Tires.....

[XJ1100]

Hey guys, I've alway received great advice from you so I'm going to throw this out there.

My 82 XJ1100 is almost due for some new tires. What do you guys recommend? Any particular tire that works best for this bike?

Thanks in advance!

Dave

[Burly1]

Metzler.

[XJ1100]

Just Metzler? Any certain model or style?

[Jerry]

Depends on what you want out of the tires. Metzer is good, but by far the most popular tire for these bikes is the Dunlop Elite II or newer Elite III. (The Elite II is also known as the K491 series.) The Elite III is supposed to have the advantages of a radial tire but is still a bias-ply unit. You don't want to go radial on these bikes, the handling will suffer.

The Dunlop is a good all-around tire, good in rain, good mileage, good handling, middle to upper middle price range. Load carrying capability is well-suited to these bikes. They are also good long-distance performers. Cost will vary by dealer, but front Elite II will run about $120.00 including mount and balance, rear around $140 - $150 with mount and balance.

Other tires are less expensive, some are stickier for better canyon carving and handling, but generally at a cost of more frequent replacement. If you are a lighter rider, naked bike, don't ride 2-up, then a tire with less load capacity will work.

You can go on-line to places like denniskirk.com, who has a good selection of tires, and look up prices and specs then go shopping. You pretty much need to stick to the stock sizes, 100/90-19 front and 130/90-16 for the rear.

I've run several sets of the K491 Elite II on my XJ, and have developed a real confidence in them over the years. I have no problems recommending them for your XJ.

Lots of past threads on this, search on "tire" and you wil get tons of hits.

[audijunky]

Any Ideas on tires for a XS11 79?

[ernie elmore]

I switched to Dunlop Elite II 10 years ago with excellent service and mileage. In the last year I have gotten four rear flat tires on the 91 Freeway in LA area on two different bikes. I have punctured a 1/4" hole in center of the tread each time, probably from riding the yellow line next to the Car Pool lane. I stopped that recklessness and the flats have stopped.

I have called for a ride twice and gone back with a MC dolly to bring the XS back home. I carry a plug kit and Fix-Flat in the Can now. A big hole in center tread will not hold the liquid in Fix-Flat in the Can for long. I have used the plug kit w/CO2 cartridge.

When I went to replace the Elite II 130x90-16 for a 83 XV920 Virage, I got the Elite III tire. The 130x90-17 for the XS11 std was not available in Elite II or III, unless it was older stock somewhere. I have a 79 XS11F std with a special yellow 18" rim that uses a 130x80-18 tire. I could not get an Elite II or III so I got a Dunlop 501, which was a good tire but poor mileage. Second flat on the 130x80-18 the Dunlop 501's were on Back Order so I got an Avon tire, time will tell.

Try to get a Touring Tire with good tread depth like the Dunlop Elite. Carry a Plug Repair Kit for tubless tire temporary repairs. The XS11 Std's wheel are hard to remove on the road.

I have recently moved and now have a 110 mi commute daily on crappy So. Calif. Freeways. But I retire next month at 70, so My rides from now on will be leisurely.

Keep The Rubber on the Road? Hope So!

Rev Ern
79 XS1100F Std
80 XS1100G Std (new)
83 XV920 Virago (new)
86 XR600 Honda Dirt
89 CR500 Honda Dirt
Glen Ivy, CA
951-277-4766

[Jerry]

Same reply as above, Dunlop tires in same sizes as listed for the XJ.

Note 1:

Earliest XS models came with a 17 inch rear tire, '79 - '80 was a transition year, some had 17s, some with 16 inchers. Mostly this was a Standard - Special difference, but it doesn't hurt to check to make sure which rear tire you have.

Note 2:

Some of the early rims were for tube tires, and the rims have bead locks on them. Generally not a good idea to put tubless tires on tube-type rims, bead seating area is of a different design. And yes, some folks have claimed they have done this; I'm not convinced it is a good idea. Better to upgrade to later tubless rims. "TUBE" or "TUBELESS" will be cast into the rim, if you have any doubts, look for the marking. If you have tube-type rims make sure to get new tubes to go with the new tires.

Note 3:
Prices I quoted above are based on you bringing in the rims, not having the shop remove / install them on the bike. If you go the complete shop route plan on higher costs, typically $60 per hour or there abouts, and many shops will charge 1 hour minimum. It pays to check around; I have an independent shop that charges $27 per tire to mount and balance new tire and dispose of old tire. This is cheaper than the Yamaha dealers in my area.

[DiverRay]

I was just looking at the Dunlops today for my standard. Roadrider in San Jose, CA has the Elite III in stock for my bike, MT90/17 Rear and 100/90/19 Front. They run about $110 rear and $90 front, plus M&B. I think the problem is Dunlop changed the tire size listing, and most people can't tell you what is a 4.50/17 any more.
I know the MT90 fits, and I think the MU90 will just fit. I'm going to try on my next tire. I do like the Dunlops, as I've got about 15K miles on the rear, and can probably go another 3K. I will be putting new rubber on front and rear soon, as I'm planning 3-5K miles in 2.5 weeks July.
Ray

[TopCatGr58]

Better Hurry!

Hey DiverRay,

You'd better hurry and get that REAR tire, cause I just checked the Dunlop Web Site, and in both their Fitment guide, they don't list the XS1100 Standard, only the Specials with 16" rears, and both their EliteIII Radial or Bias, they don't list the 17" size at all!

They DO list an MT90-17 in the Elite II ! !

For OTHERS following this thread, here's the conversion chart from Dunlop. However, you say you have used an MT90 on the rear, and it's width is listed as 5.00", not 4.50"!?
T.C.

REAR TIRES
Metric Alpha Inch

110/90 MP85 4.00 to 4.25

120/90 MR90 4.50 to 4.75

130/90 MT90 5.00 to 5.10

140/90 MU85/MU90 5.50 to 6.00

150/80 MV85 6.00 to 6.25

150/90 MV85 6.00 to 6.25

[Pat Kelly]

I just looked and I have an MT90 17 Dunlop K491 on the back of my E.
Close but no rubbing on the shaft.

[Burly1]

Sorry, I was in a hurry when I posted. I run Metzler ME88's front and rear and like them a lot. You won't get the mileage of some of the other tires, but the Metzlers are sticky, and speed rated. Burl

[81xsproject]

I thing maybe one of the many good tire threads shouls be a sticky...Just throuwing it out there

[mro]

Don't laugh

Was a little financially challenged but wanted to get the chin shing's off my 80G.

Local shop, mount/balance/tax $189.00 both front/rear for a set of continentals.

Skinnier than chin shing's but bike handles much better all around. Compared to the tires you guys are talking about these almost look like bicycle tires.


mro

[TADracer]

Dont forget the rating

I know that most of us know this but dont forget about the rating. I know that the 89 standard takes a tire with an 'H' rating while the 79 special takes a 'V' rated tire. Probably not that much of a big deal....unless you like to break the law every now and then.

I have been running Metzlers for a few years and they are pretty good but I am thinking of switching back to Dunlops this time around.

[TADracer]

Oops, I meant 79 standard above.