KZ750 L3 on the road tire change

Hey, everyone. I'm closing in on finishing my ride up to Prudhoe Bay on my kz750 l3, and my tire is running out. I'd like to go wider from here, since I can't find Metzler Marathons in 120/90-18 anymore.

I'm currently running a Battlax 130 on it (tubeless tire with a tube.. ugh) and still have almost an inch of clearance to the brake stay.

The rims say 18 x MT2.15. Some internet thing says that means it's 130mm.

My question is, what tires do you guys run for high mileage? Where do you shop? Do any of the Marathon tires fit anymore? Are there 120/90-18 rears available anywhere?

Or am I stuck with the dregs?

Thanks!

Here is some good information for you.
www.sportrider.com/does-size-matter

The 2.15 rim is a match for the metric 120/90-18 tire, not the 130, and certainly not a 140.

It would be a really bad idea to put a 140 tire on that rim. Even a 130 is not a great idea, and I ran 130 size tires on the back of mine (same rim width) for more than 20 years, so I'm not giving an unfounded opinion.

Squeezing a 130 tire on that narrow rim deforms the cross-section of the tire tread. As a result, you end up with no more rubber on the road than you do is you use a 120 tire, but the resulting, deformed cross section does not apply the tread to the road the same way as designed by the tire engineers so it has a negative impact on cornering. This impact isn't a lot, so it's not especially noticeable, but it is a fact. I learned this after switching from a 130 to a 120 as an experiment. I will never return to using a 130 on mine. Having said that, if you continue using a 130 you should be ok since the impact isn't huge but a 140 would be a mistake if you managed to squeeze it onto the rim.

If you want really good tires on your bike, consider switching the the Pirelli Sport Demons (see image below)! No dregs here; they are superior tires and they come in sizes that work well. For the past 6 years I've been using them, and they work better than other premium tires I've used. I use 100/90 V 19 on the front and 120/90 V 18 on the rear with Metzeler tubes. No disappointment! Ed
Ed

Wow. That's the kind of crystal clear reply I needed. Thank you both.

Those tires are probably more performance oriented than I need. I usually turn my marathon tires into squares by the time they wear out. I ride long, straight miles.

Do you have a recommendation for that constraint? These battlaxes only look to last 4k.

And long term, are there any relatively easy-swap rear wheels? There's so much room between my tires and the nearest threat - I'd lobe to use that space.

Choppers use to run small car tires. I run Shinko Tour Master tires on mine. Cheap, good mileage and handle great.
Steve

Even a 120 tire is really pushing it on 2.15" rims. Kawasaki fit a 4.00-18 from the factory, and despite the always popular wider is better attitude most have, still works best as the tire is not all that wide, but most the tread is on the road, not pinched into a v configuration where the bottom of the V is what the road sees. What good running a wide tire if only 1" contacts the road from being squeezed into a narrow rim?

Good Fortune!

The later 750/4 handle so nicely so you really don't want to screw it up. Fatter tyres squeezed onto too narrow rims ruin the precise steering feel.

The GPz11 B2 1000R etc had a 2.50 7 spoke chain/disc rear rim which you could use.

I carry a small compressor, tire spoons and a patch kit. There was a guy hanging out at the SS office. When I came out he was gone. On the road a pick up was following me. I got into DHS and stopped for cigs. When I came out my rear tire was flat. Lucky for me Big O was there too. I limped over, pulled my tire, walked across the street to the crook bike shop and bought a new tube. I should have walked another block and bought a patch kit. I put it together and rode home. I suspect the guy put a nail under my tire so when I backed out, it would puncture my tire. That's why the pick up. If it had happened in the open desert, I would have been a easy mark. Damn thieves. What they don't know is I have a Tire Buddy. It's a short club with a metal ring at the end. Perfect for breaking wrists. :whistle:
I posted my reviews on Yelp. It was last summer and hot. I gave Big O a good review, too bad they're out of business.
Steve
www.yelp.com/user_details?userid=bXvQcxcy5KwMiNtkfxToQQ