[countryboy]

Anybody buy tires from Chapparal Motorsports in California? Thanks, shopping for new tires for my 2012 250 Rebel with original tires on it...only 900 miles on it, but figure tires aren't really safe. Looking at Bridgestones, but any advice is welcome. Thanks!

 

[Emil]

Many of us like Kenda tires. The Cruiser & Challenger are the ones that I have on mine.

 

[countryboy]

Thanks Emil, is that the K657 (rear) Challenger (130/90H-15 66H) and the
K671F (front) Cruiser S/T (90/90H-18 51H) ??? I also see a Kendal K671 130/90-15 for the rear.....is the Challenger better than the Cruiser for the rear?


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[countryboy]

Emil, the last rear tire is a Cruiser....so Cruiser or Callenger for the rear? Thanks!

 

[Emil]

My '85 is still at my old house, but I'm pretty sure that the Challenger is on the back & the Cruiser is on the front.
I'm trying out a Prerelli rear tire on my '86. The front is still a 90/90/18 51H Kenda Cruiser.
One thing to add. Since I now live in Amish territory, many of the roads are gravel. These tires are the BEST that I've ever had for use on gravel & dirt roads! Other Rebel riders have said the same.
The Perelli rear tire seems to be very good too. But, I've only been using it for about 8 months.

 

[countryboy]

Thanks....I live out in the country, and have gravel road from highway to house, so that's good to know. Decided to go with Kenda.

 

[countryboy]

One last question Emil, I'm going with the 90/90-18 Kenda Cruiser in front, and can get either the Cruiser or Challenger 130/90-15 for the rear. Is there a reason you went with the Challenger instead of the Cruiser for the rear? Thanks
2012 250 Rebel

 

[Emil]

The Cruiser wasn't available at the time that I needed one. But I do love the Challenger. If I had gotten a Cruiser for the back, my story might be different. I know this setup works.
By the way... We ride 2-up on these w/o any issues for hundreds of miles at a time.

 

[countryboy]

Thanks, I'll go with the Challenger also...."don't fix it if it ain't broke"!

 

[Messengerman1]

I've been running the shinko 712 front and a pirelli mt-66 in the rear. I liked the way the IRS stock style front tire handled opposed to the shinko, but the IRS stock style tires wear out quick compared to the shinko. I killed a brand new front IRS tire in nearly the same amount of miles as a Dunlop 404 rear. With the shinko 712, I get two rear tires out of one front, which is how it should be. I haven't tried the Kenda tires, but am satisfied with the current duo of tires on the rebel.

God bless 🙏

 

[countryboy]

Thanks! I went with the Kendas, now just have to get them put on.

 

[Emil]

If you have them done "professionally", be sure to check out your spokes before (show them that they are all tight & unbroken), and after the work is done.
Speaking from having a bad experience, trust after verification.
I now always do mine myself!

 

[countryboy]

Thanks, Emil. I plan to do it myself. 50 miles to nearest Honda shop, and I'm still able to fix most things myself, but at 72 it's getting a little more challenging. With this forum and Youtube, I should be OK....but I wonder how we fixed things 25 years ago...a lot of trial and error....mostly error for me, but always got the tractor or hay baler going again!

 

[flitecontrol]

If you haven't mounted motorcycle tires before, it's a good idea to place something between the rim and tire iron to avoid marring the rim. Heavy plastic bottles, old leather gloves or store bought protectors will work. I find it easier to (carefully) saw through the steel threads on the rim than to fight getting the old, stiff tire off. Just be careful not to cut the rim if you do this.

 

[countryboy]

Will do all that, thanks!