Tyres again !

[Fleabie]

There's been a lot of post about tyres on this forum and others, but bear with me!

I've been trying to source tyres for my CB400F running what I believe are standard rims (front J18 x 1.6 and rear J18 x 1.85). I am not looking for anything too sporty, just good all-rounders. I have been well and truly around the houses trying to find which size I should get (into double digits of hours researching so far). There are a lot of varied opinions out there  I came to the conclusion that the the most recommended metric equivalent sizes are front with 90/90R18 and rear with 100/90R18. Getting the front tyre is not so much of a problem, it's the rear that is causing me grief.

Many people have recommended Avon Road Riders Mk II. It would seem Avon used to make the rear at 100/90 but not any more. Everyone is out of stock. I've gone through other brands including Metzeler, Bridgestone, Michelin etc but this all led to many dead ends as well as this specific tyres size seems to be much rarer than it was. I can sometimes find the rear tyre size I want but for fitting at the front. I am assuming this is a very bad idea!

However, I can get Avon RoadRiders Mk II for the rear in 110/90R18. I've read that fitting a 110 tyre where a 100 is recommended will "generally slows handling, makes steering feel heavier, and reduces cornering agility".

What would people recommend? Go with a rear 110 width and the tarmac gods will be happy?

[K2-K6]

Have you considered Continental  ?  They appear to have rear in 100/90 R18 and generally a good bike tyre choice.

Also, a tyre size comparison may help understand difference https://www.tacomaworld.com/tirecalc?tires=100-90r18-110-90r18 to appreciate any change in dimension.

The 110/90 R18 rear, should if anything make it slightly more eager to turn with larger diameter lifting the rear to bring slightly steeper steering head angle. Its not much of a change though, with 9mm raised spindle height. I feel it would be hard to detect in practical day to day use.

[exvalvesetdabbler]

How about these

https://www.dunlop-moto.com/en_gb/tires/search-results-by-vehicle.html?type=make&vt=MotorCycle&vma=honda&vmo=cb-400-four&vyom=1977

Regards
Dave

[taysidedragon]

I've got the Avon 110/90 R18 on the rear of my 400 and the handling is absolutely fine. 👍

[TrickyMicky]

As a 79 year old grumpy old fart, I can tell you that it a few years now since I had my toes skimming the deck, plus the fact that I have to keep reminding myself that the bike is also 50 years old. My choice of tyres has always been Dunlop K82's, 3.00. 18 on the front and 3.50 18. on the rear.   Rear wheel about to be refitted toady having had a new tyre fitted yesterday.  The tyre design is in keeping with the age of the bike, and they were well regarded in their heyday, the plus point now being that they are made with modern rubber.

[exvalvesetdabbler]

K82 front and rear is what I'm using, hence the link to Dunlop's tyre finder I posted above.  Same tread pattern as the infamous TT100 but as a S rated tyre as opposed to the H rating for the TT100 . Makes fitting a little easier as well. More than adequate if you feel the need to scrape away the the footrests around corners.

When I was a spotty faced tearaway I ran a 4.10 TT100 on the back and an Avon roadrunner on the front.
https://www.sohc.co.uk/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=32038.0;attach=86220;image

Regards
Dave

[TrickyMicky]

Bet you can't spot the difference!!

[exvalvesetdabbler]

One is new, the other has worn flat in the center, high mileage or over inflated.

Dave

[TrickyMicky]

Okay, I confess, the tyres were positioned for the sake of the camera!!  The old one had the old inner tube stuffed into it to spread the beading outwards and collapse the centre, and the new one has just been fitted to the wheel. The old one was fitted 6 years ago, and approx 9,000 miles. The reason for renewing being that once the centre tread starts to lose its shape it has a tendency to "white line", ie, wiggle its arse when you cross grooves at a shallow angle. I must stop doing burn-outs at every green traffic light I guess!!!  When I mentioned about my choice of tyres, it was mainly that I thought the K82's were in keeping with the style of bike, whereas I have a GB250 Clubman fitted with Avon Roadriders for the same reason, and yes, it will leave the 400 for dead on bends.

[Fleabie]

So I thought great, 110 on the rear is doable, so I tried again to get Avon Roadriders Mk II, but the 110/90 18 were out of stock every where I could find in the UK :-(

I also looked at all the other suggestions people kindly made. Metzelers were an option still as were Contis (ContiGo!). I think I missed these before as they way the manufacture sites list say 90/90 comes at the end of their search lists. i.e.  in computa speak a '9' is higher than the '1' so '90/90' come after '100/90'. Doh!

I ended up going with Dunlop K82 3.0 and 3.5" for both front an rear from demon-weeks as they seems a good all rounder for what I need and I could get hold of them

Thanks everyone for your replies. I'd be going nuts if I didn't have this forum for help!

[SimonB]

Hi Fleabie
How are the K82 tyres ? I’ve got old TT100’s on my ‘77 400/4 and I’m thinking about changing them to the K82
Thanks
Simon

[Mikep328]

I've had K82s on my 400F for two years now and they have been excellent.  Very pleased with them.  I haven't done a lot of wet roads with them but the few times i was caught in some rain I didn't notice any bad behavior.

[McCabe-Thiele (Ted)]

Okay, I confess, the tyres were positioned for the sake of the camera!!  The old one had the old inner tube stuffed into it to spread the beading outwards and collapse the centre, and the new one has just been fitted to the wheel. The old one was fitted 6 years ago, and approx 9,000 miles. The reason for renewing being that once the centre tread starts to lose its shape it has a tendency to "white line", ie, wiggle its arse when you cross grooves at a shallow angle. I must stop doing burn-outs at every green traffic light I guess!!!  When I mentioned about my choice of tyres, it was mainly that I thought the K82's were in keeping with the style of bike, whereas I have a GB250 Clubman fitted with Avon Roadriders for the same reason, and yes, it will leave the 400 for dead on bends.

I know that sensation as "Tramlining" it was very scary on my XJ900 at times.

[SimonB]

I've had K82s on my 400F for two years now and they have been excellent.  Very pleased with them.  I haven't done a lot of wet roads with them but the few times i was caught in some rain I didn't notice any bad behavior.

Thanks for the info, much appreciated