Tire Recommendation for my KZ650

I am looking to replace the original Dunlop Gold Seal Tires for my 1977 KZ650B. Yes, they are old but only had 1,745 miles put on them. I am not going to ride on them but would like to replace with a nice looking modern or retro classic style. The stockers are 3.25" -19" on the front and 4.0" -18" on the rear. I have searched high and low for Tube Types. They are rare. I understand the comprable metric sizes are 100/90 on the front and 110/90 on the rear. I wonder if we can go up to 130 on the rear? My question is can we use other tubeless tires on original spoked rims? I am beginning to think you can as long as you us a tube liner and tube. Suggestions on tires from the collective would be very much appreciated.

My KZ750 uses the same tires. I believe you can use any tubeless tire on a tube type rim (just put in a tube).

I agree with the closest metric sizes being 100/90-19 for front and 110/90-18 rear. That rear will be a shade smaller than 4.00-18, so you can go up to 120/90-18 if you want. I am not sure about 130/90-18 fitting, maybe.

I have run Dunlop 404 tires which are decent for a low cost tire. I'm planning to try Bridgestone Battlax tires next time, they have good reviews. Avon Roadriders are also very good.

Here are some sites:

www.motorcycletires.com/

www.motorcycle-superstore.com/1/28/396/4...ing-Tires-Tires.aspx

www.denniskirk.com/jsp/tpl/cmn/prodlist....:82,95:5667,126:9908

I have a Pirelli Route 66 on the back of my 650B and it has a good profile, maybe not as retro as you'd want, but it works good in gravel and on the street.

130 is the widest you can use on a 650 with a stock swingarm.

You can put a tube in a tubeless tire.
I believe the Continental Blitz tires come in the stock sizes.
JakeWilson.com has good prices & free shipping.

I used 130/90-18 Michelins on the rear of my '77 for years. Be aware, however, that it may change the tire's profile by squeezing the bead closer together than was intended when the tire was designed, and probably will rub the stock chainguard. I now use 120/90-18.

If you go to Metzeler, Pirelli, Michelin, etc. web sites you'll find a discussion on tubes in tubeless tires. It works fine, by V rated tires are no longer V rated with tubes in them. Not a problem on a KZ650 as it would be a rare day when constant speeds needed the 149mph rating.

Check out the manufactures sites for tire sizes and tread designs. You should beable to get a modern tire with a retro treead pattern if that's the look you're after.

Brands vary quite a bit in their sizing. Usually a 120/90 will fit on the rear barely with the stock chainguard being the limiting factor. With a different chainguard a 130 may fit, but 130 is too wide for a 2.15" wheel anyway so you're not doing yourself any good trying to go that wide. This has been discussed here a few times and I'll reinterate a little. There is no "metric equivalent" for inch size tires. There of course are metric sizes that work ok, but size is wrong. There are still the correct 3.25-19 and 4.00-18 tires sold, so why put wrong sizes on? Continental, Metzler, Michelin, Avon among others still make tires in these sizes. Usually at Dennis Kirk you can search by size and get all the info, but the search is not working currently. Just for info if you use a 100/90-19 on the front you get a tire the right circumference but too wide. If you use a 110/90 on the rear you get the right width, too small circumference, if you use a 120/90 on the rear you get the right circumference but too wide. So maybe you want wider tires anyway. In that case get the 100/90 on the front a 120/90 on the rear. If you want correct get correct inch sizing, and yes all tubeless tires will work on tube type wheels with a tube fitted.

Thanks everyone for your input. I will take the advice and pardon the pun, roll with it! :laugh:

RonKZ650 wrote:

There of course are metric sizes that work ok, but size is wrong. There are still the correct 3.25-19 and 4.00-18 tires sold, so why put wrong sizes on? Continental, Metzler, Michelin, Avon among others still make tires in these sizes.

To add to the confusion, I remember places like JC Whitney listing the same tire with BOTH sizes on the specific tire. I recall I used to get the english unit size tires from them, but the last ones I got were metric equivalent sizes even though I ordered the "inch" size tire.

BTW: they still list both sizes for the same tire:

C906 Front Tube or Tubeless Street Tread Tire (SIS: 3.75/4.00x19"; MS: 110/90H19; RRW: 2.50; LR: 585) (A)

good and sticky,2 things i look for in a tire! :laugh: