Are these tires death traps?

[edelweiss]

Saw these tires at Dime. I know the Firestone Champions are suicidal, but are these Coker tires fine for handling? Really like the retro look, but obviously don't want to sacrifice function. Please see picture below.

Thanks!
John

 

[xb33bsa]

that is a dunlop K70 type copy,a good all around tire it was back in the day
get the real thing is my suggestion

 

[edelweiss]

that is a dunlop K70 type copy,a good all around tire it was back in the day
get the real thing is my suggestion

But is it safe? I know some of the retro tires like the Champion have no performance and are just for looks.

 

[xb33bsa]

But is it safe? I know some of the retro tires like the Champion have no performance and are just for looks.

couldn't tell you if the copies are safe :-\
for a few dollars more you can get real ones them are safe

 

[coyote13]

I've got a K70 on the front of my Sportster, not a bad tire. Not the BEST tire out there, but it looks good, and it functions well in most situations I've thrown at it.

 

[edelweiss]

I've got a K70 on the front of my Sportster, not a bad tire. Not the BEST tire out there, but it looks good, and it functions well in most situations I've thrown at it.

Would you say it's night and day between a Avon and a K70? Or are they close?

 

[VonYinzer]

Would you say it's night and day between a Avon and a K70? Or are they close?

What Avon?

These may perform better than the Pile O Crap Firestones, but they will NEVER perform as well as a modern tread. I can't speak from experience towards the handling or wear characteristics of the Coker knock offs, but I have owned a bike with real K70s. They were OK for cruising around town and short highway jaunts, but there's a loooong list of tires I'd pick first. Especially if you plan on riding your bike hard, like its meant to be.

As has been said here 100000000x before... Nobody can tell what tires you're running at 65mph and anyone who's paying that much attention to your tires when your stopped probably isn't worth chatting up.

 

[teddpage]

Nobody can tell what tires you're running at 65mph and anyone who's paying that much attention to your tires when your stopped probably isn't worth chatting up.

That's one of the first things I look at is tires, what tread pattern/brand, and how they're worn. Screw you too Von...see if I ever talk to you again

My dad has the K70's on his Honda CB450, and likes them...but he doesn't ride hard at all. I, personally don't like riding on them, they aren't very confidence inspiring compared to my Bridgestone Battlax BT45's that stick like glue.

 

[VonYinzer]

In reality, tires like this are made for period restos and the like. Bikes thay don't get ridden everyday. Bikes thay don't see rain and shitty pavement. Bikes that spend more time on display than in the corners.

And c'mon Tedd. That's harsh man.

 

[teddpage]

Haha...Im a bit harsh...rough around the edges. I cant help it........
I do agree, I think a big part of why my ol' man likes the K70's is because they are period correct. I think if he rode any harder, he'd change his mind about K70's lol!

 

[AgentX]

I liked my (Dunlop) K70s better on my vintage bike than the Avon AM26s I had. But I was in a sub-60mph situation with a lot of dirt and rough stuff to ride.

 

[Scruffy]

Unless you ride like a little old drives, get a modern tire. I have a retro tread set on one of mine, because they were stock on 800/1400 Intruders and I got them cheap (front was free, rear was $36 out the door) when a couple former local shops quit stocking Dunlops. Old type tires don't lean as well as modern types, they have a more square tread profile (like a car or truck) versus a modern rounded profile motorcycle tire.

On the other hand, modern tread and profiles suck on my local roads. Even the fresh smooth pavement is like riding on recently oiled gravel or fresh chip seal (gravel in mastic). Or a tank training facility. Modern tires like the Conti Tour last 5-8K miles, tops. I have one bike here that at 15K miles the Metzeler knock off rear still looks new...

 

[AgentX]

By the way, Heidenau makes modern-compound tires in classic looks. They even have DOT-rated vintage race tires if you want to get spendy. See K34 for starters.

Haven't used them but considering them when the K70s wear out.

http://www.heidenautires.com/vintage-motorcycle-tires