TIRES

[cba]

Has anyone used Metzler LaserTech series, instead of the Laser 33 & Metronic 55 for an '80? Thanks, Chet

[KEYSMAN]

I'm running them on the front and rear of my 81. I really like them, handle good, they're quiet on our noisy road surfaces down here in Florida. Haven't used them in the rain yet, but my last Metzler's were just fine in the wet. I don't think you could go wrong.

[cba]

Thanks for the reply ! I'll get me a pair. Chet, from north central Texas.

[Terry]

Has anyone used a 130/70 rear on a late model? Any fitment issues, rubbing I really like the Pirelli Sport Demon for the front but they only have a 70 series in their 130 rear. The Conti Blitz comes in the proper 90 series size but almost no others do, only 80 series. If the 70 fits I may try it.

[alimey4u2]

Over the years I have tried Conti's, Dunlops, Michelin & Metzelers. The blue elephant is my fave.......

[EMS]

I usually like the Metzelers too and have them on a couple of bikes. On one of them, however, they developed a really strange wear pattern, front and rear, and I replaced them with Contis.



Terry: I had a 130/70 on a Gold Boomerang Comstar on the rear of my 79 and it rubbed on the brake torque link.

[cbxtacy]

They're not the trickest looking tire but last year before I went coast to coast and back, I put a set of Kenda Challengers on my '82. They had deep grooves for riding in water, I could still scrape my pipes, stands, pegs with them, and they were well under $100 a piece. At 10,000 miles I replaced the rear (I've never got that kind of mileage out of anything else) and the front still has a few thousand miles on it. I do not run my tires until they are bald, I replace them while you can still see tread on them. They still worry me though because they are soo inexpensive.

[Terry]

I take it then that most here use the 80 series rears? My center stand may be on its last legs but its still a neck straining event to get it up on the center stand, much worse than my 79 which lifts up with ease. Wanted to stay with a 90 series tire but do not want to go with Brickstones again, the front follows all the grooves in the road ALL the time. Haven't found a better front than the Sport Demon but they don't even have an 80 much less a 90 series rear, only a 70. Well, I've mixed them before with no problems. If I stay with a 90 series the Conti Blitz seems to be the one. What is the real difference between the 80 and 90 anyway other than the trouble lifting it up on the center stand? Does anyone use the 120 for the rear on a late model? I use the 120 for the 79 but have always stayed with the 130 for the 82. The Pirelli Sport Demon is offered in a 120/90 rear.

[dan1995]

the kenda's george was talking about are 90 series tires i have 12,000 miles on mine the front is half worn the rear about 3/4 gone just bought another set last week 64 dollars for the rear 54 for the front and free shipping from dennis kirk

[Terry]

Where did you see a front Kenda? Their site shows this (rear only)



Kenda K657 Sport Challenger Bias Ply Tire



Available in 9 variations

Common Features - Aspect Ratio: 90 Position: Rear Only Sidewall: Blackwall Speed Rating: H - 130 mph Tube Type: Tube or Tubeless Units: each

More Info/Options



Does it really stick? :) [/b]

[dan1995]

go to dennis kirk go to metric bikes then tires then kenda you will see sport challengers rear go down two items you will see spoet challengers front we used 100 90 19's

[cbxtacy]

As far as sticking, I am real careful under adverse conditions. I have hundreds of thousands of miles on Dunlop 591's and Metzeler's and I'm well aware of their capabilities. The Kenda's scare me in that they last so long and still have excellent dry weather traction. To get that kind of mileage, they probably have a stiffer carcass with harder rubber and if you push them without riding for a bit to warm them up, you might have disastrous results. The next tire I buy for my CBX will be a Kenda.

[Terry]

I decided on the Kenda Sport Challengers for my 82 so in a week or so I'll report how good they stick. Will be nice not to have a bald rear at 4-5,000 miles IF they stick well enough...

[cbxtacy]

I just put 4000+ miles on new Kenda's in the last two weeks and they are not going to last like the last set. I don't know if they changed the compound or the heat affects wear that much. There was considerable triple digit temps for the last 4000 miles. The last set started out with a coast to coast and return in the fall and temps were nice. After that they saw about a year of use, some in hot weather. Every time you heat up a tire they go through a heat cycle and the compound gets harder. Maybe by the time the last set saw some hot road riding the tires had been through considerable heat cycles and had hardened up. The new tires went out on a border to border immediately in hot weather. The rear looks like I might get another 2000 miles if I'm lucky. That's still good for a tire that cost me $47. Terry got 4600 miles out of his. He told me he runs 38 lbs pressure, I run 35. That's still considerably better then any other tire I've ever tried.

[EMS]

I just attended the BMW OA International Rally in West Bend, WI where I had a chance to discuss the unusual wear pattern on my Metzeler MEZ6 with a Metzeler Tech specialist. He explained in detail how the Metzelers are supposedly very sensitive to underinflation and recommended to run them above 40 PSI pressure ( I run 38 PSI on the rear) He was very convincing and supported his arguments with illustrations on paper. Excellent service.