Tire choice question

[ksquared]

I have 120/90-18 Bridgestone Spitfire date 2812 on rear and 100/90-19 Bridgestone Spitfire date 4012 on front. I picked up a nail in the rear recently which is about 3/4 inch from center. I might be able to get it patched but I'm thinking it would be wise to replace it. I rarely go past 85 and mostly ride city streets. My replacement choices are:
1. Bridgestone Spitfire S11
2. Avon AM26 Roadrider
3. Shinko 230 Tour Master
btw - at 2lbs of air, the tire doesn't look all that flat. Probably old & hard.
Are my choices poor? btw I have no problem replacing the front to match.

tire nail_s.jpg

[NobleHops]

They are 9 years old and so I would not roadrace them, but as long as they are not cracking on the sidewalls nor cupped or squared-off, I’d consider a patch and leaving them be. That said, I replaced a similarly old set of S11 with a fresh set of the Shinkos and the bike was much sweeter handling.

[daves79x]

FYI - you have to search long and hard to find a new set of Bridgestones and they will be date coded a couple of years ago at least. Shinkos are a great choice.

Dave

[CBX-tras]

+1 on the Shinko's.

[CBX1000FAN]

That can be plugged....

[ksquared]

Ok so I'm about ready to order some Shinkos. Will go with 100/90-19 Tour Master 230 on front. Question is can I go with 130/90-18 on the rear or will that size be too big. In other words stick with 120/90-18 for the rear? According to Shinko the 130 is 0.39 inches wider which amounts to 0.195 inches either side of center line. Am I asking for trouble?

[Artie]

I’m not sure I’d trust any 9 year old tire for use as to the hardness of it and grip it would provide in any slippery condition regardless of tread,don’t ask me how I know
Mfgs say tire life is 5-7 years

[steve murdoch icoa #5322]

You will be fine with the 130.

[ksquared]

Artie, I'm a wuss when it comes to slippery conditions. I don't ride in the rain but I do like good dry handling. I rode home from a bike show on the CBX a while back. When I left, a guy said my rear tire looked low. On the ride it felt a bit wrong so I rode very conservatively. I measured it when I got home and it was at 2 lbs. It didn't look all that flat. I let all the air out and it still held its shape. Kinda tells me the rubber is hard. I remember changing the 20 year old tires on my CB400F after I bought it. It made a huge improvement. I'm reasonably happy with my CBX but who knows how much better it could be?
Steve, thanks for the 130 info. One of my other bikes is a Buell XB9R with a 180/55 ZR 17 on the rear. The big meat look is addictive.

[Artie]

You’re not talking much of a contact patch with motorcycle tires soft pliable rubber and grip is very important ..duh
Dig your thumbnail or press on tread with screwdriver of new tire vs 5-6 year old tire
My front tire a 6 year old Dunlop 3115 (2015) made installed 2018 has 3000 miles with fine tread but feels hard like a hockey puck compared to new new Shinko Tourmaster waiting TBI
NEVER again will use tires older than 5 years again don’t ask me how I know

[Rick Pope]

While at the Wisconsin Uplands Tour in June, we were tire kicking and someone noticed a badly cracked tire on the front of a bike. Owner said he'd just bought and installed it recently. Date code as sometime in 2015. Bought from a major tire distributor.

That said, not all tire brands are created equal. I've run some tires many years beyond where most folks would toss them. Others don't fare so well.

[Jeff Bennetts]

Does Avon still make vintage tires? once upon a time they made a tire with a wider footprint for narrow rims

[Artie]

Any of the online major vendors say that they can sell you a tire up to 5 years old but all said that I could return if I was getting any tire and not happy with date of mfg who wants to buy old tires buyer beware
Just bought Shinko Tourmasters from J&P Cycles 2020 and 2021 mfg date keepers not just got to spoon them on

[Larry Zimmer]

As mentioned above, if the sidewalls are good, I would patch with your type of riding. Would NOT plug it, though. Plugs are best, IMHO, as a band-aid to get to either a patch or replacement. One other tire brand to consider is Kenda. Good overall handling and wet grip.

[ksquared]

I can't find any shop that will patch a motorcycle tire. Liability issue. Guess it's time for new shoes