Unofficial Royal Enfield Community Forum

Royal Enfield Motorcycles => Bullet Electra & AVL => Topic started by: Techmaven on July 13, 2013, 12:04:11 am

Title: Tires!!??
Post by: Techmaven on July 13, 2013, 12:04:11 am
Original Avons are dried out on my Electra. Are Avons really all we have as a choice for these bikes? Finding a 19"rear is like searching for hens teeth! A search on here didn't really get me anywhere, hence this post.
Title: Re: Tires!!??
Post by: REpozer on July 13, 2013, 12:23:54 am
Lots of tire talk. Can try tyres too.

http://www.enfieldmotorcycles.com/forum/index.php?action=search2
Title: Re: Tires!!??
Post by: barenekd on July 13, 2013, 12:31:24 am
Avons are the first that most people throw away. We don't call them Skidmasters for nuttin'! Most popular option are probably Dunlop K-70s, look in the front section to find the 3.25s and 3.50s. They will work on either end. Non-directional. They are great handling, but a bit short on rear tire life, but for the price, they're still worth it. My personal choice that I went to after the K70s are Pirelli MT66s. Even better steering, traction, and life. Again front tires, but mount the one on the back backwards. Fantastic tires. Only about $20 more for theset from Bike Bandit. Bare's recommendation!
Bare
Title: Re: Tires!!??
Post by: D the D on July 13, 2013, 05:37:12 am
If you don't like the K70s there's also the Dunlop K81s with a true rear tire.  Hedenau has some that are a bit more expensive.  And don't be afraid of lower price Asian brands like Kenda, IRC, and Shinko.  They get good reviews and have loyal followings. 
Title: Re: Tires!!??
Post by: Yamunotri on July 13, 2013, 12:52:04 pm
Dunlop K70's are excellent on bad road surfaces and stick under all conditions except ice and snow. They are a soft rubber compound and wear out fast though, and I only get a maximum of 3000 miles out of the rear tyre. Chengshin or Mitas C180 are K 70 replica's and are identical in every respect, except price.
If the tarmac around your place is in good condition, don't waste your money on K70's, but get a tyre made out of a harder rubber, which will last longer.
Title: Re: Tires!!??
Post by: High On Octane on July 13, 2013, 02:56:56 pm
I just pulled a K81 off the back of my bike, I believe it was a 4.00x18.  It was a good tire but very old and was dry rotted and cracked.  I went with the Shinko 705 dual sports.  The front is a 110/80/19 which is equivalent to a 3.60" tread width.  A little tight up front, but it clears on my bike.  The rear would have no trouble clearing at all.  They are a real nice tire and am very happy with them so far.  Unfortunately, I'm the only person running them on this forum, and I don't own a bullet.  So I can't say if they would work or not for you.

Scottie
Title: Re: Tires!!??
Post by: D the D on July 13, 2013, 04:27:00 pm
The Shinko's are nice, but Shinko doesn't make a rear 19 inch Street tire.  You'd have to use a front on the rear just like the K70.  I really don't understand why these companies can make 19 inch off road tires the right size but don't make street or dual-sport tires in 19 inch.  Maybe the volume is too low?   Plenty of Sportsters had 19 inch rears, though a little wider, and they are hard to find too.
Title: Re: Tires!!??
Post by: High On Octane on July 13, 2013, 04:33:40 pm
The Shinko 244 street knobby has lots of various sizes in 18" and 19" options.  However, when I ran the 244 on the front of my '83 Suzuki GS550 it wore really goofy.  The knobs were "cupping"  really bad.  I'm not sure if it was due to the fork valves being bad or the tire design.

http://www.bikebandit.com/shinko-244-motorcycle-tire

Scottie
Title: Re: Tires!!??
Post by: D the D on July 13, 2013, 06:14:18 pm
But he's one of us that needs a 3.50-19 for the rear.
Title: Re: Tires!!??
Post by: High On Octane on July 13, 2013, 06:26:41 pm
Oops!  I swore I saw a 3.50x19 on that list.   ::)

I love the 705's!  I only have about 100 miles on them, but I think their best dual sport tire I've ever run on a bike.  Super aggressive and and extremely smooth riding.  I went into a neighbor with real tight twisties right after installed them.  I pushed them as hard as I could, they didn't miss a beat as I was scraping the foot pegs.  GREAT tires and you can't beat the price.  I honestly think you can squeeze a set on a 19" Bullet.  People are running K70's with a 3.5" on the front, the 110/80/19 is barely any bigger.

http://www.bikebandit.com/shinko-705-motorcycle-tire

Scottie
Title: Re: Tires!!??
Post by: D the D on July 13, 2013, 06:39:59 pm
I looked at them when I needed tires for the Bullet 'cause a friend has them on a Suzuki.  Just didn't come in the right sizes.
Title: Re: Tires!!??
Post by: Techmaven on July 13, 2013, 08:57:05 pm
I do see many 3.50-19's on websites...Kenda, Shinko, Maxxis etc. but all are listed as front tires...I'm not sure if they're usable on the back. I'm not a big fan of the K70 especially at well over $100 each..45-50 year old technology at TOP DOLLAR prices. Insane. Tire creep tore off the valve on my rear tube. The original tire has tread left but is rock hard and checking.
Title: Re: Tires!!??
Post by: barenekd on July 13, 2013, 10:43:43 pm
Where are you that you pay $100 for a K70. I buy them for about $140 for the pair! Try Motorcycle Superstore or Bike Bandit.
As for front tires on the rear, K70s are nondirectional, but some of the others have directional arrows. All you have to do is run them backwards on the rear. The difference is the major load on the tire, which is braking on the front and acceleration on the rear. The tread rubber is wrapped around the tire and taper at the ends so it stays flat. You want the pointy end to point against the load to keep it from getting pealed off. Or is that with? At any rate you want the pointy end to be at the trailing edge of the tire load.
If you're a Formula One fan your would seen the action of tires exploding that had been mounted the wrong (backwards) way on the racers at Goodwood a couple of weeks ago!
Exciting stuff, especially to the drivers and those ducking the pieces behind them!
Enfields don't go fast enough or have the power to rip the tires apart like that, but you should still make sure they are mounted properly by the load as opposed to the arrows!
Bare
Title: Re: Tires!!??
Post by: Adrian on July 13, 2013, 11:16:04 pm
Avon has come up with some better tires since the old days, did you really get SM Mk11s? The AM26 Roadrider available in 3.25x19 (or 90/90x19) for the front and 100/90x19 (roughly 3.50x19) for the rear seem pretty good on my Electra.

The AM26 rear is actually listed on this web site in Wheels & Tires under Nfield Gear, no idea why they haven't listed the AM26 front!

Avon's US/Canada web site (product web page) is here: http://www.avonmoto.com/products/street-bias/roadrider

Regards,

A.

Title: Re: Tires!!??
Post by: barenekd on July 15, 2013, 06:23:31 pm
Jack went from K70s to AM26s. He was never quite as confident with the Avons, but wanted the longer life. He said they were pretty good, though. I still preferred the Pirellis. I could sure out run Jack in the big sweepers. We were always quite close in riding ability and style. The Pirellis were cheaper, too
Bare
Title: Re: Tires!!??
Post by: Techmaven on July 15, 2013, 08:51:35 pm
Bare, what Pirelli are you speaking of? I'll look into them. My priorities are tread life and neutral steering foremost. Price is of course always a factor too. :P
Title: Re: Tires!!??
Post by: KB8ANY on July 16, 2013, 01:49:09 am
Be careful with the Dunlop tires.

I use the Dunlops and am very happy with them.  I had a question about whether they have a direction, and emailed Dunlop.  Their customer representative phoned me, and insisted ( ! ) that Dunlop does NOT recommend using the 3.25 on the rear.  Only the 3.50.

Good luck

Paul
Title: Re: Tires!!??
Post by: boggy on July 16, 2013, 02:35:19 am
3.5 K70 front and rear for the price Bare mentioned.  The 3.5 is as tight fit can be on the stock front fender, but it will work.  Something to think about if you go bigger up front.

http://www.enfieldmotorcycles.com/forum/index.php/topic,10916.msg177285.html#msg177285

But from what I hear, these won't last as long as what you are looking for.
Title: Re: Tires!!??
Post by: Techmaven on July 17, 2013, 07:37:36 pm
If you don't like the K70s there's also the Dunlop K81s with a true rear tire.  Hedenau has some that are a bit more expensive.  And don't be afraid of lower price Asian brands like Kenda, IRC, and Shinko.  They get good reviews and have loyal followings.

And people on this forum have used the listed front tire, say, 100/90-19 on the rear? Or 110/90-19?
Title: Re: Tires!!??
Post by: D the D on July 17, 2013, 08:32:54 pm
And people on this forum have used the listed front tire, say, 100/90-19 on the rear? Or 110/90-19?
Which one are you asking about?
Title: Re: Tires!!??
Post by: Techmaven on July 17, 2013, 08:42:10 pm
Which one are you asking about?

Tires listed as fronts on all the tire websites. Ex: Shinko 712, Kenda K671 and K657 in 100/90-19 or 110/90-19.
Title: Re: Tires!!??
Post by: D the D on July 17, 2013, 11:24:52 pm
Since you were quoting me before the question let me point out that the only one I suggested using the front on the rear is the K70 3.50-19.  The K81 comes in 4.10-19 REAR.  The other brands all make appropriate 19" rear tires.
Title: Re: Tires!!??
Post by: Techmaven on July 18, 2013, 02:19:21 am
Since you were quoting me before the question let me point out that the only one I suggested using the front on the rear is the K70 3.50-19.  The K81 comes in 4.10-19 REAR.  The other brands all make appropriate 19" rear tires.

I haven't seen any rear tires in those sizes from the makers I listed.((??))
Title: Re: Tires!!??
Post by: D the D on July 18, 2013, 04:31:24 am
The Kenda K671 doesn't come in 19" rear
http://www.kendatire.com/en/motorcycle/street/cruiser/ (http://www.kendatire.com/en/motorcycle/street/cruiser/)
Neither does the K657
http://www.kendatire.com/en/motorcycle/street/challenger/
19 inch rears are hard to find, but:
Here's the K761 which Kenda says is a front or rear tire:
http://www.kendatire.com/en/motorcycle/dual-sport/k761-dual-sport/ (http://www.kendatire.com/en/motorcycle/dual-sport/k761-dual-sport/)
http://www.amazon.com/automotive/dp/B001CD6M2E (http://www.amazon.com/automotive/dp/B001CD6M2E)http://www.ebay.com/itm/100-90-19-KENDA-K-761-MOTORCYCLE-ENDURO-DOT-DUAL-SPORT-TIRE-/390628113853 (http://www.ebay.com/itm/100-90-19-KENDA-K-761-MOTORCYCLE-ENDURO-DOT-DUAL-SPORT-TIRE-/390628113853)
http://www.bikebandit.com/kenda-k761-dual-sport-tire (http://www.bikebandit.com/kenda-k761-dual-sport-tire)

Shinko makes DOT approved 19 inch rears only in these:
241
http://www.shinkotireusa.com/product/product.php?id=60 (http://www.shinkotireusa.com/product/product.php?id=60)
Trail Pro 255
http://www.shinkotireusa.com/product/product.php?id=75 (http://www.shinkotireusa.com/product/product.php?id=75)



Title: Re: Tires!!??
Post by: Techmaven on July 19, 2013, 12:10:41 am
So you're saying a dual sport tire is really the only thing out there save for the oem tires?
Title: Re: Tires!!??
Post by: Techmaven on July 20, 2013, 10:38:04 pm
Wow.
Title: Re: Tires!!??
Post by: D the D on July 21, 2013, 02:23:56 am
If you count the Dunlop K70 and K81 as Dual Sport, pretty much.  If you have an 18" rear there's plenty.
Title: Re: Tires!!??
Post by: kayak65cuda on August 04, 2013, 05:54:59 am
Just put on Shinko Trail Master 705 110/80 -19's front & rear. It is wider than the original 3.50-19 rear but fits fine - only had to bend in the inside of the chain guard a little (it did clear without doing that but It was tight). I have not put on the front finder because one of my fender stays broke prior to getting the tires - it may still fit but if it does, it will be tight. I've only put 30 or 40 miles on them on both paved and gravel back roads & they really feel good. They perform much better on the road than the originals & are listed as 80% street. The deep grooves are great for wet pavement too. I'm very pleased with them & you can't beat the price.
Title: Re: Tires!!??
Post by: High On Octane on August 04, 2013, 03:55:07 pm
+1

I have about 300 miles on my Shinko 705s now and they are great!  They just handle everything you throw at them so well.  Glad to hear someone tried them on a Bullet and they FIT!   :D

Scottie
Title: Re: Tires!!??
Post by: Techmaven on August 07, 2013, 09:22:29 pm
Ended up using the Duro  HF317 3.25-19 and an HF261A 100/90-19 on the rear. So far so good. Both tires totaled $119 bucks