Tyre Choice!

I have a Set of these. They transformed the handling of my bike - they're superb IMHO.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Dunlop-Arrowmax-D103-tyres-110-80-17-57H-TL-130-80-17-65H-TL-Honda-CB500-/281549012682?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item418da0feca

sullivj wrote:I have a Set of these. They transformed the handling of my bike - they're superb IMHO.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Dunlop-Arrowmax-D103-tyres-110-80-17-57H-TL-130-80-17-65H-TL-Honda-CB500-/281549012682?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item418da0feca

Are you saying they handle and grip better than Bridgestone BT45s?

Dunlop arrowmax were on the bike when I bought it, I remember the rear sliding around alot on painted white lines and how much better BT45s felt. I was a new unskilled rider though so maybe it was my green skills.

Possibly. The Arrowmax name has been around a while and your tyre may not have been a D103. That said, we don't all agree on tyres; I really dislike Roadriders, f'rinstance.

I've never tried BT 45s. I'm not sure what was on the bike when I got it, but they were old and hard. The new D103s gave me MUCH more confidence in the bends. For the money, they were the best £100 I've spent on my bike.

I have a great deal on some Lasertecs, but they are 130-90.
Has anyone tried 90 profile tire?

Should not be so much different right?

HomeBrew wrote:

sullivj wrote:I have a Set of these. They transformed the handling of my bike - they're superb IMHO.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Dunlop-Arrowmax-D103-tyres-110-80-17-57H-TL-130-80-17-65H-TL-Honda-CB500-/281549012682?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item418da0feca

Are you saying they handle and grip better than Bridgestone BT45s?

Dunlop arrowmax were on the bike when I bought it, I remember the rear sliding around alot on painted white lines and how much better BT45s felt. I was a new unskilled rider though so maybe it was my green skills.

Were they worn out? The arrowmax that my bike came with were worn (not illegal, but well worn) and that made the handling more interesting than it should be. I changed to Avon Roadriders and it was much better: I bet I could have changed to cheng-shin ditchfinders and they still would have been better, just because they weren't worn out.

IME new tyres (unless they are aaaaawfull) almost always work better than worn ones, even if the worn ones were better tyres to start with.

Avon Roadriders

Any insight about 90 profile tires?

So I'm going to have to throw on a new set before the Irish winter rolls in. I've never really paid much attention to what brand/make of tyre I was putting on my bikes in the past (mostly because they were low cc and I didnt really think it would make a massive difference). The Cb500 though is a bigger bike and well Id like to get something decent for it without spending mad money!

What kind of tyres do you guys recommend ? do you stick to recommended sizes or deviate a little ? Where do you shop ? Online vs Bricks & Mortar

Tyre choice is very important, lads here use bridgestone bt45, i never used them, ive michelen activ on my cb (previous owner ) could do with changing them there good( but old tyres)

this topic comes up a fair bit, and for healthy balance i'm going to say i don't like bt45's all that much. They square off too quickly for my liking.  A few of us on here were buying dunlop arrowmax d103 (i think thats what they were called) and i found them fantastic. they were out of date tires from ebay so some tires deteriorated at the mold seam line before the tire was worn out from riding, however for me they stuck to the road better than the bt45's in all conditions.

I've decided not to go for these again in future due to the seam fault so i'm particularly keen to hear what you end up with and how you rate 'em.

Most people seem to rate the Bridgestone BT45 as the default choice for the CB500. Personally I've been more than happy with my pair of Pirelli Sport Demon tyres for getting through an Irish winter.
The BT45 is a dual compound tyre with harder rubber in the central portion so would probably be the choice if you're doing high miles. The Sport Demon is single compound and from what I gather it's a bit stickier but doesn't last as long - suited me fine for my usage. I think I'm looking at about 6000-7000 miles out of the rear on mine.

With our roads and weather I think tyres are one place where it's always worth forking out for decent rubber.

Cheers for the inputs guys.

Not sure if I'm mad keen on using a tyre that has the potential to deteriorate but I get why some people would especially if there great tyres.

I've been using Sport Deamons on my previous two bikes so I might give them a shot on the CB500. I'd do a fair amount of miles (maybe 400-500) a week but most of the roads in riding are back country roads so the sticker tyre maybe the better option. Does it perform okay in the wet Celt ?

Well, I haven't crashed.

I was riding in all weathers since December, even rolled in on ice one morning (bit mad though that). The only time they let go was being stupid with the throttle on wet greasy road with cold tyres - spun the rear a couple of times. And when it was properly greasy and horrible I could feel the bike squirming around a bit. As I said though, no crash, so my impression of them is they warn you with a bit of feedback if you're pushing it, so I have confidence in 'em.  First bike with an engine and only ones I've tried so far though, but I like them.

Yes it hard to know what tyre to get  , one tyre for one rider is great same tyre for an other could be shite. If ur doing big mileage it be sport touring type  tyre. Super sticky wont heat up on cold wet road. See what deal u can get maybe bt 45 (think going try them next)Try cotters in ballymount
Or try motorcycleshop.ie i got service stuff for cb very good free postage and quick couldnt recommend them enough

Just pricing them up there on motorcycleshop.ie. Its coming to €203 for a set of BT45's. Couldnt seem to find a price for the sport deamons on MSC.

U going fit them ur self, its a ball ache, u can do it with a spade. Then u have to get them balanced

I've fitted the previous ones on my GZ125 and CB250 never balanced them though. My dad would probably be able to help of o had to but is balancing it necessary ?

I sometimes take my tires to a garage that would fit them for a fiver without balancing. Never noticed any difference.

Yeah for years I went to a mechanic who didn't bother with balancing, and I can't say I've noticed any difference since moving house and changing where I go (where they do balance). 

For years I used BT45s but did find they square off, and I'm an enthusiastic corner-er. No other complaints though. I've in the last year moved to Michelin Pilot Activs which, if I'd rate the BT45s 8/10, are IMHO 9/10.

Just don't get the Avons.

I think I've got sport demons on the front and BT45's on the back. Been swapping wheels between two bikes recently to get it through the MOT (which it did last week). TBH, my riding skills are crap and I couldn't tell the difference between a road rider and a swim ring!!!!!!! lol

I get through loads of tyres; I ride my bike at eleven-tenths everywhere and love grinding away my footrests. I really rate the Dunlop Arrowmax D103s, Bridgestone Battlax BT45s and Michelin Pilot Activs - none of 'em have ever caused any issues. 

Just stay away from Avon Roadriders!

Anybody tried radials ? (Michelin Pilot Street Radial in 120/70 and 140/70 would fit) My local MOT guy rates them, but his bike is a Deauville

I've got Avon Roadriders.  

Why are some people saying to stay away from them - I haven't had any problem with them at all.

Jim