Stickiest, sporty tires?

  • Nelson
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Stickiest, sporty tires?

05 Apr 2015 22:32 - 05 Apr 2015 22:32
#666727
I've read several threads here about tires and lots of you like the Pirelli Sport Demons, Avon roadriders, Conti go, etc. But what I want to know is which ones are the softest, stickiest, sportiest ones? I don't care if they wear out faster, I just want them to stick to dry roads like racing slicks. My KZ1000 has the 19 and 18 wheels. I'm bummed that I can't buy the modern sport tires because the sizes are wrong.
Restoring and customizing a KZ1000. Click here to read about it.
Plated KTM, DR650, KZ1000, Former MC mechanic (eons ago). 40 yrs. of dirt and street.
Last edit: 05 Apr 2015 22:32 by Nelson.

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  • 650ed
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Re: Stickiest, sporty tires?

06 Apr 2015 05:35 - 06 Apr 2015 05:36
#666741
You may want to contact the folks at American Historic Racing Motorcycle Association Ltd. (see link below) if you are interested in racing tires for vintage bikes. They don't sell racing tires but they must have knowledge of contacts that do since they are the largest vintage racing group in North America and one of the biggest in the world.

IWhen I first bought my KZ650 I used Michelin A48/M48 tires with PZ2 racing compound. They really did stick to the road like glue and enabled the bike to handle extraordinarily well. The only issue was expense. The rear tire would last only 1,000 miles and the front only 2,000 miles. So putting 6,000 miles per year on the bike meant I was spending over $900 per year (1970's dollars) on tires. After 2 years or so I switched to normal street compound. They also worked well but not as well as the PZ2 tires. If you can find current tires with racing compound for your bike be prepared to spend a fair amount of $$$ if you put a lot of miles on the bike per year, but OH WHAT FUN! Today I use Sport Demons and they work well for the riding I do. Ed

www.ahrma.org/
1977 KZ650-C1 Original Owner - Stock (with additional invisible FIAMM horn)
Last edit: 06 Apr 2015 05:36 by 650ed.

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  • SWest
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Re: Stickiest, sporty tires?

06 Apr 2015 06:48
#666758
I have the same problem with the tire sizes. I'm ready to "bight the bullet" and buy longer lasting maybe radial tires. I'm tired of changing a rear tire every 3-4 months and the front once a year. Is there a happy medium?
Steve

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  • HBKwaka
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Re: Stickiest, sporty tires?

06 Apr 2015 09:07
#666790

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  • Nelson
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Re: Stickiest, sporty tires?

06 Apr 2015 17:33
#666865
swest wrote: I have the same problem with the tire sizes. I'm ready to "bight the bullet" and buy longer lasting maybe radial tires. I'm tired of changing a rear tire every 3-4 months and the front once a year. Is there a happy medium?
Steve

So tell us Steve, what are these tires you are wearing out so fast? Sport demons or???
Restoring and customizing a KZ1000. Click here to read about it.
Plated KTM, DR650, KZ1000, Former MC mechanic (eons ago). 40 yrs. of dirt and street.

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Re: Stickiest, sporty tires?

06 Apr 2015 17:48
#666867
The Continental Classic Attack tires have been sold in Europe for a few years and are now available here in the US. They are radial tires made for our vintage motorcycles. They promise to to provide a very high level of performance.
1980B4 1000
1978 Z1R
1978 B3 750

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  • Nelson
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Re: Stickiest, sporty tires?

06 Apr 2015 18:28 - 06 Apr 2015 18:28
#666877
Thats very cool. The tread pattern is kinda ugly :ohmy:

Restoring and customizing a KZ1000. Click here to read about it.
Plated KTM, DR650, KZ1000, Former MC mechanic (eons ago). 40 yrs. of dirt and street.
Last edit: 06 Apr 2015 18:28 by Nelson.

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Re: Stickiest, sporty tires?

06 Apr 2015 18:54
#666882
You can't see the tread pattern from the saddle, even when you're not moving.
1980B4 1000
1978 Z1R
1978 B3 750

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  • TexasKZ
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Re: Stickiest, sporty tires?

06 Apr 2015 19:14
#666888
Who cares what they look like when ur grinding off the ends if the foot pegs? :woohoo:
1982 KZ1000 LTD parts donor
1981 KZ1000 LTD awaiting resurrection
2000 ZRX1100 not ridden enough

www.kzrider.com/11-projects/620336-anoth...uild-thread?start=24

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  • SWest
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Re: Stickiest, sporty tires?

06 Apr 2015 19:16
#666890
I'm running Shinko Tour Master. They last longer than the IRC and are $80 a pop.


I run the 110/90/19 and the 130/90/18
Steve

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Re: Stickiest, sporty tires?

06 Apr 2015 20:07
#666896
So your choice for stickiest are Shitgo? :ohmy:

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Re: Stickiest, sporty tires?

06 Apr 2015 20:10
#666897
No. What ARE the stickiest?
Steve

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