Tires For 78e

[PJSALERNO]

My local bike shop says that Bridgestone, Dunlop, etc. do not make the orig spec tires any more for the 78E 3.25H19 front, 4.50H17 rear.He recommended IRC tires which come close to that spec. $319 installed. Any1 know these tires? Any recommendations from XSives? Thanks...Phil

[Snow]

Say what? I'd say going to a different bike shop as Bridgestone and Dunlop do make tires for our bikes.

Your front tire should be a 100/90-19 and the rear should be a 130/90-17 I believe. Dunlop makes K491 Elite II's and Bridgestone makes a Spitfire and Battleax that fit if a remember correctly. Avon also makes a tire that fits. Also, Metzeler makes tires that fit. I'm sure I've left some out.

[randy]

And, I might add, you should be able to get the job done for quite a bit less than $319. $250 would be more like it. And don't forget the tubes, if you've got a stock 78E, not tubeless.

Randy

[strom]

Our dunlop dealer sucks, they can't supply me with the Elite II.
Avon tires fit, but do not support the weight of these beasts.
So I have the battlax in mind, BT45 I believe.... the only one that meets the specs and is avaliable. I'll double-check michelin tho. Laser 33 front would fit and work OK, but I don't know bout the rear.
The price is bout 300$ including tubes, without the work, for the bridgestones.
But that's here and I still didn't contact a dealer that supposedly has em cheaper than importer.
I'll let you know what I come up with.

LP

[TopCatGr58]

Hey there Strom,

I'm sure Steve can stuff a couple of Dunlop EliteII's in that box with your engine that he's trying to get sent to you!!
T.C.

[strom]

Hehe... I'd rather a fork brace....

LP

[sixtysix]

Mark Stanton had a set of IRC's on his standard at XS WV a couple of weeks ago. The rear tire was almost bald and he said he just put it on last year and was very dissapointed with the mileage of this tire. Get the Dunlops....I told you waht size via private email. A standard can take a 130/90-17 rear and that is what everybody uses. The stock 120/90-17 is an odd ball size today and only a few manufacturers make it.

[strom]

Another question.... any experience with Bridgestone BT45 rear?
I had avon venom front and roadrunner rear installed last year, I was happy with the tires, the grip is XSellent. After bout 7-8000 miles front looks almost new, but the center of the rear tire is all gone, there is a lot of flesh left on the sides. And yes, I know how to lean
So, any comments on the 45s? If not, I'll go avon again.

LP

[Parr8hed]

yes, I had one of those before the dunlops that I just bought. Seemed like the back tire stuck very well, but did not last to long IMHO. I would get one again though.

[MartyA]

I had a couple of BT45's, got 3,500 miles on them. I used to run Avon Venom X all the time on the back, got 3,500 miles on them also. Those "Z" rated tires are rather thin, properly inflated they are terrific for traction, but don't last long on our almost 600 lb machines.

I have Metzlers on now, an ME 33 on the front and an ME 88 Marathon on the back. The front one was an emergency purchase from a dealer in Canada so I basically got robbed, but the ME 88 was around $129. Try here

http://www.tiresunlimited.com/motorcycle_tires.htm

a local guy mounts them for me for either $10 or free, depends on his mood.

These are similar to the Dunlop Elite II's, "H" rated tires, thicker treads and seem to be lasting a lot longer than those "Z" rated ones I used to get - the BT-45 and the Avon Super Venom X..

The Metzlers have a reputation of being stickier when cold. I frankly can't tell the difference between the Venoms and the ME 88. I don't think I could change any set of tires with any other set and tell the difference, I'm just not that sensitive to the microscopic differences in traction, and I don't think the XS is either.

I have those Metzlers on right now, got almost 2,000 miles on them, and they are showing almost no wear.

And they stick just fine.

Don't forget tubes.

[fxrer]

Let your fingers do the shopping! Try this place, Motorcycle Accessories Warehouse (online).

http://www.mawonline.com/dunlop.htm

I ordered a Dunlop Elite rear tire, 130/90 - 16, from them, about $98 (including shipping), at noon on a Wed. It arrived via UPS at my door at noon the next day!! Paid $10 for mounting and balance at the local shop (I took the wheel and new tire there).

Great outfit! You can also get them to send a free catalog.

[Luxury]

I got my blackwall Elite IIs from http://www.americanmototire.com. The MM90H-19 (100/90-19) front was $64 and the MT90HB-17 (130/90-17) rear was $86. Total with heavy duty tubes and shipping was $185. I paid $20 each for mounting and balancing at the local shop (brought the wheels in).

[MartyA]

See PJSALERNO, life is better outside of those Lawn Gyland dealers.

[strom]

Thanks for the info, guys... but not everyone is from the US
Anyhoo... BT45 is bout 150$ here, with tube and mounting/balancing. Avon is bout 120. I think I'll stay with avon for now. Gotta get a friend to do some calls for me (and a discount)

LP