Unofficial Royal Enfield Community Forum

Royal Enfield Motorcycles => Bullet with the UCE engine => Topic started by: eda1bulletc5 on November 11, 2012, 06:03:13 pm

Title: Tire size for C5
Post by: eda1bulletc5 on November 11, 2012, 06:03:13 pm
Hi Folks,
Seems like it is time for a new pair of tires (first time swapping the tires)!

- I really do like the vintage look of either Dunlop K70 or Bridgestone L303 3.50-18; these are tube type, which is ok, but yet another part.
- There is the advantage that the front wheel diameter would be close to 19" wheel on G5/B5 improving handling on a C5.
- Can I put a 4.00-18 on the rear? Seems like this might probably improve the road handling but might have problem in fitment; wanted to confirm this from you guys. Mileage might also reduce a bit.

Going with the modern type tires,
Front tire - Bridgestone Battleax BT-45 90/90-18
Rear tire - Bridgestone Battlax BT-45 110/90-18
Of course these are tubeless type which is good. I have read a lot of folks here having good review about these tires.

Which one would you guys go with, again I am leaning towards vintage look; Dunlop K70 seems not to last for long...So wanted give a try to Bridgestone L303.

Any suggestions either on vintage or modern tires?

Thanks.
Sajiv
Title: Re: Tire size for C5
Post by: Ducati Scotty on November 11, 2012, 10:04:17 pm
You need tubes no matter what.  Most spoked wheels do and ours do for sure.  These no problem putting tubes in a tubeless tire.

Scott
Title: Re: Tire size for C5
Post by: GSS on November 12, 2012, 12:55:20 am
4.0x18 K70 Dunlop fits perfectly in the rear. 3.5x18 is no longer available in the K70, but replicas from Kenda and Cheng Shin are easy to find and work well for both font and back wheels.....however these are not the same quality as a Dunlop.  Upgrading to a 19" front rim works really well and a 3.5x19 Dunlop will fit as long as you are willing to make longer struts for the front fender.
Title: Re: Tire size for C5
Post by: jartist on November 12, 2012, 02:16:33 pm
Theoretically if you put a bigger rear tire on it but keep a 90/90-18 front you will make the steering twitchier. I would keep the sizes stock or if you want to experiment and make the steering more stable use the same size tire for the front and rear- 3.5-18 or 100/90-18 work well.  There are many choices with the 18 inch rims.
Title: Re: Tire size for C5
Post by: Hansel on November 13, 2012, 06:56:45 am
Im looking at the shinko 244s... they look good and are a dual sport tires that come in a variety of sizes. I was going to do 3.5 front and 4.1 rear.
Title: Re: Tire size for C5
Post by: eda1bulletc5 on November 13, 2012, 08:44:11 pm
Hey Guys
I went with the OEM size itself and with Bridgestone BT45.
I would probably get the 3.5-18 front and rear the next tire change...
Thanks for the help
Title: Re: Tire size for C5
Post by: digstuffup on November 14, 2012, 07:01:45 am
@ Hansel. I have the shinko 244s you are looking at. They do good for what i wanted. duel sport, larger diameter. Be aware you will have to modify the front fender slightly (C5) to have enough width clearance on the front tire.