Azcycleman

Hi all.I sold some things and was going out to buy another bike, Two to pick from both 86 Limited Edition Honda Rebels. Then asked a biker buddy am I nuts? I just picked up my 85 Little Baby,Not running yet and now going to pick up bike 2. So now I am not buying bike 2 untill bike 1 is up, restored and running. My question to you all is what type of tires do you have? and why did you buy what you bought? Happy? or not? If you got a bike with good tires on and have not bought a set. What type? and are you happy with them ? or not. I'm looking for lots of threads both here and on the tires...Ha Thank you all Take care and be safe...Me Libra

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Buickguy

My current tires are Kenda and I got them in a model closeout. Front is oversized at 100/90-18, rear is 130/90-15. Nice ride, good traction and a tread pattern that doesn't catch rain groove. All in all, not bad for a bargain brand tire. Putting the 100/90 up front is tight and the front fender needs to be spot on. Going 90/90 will give you the orginal size.

Before, I've had Pirelli, Metzler, and Dunlop (and the stock junk that came on the bike new). The stock tires were the worst. I hated them. Edgy and hard they didn't inspire the confidence they should have. The front tire tracked rain grooves like a needle in a record. I wouldn't want a set for free.

The Dunlops were good. Nice cornering, good wear and very little grove tracking.
The ride was a touch stiff but not bad. A good choice for an upgrade from stock or as a replacement for almost any tire.

The Pirelli tires did well. Ride was smooth, traction was good. i can't say anything about the Pirelli wear characteristics since they got replaced because of age and not milage. The thing I didn't like about the Pirelli tires I had was they tended to be edgy.
While nowhere near the uncomfortable edginess of the original tires, dropping in to a lean was very nice on the Pirelli tires. It seemed just a bit too abrupt for my tastes. Not a bad tire, mind you, and many folks love their Pirelli tires. It was that for my tastes, I didn't really care for them as much as the others I've had.

The Metzler tires were my absolute favorite. Long wearing, good traction and a nicely rounded profile that went in to leans very well without an edgy feel. The ride was tight but not rough and handling was superb. The down side was they were the most expensive. I don't think Metzler makes a rear tire in the Rebel size anymore but they still make a version of the ME33 Laser that I had.

I have not tried Continetal tires on the Rebel but had a set on a Yamaha XS 650 I had.
The Continetal tire did well on that bike and I would try a set on the Rebel.

Now, please keep in mind that these are opinions based on my personal tastes.
Your tastes will be different. A good quality tire will perform well.
You'll find that your riding style, weight, and geographic location will affect what you find to be the best tire for your bike.

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1987 CMX250C Rebel

2002 FSC600 SilverWing

1983 Yamaha Midnight Virago XV920MK

Put your bike's year and size in your signature.
It helps others help you.

Azcycleman

Thank you Buickguy I'm reading it over and over...

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Buickguy

Thank you for the compliment. I hope it helps.
That's the part to read over and over!
You and your situation are the major factors.

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1987 CMX250C Rebel

2002 FSC600 SilverWing

1983 Yamaha Midnight Virago XV920MK

Put your bike's year and size in your signature.
It helps others help you.

cagie

I've had Continental on several bikes and find them pretty good over all for the money. They are softer and grip well but aren't really all that great in wet conditions, not horrible, just not great. They do wear faster because they are softer.

I just took a mixed set off the Pony last night, front was a Kenda, rear was a ChenShin. Simular to Continentals in traction and wear, but the Kenda I used had a single middle tread that seemed to grab grooves. I didn't like that. Did well in rain though and I got about 15k out of the set (probably could have squeezed a couple more out of the front).

Am going to be using the D404s front and back (100/90 and 130/90). I won't have the fender problems those of you with stock fenders have. Haven't ridden them yet (waiting for a rim strip and tube for the rear. pulled off the old one and am suprised it didn't pop...)

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Comments contained in my posts are not intended to cause physical or psychological stress and are mearly my two cents worth, and in this economy, that's cheap!
87 CMX250C 'the Pygmy Pony'
87 CMX450C 'Black Lithium'

mountainwoman

I run Dunlop 404's and have found them to be pretty good ride for me,but we are all different and I'm of the same mindset as Buickguy...what I love may just not be what feels good to you.

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'87 Rebel 450
'03 Shadow Spirit 750
Be yourself...Everyone else is taken. ~ Oscar Wilde