What tires to run???

[randy]

Marty,

I have used the Metzeler Marathons on my Special and they wear like iron. Toward the middle of their tread life, about 5,000 mi the rear started to cup. Because they still had a lot of tread left, I sent a letter to the Mfg with photos asking about the strange wear pattern.

They never responded. I later discovered that the problem was my shocks, they were toast. But I still do not forgive Metzeler for ignoring my letter.

So this time around, I'm going with Dunlop. Maybe next time Metzeler. Good product, great wear and they look good, too!

[gaffer77]

Hi on my 79 special i have Bridgestone 130/90-16

Battlax bt17-R V ON THE REAR

i live in England always rains and cold and full of twisties!!

i am quite happy with this tyre in fact i have more confidence with

this bike than any other i have had!!!

i had a cbx 750 fe eith macadams on it and had no confidence at all in the wet could not feel any sort of grip whatsoever!!!

had a few others as well but with the bridgestone it also looks nice on there as well so that makes a difference as well !!!

just wondered if anyone else runs these and whether they think

the dunlops are any better !!! thanx see you

[jetmechmarty]

HI MAX tire

My bike had new Chen Shin Hi Max tires on it when I bought it. I hated them. I especially didn't like them on wet pavement. I had no confidence in them and they wore out quickly. I also suffered my first flat due to what I consdered a tiny piece of glass.

I just wore out a set of Conti Tours. They weren't expensive and the bike handles fine. The rear tire is worn out and the front tire is cupping. I think I got 10K miles out of them.

[Michael March]

Originally posted by TopCatGr58
Hey Mike,

Like John said, and quoted me, it will fit using the blackwall. The MNS and Regular Special are the same, mine is an 81, and my letters rubbed, but just the letters, so no damage done to my sidewalls!! You'll like the feel!
T.C.

Okay now I'm online trying to order a rear tire, specifically:
Dunlop MU/140/90/16 491 Elite II

The problem is none of the sites I found have those numbers exactly. I see several that say: MU/90/16, but I can't find any with the 140 first. Any idea where I could order one of these tires?
Mike

[TopCatGr58]

Hey Randy and MartyA,

The RWL does mean "Raised" white letters, vs. the standard lettering that is just flush with the sidewall. The 140/90-16 with the RWL will most likely rub you left swingarm, as mine has. The 130/90's RWL that I had did not!!

And Maximan, my question is how old were those Elite's you had on your bike?? They haven't made the Elite for many years since they replaced them with the EliteII's. My Elites were quite worn, and had a big flat zone down the middle, the casing had gotten hard, and so the rear end did seem quite loose, especially in cornering. Bruce Gerkin can attest to me breaking the rear loose a couple of times during the 02 NC Rally run.

But when I got the new EliteII's, and was running the 03 Ga. Rally, I felt like I was on a rail, they held quite well, scraped exhaust and centerstand lever many times, but never came loose!

I'm glad you're having success with the Chen Shing's, but I think you would also enjoy the EliteII's had you given them a try!

[MAXIMAN]

TC:

I'm glad you're having success with the Chen Shing's, but I think you would also enjoy the EliteII's had you given them a try!

I'm sure I would like them. I'm guessing the the Elites that were on Maxine when I bought her were little aged...even though they still had "tits" on the tread. So they may've been hard.

So far the Cheng Shins have been ok. The rubber on these tires is "tacky" I've never had had 'em break in hard leaning turns....yet.

My buddy Wilson in Alpine, Texas told me a funny. He saw those Cheng Shins on Zilla and said "Ya know what Cheng Shin means in Chinese?......cheap sh!t!"

My only point in posting this is I don't think they are GREAT tires. But in my experience they aren't as bad as everyone says either. I've ridden on worse (ie IRC Durotours)

[Dennyz]

I have been extremely happy with the Elite IIs. I get fantastic mileage out of them at 8K+ miles and I have never had one slide out on a turn while I am dragging my case protectors.

[MartyA]

When I need tires, I look here at Motorcycle Accessory Warehouse
www.accwhse.com/default.htm

I have also had good results at
www.tiresunlimited.com/

[Michael March]

Here are two tires listed in Motorcycle Accessory Warehouse:

(26299) $90.95 Dunlop K491 Elite II 140/90HB15 Rear Tire #407745

(54874) $85.95 Dunlop K491 Elite II MU90HB16 Blackwall Rear Tire #410395 No Return

Which one, or neither one? Neither has the exact numbers listed up stream, namely: Dunlop MU/140/90/16 491 Elite II

[TopCatGr58]

Hey there Michael,

According to the Dunlop motorcycle tire web site , here's the guide:

DUNLOP MOTORCYCLE STREET
TIRE SIZE CONVERSION CHART FRONT TIRES

Metric Alpha Inch

100/90 MM90 3.25 to 3.50

110/90 MN90 3.75 to 4.00

120/90 MR90 4.25 to 4.50

130/90 MT90 5.00 to 5.10

REAR TIRES
Metric Alpha Inch


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

The other tire you listed was only a 15", but the other one, the MU=140/90 16 is what you want!
T.C.

[Michael March]

I must be denser than....

Here's what I come up with on the official dunlop website:

http://www.dunlopmotorcycle.com/fitmentguide.asp

Recommended Front Tire:
Tire : GT501 | Size : 100/90-19 | Loaded PSI : 30

Recommended Rear Tire:
Tire : GT501 | Size : 130/90B16 | Loaded PSI : 32

Alternative Front Tire:
Tire : 491 Elite II | Size : MM90-19 | Loaded PSI : 30

Alternative Rear Tire:
Tire : 491 Elite II | Size : MT90B16 | Loaded PSI : 32

[TopCatGr58]

Yes, Michael, err, I mean, no, you're not dense!

Those are the Official Yamaha recommended sizes and fitments, but the 140/90-16 BH(Black wall) tire will fit with clearance for the swingarm, and give you a slightly wider footprint than the OEM 130/90=MT90 size! Dunlop just has to state the OEM fitting recommendations!!

I can't speak for the front size, but you should be able to go up to a 110/90 or even larger if you wanted to! There seems to be plenty of room inside the fender!!
T.C.

[MAXIMAN]

but the 140/90-16 BH(Black wall) tire will fit with clearance for the swingarm,

Hey TC - Are you serious?.

I'm looking at this 130/90 on mine and it looks like ya couldn't get piece of paper between the blackwall and the driveshaft housing. Or am I looking wrong.

[jetmechmarty]

best price?

I have not purchased here, but it has been recommended by some of my friends. It's tough to beat $6 shipping.

http://www.ronayers.com/main.cfm

[Pat Kelly]

I use round tires that hold air .
My E has Dunlop K491's. It's fully dressed so the 491's hold-up well.
My LG needs tires badly and I want something a bit stickier as I'll be riding that one a little more aggressively. The Pirelli MT66's that I originally put on the E were a nice tire, I may go with them.

Reflecting on an earlier reply about small bikes (handling) vs bigger bikes (power) reminds me of the reaction my roommate had years ago. He's just bought the 1st year 900cc Kawasaki Ninja (1983-4?) and I had my 78' 400cc Honda Hawk. We'd ride up South Mountain Park in Phoenix and he couldn't keep-up on the twisties. He'd get so frustrated. On any staightaway he's gas-it and made it look like I was going in reverse.