Help choosing tires

I have a 78 kz650C2 with stock rims, 19" front, 18" rear. I want to replace the old tires with something sportier but not sure what to look for. Both of the current tires say tube type but the front wheel doesnt have a bead lock or rim lock(not sure the correct term). Do i have to get tubetype tires? Would tubeless tires with tubes work? What are my options?

im looking at the bridgestone S11 spitfires. they're tube or tubeless. can i use these without the tube?

I like have the Bridgestone Battlax BT45's and like them. I've also heard good things about Avon Roadriders

would i need tubes with those?

Tubes will be dictated by the rims. As I understand it, the cast wheels before 1980 or 1981 or so required tubes as the bead lip on the rim will not seal a tubeless tire. Unless the wheels have been changed to a newer version, you'll need tube type tires and tubes.

The rim locks are only used on the rear tire. They are designed to prevent the rim from slipping inside the tire and damaging the tube during heavy acceleration or high speed shifts. The risk is that each time you accelerate or shift hard the rim can slip a little itty bit inside the tire, but the tube does not slip at all. So the tube's valve stem which is stuck through the rim is eventually pulled from the tube. If it does this enough (maybe a thousand of an inch a thousand times) it can shear off the tube's valve stem and POOF - ALL the air goes out in one fell swoop. Can this really happen? YES INDEED! It happened to me years ago on my BSA in heavy traffic at about 45 mph when I shifted gears. I can tell you it is NOT an experience I wish to repeat!! They are not needed or used on front tires.

Your KZ650-C2 will need tubes; the KZ650-C2 alloy rims are not designed to run without them and trying to ride without them is very dangerous. Tubes can be used with tubeless type tires; this is no problem at all. The only exception would be if you changed over to radial tires in which case you would need to use tubes designed and designated for use in radial tires. The good news is that there are some really good non-radial (these are called bias ply) tires that fit your bike. ALWAYS replace the tubes when you replace tires.

My KZ650-C1 uses the same tires as the KZ650-C2. I have tried various tires over the 35 years I have owned it and today I am using Pirelli Sport Demon tires with Metzeler tubes (these tubes were recommended to me by Pirelli). I use a 100/90 V 19 Sport Demon on the front and a 120/90 V 18 Sport Demon on the rear. I have had these tires on for the past 5,000 miles and I have been VERY happy with their performance. They provide great traction and they are not worn much at all considering the mileage on them. Here's what they look like. Let me know if you need help finding them. Ed

You're the man Ed. Could i go a little wider? 110 front 130 rear?

Don't go wider on the front; it will create problems (it's already pretty tight). I used several different 130/90-18 rear tires over the years. The only interference I had was with the stock chain guard which I swapped out for a narrow chrome one. However, using a 130 rear does not improve the handling. The 130 tire is actually too wide for the 2.15 rim even though you can wrestle it onto the rim. As a result, the bead is pinched in so much that it deforms the cross section of the tire which leaves you with no more (maybe less) useable tread than you get with the 120/90. I used 130's for the better part of 20 years, but I will never use them again - too much work getting them on with no functional benefit. Ed

alright, i'll go with the 120 then. i appreciate the help.

I am using Pirelli Sport Demon tires with Metzeler tubes as recommended by ED .

I have close to 4000 miles on them so far and they are holding up very well.
I like them a lot.

I wouldn't go wider because it starts to interfere with things like the chain guard.
My chain guard was modified years ago to except a wider tire and I notice that the Pirelli just makes it.

The Metzeler tubes are made in China which kind of bums me out but oh well too late now.

The Pirelli's are made in Brazil.

JD

So I ordered the bridgestone bt45v's. 120/90 rear, 100/90 front, and a heavy duty tube for the rear. thanks for the advice

They should serve you well. Did you order a tube for the front? If not, you should. Ed