TOPIC:

Please redirect me if there's another topic on this but I came to the realization today that my Dunlop 404 tires I got new last December are already looking bare and starting to dry rot. I've put about 5000 miles on which seems like a low number to me granted this is my first bike and my first set of tires so I don't really know. Basically I'm looking for a good set of street tires, I'm heading up to the mountains this weekend so itd be nice to have them by then but if that means sacrificing quality for something available I can wait. Anyways there's the background, now on to relevant details.

I have an '83 KZ750 F1, tire sizes F 100/90/19 and R 130/90/16. One of my riding buddies on an FZ-07 got his bike and tires pretty much the same time I did last year and they are doing great. Basically kept in the exact same conditions as well. His tires are Michelin Pilot Road 4s but they don't make a tire as small as my rear which is 16". I've been doing research for a couple hours now and have yet to find a good 19" 16" combination for my bike or any good suggestions. What do you all use on your bikes and what would you recommend/not recommend? Thanks in advance!

I'm using Conti Go's on my 750 and like them. Avon Roadriders are very popular with old UJM's too. They stick really well and wear well. About double the mileage compared to cheaper tires like Shinko's.

I run these. 5000 miles on a rear tire and I use the power.
Steve
www.chaparral-racing.com/product/shinko-...tire/369-874170.aspx
www.chaparral-racing.com/product/shinko-...tire/369-874160.aspx

I installed Bridgestone Battlax BT45s from motorcyclesuperstore, but they don't have a 130/90-16 listed right not. not sure if it's still available or not. I think I paid around $225 total shipped, but prices have risen since then.

I like Avon Roadriders, good for 10,000 miles.
try
RonAyers.com
or
motorcycle-superstore.com

Catch a sale and you should be able to get both tires with tubes, rim bands and weights for around $250.00 delivered

I have had good luck with both store getting tires that were made within a year of me buying them so dry rot is not a problem.

For sure Dunlop D404 is the worst tire of all time, so the good news is any tire will be an improvement. I used the Avon Roadriders and they worked good enough, but mine only lasted 5000 miles on the rear. The Bridgestone BT45 is a great tire and sizes are available here. Good choice in my opinion. www.americanmototire.com/catalog/index.php?cPath=33_82_92

RonKZ650 wrote: For sure Dunlop D404 is the worst tire of all time, so the good news is any tire will be an improvement. I used the Avon Roadriders and they worked good enough, but mine only lasted 5000 miles on the rear. The Bridgestone BT45 is a great tire and sizes are available here. Good choice in my opinion. www.americanmototire.com/catalog/index.php?cPath=33_82_92

The only tire that may be worse than the Dunlop is every other Dunlop. I have used 4 different flavors of them and they all were bad. Ed

The BT 45's tend to cup in the front. Not for everyone though. The Roadriders don't have this issue and are more durable than most. They do have a tendency towards sidewall cracks over time though, especially if you store your bike in a cold garage over the winter.

Pirelli tires are what I use on my bikes, a bit pricier than other tires, but then again you get what you pay for.

After doing some more searching I've found two sets that fit and look promising: Michelin Commander II and Pirelli Sport Demon. About the same price for each, same load rating, both have great reviews. Michelin tires (H rated) are more cruiser focused while Pirelli (V rated) are more sport, granted I'm not going to be hitting either of those speed ratings. Michelin definitely puts an emphasis on high mileage with their tires but don't see much about it with the Pirelli. Any suggestions from here?

Mac55 wrote: After doing some more searching I've found two sets that fit and look promising: Michelin Commander II and Pirelli Sport Demon. About the same price for each, same load rating, both have great reviews. Michelin tires (H rated) are more cruiser focused while Pirelli (V rated) are more sport, granted I'm not going to be hitting either of those speed ratings. Michelin definitely puts an emphasis on high mileage with their tires but don't see much about it with the Pirelli. Any suggestions from here?

In all my years of hanging out in vintage motorcycle forums I've never once heard of anyone running those Michelin Commander II tires. Sport Demon's are nice. An older design focused on grip for sport riders. Short lived compared to other tires like the Roadriders which offer about 85% as much grip.

Nessism wrote: In all my years of hanging out in vintage motorcycle forums I've never once heard of anyone running those Michelin Commander II tires. Sport Demon's are nice. An older design focused on grip for sport riders. Short lived compared to other tires like the Roadriders which offer about 85% as much grip.

So what I got out of that is the Sport Demons are good but don't last too long and that someone needs to try out the Commander II tires, is that correct?