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.
I went with the Avon Roadrider AM26 for my PROJECT-S http://www.advrider.com/forums/showpost.php?p=18232803&postcount=68 http://www.advrider.com/forums/showpost.php?p=19032233&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/showpost.php?p=20588919&postcount=287 TINK
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.
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!
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
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
+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.
My RS came with vintage style tires, Dunlops I believe they were. Handling was much better without them, honestly.
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 have Avon Roadriders on my snowflakes with the rear being tubeless for ~800miles now. I ride fairly aggressively and are fairly confident in the tires. I've only felt the rear slip once but I was pushing hard on a bend and that may have been to my over-damped Hagons.
At the end of my first pilot active rear, not overly happy with it compared to the mac50 which were excellent, but nla. 6000 k's of spirited riding on the pilot active and it shows strange wear patterns, but has maintained a good round profile which is important for aiheads. What I mean by round profile is that it hasn't worn flat like bt45 do. Haven't seen a S11 rear in Aus, but I'm going to hunt one down. Still impressed by more than 15 ME33/lasertec fronts. Never had a front slip even with the covers being machined by the road.
I found these - http://www.jpcycles.com/product/217-553 and http://www.jpcycles.com/product/217-549 - so I ordered them. I have been happy with the Metzlers in the past but going to try out the Michelins.
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
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.
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.
Well, I think you have to figure out what you really want. The Firestones were never stock on any BMW. And from all that I have talked to, they handle like crap. Don't even think of riding very far or at all spirited on them. If you want to make your bike handle as well as or slightly better than stock, put on some Spitfires. They are reasonably priced and actually work. If you are a very spirited rider and have done some other upgrades to the bike, then definitely go for the Avons or Pirellis, or whatever. I average 12000 miles on a set of Spitfires, which means at least 1 or two sets per year. That is on my R100RT. I know of others that ride them harder than I do and get in the 10,000 mile range. they are very happy with them for what they are. Almost all of those miles are done touring and to and from work. We are not into posing at the local coffee shop. We would rather be riding.
When you go wider on the front, you will sacrifice handling... if it is only looks you are after, just pick your favorite and be done with it.
