TOPIC:

Steve. Any problem with the 130 pushing into the chain guard?

No I ditched that long ago. I made my own.
Steve

An online dealer would be the only option, since I couldn't find such a tire locally. Whom do you suggest? Any problems with motorcycle superstore.com? Does Z1 sell tires? I should check.

OLKZ wrote: An online dealer would be the only option, since I couldn't find such a tire locally. Whom do you suggest? Any problems with motorcycle superstore.com? Does Z1 sell tires? I should check.

I buy them from motorcycle superstore. They usually ship faster than anyone else and have the best price. Buy a pair and you get free shipping, but the shipping is only like $6.99 for one tire, which is less than Z1E will charge you to ship a single o-ring.

OLKZ wrote: An online dealer would be the only option, since I couldn't find such a tire locally. Whom do you suggest? Any problems with motorcycle superstore.com? Does Z1 sell tires? I should check.

That is where I bought mine earlier this spring.
Shipping is free for two tires from Motorcycle Superstore.

www.motorcycle-superstore.com/search/go#w=shinko%20712

120/90H-18 is $56.00
100/90H-19 is $49.00
if it will fi the fender and bracket bolts (etc)...
the 110/90H-19 is $54.00
Pretty solid deal for a pair of tires.

Also check out denniskirk.com Ed

I think I'll go back to the 120/90-18. I just noticed my tire track is very narrow on my dirt driveway. That being the case the tire is wearing in the middle too fast.
Steve

Not sure how wide the wheel is on some of you guys's bikes but a 120 is a bit big on a 2.15 wheel but doable. I wouldn't run a 130 on a 2.15.

I've run the 230 Shinko before and thought it was a decent tire. It took more balance weight than some other tires I've used but it wasn't too bad. Longevity is nothing to write home about, but from what I've read the handling is good right to the end.

I bought these tires because they have a harder rubber compound down the middle. My IRC went away quick. Not much to chose from on our vintage bikes.
Steve

I've been running 120/90-18 tires on the rear of my KZ650-C1 for 11 years. Before that, I ran 130/90-18 tires for many years. Both fit, and both work, BUT I found that because the 130 tire is squeezed so tight on the 2.15 rim the cross section of the tire is distorted somewhat. As a result, it doesn't put any more tread on the pavement than a 120 tire. The 120 is the perfect fit for the 2.15 rear rim - no problems at all.

There actually is an excellent selection of tires in the 120/90-18 and 100/90-19 sizes for our bikes. I use Pirelli Sport Demons and really like them. I have used Michelin Macadams too, but they were a disappointment. In addition to Pirelli and Michelin tires in our sizes are available from Bridgestone, Continental, Metzeler, Dunlop, etc., so finding a decent tire for a KZ should not be at all difficult. Ed

swest wrote: I think I'll go back to the 120/90-18. I just noticed my tire track is very narrow on my dirt driveway. That being the case the tire is wearing in the middle too fast.
Steve

That's what I did not like about the Shinkos, they would were fast in the middle. I ride with a pretty heavy throttle hand which does not help much. I would try to push it into the corners to wear them evenly but I just didn't like the frame flex I would get out of it. Of course that is now not an issue since I am now running 120/60/17 front and 160/60/17 rear Pilot 3's. Can't wait to test them out.

I've been cutting pieces for my frame so when I have the head off, I can weld them in. I'm tired of the "frame flex" too.
Steve