Time for fresh tires , what's your sugestion ?

MotorcycleSuperstore lists the Avon RoadRider 3.25V-19 as a rear tire but has a note that the size is universal fit for the front or rear. I've never seen that before - is that normal? Ie, would you put a universal tire on the front? They don't list the size w the front tires - the universal fit are lumped w the rears.

Also, they list an MT90V-16 for the rear. In regards to getting a stock "correct" tire, is MT90-16 the same as 130/90-16. I know the 2 cross-reference in the tire size charts - just wondering if they are the same. Thanks.

martin_csr wrote: MotorcycleSuperstore lists the Avon RoadRider 3.25V-19 as a rear tire but has a note that the size is universal fit for the front or rear. I've never seen that before - is that normal?

Yes, I saw it on the Avon roadrunners I bought. The sidewall had arrows on it labeled "Front Fitment" and "Rear Fitment" to show which way the rotation had to go for front or rear. The arrows point in opposite directions.

I don't mean to hijack this thread but I have a 1987 KZ1000 Police bike.

The tire sizes are Front: 110/90/18
Rear: 120/90/18

Should I be running those english size tires? If so, what size?

Will you be using tubes with these?

well I realize I'm a bit late to this thread but I grabbed a set of Shinko's last summer and they've been great - much more grip than the old Harley-branded dunlops they replaced, and at least as many miles (~6k so far) with minimal squaring on the rears.

They won't be helping me put in top lap times on my '83 kz1100 A3 but for around town and highway riding they've been great. In the wet they're pretty predictable, and they even got me through some light snow (!) without going down. Now, Ice, on the other hand...

Another vote for Shinkos! They're basically Yokohamas for half the money...

Got a couple thousand on the Avons and I'm starting to like them more.

It took a while to scrub the sides to where I feel safe in the corners.

The Pirelli Sport Demons were great right from the start but I only got around 6000 miles before they started to fade

In fairness it was a hot summer last year and we were packing around 335 lbs with my 110 lb wife and a pack.

One brand I will not be getting next is the Michelin pilot :dry:
My son bought a set for his 650 and they were the biggest PITA to install.

Very tight and almost imposable to get my fingers even in to push the valve stem in,
forget about the rim locks !

We will have to wait and see on their performance , almost done with the build.

If it is not been mentioned, check the dates on tires when you buy them. The ZRX I bought had new tires that were seven years old. Brand new tires !!!

My friend I ride with likes the sports demons.

I bought the Avon Roadriders for my kz750. Granted, I'm comparing them to 20-year old Dunlops, but DAMN these tires are nice riding! Haven't thoroughly pushed corners - yet - but getting those chicken strips thinner a bit at a time.

I Haven't even gotten them scrubed in yet, but the so far so good on the Avon Road riders. Great fit, good price, good enough straight line traction to pull the front wheel cold. Will post more once I have the bike running well enough to do some carving!

I had a small tear on my rear tire ,i noticed it a week or two ago...then saw it again after my last ride...very faint,,,by a tread line on each side of the chicken strips and not on the middle...and called Avon...after some calling around to check where i had bought them (J&P cycles said 120 days)and getting nowhere,Avon north America offered to stand behind the tire..I had put it on last july...and maybe have 3000 miles ...maybe.....this was 6 days or so ago and today the tire is at my door...I may mount it before bike week...I may not...they want me to ship the tire in question back to them (they provide a shipping tag)so they can look at it and have their tech guys find out what made it fail...I am happy with the co. for doing this replacement and asked them if they have had any issues with the roadrider mt/90/16/v...he said once in while you get a weird tire...and they will do a follow up...

pictures of the tire and the questionable spot when i get the bike on the bench

My front tire is an Avon Roadrider. I have over 13,000 miles on it, and there is still about 40% of the tread remaining. I run from 37 to 42 pounds of air, so that helps the longevity. Gets great traction. Handles very well.

Original size was 100/90-19 on a narrow 1.87" wire spoke wheel. I bought the Avon in a smaller size 90/90-19, and mounted it on a 2.15" mag wheel. In my opinion, this size works so much better than the wider tire having the sidewalls sucked inward to the rim. The handling was greatly improved by reducing the squirming of the stock wide tire on the skinny rim.

The Avon is also wearing in a very true shape, with no cupping or scalloping whatsoever. Highly recomended.