Tire Help (KZ1000P14)

Hello Fellow KZRiders,
My KZ1000P is due for a tire change. I do quite a bit of riding on a daily basis on various types of roadways. Due to a tightened budget I'm contemplating BS Spitfires or Kenda Challengers of the 18" variety F&R. Anybody on KZRider has experience with these tires on the COP bikes or similar?
Any help with this decision will be greatly appreciated.
Thank you,
Ruff

I think the spitfires are decent but I am planning to try a tire called a Bridgestone battlax next time because it has gotten good reviews. Not too expensive.

www.motorcycle-superstore.com/1/28/396/6...uring-Rear-Tire.aspx

I run a 160/60-18 Bridgestone Battlax BT021 Sport Touring tire on rear of my bike and love it. I put it on a year ago and have around 15K miles on it. It is pretty worn in the center (not a lot of corners here in Florida) but performs great wet or dry I will definitely replace it with another one when the time comes.

I run nothing but Avons, and have since 1979 when I discovered them. The best kick and performance for the buck.
www.avon-tyres.co.uk/motorcycle/
I doubt that anyone has a better and more wide ranging solution either. since the AM20/21 "Roadrunner is being discontinued the AM26 "Roadrider" is taking it's place. I like those the best for the price.

All of the above are good suggestions but out of my budget. Any other reviews/ advice on my combination?
Thank you,
Ruff

Ruff wrote:

All of the above are good suggestions but out of my budget. Any other reviews/ advice on my combination?
Thank you,
Ruff

Like I said, I think they are decent but BTW, the battlax in your size (which I think is 110-90-18 for rear) is only $15 more than the Bridgestone Spitfire at the site I listed.

Another cheap tire I have run is a Dunlop 404 and also I am running a Cheng Shin Barracuda rear right now which is pretty good.

There are several different Battlax models from Bridgestone. That being said I have had both car tires and bike tires from Bridgestone and have been very satisfied with their products so I have no doubt that the Spitfires would be as good as the rest of their products and the price looks good.

I believe rear should be 120-90-18. I'm currently running a BStone something in a 160-50-18. Very tricky in the twisties :ohmy:

The 120 90 18 tires are the correct ones if you are running the original wheels. That particular size and configuration was specifically designed into the bike taking into consideration the added weight and loads that the COP bikes typically run. What you loose in the power grip and braking from the narrower tire size you make up in the twisty curvies with better lateral control when in pursuit mode. I run Metzler 88's and 880's. Have you checked out the kz1000p · Kawasaki Police Motorcycle Forum autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/kz1000p .
Those guys know their cop bikes like these guys know their regular KZ's lots of good cop bike specific info is available there. I think most of those guys run Metzlers too. I got 8000 miles out of my last set, and could have probably gotten a few more when I replaced them. Well worth the extra bucks. But like these guys said there are a lot of good tires out there.

Ruff:
I had some Kenda Challengers on my bike originally. They got tremendous mileage, and fair traction, but were out of round and poorly manufactured, with hard and soft spots which made the bike wobble at about 40 MPH even though the tires were balanced, wheels true etc.

Otakar is right about the AVON Roadriders - great tires. I also had good luck with Dunlop Elite 3 tires. Check with www.JakeWilson.com . I got two tires, delivered to my house for $160. about a year ago.

My 77 KZ1000 had Kenda Challengers on it when I bought it. After wearing out the rear tire, I replaced it with another Kenda Challenger. I'm not sure how many miles are on it now, but it's doing fine. When it wears out, I'll probably replace it with another Kenda. I think they are great tires.

I dont know much about tires but i've read nothing but good things about the spitfires (not the best tire out there but for the price!!!) I think I might pick up a pair soon even though I may not mount them for a while, I'm a little worried about mounting them myself - I have not even taken my wheels off yet, but I think I'm gonna do it anyway... I have good tire irons already.

PS--- (JakeWilson.com = 101$ shipped for spitfires! 100-90-19 + 110-90-18 for my KZ650) Probably not much more for your size