Need new tires, any suggestions?

[81xsproject]

I need to get a new F tire. Any suggestions for low prices, got a kenda challenger (i think) on the rear.

[81xsproject]

One more question, the front (3.5x19); what is the metric conversion to this. Not a lot of sites even show the 3.5x19.

[strom]

metric.... 100-90/19
I got avon venom F and avon roadrunner at the back. Quite happy with them for now.

LP

[nashville_bill]

I have a Metzeler ME880 on front and rear and I couldn't be happier.

[DiverRay]

I've also got Metzlers on my bike. The front is old, but the rear is a new toiuring/sport series. They handle well and seem to be wearing well. I've only put about 4K miles on the bike, so give me two more months and I'll have a better idea on the wear.

[UncleSpot]

I've been running Dunlop 491 Elite IIs on both front and rear:
F: MM90-90 M/C 61H
R: MT90 B 16 M/C 74H
'love em! Great for high speed, cornering, and overall handling.

[Czekus21]

I've had JCW Chen-Ching ching chowa specials and havn't had any trouble with them at all. the rubber's kinda soft so they where out a little quick, but that's fine. You only got two wheels between you and the ground. I want soft rubber that's gonna grip the road.

[sixtysix]

Originally posted by Czekus21
I've had JCW Chen-Ching ching chowa specials and havn't had any trouble with them at all. the rubber's kinda soft so they where out a little quick, but that's fine. You only got two wheels between you and the ground. I want soft rubber that's gonna grip the road.

I used the Chen-Shin tires on my 80G the first year I had it. I figured it would be good enough since it gave me the same mileage as every other tire on my Kawasaki 650CSR. WRONG AGAIN HONEY! The same tire that lasted 6000 miles on the 650 lasted less than 1000 miles on the XS, and it had virtually no grip as well. That is quite an engineering feat in my book.

I will say this once again...buy Dunlop K491 Elite II's, they handled all the high mileage and all the peg scraping (and center stand, side bag, muffler) I could dish out. They are one of the best tires for an XS without question.

[Czekus21]

Thanks 66. I just put the JCW's on a couple of years ago and it's time to change them agian I was considering useing the same tires I had before but I think I'll give the K491 Elite II's a try. Ya might make a believer outa me yet.

[TopCatGr58]

Hey there CZEKUS21,

I had a very old Elite I on my Special when the tranny died in '92, it sat for 8 years, but still seemed to have decent tread depth, and I, too, on a shoestring budget didn't replace it! I drove it from Va. to Alex. Bay and back home, (NY XSeast rally), and then to NC and back, then to Penn Rally, then to GA. rally, and at that rally is when it finally ran too thin/bald. The handling was getting pretty strange, the profile was kinda squarish, so banking heavily for turns was squirrely to say the least due to the stiff aged rubber. I then picked up a NEW Elite II, and it was NIGHT and DAY difference!! The rear was rock solid, nary a skid/slip and the folks riding with me on the DRAGON run can attest to that!! You WILL LIKE THEM!!
T.C.

[rover]

You can get a very good price on Elite II's at donelsoncycles.com

[7911special]

I went with the Dunlop GT501 tire last year and have put about 2k miles on them. The back cost me about 120 at the dealer plus around 30 bucks for the mount and balance. So far i think it grips alot better than the 491, but my 491 looked almost like a slick Plus the 501 is V rated for up to 149mph

[MAXIMAN]

I dunno...I got about 5000 miles on a set of Cheng Shins. They perform quite adequately. I usually cruise about 80-85 on long road trips and these CS are holding up pretty good. Not bad in the twisties either.

I'm certain there are better tires out there but these CS tires are great bang for the buck. And Zilla ain't light. When I tour (see tour pics) I'm loaded for big game. My buddy says I'm a "junker" cause of all the baggage I carry...plus the fairing.

As a matter of fact I went down to the dealer yesterday and talked to their resident tire guy. I was seriously looking at Dunlop Elites and Metzler Marathons. I really wasn't interested in "Chinese" rubber.

But the tire salesman (who puts about 20,000 annually on a bike) really sold me on a Maxxis...Cheng Shins top tire. He said he sells more of that tire for touring AND sportbikes than anything else they carry.

I maybe kicking myself in a couple thousand miles but I ordered a couple Maxxis Classics for my 1100 dragon. I'll let ya'll know how they hold up. I won't be kicking myself TOO hard. They only cost $175...mounted....balanced and tax included

[Czekus21]

I went to the donelsoncycles.com site and checked out their tires. Not bad priced. Pretty much the same price as the JCW specials. As far as mounting and balanceing, I do that myself. I've tried the dealer and was charged for bunk work. Still had one hellova shake in the front end.

[sixtysix]

some guys have had good luck with the Maxxis tire, the one I burned off in 1000 miles was a Marquis (or something like that) Watch for dry rot on those tires, I have seen a few that were cracking after a few seasons.