tires

hey i have a 1976 kz400 needing some new tire it has the original ones from 76 still on it. SO i am wondering what everyone recommends for a GOOD tire

What size tires were recommended?

The old sizes were different than the new ones. For example, my 1980 CBX specifies a 4.25 x 18 rear. This corresponds to approximately a 120/90-18 in the new system. Most vendors have charts to help if you only know the old size recommendation. For example, the CBX uses a 4.25 X 18.

Dunlop site:
www.dunlopmotorcycle.com/infocenter_tirecharts.asp

Generic site:
www.totalmotorcycle.com/photos/tire-tyre...de/Tire-TyreTech.htm

Although the chart recommends a 110/90 in my case, I have seen good correspondence on another board indicating the 120/90 is the better choice.

One of the good vintage tires (bias instead of radial) is the Dunlop GT501. I am running one the front of my CB750. This weekend I put one on the rear of the CBX.

Metzeler also makes bis ply tires for the older bikes - the lasertec line.

Pirelli makes the MT66 line of tires that typically are available for the older bikes. I was going to go with Pirelli MT66 on my CBX, but the local Yamaha shop had a 1/2 price sale on all Dunlops. So the GT501 was my choice.

Although I realize this is not a Honda forum, I do think this site might also be useful. This guy has done an evaluation of several tires and makes his recommendations:

www.foreven.com/motorcycles/Tyres/HoCBX_80.htm

live2ryde88 wrote:

hey i have a 1976 kz400 needing some new tire it has the original ones from 76 still on it. SO i am wondering what everyone recommends for a GOOD tire

One I have heard good things about is a tire called Battlax or batlax.

www.motorcycle-superstore.com/1/28/396/6...ring-Front-Tire.aspx

I have run Cheng Shin and Dunlops and they are OK for a cheap tire.

It's been a while since I've run bias ply tires, but here are the ones I had good experiences with, more or less in order of (my) preference -

Metzeler

Avon

Michelin (usually highest price - availability unpredictable)

Dunlop

live2ryde88 wrote:

hey i have a 1976 kz400 needing some new tire it has the original ones from 76 still on it. SO i am wondering what everyone recommends for a GOOD tire

What are the sizes on the original tires?

I put bridgestone spitfires on my cb550 and love them! they have to be the best tire for the price. They get very good traction when you get caught in the rain (unlike the kenda and chang shin I've used) and you can pick a set up for 150 shipped if you look good.

Another good tire is the battlax bt45 by bridgstone. It is the sport version of the s11 spitfire. A little pricier and it will wear quicker, but has more grip and is more suited for "spirited riding".