Honda-SOHC

SOHC.co.uk Forums => CB500/550 => Topic started by: philward on October 01, 2020, 08:47:17 PM

Title: 500 Tyres - Recommendation
Post by: philward on October 01, 2020, 08:47:17 PM
Just about to put a big parts order in and starting with wheels - what recommendations would the experienced 500 guys recommend? - sizes and make please
Title: Re: 500 Tyres - Recommendation
Post by: Bryanj on October 01, 2020, 09:02:25 PM
I like Metzeller perfect me11 and me77 but they can be awkward to get.
Sizes as standard 3.25x19 front, 3.50x18 rear
Title: Re: 500 Tyres - Recommendation
Post by: Johnwebley on October 01, 2020, 09:36:20 PM
I love Avon .

3.25front.and 4.00 rear.

Handles beautiful.

If you use the 90/90f.and 100/90 rear it lowers the bike. And more
Prone to scraping

Sent from my SM-A750FN using Tapatalk

Title: Re: 500 Tyres - Recommendation
Post by: philward on October 01, 2020, 09:51:45 PM
What type of Avon John?
Title: Re: 500 Tyres - Recommendation
Post by: Erny on October 01, 2020, 10:08:59 PM
I love Avon .

3.25front.and 4.00 rear.

Handles beautiful.

If you use the 90/90f.and 100/90 rear it lowers the bike. And more
Prone to scraping

Sent from my SM-A750FN using Tapatalk
Have exactly the same. Avon Roadrider AM26, happy with them
Title: Re: 500 Tyres - Recommendation
Post by: philward on October 01, 2020, 10:12:17 PM
Whats opinion on TT100's? I only ask as the bike has a brand new front TT100 on (must be few years old but seems nice and soft/supple). It was a tyre I never used back in the 70's
Title: Re: 500 Tyres - Recommendation
Post by: philward on October 01, 2020, 10:17:03 PM
Cant see 3.25 x 19 and 3.50 x 18 on the Avon chart
https://www.avontyres.com/en-gb/tyres/roadrider
Title: Re: 500 Tyres - Recommendation
Post by: Johnwebley on October 01, 2020, 10:33:11 PM
Cant see 3.25 x 19 and 3.50 x 18 on the Avon chart
https://www.avontyres.com/en-gb/tyres/roadrider
Check Roadrider 2.

I use a 4.00 rear

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Title: Re: 500 Tyres - Recommendation
Post by: Erny on October 01, 2020, 11:17:27 PM
I have 4.00 rear too.
Title: Re: 500 Tyres - Recommendation
Post by: Bryanj on October 02, 2020, 01:19:47 AM
TT 100 are really good but the rears dont last long 4.00 is a bit big for a 500 rear rim but having said that i have got a 4.00 conti for No 36 as Metzis were short supply
Title: Re: 500 Tyres - Recommendation
Post by: SteveW on October 02, 2020, 06:54:01 AM
I have a 4.25 rear in my 550. Fitted by previous owner.

Going to go back to 4.0 when I replace.
Title: Re: 500 Tyres - Recommendation
Post by: JezzaPeach on October 02, 2020, 07:44:48 AM
I have TT100 Roadmaster 3.60x19 on the front and 4.10x18 rear (I have a feeling the numbers don’t correspond exactly to inches which is a bit confusing if correct). They have a period look.
They are a more normal rounder profile than the old TT100s which I had in the 70s.
Those used to lose their profile as the prominent V shape wore down.
Mine now seem to handle very well. I certainly won’t be getting both sides down like I used to!
Back then we tried Roadrunners which weren’t very forgiving but I’m sure technology is very different for the current Avons. My favourite, not around now I fear, were Michelin PZ2 front M45 rear, which I am indebted to!
Title: Re: 500 Tyres - Recommendation
Post by: Trigger on October 02, 2020, 08:08:28 AM
All mine are black and round. Don't like those white wall tyres and if i fit a 4.00 x 18, i like to use a 2.15 rim  ;)
Title: Re: 500 Tyres - Recommendation
Post by: flatfour on October 02, 2020, 08:35:54 AM
I use TT100 in 4.10 sizes both front and rear for the CB500/4, as we did in the 1970's. Although I fit TT100's to most of the old bikes, the CB750 came with a Metzeler Perfect and Metzeler Lasertec combination which I have since replaced with the same, and these also feel good.

In my view, both types of tyre will outperform the suspension and frame on the 1970's bikes, so I am happy with either.

I did once ride a 1970 CB750 with modern tyres on it and to me, it was quite horrible! It just felt all out of sorts, although the owner thought it was fine so I suppose it really comes down to personal choice, as in so many things.
Title: Re: 500 Tyres - Recommendation
Post by: Erny on October 02, 2020, 09:14:12 AM
Cant see 3.25 x 19 and 3.50 x 18 on the Avon chart
https://www.avontyres.com/en-gb/tyres/roadrider
Check Roadrider 2.

I use a 4.00 rear

Sent from my SM-A750FN using Tapatalk

Seems Avon changed their product lineup recently, now they do 3.25x19 and 4x18 as Roadrider 2: https://www.avontyres.com/en-gb/tyres/roadrider-mkii?cartype=motorcycle
Title: Re: 500 Tyres - Recommendation
Post by: florence on October 02, 2020, 09:42:08 AM
Avon - Speedmaster front
Avon - Safety Mileage rear.

The SM has rather a square profile and lasts for ages and believe me, it sticks on a corner just as well as a rounded profile tyre, even when ridden hard.  I thing it must deform as the bike leans.  Anyway, looking at it static one might think cornering is on a knife edge but in reality it is not.

Title: Re: 500 Tyres - Recommendation
Post by: Erny on October 02, 2020, 09:52:34 AM
Uf, looking at SM profile, I cannot believe it perform as good as rounded tyre. Would be afraid to ride hard on it
Title: Re: 500 Tyres - Recommendation
Post by: K2-K6 on October 02, 2020, 12:15:19 PM
Avon - Speedmaster front
Avon - Safety Mileage rear.

The SM has rather a square profile and lasts for ages and believe me, it sticks on a corner just as well as a rounded profile tyre, even when ridden hard.  I thing it must deform as the bike leans.  Anyway, looking at it static one might think cornering is on a knife edge but in reality it is not.

"Uf, looking at SM profile, I cannot believe it perform as good as rounded tyre. Would be afraid to ride hard on it" they give that impression from a cursory look don't they.

Anecdotally,  I know someone who lapped the isle of man TT circuit on a pair of those at an average speed of 90mph, they where "sticky" tires as concession to production (road bike with lights stripped off and no fairing) racing,  and all in 1952  ;D which at that time got fairly close to pure grand prix racers.

There's certainly more to them than first appearance, as florence's post.
Title: Re: 500 Tyres - Recommendation
Post by: Trigger on October 02, 2020, 12:55:54 PM
Avon - Speedmaster front
Avon - Safety Mileage rear.

The SM has rather a square profile and lasts for ages and believe me, it sticks on a corner just as well as a rounded profile tyre, even when ridden hard.  I thing it must deform as the bike leans.  Anyway, looking at it static one might think cornering is on a knife edge but in reality it is not.

Most of my personal SOHC bikes have them fitted and i surprised the hell out of a guy on a GSXR 1000 when  i passed  him on a 90 degree bend on the outside  ;D
Title: Re: 500 Tyres - Recommendation
Post by: philward on October 02, 2020, 01:09:21 PM
Thanks for all the imput - food for thought. I have Conti's on the 750 K2 and Avon Roadrunners on the CR Rep.  Interesting that everyone is happy with a differing range of tyres! I think all the modern stuff must improve the older bikes - seems the 500 is quite good whatever tyres are fitted maybe.
Title: Re: 500 Tyres - Recommendation
Post by: Trigger on October 02, 2020, 01:47:11 PM
Its down to how good the rider is and not the tyres.  :o
Title: Re: 500 Tyres - Recommendation
Post by: florence on October 02, 2020, 02:11:31 PM
Well the SM was a revelation for me, I didn't believe it but took one on recommendation of my tyre place, the owner rides bikes.  They are brilliant and I never now have that annoying only worn out in the middle thing.  I'm on my third one now and I just hope they keep making them.
Title: Re: 500 Tyres - Recommendation
Post by: philward on October 02, 2020, 02:50:03 PM
Its down to how good the rider is and not the tyres.  :o
Yeah, yeah, yeah!

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Title: Re: 500 Tyres - Recommendation
Post by: Bryanj on October 02, 2020, 03:08:14 PM
Years ago i had a pre unit triumph t110 650 with avon square master on the rear abnd dunlop regrade quality ribbed on the front, rode it like i stole it everywhere
Title: Re: 500 Tyres - Recommendation
Post by: philward on October 02, 2020, 03:09:34 PM
Would you do it now though Bryan!

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Title: Re: 500 Tyres - Recommendation
Post by: K2-K6 on October 02, 2020, 03:43:37 PM
Most of my personal SOHC bikes have them fitted and i surprised the hell out of a guy on a GSXR 1000 when  i passed  him on a 90 degree bend on the outside  ;D

You young tear away  ;D ;D ;D

Bet that surprised him.
Title: Re: 500 Tyres - Recommendation
Post by: Bryanj on October 02, 2020, 07:12:25 PM
If i was as penniless now as i was then probably, at least they were made in UK and had proper testing/inspection at factory
Title: Re: 500 Tyres - Recommendation
Post by: Zoltan on October 03, 2020, 04:06:48 PM
Back in the day when my 550F2 was my sole form of transport, I first tried TT100's (very 'tippy' into corners and the rear centre wore out quickly) and then a couple of sets of Avon Road Runners and they were always very good with a nice round profile.  The latest set were now dead on age, not wear, and I didn't want to run on old, hard and cracked tyres after putting the bike back on the road after a long layoff. My rims are standard sizes for the 550F2 (1.85 x 19 and 1.85 x18, as stamped into the chrome) and the Avon Road Runner tyres were Front: AM20, 100/90 H19 and Rear: AM21 110/90 H18.
So I began my research last month into the availability of suitably sized and specified tyres. I checked out the Avon Road Riders and although they had appropriate tyres, availability was a problem as I am told the Avon factory had largely shut down during the lockdown and had only recently restarted production. Then a chance conversation with my local dealer brought the Bridgestone Battlax BT46 to my attention. Billed as the modern tyre for the older motorcycle it was available on a 3 day order. So now I have 100/90-19 BT46F on the front and 110/90-18 BT46R on the back. Each one is specifically marked as either a Front or a Rear tyre.  First impressions, before rain stopped play and confined me to barracks, is that they are a good, rounded profile, sticky tyre that I am confident to push in the twisties. Time will tell on the rate of wear.
Title: Re: 500 Tyres - Recommendation
Post by: Erny on October 03, 2020, 04:57:32 PM
When I'll need to buy new set, I'll search for "inch" size (e.g. 3.25x19)rather than mm (e.g.100/90 r19 etc) size as first priority. On my K7 750 I have Bridgestones Battlax standard size but they are lower profile than inch size would be,as consequence gearing is affected and speedometer shows higher speed.. On CB550K1 I opted mentioned Avon's AM26 in inch size and they are simply perfect
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