Performance vs. Wear life.

MtDewJnke

MtDewJnke

"Buy the Ticket, Take the Ride"
I am about to purchase some new rubber for my 1980 xs850. I was wondering what suggestions were out there on what brand/ size I should be looking at. I am 6'1" and 240 pounds. I have a slight cafe style build going and would love some input. Is it better to go to a dealer or the interweb? Should I be looking for extra weight supporting tires?

Any help is a blessing.

MtDewJnke

Ps. I am running on stock wheelanf really like this look
 

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You know, that is a sharp looking bike. But personally, I'd rather look at it then ride it. The fender-less look is nice, but you end up with oil and dirt from the road is a dirty stripe on your back, and crap all over the front too.



So for looks, it is great. For riding, it is just messy....
 
I totally agree!!! I was just saying I like those tires. I could never go fenderless. I do like the look but it's not very practical. Besides my 850 special has chrome fenders. Why would I get rid of those. Lol. I'm just trying to get a straight answer on what size tires I should get for the best overall performance in handling and wear.

Seriously I'm so fresh I am not sure what number means what. I think it's 110/90 in front and 120/90 in back but what's that really mean?


This is me

I'm not even sure the wheels are the same diameter in front and back.
 

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I'm unsure of the question.....

If you're doing much "spirited" riding, get some stickier rubber. If you're doing some 2-up touring, get some touring tires.

Good tires don't care if you're 6'20, 350 pounds. They go on a cb350 just as easily as a Hayabusa.
 
MtDewJnke said:
I totally agree!!! I was just saying I like those tires. I could never go fenderless. I do like the look but it's not very practical. Besides my 850 special has chrome fenders. Why would I get rid of those. Lol. I'm just trying to get a straight answer on what size tires I should get for the best overall performance in handling and wear.

Seriously I'm so fresh I am not sure what number means what. I think it's 110/90 in front and 120/90 in back but what's that really mean?


This is me

I'm not even sure the wheels are the same diameter in front and back.
Click to expand...

110/90 is basically tire width/height, there is a third number for rim diameter.
I'd go with a 100/90/19 front and a 120/90/? rear.
Also find a local mom and pop bike shop that services bikes.
Stay away from the big stealerships if at all possible.
Stickier tires are better that old hard tires unless you like road rash.
Chen Shing and Kenda are good cheap tires to start out with.
Some will say this and that about the less expensive tires.
But Chen Shing's quality control is good enough it takes very little weight to balance them out compared to some of the 'big' name tires I've seen.
 
Tire performance is inversely proportionate to wear life in almost all cases (rider habits can affect this).
Better performance comes from softer compounds and softer compounds wear out faster.
 
I have some Bridgestone Battlax BT-45's on my CB450 and they are wearing really well. And i ride the shit outa my bike. Avon Roadriders are also good. Pretty much any tire with the exception of those baloony firestone/coker jobbers are guna be decent.
 
I usually buy tires on line and fir them in the shop. Dealerhip prices are a lot higher because they have more overheads for a smaller revenue base.
 
AGAIN-----you guys are amazing thanks for the info........


I searched around and think my front tire is gonna be a 110/90 19 and m rear wil be a 120/90 17? I think that is correct


I am really looking at the Battleax so thanks a lot for the input.....

word up Ted
 
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