What do you think of these tires

I was just wondering if I could get some oppinions on this tire?

Duro HF261A Excursion tire
This is my first time buying bike tires. I want something that has some grip to it. I will be doing country riding mostly but want to know if these will hold if I should want to do some peg grinding.

Post edited by: N0NB, at: 2007/05/17 07:57

I don't have any experience with those specific tires, but they don't seem to be very "sporting" tires. In the description it seems like they stress mileage and touring which is usually a pretty good indication that it is a fairly hard compound tires. The harder the compound the more longevity, but less grip.

If you really plan on cranking the bike over through turns I'd look for something from bridgestone or michelin in a sporting tire range. I'm not sure exactly what is offered for the older bikes, I'm mostly speaking through experience with sportbikes.

I dont know anything about those, in my younger days price was the way I bought tires, now I look at the mfg, and tend to stay with a top brand, may pay a bit more but they seem to last longer and handle adverse conditions better, damn I am getting old

For handling I suggest either the Dunlop GT501's or Bridgestone BT45's. Both wear well and I have read that riders racing the older bikes use them as well.

Either ones will cost ~$180 for a pair.

All I've ever used are Dunlop Qualifiers or Bridgestone Spitfires. Sticky enough for me and seem to have decent longevity. Your mileage WILL vary.

I can never seem to get any real difference on rear tires. Sticky, hard they all seem to burn out (hehehe) after a 7 thou miles or so.

Lately I have been using a good combo for here in the PAC NW anyway; A Venom 41 front and a Cheng Shin Barracuda rear. The venom has good water dispersion and grip and the Barracuda seems a good match. In the process of rebuilding a GPZ rear wheel with which to have a second rear tire ready to go. I better hurry cuze there isn't much tread left on my old rim!

Steels a good man. I agree with the GT501's . Sweet tire.

I like the GT501's too...They have them in 16" back and 18" front

I last recommended the Dunlop D404 for a decent lower priced tire. I retract that comment as my 404s were getting damn dangerous even when only 2/3 worn. Last week I was riding on damp pavent and every little bit of throttle I gave the old 650, the rear was losing traction. Rediculous and scary. I was beginning to think I just couldn't ride anymore as every turn I had the uneasy feeling of no traction.
A new favorite tire for me is the Continental TKH23 and 24. They are a nice tire that won't break the bank and work fantastic. Also they come in the correct sizes for a standard KZ if anyone cares, a 3.25-19 front, 4.00-18 rear in addition to any other size your motorcycle uses. The 4.00-18 is all that fits and looks right as a 110/90-18 is to small, a 120/90-18 to large to replace a 4.00-18.