Tyres

by Basil Moss Mon 09 Jan 2017, 2:54 pm

OK, any experts out there able to advise me if these will fit? Front is correct size, rear is wider and lower ratio.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Michelin-110-80-S17-Pilot-Street-140-70-S17-Pilot-Street-R-Pair-Deal-/272421290334?hash=item3f6d93015e:g:e-cAAOSwcLxYCcv0

Basically my trip round Europe this summer shredded my front tyre, and exposed problems with the BT45 tread pattern. I was really nailing it around all manner of terrifying hairpins up and down the mountains. It's worn flat sides on it, with steps between tread lines. So when I lean in a corner, or if the pressure is a tad low, I get a wobble. Hence my deciding to hunt about for something new with a bit less tread.

I've also got myself a floating disc as the original overheated and warped, and now looks like a dinner plate...

Any tyre fitting suggestions gratefully accepted. I recall somebody on here saying they used Diablo Rossis with a rear the same size as this, so maybe they can tell me whether there are any issues fitting it.

by Beresford Tue 10 Jan 2017, 1:38 am

I have these on in 120/70 and 140/70 and they fit with no problems.

by Jameshambleton Tue 10 Jan 2017, 9:16 am

I've got Pilot Street's on my cb400 and I would 100% not recommend them. They lack feedback from the front and the rear likes to do as it likes in the wet so does the front too.

If you've decided to get those tyres though get them from tyreleader as they cost £125 a pair posted.

by wornsprokets Tue 10 Jan 2017, 1:18 pm

What tyre would u recommend james..bt45s were good but i had cracks in them from start ...rear squared off real quick

by Beresford Tue 10 Jan 2017, 3:21 pm

Jameshambleton wrote:I've got Pilot Street's on my cb400 and I would 100% not recommend them. They lack feedback from the front and the rear likes to do as it likes in the wet so does the front too.

Have you tried other tyres on this bike James. Don't forget that running heavier oil in the front forks and lots of pre-load or firmer springs on the rear can also give these symptoms.

by Jameshambleton Tue 10 Jan 2017, 7:12 pm

Beresford wrote:

Jameshambleton wrote:I've got Pilot Street's on my cb400 and I would 100% not recommend them. They lack feedback from the front and the rear likes to do as it likes in the wet so does the front too.

Have you tried other tyres on this bike James. Don't forget that running heavier oil in the front forks and lots of pre-load or firmer springs on the rear can also give these symptoms.

I had one on the front of my cbf125 and it was great never found the limit of the tyre. I fitted one to my cb500 on the rear and it slid out a a good few times when it shouldn't on have, that and it only lasted 2500 miles (I think) after I had it fitted and at the time I was riding really cautiously as it was my first time on a bike big and it was october/november so wet roads. I've experienced the same slipping out of my 400 coming out of a roundabout at 4k rpm and for an inline 4 there's hardly any power there. The front locked up under casual braking on my 400 too.

I've used metzeler lastertecs and they are on par well a little bit lower than the bt45's, last about the same distance too. I've read from other forum members that the Pilot actives are well suited for the cb but I've never tried them and honestly I'll never buy a pair of michelins again.

by liverpool_f_ Tue 10 Jan 2017, 9:32 pm

I must say I am also not a massive fan of Pilot Activ's having one fitted on the back of my cb atm. I will be going back to the more expensive BT45's when the tread runs out. I don't much like the Michelins in the wet. My BT45s did square off but I am hacking 40 miles a days on straight A roads. They have dual compound so have a harder compound in the centre compared with the sides so in theory, more tyre life in a straight line and better grip in the corners.

by **badseeds** Tue 10 Jan 2017, 10:14 pm

+1 for Tyreleader.

by Jameshambleton Tue 10 Jan 2017, 10:59 pm

liverpool_f_ wrote:I must say I am also not a massive fan of Pilot Activ's having one fitted on the back of my cb atm. I will be going back to the more expensive BT45's when the tread runs out. I don't much like the Michelins in the wet. My BT45s did square off but I am hacking 40 miles a days on straight A roads. They have dual compound so have a harder compound in the centre compared with the sides so in theory, more tyre life in a straight line and better grip in the corners.

It's kinda reassuring to hear someone else having the same feeling with them and doing similar mileage as me.

If you eat through tyres like what I do then get part worn bt45's off ebay works out much cheaper and they're better suited for winter. Then I use s20's in summer but I suspect I'll be changing to dunlops soon since the thundersport lads only use dunlops now.

by **eternally_troubled** Wed 11 Jan 2017, 9:24 am

Basil Moss wrote:
Basically my trip round Europe this summer shredded my front tyre, and exposed problems with the BT45 tread pattern. I was really nailing it around all manner of terrifying hairpins up and down the mountains. It's worn flat sides on it, with steps between tread lines. So when I lean in a corner, or if the pressure is a tad low, I get a wobble. Hence my deciding to hunt about for something new with a bit less tread.

I haven't done it, but people often fit those size of tyres to cb500s without a problem (so don't let that put you off).

I've just bought some Pirelli Sport Demons (in standard sizes) but I haven't fitted them yet so I can't really comment (not really helpful!).

The first thing I would ask is this: are you planning another trip to the mountains? If so, this is problem, if not, this is less of a problem... ;) I think that kind of use is rather different than ploughing backward and forward to work every day! I can quite imagine that if it was bad/good enough to warp your front disc it won't have helped your tyres.

Any tyres with significantly less tread will have (surprise surprise) less grip in the wet, so the ones that would be better in the mountains in summer may not be best in Barnsley in February... (or wherever).

I can't quite remember which tyres the racers fit to their bikes (@Jameshambleton mentioned Dunlops - which ones?) but these would almost certainly be your best bet for the best performance under harsh/hot conditions while cornering.

Out of interest, when you warped the front disc, were you using the back brake as well? Or were you just going to fast down a big hill? :)

by dodger Wed 11 Jan 2017, 10:07 am

Basil you must be a exceptionally hard rider ,
I have pushed my CB hard fully loaded on 45's on wet roads and never had any problems ,even down the A7 into Genoa between "Isola del Cantone" and "Busalla" ,which is a very windy downhill approach to Genoa at motorway speeds.
I even crossed the Alps one February from Susa to Lyon in light snow like a total dick head and had no problems on my BT45'S ,although I was following a snow plough at one point , it was the dumbest thing I've done on a bike !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!.

by Jameshambleton Wed 11 Jan 2017, 10:45 am

They used dunlops last season but they've changed to a softer compound of the dunlops now thought they can still use their older tyres for 1-2 rounds. I'll have to check when I get back home. They all use 110 and 140 size tyres.

by Jameshambleton Fri 13 Jan 2017, 8:41 am

They have to use Dunlop Alpha 13 SP's for the 2017 season.
Tyres 102c2d3b25815ec1ed32ba41ae47bbb5

by **eternally_troubled** Wed 18 Jan 2017, 8:34 am

I bet they would be better than those michelins - assuming you got them up to temperature!

by Basil Moss Wed 01 Feb 2017, 11:56 pm

dodger wrote:Basil you must be a exceptionally hard rider ,
I have pushed my CB hard fully loaded on 45's on wet roads and never had any problems ,even down the A7 into Genoa between "Isola del Cantone" and "Busalla" ,which is a very windy downhill approach to Genoa at motorway speeds.
I even crossed the Alps one February from Susa to Lyon in light snow like a total dick head and had no problems on my BT45'S ,although I was following a snow plough at one point , it was the dumbest thing I've done on a bike !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!.

Hahaha! Well I have to hand it to the BT45s, they didn't slip (well kind of crept a couple of times), and I got some insane angles of lean... My brother following on his Ninja thought the wife and I on our loaded up commuter bike were going to end up lowsiding it! But it's the way the tread wore which put me off. The rear goes square on motorways, and the front goes triangular on twisties. And the steps around the tread pattern are horrible now.

So anyway, I've invested in new tyres, felt like a change. Gone with the BT090s. I expect they won't last as long, but may offer better grip. With regards tread, I may be wrong but don't think it should alter wet grip all that much unless riding through standing water. Round profile tyres aren't easy to aquaplane anyway. i remember how the tread on bicycle road tyres was basically to make them look pretty, but meant less rubber on the road. The best ones had just some textured pattern on the surface, no siping at all.

So the 090s feel dead sticky, haven't fitted them yet but they should be fun... But I'm wondering about the size difference. 140/70 rear should be about the same circumference give or take, but the 110/70 front will be smaller. How much will it alter my speedo reading? Can I get a speedo driver which will correct this? Or should I do the maths and put stickers on my clocks?

by Jameshambleton Thu 02 Feb 2017, 12:15 am

Basil Moss wrote:
So the 090s feel dead sticky, haven't fitted them yet but they should be fun... But I'm wondering about the size difference. 140/70 rear should be about the same circumference give or take, but the 110/70 front will be smaller. How much will it alter my speedo reading? Can I get a speedo driver which will correct this? Or should I do the maths and put stickers on my clocks?

You're looking at a 2.5-3mph over read over a range of 60 miles so nothing to really worry about.

Having a 70mm rear profile will change your gearing a little, I run a +2 rear sprocket and the difference between a 80 and a 70 profile was about 400rpm that said with stock gearing I never noticed any difference.

by muttley1 Thu 16 Feb 2017, 7:09 pm

I've had 090's on mine, very good in summer for the grip, pretty average in winter though. This I'd say is mainly down to the steeper profile of the tyres, they do drop the bike into corners quickly, not what's needed on a damp winter morning!

I also rate evo 020's, these grip, last pretty well and inspire confidence.

I noticed a little cracking on my front bt45 today so time for a look at new rubber...

muttley1

by sammythespider Fri 17 Feb 2017, 6:58 pm

Have been running Pirelli Sport Demon for the last year, very confidence inspiring for me a any rate. Seem to be the most expensive of the tyres available though. Wear rate seems good and corner grip is all I need. Have driven with them in the wet and while I am not the fastest in these conditions the tyres seem more than up to it, recommended. Sam

by Busby Thu 19 Oct 2017, 2:27 pm

Okay, I live in Mallorca and for most of the year we have higher temperatures than the UK. So as much as I can gather the discussions over the best tyre for the CB500 is based on UK conditions in general and the BT45's with some exceptions comes out on top?
My decision, should have the added factor of hotter than average temperatures built in to it!
The bike I have just bought from Madrid has Michelin MT75 on the front and sport demons on the rear! not sure about the combination, however I drove it back from Madrid to Valencia 355km yesterday, in the worst rain I have ever experienced (end of the hurricane) and while a little tendency for the very worn front to follow the odd tramline, I was quite impressed, speeds were 90/100kmph and when it stopped raining 120kmph bike was very stable throughout!
Madrid like Mallorca has hot weather in the summer, so any thoughts as to the tyre choice I should make? Or go for a front demon sport to match the rear?

by Jameshambleton Thu 19 Oct 2017, 7:09 pm

tyres in the uk are typically summer tyres, unless specified otherwise. As for what type of tyres it depends on your riding style, bt45's or metzeler lastertec's are perfect for most casual riding and *some* sporty.
I personally run s20 evo's as I ride somewhat aggressively/sporty all the time.

by ZekeVal Thu 19 Oct 2017, 9:56 pm

Since we talk about tyres, I have my eyes on the Metzeler Sportec Klassic when it's time to change, they were released about 3 years ago aiming the market of the "youngtimers" like our beloved CB; as anyone tried them?

by ANDYC Thu 19 Oct 2017, 10:19 pm

A front Demon sport would be a great choice.

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