.

The 120/80 should fit the front, too, but you could compare clearance measurement of the two to be sure. Measure the the distance from widest point on the side of your front tire to the fork, deduct 5mm and that's how close you'll be to the fork with your new tire. Measure from the center of your stock tire's tread surface to the fender, deduct 8mm and that's how close your new tire will be.

Don't believe strangers. :giggles Learn how to figure this stuff for yourself using this tire sizing guide.

[ricketyclik]

Thanks Laitch.


It's not the look I'm going for, but hoping for more stable dirt riding without sacrificing too much road composure.  If it doesn't work out I'll be looking to buy an adventure bike.

[Laitch]

I'm thinking of fitting Shinko 705's to my 1995 K1100LT, stock rims.
It's not the look I'm going for, but hoping for more stable dirt riding without sacrificing too much road composure.
Rear 150/70-R17 (recommended 140/80 - 17)
Front 120/80-R18 (recommended 110/80 - 18)

Please give us a review of those tires after you've put a thousand or so miles of mixed riding on them.

I ride reasonably-maintained gravel half the time up here. I've considered using Heidenau Scout 60 tires to get better stability in mud. I could get a tubeless 130/80 rear tire but the front would be a tube type 110/80. I'd install a tube in it for use with my stock rim. I like the convenience and durability of tubeless tires so I haven't made the switch.

What I probably should be riding is a KLR but the K75 is such a smooth and reliable ride, I haven't made that switch either. :giggles

[motodude]

What I probably should be riding is a KLR but the K75 is such a smooth and reliable ride, I haven't made that switch either.

Yeah, I often wish they'd made a K75GS.  Some folks modified K75s for better off-road performance.  I've thought about it myself, but I've got too many projects as it is.


Tom

[The Mighty Gryphon]

Yeah, I often wish they'd made a K75GS.  Some folks modified K75s for better off-road performance.  I've thought about it myself, but I've got too many projects as it is.


Tom

Tim Tyler comes to mind.  His K75 is really sweet. 

[Bryan Davis]

I just put stock Shinko 712's on... What a dream!   

[Grim]

Tire time again for the LT getting to be a bit of a work out to get it up on the center stand.
Have Bridgestone T23 110/80zr 18 front Avon Azero 140/80r 17 rear

Got about 9-9500 on them

Neither seems to be made anymore.

T30 replaced the T23 same size so no brainer.

Raidial rear is really limited now. Do not want to go to a 70series.
How about a Adventure tire for the rear?  Bridgestone BattleWing 140/80R-17 is popular with the Big GS crowd and seems to be making 9kish on wear. Many saying they like it better then the Anakee.

[Grim]

Well I mounted them up and took a ride. The old tires you had to push it into a turn. These fall in. Surprised me first. Maybe the wear over 9000+ miles and the squared up tread has a lot to do with it. Ballacsd up nice. Nothing on the front. 1/2oz on the rear. 

The Battle wing has some meat to it but it really doesn't look like a off road tire.

[The Mighty Gryphon]

Please keep us posted on how these tires work for you.  The Battle Wing is the only commonly available radial that fits the narrow rims on my K75's. 

[kmev]

This is my Michelin Pilot Active with exactly 8.646 miles on it. It was a combination on 80 mph interstate and 60 mph back roads. I'm pretty happy with this tire.

[Grim]

The Activ was my next choice they were the same price as the radials