Tire Opinion ?

I know everyone has varied opinions especially on tires, but with my 77' KZ1000A that is getting pretty close to running on the road. It needs New Tires.

Size wise, I think ( F ) 100/90-19 and ( R ) 120/80 or 90-18 would be Correct for the Stock Spoke wheels.

Tires Selection either Bridgestone Battlax Bt-45 or Avon AM26 Roadriders.

Good Choices for the KZ and has anyone used these 2 Brands before ?

Use 120/90-18 on rear rather than the 120/80.

I use Pirelli Sport Demons and really like the way they handle. Ed

I've never used either of those but the Pirelli Sport Demons are really good tires. I bought them last season on 650ed's recommendation and I wouldn't go back to any other tire

Ed, Seems to be mixed opinions on how wide a tire to use on the 2.15 x 18" rear rim? It currently has an old worn Metzler 130/80x18 mounted on it and doesn't appear to look too bad mounted. Measured the width of the tire inflated on the rim and is 5 5/32" wide.

Some are saying 120, others are saying the 120 is too skinny?

Like to have a better handle on it before ordering them.

You came to the right place.

I ran 130/90-18 tires for many years on the back of my KZ650-C1. It is also has a 2.15x18 rim. The 130 can be mounted on the rim, but it can be difficult - still - no big deal. However, squeezing that tire on the narrow rim distorts the cross section of the tire. As a result, you end up with no more rubber on the road than you do with a 120, and more important, the shape of the tread is not as intended by the manufacturer. After switching to 120/90-18 I found the bike handled just as well, if not better, than it did with the 130. The 120 is actually a little wider than the stock inch size tire, so it is not too skinny. In fact the 120 came stock on later KZ models with metric tires on the 2.15 rim.

The bottom line is that the 130 can work but it doesn't offer any advantage over the 120 and it is harder to mount (assuming it's a quality tire with stiff sidewalls). Ed

Thanks Ed, I too lean more towards the 120 tire size.

Like to go with an 80 series though instead of a 90 series. Being short, I thought that the 80 series tire might help my foot placement better?

The 120/80 will lower the rear axle by a little less than 1/2" compared to the 130/90. Here's a link that shows some good info: www.tacomaworld.com/forum/tirecalc.php?t...=120-90r18-120-80r18

Ed

Ed, I went ahead and ordered 100/90x19 ( F ) and 120/80x18 ( R ) for the bike. I was tempted in ordering a 110/90 for the front but didn't. Hope I did alright. Thanks again !

You did fine. A 110 is a bit too wide for the front. Ed

kzdcw:
I have used an Avon Roadrider AM26 on the front of my KZ 650, and have been extremely pleased. Never lost traction the entire time I have had it. Also, cannot wear the tire out. I have 19,000 miles on it.

I also changed from the narrow 1.85" x 19" front wheel to a 2.15" x 19" before mounting the Avon. Also, the Avon is a 90/90 x 19, rather than the stock 100/90 x 19. In my opinion, the 90 width tire perfectly fits the 2.15" wheel. The handling is superb. Very crisp. None of the previous rubbery felling when transitioning from side to side.

650ed wrote: You did fine. A 110 is a bit too wide for the front. Ed

And may drag on the front fender...... guess how I found that out. :laugh:

The shop didn't have a 100 for my front and I figured a 110 would work. Barely cleared the fender but at about 50 mph, the tire would "grow" enough to where it started to drag. Had to rework the fender mounts a bit....

You'll like the Sport Demons if that is what you went with.
I bought a set of Avons aprox. 12,000 miles ago and after I got them scrubbed in ( it took a while ) they work well,
so I bought another set.
I do my own mounting and have found some of the metric tires hard or impossible ( for me) to mount correctly on old KZ rims

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