vintage tires

chipsdad · 01-27-2013, 08:30 PM

i am trying to decide on tires for my /5. are the Firestone vintage tires only for looks or do they ride fine as well? what other suggestions are there for a wider tire. i think a 4 on the front and a 4.5 on the rear. where are good places for these things on the interweb.

TINK · 01-27-2013, 09:17 PM

I went with the Avon Roadrider AM26 for my PROJECT-S

http://www.advrider.com/forums/showp...3&postcount=68

http://www.advrider.com/forums/showp...&postcount=104

Have not ridden on them yet so no road report, but "soon" my PROJECT-S will be a runner...

http://www.advrider.com/forums/showp...&postcount=287

TINK

JonnyCash · 01-28-2013, 05:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TINK

I went with the Avon Roadrider AM26 for my PROJECT-S

http://www.advrider.com/forums/showp...3&postcount=68

http://www.advrider.com/forums/showp...&postcount=104

Have not ridden on them yet so no road report, but "soon" my PROJECT-S will be a runner...

http://www.advrider.com/forums/showp...&postcount=287

TINK

I had them on my RD. They were really great, and confidence inspiring when they were new. The front tire developed a weird wobble when there was still a lot of tread left. Something in the casing must have parted. Considering what they cost, I was pretty disappointed and when I replaced them, the back tire was pretty worn at that point, I got the BT45s. I'm pretty happy with them, but the sizing is very small. The 90/90/18 front tire I have on there now rides great, but looks like it belongs on a moped. If I were to do it again, I'd get a 100.

On my /5 i finally wore out the Lasertech that had been on it for years, and by the widespread recommendation on here, I got the Michelin Pilot Activ. VERY happy with it! I look forward to getting the rear to match.

TINK · 01-28-2013, 07:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JonnyCash

I had them on my RD. They were really great, and confidence inspiring when they were new. The front tire developed a weird wobble when there was still a lot of tread left. Something in the casing must have parted. Considering what they cost, I was pretty disappointed and when I replaced them, the back tire was pretty worn at that point, I got the BT45s. I'm pretty happy with them, but the sizing is very small. The 90/90/18 front tire I have on there now rides great, but looks like it belongs on a moped. If I were to do it again, I'd get a 100.

On my /5 i finally wore out the Lasertech that had been on it for years, and by the widespread recommendation on here, I got the Michelin Pilot Activ. VERY happy with it! I look forward to getting the rear to match.

I'm committed to the Avon's for now. but I'll definitly put the Mich Pilot Activ's on the list for next time around.

TINK

squish · 01-27-2013, 09:55 PM

Well the firestones are black.... There's a reason tires moved away from those tires many many years ago.

They are for looks. Plenty of kids pile on the miles with the repops but I wouldn't put them on a bike I was building.

supershaft · 01-27-2013, 09:55 PM

I recommend Bridgestone Spitfire S11's. I think they are the best bet.

I use to recommend them or Avon Super Venom's or Roadrunners but they don't make them anymore. AM26 Roadriders make my bike handle like a shopping cart. It's a bummer because I ride a bit more enthusiastically than most and I loved the no longer available Avon's because they stuck like glue compared to other tires and they lasted just as long or longer. A lot longer than some with far less grip! I run Avon 'for track only' race tires right now but you don't want to do that. They are pricy! At least they still last longer than many a DOT tire that I have used and stick five times better while doing it!

chasbmw · 01-28-2013, 01:22 AM

Michelin pilots are on both my bikes, they are more stable and agile than the Bridgestones BT45s previously fitted. The Michelins are properly sized, I.E. a 4.00inch tyre is actually 4.00 in width, rather than the bridgestones which are oversized.
I buy tyres on the basis of their performance rather than their looks.

Your experiences may differ

carpetburn · 01-28-2013, 03:00 AM

Exactly what Chasbmw says above, replaced my bt45s with pilot activs-much better

mykill · 01-28-2013, 07:58 AM

+1 on the Michelins and mostly positive reviews from friends on the Bridgestone offerings. My /5 came with freshly spooned Metzeler Lasers. The rear rubs a bit even though it is a proper 4.00. I my past experience with Lasers was lackluster.

ozmoses · 01-28-2013, 08:48 AM

My RS came with vintage style tires, Dunlops I believe they were. Handling was much better without them, honestly.

craydds · 01-28-2013, 09:35 AM

I have Metzlers on at this time, with no previous problems. But the Metzlers are old, bike was in the barn for several years; it is now gloriously resurrected! It is time for a new set of Michelin Pilot Activs. Do the inmates have any recommended suppliers, or does it not matter? I will mount and balance them myself.

TINK · 01-28-2013, 01:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by craydds

I have Metzlers on at this time, with no previous problems. But the Metzlers are old, bike was in the barn for several years; it is now gloriously resurrected! It is time for a new set of Michelin Pilot Activs. Do the inmates have any recommended suppliers, or does it not matter? I will mount and balance them myself.

I too change/balance my own. I've been buying from http://www.americanmototire.com/catalog/ for several years now and have always been happy with their price and quick delivery.

TINK

craydds · 01-28-2013, 02:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TINK

I've been buying from http://www.americanmototire.com/catalog/

Great link - easy to find the tires in our sizes, and they have a great selection. Some suppliers do NOT carry sizes for our old bikes.

chipsdad · 01-28-2013, 06:05 PM

all the tires you guys are mentioning don't look like the firestones. I have been working on my bike I have reshaped the seat and fenders to look better with the more oversized tires. Am I really gonna hate the firestones or will they be fine. I will be riding lots in the summer however never over 60mph and mostly in town.

supershaft · 01-28-2013, 06:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chipsdad

all the tires you guys are mentioning don't look like the firestones. I have been working on my bike I have reshaped the seat and fenders to look better with the more oversized tires. Am I really gonna hate the firestones or will they be fine. I will be riding lots in the summer however never over 60mph and mostly in town.

I have no experience with tires for looks. I suspect you should have customized a KE100.

01-27-2013, 08:30 PM	#1
chipsdad ^OP Adventurer Joined: May 2011 Location: edmonton Oddometer: 52	vintage tires i am trying to decide on tires for my /5. are the Firestone vintage tires only for looks or do they ride fine as well? what other suggestions are there for a wider tire. i think a 4 on the front and a 4.5 on the rear. where are good places for these things on the interweb. __________________ on a mission

01-27-2013, 09:17 PM	#2
TINK Gnarly Adventurer Joined: Nov 2007 Location: So Cal Oddometer: 482	Avon Roadrider AM26 I went with the Avon Roadrider AM26 for my PROJECT-S http://www.advrider.com/forums/showp...3&postcount=68 http://www.advrider.com/forums/showp...&postcount=104 Have not ridden on them yet so no road report, but "soon" my PROJECT-S will be a runner... http://www.advrider.com/forums/showp...&postcount=287 TINK

01-27-2013, 09:55 PM	#5
squish Out of the office. Joined: Dec 2003 Location: Where the Ghetto meets the sea. Oddometer: 4,947	Well the firestones are black.... There's a reason tires moved away from those tires many many years ago. They are for looks. Plenty of kids pile on the miles with the repops but I wouldn't put them on a bike I was building. __________________ *On vacation for a spell*

01-27-2013, 09:55 PM	#6
supershaft because I can Joined: Sep 2010 Location: San Francisco Bay area Oddometer: 6,066	I recommend Bridgestone Spitfire S11's. I think they are the best bet. I use to recommend them or Avon Super Venom's or Roadrunners but they don't make them anymore. AM26 Roadriders make my bike handle like a shopping cart. It's a bummer because I ride a bit more enthusiastically than most and I loved the no longer available Avon's because they stuck like glue compared to other tires and they lasted just as long or longer. A lot longer than some with far less grip! I run Avon 'for track only' race tires right now but you don't want to do that. They are pricy! At least they still last longer than many a DOT tire that I have used and stick five times better while doing it! supershaft screwed with this post 01-27-2013 at 10:04 PM

01-28-2013, 01:22 AM	#7
chasbmw Beastly Adventurer Joined: Feb 2006 Location: Bath Uk Oddometer: 1,005	Michelin pilots are on both my bikes, they are more stable and agile than the Bridgestones BT45s previously fitted. The Michelins are properly sized, I.E. a 4.00inch tyre is actually 4.00 in width, rather than the bridgestones which are oversized. I buy tyres on the basis of their performance rather than their looks. Your experiences may differ __________________ Charles http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...ps6e61ae2e.jpg R90s 1070 replica, R90/6 1971 Commando Fastback

01-28-2013, 03:00 AM	#8
carpetburn Gnarly Adventurer Joined: Dec 2009 Location: brisbane Oddometer: 111	Exactly what Chasbmw says above, replaced my bt45s with pilot activs-much better

01-28-2013, 07:58 AM	#9
mykill odd Joined: Feb 2008 Location: Los Angeles Oddometer: 1,092	+1 on the Michelins and mostly positive reviews from friends on the Bridgestone offerings. My /5 came with freshly spooned Metzeler Lasers. The rear rubs a bit even though it is a proper 4.00. I my past experience with Lasers was lackluster. __________________ Never underestimate the laxative properties of motorcycling.

01-28-2013, 08:48 AM	#10
ozmoses Ride On Joined: Jul 2009 Location: USA Oddometer: 1,049	My RS came with vintage style tires, Dunlops I believe they were. Handling was much better without them, honestly. __________________ Opinions are like internet connections- everybody has one.

01-28-2013, 09:35 AM	#11
craydds Studly Adventurer Joined: Aug 2010 Location: Las Cruces, NM Oddometer: 993	I have Metzlers on at this time, with no previous problems. But the Metzlers are old, bike was in the barn for several years; it is now gloriously resurrected! It is time for a new set of Michelin Pilot Activs. Do the inmates have any recommended suppliers, or does it not matter? I will mount and balance them myself. __________________ Ray ABC #12947 '75 R90S

01-28-2013, 06:05 PM	#14
chipsdad ^OP Adventurer Joined: May 2011 Location: edmonton Oddometer: 52	all the tires you guys are mentioning don't look like the firestones. I have been working on my bike I have reshaped the seat and fenders to look better with the more oversized tires. Am I really gonna hate the firestones or will they be fine. I will be riding lots in the summer however never over 60mph and mostly in town. __________________ on a mission

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