[Hog Head]

My bike is an Indian domestic model and imported into Thailand. The problem is that the tyres are "Nylo Super Grips" and anything but. I have no doubt that they are so hard that they will go 25,000 Km and have a nice all season radial tread pattern.

Local dealers do not seem to have anything in matching 19" sizes so I may once again have to import what I need. I see that Avons are popular, but alas not available here.

I do not care about mileage, we do not have the power nor weight to tear them up, and I am more interested in sticking to the road. Road conditions are winding and hilly.

What do you find is the best performance tyre for a RE for the stock 19" diameter rims

[Rick O'Shea]

I'm using Avon AM26 Roadriders 3.25 on the front & 100/90 on the rear. You might have to import them but I don't think you'll be sorry. The rear is a half inch shorter and a half inch wider than the stock Avon and the front is a quarter inch taller and a third inch wider than the stock Avon. Mine are new but the guys here say they are long lived. I do know they handle GREAT in the mountains. The slightly shorter rear tire gives my bike a little more bottom end for pulling hills & as it is geared taller than stock for highway flats that's a big help. They fit great and even though they have a more modern tread design I feel they look real good on a Bullet. If you are off the pavement quite often you may consider Dunlop K70's 3.25 front and 3.50 rear, basically the same size as the stock tires. A fine tire in their own right with a bit more aggressive pattern for rough conditions but still handle great on asphalt. Cool retro look too! Maybe not as long lived as the Avon's though. Good luck, Joe

[Blltrdr]

This site lists a lot of tire suppliers in your country: www.alibaba.com/countrysearch/TH/motorcycle-tire.html

[Hog Head]

the problem is quality and 19"

[Blltrdr]

the problem is quality and 19"

You need to look at Vee Rubber. They sell these tires in the States mainly for scooters and sportbikes but they do have some nice tires in 19" that would work great on the Bullet. A lot of great tires are made in Asia and with some research you should be able to find something produced locally that has quality.

[Hog Head]

You are correct in that this is the land of rubber and V-Rubber is one of the biggest local manufacturers. Unfortunately no one locally other than scooter and the underbone bike riders use them as the offerings from Pirelli, Bridgestone, and Mechelin are so much better.

Interestingly the VRM-191 looks like a Metzler Lazer and they have just introduced a matching rear. Both F and R are 100/90/19.
Will go see the Dealer today to check if this is vapour ware or export only

[Blltrdr]

You are correct in that this is the land of rubber and V-Rubber is one of the biggest local manufacturers. Unfortunately no one locally other than scooter and the underbone bike riders use them as the offerings from Pirelli, Bridgestone, and Mechelin are so much better.

Interestingly the VRM-191 looks like a Metzler Lazer and they have just introduced a matching rear. Both F and R are 100/90/19.
Will go see the Dealer today to check if this is vapour ware or export only

Great, this company is new to me but if you purchase a set it will be nice to get an idea of the characteristics of this tire and brand.

[chanderjeet]

VEE RUBBER is a good choice and more over made in Thailand.

[Blltrdr]

Here is a link for that tire.
www.motorcyclemaniacstore.com/category/5054/vrm-191-vee-rubber-motorcycle-tires

It looks like a very good tread design and should work great on your Bullet, Hog Head.

[500KsGerry]

There's a new Korean tire company called Shinko. Supposedly a cut above Chenching, I believe same area and company as Yokohama tires. I bought a pair (dual sports)  for $74 to the door.  $20 each for the 19" front/rear tire. I haven't mounted  yet but can't go too  wrong  for the cost.

[Hog Head]

That link goes to the front tyre, and looks like a Metzler Lazer. V-Rubber also has a new matching rear that is not shown

Tyres are the one thing that a biker should never compromise on

[Blltrdr]

That link goes to the front tyre, and looks like a Metzler Lazer. V-Rubber also has a new matching rear that is not shown

Did you ever check out the V-Rubber tires, HH?

[baird4444]

There's a new Korean tire company called Shinko. Supposedly a cut above Chenching, I believe same area and company as Yokohama tires. I bought a pair (dual sports)  for $74 to the door.  $20 each for the 19" front/rear tire. I haven't mounted  yet but can't go too  wrong  for the cost.

So how bout it, anybody tried theese Shinko jobs? I'm liken the older
retro blockier look'n tread pattern...     anyone??
              - Mike

[500KsGerry]

So how bout it, anybody tried theese Shinko jobs? I'm liken the older
retro blockier look'n tread pattern...     anyone??
              - Mike

I mounted the rear (18x5.10). have 50 miles on it with two 5 second power brakes on it. No tread chunking.  I was going slow but noticed no slippage on asphalt with frozen dew. No noticeable vibration or road noise from the tread  (for what thats worth since it is on a loud overpowered paint shaker)  I'll buy them again I think and use for a winter tire. As for durability, time will tell.  Gerry

[baird4444]

Thanx Gerry, keep us posted. Maybe I'll start looking for them.
                        - Mike

[r80rt]

I've always had good luck with the Dunlop K70's

[MotoJ]

I love the Dunlop Ks. I have the Shinkos mentioned previously on my 77 Sportster. The tread and riding feel is similar to the Dunlops during the summer, but now it's cold there's a big difference. The Dunlops on the RE are still grippy but the Shinkos feel hard and I'm not real confident on them. I can spin the tire from a start and that's not a power thing it's lack of stick on cold asphalt.

I guess it comes down to price versus all-weather grip.

[baird4444]

I love the Dunlop Ks. I have the Shinkos mentioned previously on my 77 Sportster. The tread and riding feel is similar to the Dunlops during the summer, but now it's cold there's a big difference. The Dunlops on the RE are still grippy but the Shinkos feel hard and I'm not real confident on them. I can spin the tire from a start and that's not a power thing it's lack of stick on cold asphalt.
I guess it comes down to price versus all-weather grip.

   Price does matter but a little common sense goes a long way....
I do sometimes ride the cold frosty mornings on country oiled roads and asphalt. These sound like they would do better in the south where it's a little warmer.
   I'll keep looking- Mike

[Hog Head]

Further to my search for V-Rubber tyres in Thailand, the first response to my inquiries was the 2 favourite words in Thai retailing - mai mee or literally no have. This could mean I do not know and am too lazy to find out, do not know and do not want to look stupid and lose face so it is easier to say mai mee, phoned the wharehouse and got mai mee so either of the foregoing is possible, could not be bothered dealing with the foreigner, on backorder, or quite possibly really not available.

After weeks of asking, it turns out that the front is the VRM-191 pattern is available at 2500 B or 83.00 USD, but the rear in the same design is mai mee. When pressed that the rear is a new size per their website, and she should really recheck, the excuse it that the website is wrong.
This could mean mai mee (as defined above) or a face saving excercise.

I give up and will have to import some performance tyres.

I really do not feel so bad as my friends here tell me that V-Rubber tyres are cheap in the true English meaning of the word.

[Ice]

That sucks