Need tires

[kigsby]

Just got the bike ('75 750F SS) and the first thing I want to change are the tires - pretty much bald.  They have the Bridgestone Spitfire S11's on now (which I have on my cruiser).  I've been doing searches, but it hasn't really helped me decide.  The manual says 3.25-19 front, 4.00-18 rear.   I've looked at conversion charts, but still can't figure out what that means.  Tires are too important so I will admit my lack of knowledge rather than get the wrong tires!  I plan on doing mostly back roads and twisties.  I'm not an overly aggressive rider but would like something reliable that leans over better in the turns (the cruiser is not much fun on the twisties!)    I would really appreciate any suggestions on tires and sizes.   Thanks for the help.

Keri

[shinyribs]

Shinko 712's are a good tire that grips well.You could drag your pegs if you wanted. They are pretty affordable and seem to hold up well.I have a little under 5k miles on mine and they are just starting to show wear.

The conversion charts are hard to read. The best fit for your bike will be a 100/90-19 on the front and a 120/90-18 for the rear. Those are really the biggest tire you can run without getting awful close to things. I ran a 110 on the front once,but it was dangerously close to the front fender.Like,check every time you ride kinda of close.

[Piute]

  Click on these tires and go down he has agreat chart (3) that is lots of help on all those #s on the tires
http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-Shinko-777-110-90-19-130-90-16-B-W-MC-Tire-SET-/200827981098?pt=Motorcycles_Parts_Accessories&vxp=mtr&hash=item2ec247cd2a

   I'm sticking with my Front Kendas-K761DualSport front 100/90H-19 , But rear 110/80-18 (on now) has to low of a Load capacity for my baggs N such.Thinking Perellie A T  Scorpion .IF AVAILABLE

[Thorby]

For better maneuvering, specially since that is specifically what you are looking for, make sure to get the size in the manual (after you convert it).  There is a common temptation to get the fattest tire possible in the back, but it will not lean as easily into curves.  

I had a slightly fatter, and very old, rear tire when I bought my bike.  When I replaced it with the 4.00 - 18,
I took curves much easier and due to the new thread my acceleration grip was more than sufficient.  Since then I preach on installing the slimmer original tire.

kigsby wrote

Just got the bike ('75 750F SS) and the first thing I want to change are the tires - pretty much bald.  They have the Bridgestone Spitfire S11's on now (which I have on my cruiser).  I've been doing searches, but it hasn't really helped me decide.  The manual says 3.25-19 front, 4.00-18 rear.   I've looked at conversion charts, but still can't figure out what that means.  Tires are too important so I will admit my lack of knowledge rather than get the wrong tires!  I plan on doing mostly back roads and twisties.  I'm not an overly aggressive rider but would like something reliable that leans over better in the turns (the cruiser is not much fun on the twisties!)    I would really appreciate any suggestions on tires and sizes.   Thanks for the help.

Keri

[kigsby]

Thanks for all the info.   I was thinking of just using the original sizes - 100/90/19 Front, 110/90/18 Rear.  I was looking at the Shinko 712/777, Bridgestone Spitfires and Bridgestone Battlax BT45.   The only one that comes in the 110 Rear size are the Shinko's.   Is there really a big difference in a 110 vs a 120 in the rear?  Why go to a bigger tire?   Is it strickly for looks?    I think I prefer the Bridgestones, but if I go to a 120 the Spitfires are rated H (130mph) and the Battlax are rated V (149mph)  I doubt I would come close to either speeds but is one better than the other for any other reasons like wear or performance?

[Thorby]

If you read my post, it's a combination of looks and handling.  Also, if you compare the tire stickers you'll see that the fatter tire will carry a heavier load which you should consider if you want to fully load your bike with gear and a passenger.

kigsby wrote

Thanks for all the info.   I was thinking of just using the original sizes - 100/90/19 Front, 110/90/18 Rear.  I was looking at the Shinko 712/777, Bridgestone Spitfires and Bridgestone Battlax BT45.   The only one that comes in the 110 Rear size are the Shinko's.   Is there really a big difference in a 110 vs a 120 in the rear?  Why go to a bigger tire?   Is it strickly for looks?    I think I prefer the Bridgestones, but if I go to a 120 the Spitfires are rated H (130mph) and the Battlax are rated V (149mph)  I doubt I would come close to either speeds but is one better than the other for any other reasons like wear or performance?

[kigsby]

I decided on the Battlax BT45's.   I want to keep the front at 100/90/19-H and I was thinking of going to 120/90/118-H for the rear.   It currently has a 130 in the rear and I can't tell if its because the tires are old or if it's because of the size difference (130R and 100 F), but it just doesn't seem to handle well.   I thought the 120 would be a good compromise.    Problem is, I can't find a Battlax 120 H rear.  I've found 120 BT45's rear with a V rataing, not an H.  I don't plan on having any passengers or bags or going anywhere near 130 miles an hour.   I would get the V's cause it says they will perform even better, but it also said the V's aren't good in rain.   I don't like riding in the rain, but here in Florida rain storms pop up all the time.  So, I think I've changed my mind to the Spitfires with the sizes and rating I want.  The only thing that holds me back is that the website said they are for "large late model cruisers".  

[sgtslag]

If you ride in the rain, the best tire, all around except possibly for high speeds, is the Pirelli MT66 Route.  It is all I ran, on three bikes:  1983 Kawasaki 440 LTD, 1979 CB750K, and my current ride, the 1993 Kawasaki Voyager XII touring bike.  We have ridden all three bikes two up, and two of the three bikes, two up, loaded with full saddlebags and trunk, on 7+ day tours, in the rain, multiple times, without ever a traction problem.

They fit on my Honda, with no issues.  Fantastic tires.  Have put 5,000 miles on a pair, with at least a few more thousand miles left in them.  MT66's are all I will ride on anymore.  Cheers!

[Piute]

                      "" website said they are for "large late model cruisers". ""

      Back in 1975 what was a large model cruser
          I like dual sport due to gravel and do lots of camping / fishing(crossing grass N such)
                                      Love though ole back roads too
                                                           

[shinyribs]

My old Dunlop were for a "large cruiser". To me that means a harder compound which means less grip. Cruiser tires are made harder to wear better.Sport tires are made softer to grip better. That is not to say that there are not perfect middle of the road tires that compromise nicely,but I'll never run those Dunlops again. Almost lost it several times with those bricks.

[rrgunslinger]

Also, smaller tire means lower gearing and bigger tire mean taller gearing.  Just saying.