Old Tires

oops

Motorcycle @ 2 wheels...

If in doubt where you even need to ask this question, replace for it's just not worth it now is it....

Seriously, why even take a chance at it....

OMR

Well Triangle you were right about ONE thing. Most here disagree with your thoughts on tires. While that does not always guarantee wisdom on one side or the other it does touch on a thing called common sense and more often than not common sense wins the day and at the very least raises the chances you will be able to be making good or bad judgments tomorrow also. Personally I find your view and advice on this subject as dangerous and hope someone out there does not take your thoughts to heart and runs an old hard or worn out tire. I would be very sad to learn it cost them their life or limb. A good friend used to say "It took me a while to learn that nobody's balls are big enough to stop the casket from closing...I wish Roy had learned that.". When you have so much invested (life)in anything it is wise to make critical decisions that raise your chances of not meeting with catastrophe. Anything less is stupidity.

Well boys I am going to buy new tires, but had another related question. Currently, I have Continental Tours on there, 120-18 and 100-19. I really don't care for their "look", so will probably go with Dunlops. Per the rim size, the 120 on the rear is OK. However, with my 1.85 front rim, the charts I've seen suggest that a 90 is as large as you should use. Any thoughts on that? Thank you.

I like to stick with stock sizes. Just don't get so big you distort the tire. Rubber on the ground (contact point) is important but as you get bigger you also get an increase in gyroscopic effect and weight. It's not much but it's there. Experiences and concerns differ between riders as does riding styles and wants in a motorcycle.

grumpy56 wrote:

Well boys I am going to buy new tires, but had another related question. Currently, I have Continental Tours on there, 120-18 and 100-19. I really don't care for their "look", so will probably go with Dunlops. Per the rim size, the 120 on the rear is OK. However, with my 1.85 front rim, the charts I've seen suggest that a 90 is as large as you should use. Any thoughts on that? Thank you.

Grumpy has a fast KZ,
He rides it fast and brisk,
Hard old tires be damned he says,
For I don't wish my *



Fitment from Dunlop motorcycle tire website:

Make: Kawasaki | Model: KZ 1000 A / J (77-80 / 81-83)
Front Rim Size: 1.85x19 | Rear Rim Size: 2.15x18

Recommended Front Tire:
Tire : D404 | Size : 100/90-19 | PSI/Loaded : 34

Recommended Rear Tire:
Tire : D404 | Size : 110/90-18 | PSI Rear/Loaded : 40


Good Luck!

grumpy56 wrote:

Well boys I am going to buy new tires, but had another related question. Currently, I have Continental Tours on there, 120-18 and 100-19. I really don't care for their "look", so will probably go with Dunlops. Per the rim size, the 120 on the rear is OK. However, with my 1.85 front rim, the charts I've seen suggest that a 90 is as large as you should use. Any thoughts on that? Thank you.

Dunlops are garbage IMHO. Everyone I know has them spins their tires. Get better than that if you are going to do it. I know Metzler lazers are one of the best wet water tires many people have sworn by. Avons are really good, Pilots are as well. Even my battle axes are better than the dunlops I had on.
They make their tires with a harder compound and I think they go hard faster. All I know is if you like smoking the rear tires dunlops are nice for that. For a few dollars more you will be satisfied with your choice.

Locozuna wrote:

I like to stick with stock sizes. Just don't get so big you distort the tire. Rubber on the ground (contact point) is important but as you get bigger you also get an increase in gyroscopic effect and weight. It's not much but it's there. Experiences and concerns differ between riders as does riding styles and wants in a motorcycle.

I second that thought. Bikes don't handle in corners as well when the rear tire is too big. They may look cool but they don't perform as well. If the bike was designed with that geometry in mind then another story.

Sax, did you have the Mich Pilots?

These are what I've been looking at, I like the fact that they don't have such a high center dome... A lot of the other tires are for sport bikes where they have a high center dome thus for leaning versus turning....

At my age and riding style, I really don't see my self knee dragging that often if ever...

Anyone else have some insight on the Pilots?

OMR

Going to go with the stock sizes, but not sure of which brand as of yet. Checked some Bridgestones and dunlops out this afternoon at Cycle West in Gaarden Grove. Will look around a bit and ask alot of questions. Thanks.

Old Man Rock wrote:

Sax, did you have the Mich Pilots?

These are what I've been looking at, I like the fact that they don't have such a high center dome... A lot of the other tires are for sport bikes where they have a high center dome thus for leaning versus turning....

At my age and riding style, I really don't see my self knee dragging that often if ever...

Anyone else have some insight on the Pilots?

OMR

Last year when I was looking at buying a z"rex" I did a lot of research and I read that everyone who had ridden different tires all agreed that this was a more expensive tire but well worth it for the ride qualities and wet water traction. They swore by them. Many were rides on the zrox forum. I don't have experience with them personally on bikes. I have used Dunlops on my bikes before. The k181 gt qualifier. I didn't have any real issues with those earlier tires but the new ones I didn't like at all. Smoking the rear tire at the time was cool for me now I realize that is not a great way to go. Rubber was too hard.
I got some Bridgestone tires which I feel grip much better yet I did't like them at all when it was windy the bike tracked funny. The front tire it seems grips funny and made the bike feel very unstable. I know this wasn't necessarily the steering bearings as the tires I rode on before these the bike rode just fine in wind and rain. I took these off of my other bike and they did the same funny thing on my 80.

I would probably think of more importance is how old the new tires are that you buy. I got some before from Shade Tree Motorsports and I noticed they were showing signs of dry rot when new. I probably would stay away from discount places when buying tires because a good deal is not a good deal when you get old new tires.

My opinion is: If your going to ride the bike alot, get the new tires. Its sooo nice having new rubber but remember take it easy the first 100 miles or so. Don't ask me why! :S

If your only going to put a few hundred miles on, keep'em and spend the $ on something else. Hope that helps.