The BSA A7-A10 Forum

Technical (Descriptive Topic Titles - Stay on Topic) => Frame => Topic started by: MG on 18.06. 2011 17:54

Title: Heidenau Tyres
Post by: MG on 18.06. 2011 17:54
Hi to all!
Has anyone ever tried Heidenau tyres? I was thinking about getting two K34s, 3.25-19 front, and 4.00-19 rear.
I'm currently using an Avon Roadrunner 4.10-19 at the rear and a Metzeler Perfect ME11 3.25-19 at the front (I also tried an Avon Speedmaster, but wasn't happy with it at all). That Avon/Metzler combo rides very well, but two identical tyres front and rear sounds good to me either, and they are a bit cheaper than the Avons (at least here they are).
Any experience?
Cheers, Markus
Title: Re: Heidenau Tyres
Post by: brackenfel on 18.06. 2011 18:18
Hi Marcus,
I have not heard of them... but Googled the in the UK and found :-

http://motorcycleproducts.co.uk/catalogue/heidenau-tyres-c-331_343.html

Looks like there's an enormous range & they seem to be about the same price (or maybe a little higher) as Avons & Dunlops here..

I agree that Avon Speedmasters ("skidmasters") are horrid, although many folks love them. My A10 had a nearly new one fitted but I removed it, my engineer friend loves them and took it away happily!! (same with the B33 so that's 2 spares he has now!)
The more modern profile Roadrunners are getting a bit harder to come by as they seem to have been replaced by Roadriders. I use the latter & so far have been pleased with them although a friend who does high mileages reckons they don't wear as well...

Cheers,
Adrian
Title: Re: Heidenau Tyres
Post by: MG on 18.06. 2011 19:43
Thanks, Adrian. It is an old-established German brand, they are doing a lot of offroad and trials tyres, but I never tried the street versions, nor do I know someone who has (they are rather new I think). Dunno how popular they are outside of Germany and Austria, not very obvioulsy.
Title: Re: Heidenau Tyres
Post by: wilko on 19.06. 2011 02:47
A mate has them on a J.A.P special with no problems .
Title: Re: Heidenau Tyres
Post by: MG on 19.06. 2011 08:29
Thanks, wilko. I found some reviews on the internet tonight, and they seem to be quite good. I might give them a try.

Cheers, Markus
Title: Re: Heidenau Tyres
Post by: beezalex on 21.06. 2011 14:21
I haven't tried them yet (supply problems here) but a couple of friends have and they're very pleased with them.  Nice thing is, they have 19" tires with a good vintage pattern...which I'm sure you've noticed.
Title: Re: Heidenau Tyres
Post by: MG on 21.06. 2011 16:03
Cheers Alex! Good to have some positive feedback, I will order a set and give them a try. I noticed the tread pattern, that is definitely a pro. And unlike most others, they are made in Germany.
Title: Re: Heidenau Tyres
Post by: MG on 12.08. 2011 18:55
Hello Gents!

A little update on the Heidenaus:

I got a set of K34s front and rear for my Matchy.
They seem quite soft and the tread pattern looks good, but those things are HUGE. They are supposed to be 3.25x19 and 4.00x19, but are way bigger than Avons or Metzelers, both in diameter and width, real balloons!
While this is okay on the CSR with it's Scrambler genes and high alloy mudguards, I don't think they can be fitted into A7/A10 mudguards!!! The centre stand on the Matchy is pretty much useless with these!
Title: Re: Heidenau Tyres
Post by: wilko on 12.08. 2011 22:07
They look good to me. Your front guard doesn't follow the arc very well. is it aftermarket? Stays too short?
Title: Re: Heidenau Tyres
Post by: MG on 13.08. 2011 07:38
The picture is a bit misleading, wilko. It looks much better in reality, and is quite a good fit, but the mudguards and stays indeed are pattern parts I suppose (came with the basket case, undrilled and unpolished).

I'll be off to the shed in a minute, then I'll take some measurements on the different tyres I have. But I'm pretty sure the Heidenaus wouldn't fit on an A10/A7, especially at the front, with the reduction for the fork tubes.
Title: Re: Heidenau Tyres
Post by: MG on 13.08. 2011 09:23
ok, here goes, not very exact, but you'll get an idea:


                                                        width [mm]        dia [mm]

Heidenau K34 3.25x19 (front)                 92                    660
Avon Speedmaster 3.25x19 (front)          84                    645
Metzeler Perfect ME11 3.25x19 (front)     87                    645

Heidenau K34 4.00x19 (rear)                 105                   690
Avon RoadRunner 4.10x19 (rear)            95                    665


The Metzeler is a very close fit in the front mudguard, especially with the sportier guard on the A7 SS. So I doubt the Heidenau would fit. Not sure about the rear, could work.
Interesting how tyres of the same size can have such dimensional differences???
 
Title: Re: Heidenau Tyres
Post by: trevinoz on 13.08. 2011 23:23
Markus,
                4.10 x 19 is closer to 3.50 x 19 and is the correct size for the A10.


  Trev
Title: Re: Heidenau Tyres
Post by: MG on 14.08. 2011 13:20
But I thought it was width of the tyre (4.00, 4.10, etc) and rim size (19)? So 4.00 would be closer to 3.50 than 4.10? Or am I missing something substantial (me dedicated fan of the metric system  *smile*)?

And a 3.25 is a 3.25 is a 3.25, I can't see why they would differ that much ????

It's all got me puzzled.   *dunno*

P.S.: I am aware that a 3.50x19 is correct for the A10, but I like the 4.10 RoadRunner at the rear, looks good and handles very well.
Title: Re: Heidenau Tyres
Post by: trevinoz on 14.08. 2011 22:05
Markus,
                   The old 3.25, 3.50, 4.00 etc are Imperial measurements.
The width designation changed, I think, when the K81 was introduced and the 3.60 replaced the 3.25 and the 4.10 replaced the 3.50.
On my 18" rear wheel machine, it uses a 4.25/85 in lieu of a 4.00.
More knowledgable people than I will probably explain the system better.
It seems as though Heidenau interpret the Imperial sizes liberally.

 Trev.
Title: Re: Heidenau Tyres
Post by: MG on 14.08. 2011 22:12
Thanks, Trev, I wasn't aware of that.
Yeah, I have dropped Heidenau an email and asked for further information. It is a bit bothersome if you can't be sure that the tyres you just bought will also fit!
Title: Re: Heidenau Tyres
Post by: *nick* on 15.08. 2011 11:17
slightly off topic but i have a Heidi K60 dual sport tyre on my Honda dirt bike, it's done nearly 8,000 clicks and still has life left in it though performs very poorly in the wet now. i found it's really in it's element on warm bitumen and soft gravel roads, not much use in mud or clay but better then most. 
Title: Re: Heidenau Tyres
Post by: Beezageezauk on 15.08. 2011 14:06
I hope this works!!

http://www.exploroz.com/Vehicle/Tyres/SizeCalc.aspx

Check out the above website for a tyre converter.

All sizes from metric to imperial and vice versa.

Beezageezauk.