Tired tires need retiring

[orabanda]

Hi all,
I built a RGS replica in 2006. The cracks in the side walls of the tyres are getting hard to ignore; long overdue to be changed!

The existing tyres are Dunlop K81 Roadmasters; 4.10 x 19 on the rear, and 3.60 x 19 on the front.

The front end has always felt different to my other A10's fitted with ribbed Avon Speedmasters, but it has always felt safe.

Recently I replaced the Avon on the front of the Super Rocket with a Michelin Road Classic 3.25 x 19, partly because of the TLS front brake and partly because my wife rides on the back.

This is a modern tyre with a classic look (not ribbed) and the front end feels great.

Asking for suggestions re tyres for the RGS.

Do I stick with the K81's? the classic look is great; they work OK (haven't fallen off). The front is a bit wider than the standard 3.25.

The michelin works great; looks reasonable on the SR. What rear tyre would I use with it? The Michelin rear looks a bit too modern methinks.

What other options are there?

At 16 years between sets of tyres, this should be the last set required for the bike.

BSAeeing you,
Richard

[groily]

Do I stick with the K81's? the classic look is great; they work OK (haven't fallen off). The front is a bit wider than the standard 3.25.

I would, yup. I agree they look right and they behave pretty well.
But their life is quite short these days - on the rear of 650s I get between 2 and 3 K miles (tops) from TT100s made here in France, pretty much regardless of how they are ridden it seems. Despite absolutely hating tyre fitting, I still like them.
One bike, a 500 twin,  has a more modern-looking Avon Roadrider on - lasting noticeably better than the Dunlops at 4K miles and counting on a bit more, but lifespan could just be because it's a sub-30 bhp beast.
Not sure if there are any better choices frankly in 19", apart from things you wouldn't want on an RGS, like Mitas, or the old SMs.

[KiwiGF]

Just avoid k70! https://www.a7a10.net/forum/index.php?topic=11470.0

Endurant looks very similar to k70, but maybe a “low profile” tyre will be the biz for a rgs

[RDfella]

In my experience if you want grip with an age-related look, go for K70. Fitted to most my bikes including the hill-climb ones. For mileage, the Avon Universal, though on my M21V2 I find the back 'steps out a bit' if the road is damp. Less grip than K70 - I only changed from them to Avon on that bike 'cause I was getting under 3,000 miles per tyre. 

[Black Sheep]

Really don't like K70s. My bikes have good old Avon Speedmaster ribbed on the front, SM Mk II on the back. More than adequate for all road use and much better grip than K70s. I have had horrible breakaways with a K70 on the back in the dry. Not nice at all.
TT100s were great when I was racing but they very quickly wear the middle off the tread in normal use.

[chaterlea25]

Hi All
Avon Roadriders get my vote, I have been using them on a few different bikes and they are very good
good wet performance too

John

[Peter in Aus]

At 16 years between sets of tyres, this should be the last set required for the bike.

BSAeeing you,
Richard

Richard, I can't believe you let your tyres get to 16 years old!!! 7 tops for me. I like the TT100 for what we do.
Peter

[Rex]

Ah, a good tyre thread. Should keep the forum ticking over until 2023...

[sean]

Just fitting Avon speedmaster to the front and avon safety mileage mk 2 on rear my old tires look good as far as tread depth and condition but I have no idea how old they are the date code is A357 ?
Tires on motorcyles here wont pass a safety if over 7 yrs think its 10 for cars
With only 2 tires between me and the road its cheap insurance .

[Brian]

Tyre dating is not quite a straight forward as it should be due to some manufacturers using three digit numbers and some using four  digits. My understanding is after the year 2000 they are meant to use a four digit number. The first two numbers are the week of manufacture, in your case Sean your old tyres were produced in the 35th week of the year. The second number is the year of manufacture, in your case it could be 1987 or 1997. As as an example if your tyre had 3515 on it then it would have been made in the 35th week of 2015. As always there are variations.

[sean]

Tyre dating is not quite a straight forward as it should be due to some manufacturers using three digit numbers and some using four  digits. My understanding is after the year 2000 they are meant to use a four digit number. The first two numbers are the week of manufacture, in your case Sean your old tyres were produced in the 35th week of the year. The second number is the year of manufacture, in your case it could be 1987 or 1997. As as an example if your tyre had 3515 on it then it would have been made in the 35th week of 2015. As always there are variations.
[/quote
the old tires are the same breed avon not sure when they changed the dating system but my new ones are marked  2322  also heard Avon in UK has stopped production ....the bike is a 1962 super rocket last owner doesnt remember ever changing the tires he had it about 30 years before I bought it .

[Kickaha]

As as an example if your tyre had 3515 on it then it would have been made in the 35th week of 2015. As always there are variations.

There shouldn't be as that's the international standard and after 1999 they should always be 4 digits, on the tyre fitter page however serial numbers get posted up for dates that either haven't happened yet or can't possibly happen, mostly on the lower end brands

[Sav]

I've started using Heidenau vintage tyres and they seem OK thus far.