What tires to run???

[Robert Haller]

I bought K491 Elite IIs on the recommendation of many on the list (including Gary Granger, who has been known to wring it out on the twisties ) and am very happy with them. Good handling and wear.

[MartyA]

Hi Pickman!
That 735lb is the rating on the tire for part of the bike. The front one will say something like 530lb, so the total is what they will bear.

That last number is the rim diameter, so a 140/90-15 won't fit on a 16" rim.

140 is the width, the 90 is the aspect ratio. I saw a 140/90-16 go on TC's Special, so I can vouch for the fit.

BTW, search for tires, there have been many threads on tire experiences / preferences / fitments.

[TopCatGr58]

Hey there Phyxius, and Kev,

My previous Elite had been on my bike for several years back in the late 80's. I had ridden it for several years when my tranny died, so I parked it in '92. Didn't get it fixed or back on the road till 2000. I didn't replace the tire.....I know, the SHAME!!! I drove it to XS East 2002, from Va. to NY and back, then to Asheville, NC., and back, and then to Pa. and back at XSEast '03. Then drove it to Ga. hoping to put one final rally behind me before having to replace it, but the age(being over 10 years old) and wear finally took it down to a slick.....and I didn't want to be a danger to anyone else during the run in the mountains. So Marty and Harley Dave ran with me into town that early Sat. morning, field stripped the tire at the shop and had it ready for them at 8:00am when they opened, got the new tire mounted/balanced/ and back on by 8:25am, and made it back to camp in time for the 9:00am ride meeting. The handling difference was immediate!!

I don't do much daily riding with it, trying to keep the wear and tear to a minimum, saving it for Rallies and occasional weekend trips. I was very pleased with the life expectancy and now with it being new rubber instead of old hardened rubber, it is fairly sticky for a touring tire!!!

Kev, check out this link to the Dunlop motorcycle tire site:
Dunlop MC Tire, 491 Elite II

Codes, MT=130, MU=140. The guide states that the tire is only 5.57" overall wide, but mounted, it spreads to 6", cause I just made a loading rail for my homemade trailer that is 6" wide and it's a snug fit!!!
T.C.

[maicorider]

I'm just writing to complain. I've been wanting to try a set of Bridgestone S11's and been searcing for the best price. Found a website http://www.accwhse.com that has the best price on 'em, and the best thing is, they're right here in Boise! No shipping charges, right? Wrong. They won't do will call. So I still have to spend the $25 or so extra bucks to have UPS spend a day driving them across town to me. I just don't get it. Why the heck won't they let me pick them up!?!?!?!?!?! Oh well, they're still the cheapest I've found.

[MartyA]

Well, if you want to make the shipping charges worth while, ship them to me....

I have purchased stuff from them in the past, no problems.

[Michael March]

Originally posted by TopCatGr58
Hey there Kev,

I, too, have a Special, and I believe there is a little more room width wise in the rear vs. the standards. Several years ago(decade) I put a Dunlop MU/140/90/16 491 Elite and then last year replaced it with an Elite II, same size, and it fits nicely. Get black wall if you can, the raised white lettering rubs a little on the shaft side!!

TC: will this size and brand fit my 1981 Midnight special? Thanks, Mike

[John]

It will if it doesn't have the raised white lettering. The letters will rub on the swing arm.

[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.

[fxrer]

I have the same size tires, front and rear, on my '80 SG and my '88 HD FXR - both use a rear 130/90-16. I tried the Chen Shin once, on both bikes, but the rear tire only lasted 3 k miles on the HD. (a little more on the SG). So, I went back to the old standard, Dunlop Elite 491, and it lasts much longer, and feels great too.

Interestingly, I ordered my Elite from MAW (or www.accwhse.com), about $83 plus S&H, it was under $100 total, which is still $25 less that normal retail around here (including 6% PA tax).

But the AMAZING thing was, I called my order in, from here in Bethlehem PA at 11 a.m. on a Wednesday, and the UPS guy knocked on my door, tire in hand, the NEXT DAY at noon!! It was shipped from Idaho!! Now that's what I call service!!

[MAXIMAN]

I know I am going to be hog tied and whipped for posting this but I gotta say it.

When I bought "Maxine" she had a new set of Dunlop Elites. I've been a huge fan of Dunlop tires ever since I raced on them when I was a kid back in the 70's.

I took that 750 through a local "twister" run. It scared the B-geezuz out of me. Twice in this course the rear tire broke traction when I had it laid over in a tight curve.

Luckily I caught it in time and didn't fall. But I wasn't impressed with those Dunlop Elites.

I shopped around for tires looking at every type and brand imaginable. I knew what I wanted in a tire (tread and rubber quality). I looked lots of tires over closely...diggin my nails and feeling of the rubber. You name it I checked 'em out...Michelin, Avon, Metzler, and many many others.

Here's the rub. Here's where I die from 4th degree char burns from the post that are sure to ensue.

I bought...and installed...drum roll.......................

CHENG SHIN HI-MAX....

Yep that's right fellas. And not only have I been pleased with the wear (3254 miles sofar and still have good tread) they fly through that twisty course (sparkin the pegs) and never even act like they are gonna break. I am so pleased with them I just put a set on Godzilla.

So go ahead ...post what you will...got my asbestos suit on!

[MartyA]

What ever works for you works.

I swore by Avon Venoms on my XS for years. Wore them out like clockwork - rear every 3,500 - 4,000 miles, front 8,000. I needed a front tire on the XS and I was in Canada and the only one I could get on a Sunday in an emergency was a Metzler. It worked very well, handled well and got lots of miles and did not wear excessively, so I added a rear one. I like them a lot. They have great traction, even cold, and I am getting lots of miles on them compared to the Avon Venoms. I like them so much I replaced my 1/2 worn Dunlop Elites on my Venture with Metzlers.

The Avon Venoms and those other thin walled "Z" rated skins are really for zip-splats, those 350lb rockets. The Dunlops Elite II and Metzlers 880's are thicker walled, longer life, made for heavier bikes, like my 600+ XS (900+ with me and Mr. Vetter and Mr. bag o'tools), and my Venture.

Is there anything wrong with Dunlop Elite II's? No. The ones on my Venture were worn down the middle when I bought the bike, and I did have lots of miles left on them, but I changed them anyway.

Tire threads and oil threads are the same - gives everyone and opportunity to voice their opinion. So, whatever works for you works. You run Cheng Shins, fine. When the tires are turning fast and you are riding behind me I cannot see the lettering on your tires. Somebody else might wait around for you to catch up on your Chin Chins to hog tie you, but I won't.

[pggg]

Max, dunno about modern cheng-shins, but the old ones - late 70's early 80's - would bite you like a rabid dog mate. No warning - they just let go when you least expect it. Be wary.

[DiverRay]

I just put a Metzler on the rear of my standard. I also went with a 140/90/17, and it just fits the swingarm. The tire handles great, as I commute rain or shine on the bike. I think it's a 990/ tour, but it handles highway 17 like a dream. It will take me a few months to get over 5K miles on it, and I'll let everyone know how well it wears. The front is an old 880, the rubber is hard, but it still handles well. I hope to replace it in about two months with the 990 Tour front.
And as we all know, everyone has an opinion, and this is mine.
Ray

[randy]

I've read through this whole thread and I think I understand that the Dunlop 140 Elite with RWL will not fit the rear of my Standard, the leters wil rub, right?

Will the 130 RWL fit without rubbing the letters?

This is a very timely thread for me as I was just about to order a set of K491 Elite's and I like the look of the RWL's.

[MartyA]

A 130/90/17 Dunlop Elite II or K491 will fit the rear on your Standard easily. I can't speak for the RWL, but isn't the RWL just the regular letters with White on them? I think there is plenty of clearance for the RWL.

I had always put the regulation 120/90 on the rear, this time I went with the Metzler 130/90/17. It is close to the drive, but it does not / has not touched at all, 2-up and hammering those twisties in North GA.

I am not sure if a 140/90/17 will fit or not. I have never tried it. I shoulda measured the gap with the 120/90 before I tookit off, and then the same gap with the new 130/90 to see if the 140/90 would fit.