Tire Sizes

[calipanda]

Hey guys,

I am looking to replace the tires on my V, but I wanted to know what is the optimal tire size for the V? Is it different for the front and rear tires? So far I seem to find that 100/90x18 is whats best for the front, but how about the rear?

[QBS]

Straight to the chase.  For my '83 and my type of riding, I find factory delivered size are nominal.  Early on, tried 120 and 130 on back.  Saw no benefit.

[fret not]

100- 90 x 18 or 110 - 90 x 18 for the rear.  The front is usually one size smaller than the rear.

[Rick G]

The rim isn't wide enough for a 120 or 130, all it does is slow down the handling.  The bike was designed fo old school 3.5 and 4 inch tyres and works best with them.

[Rikugun]

Ordinarily I recommend the stock sizes and have run them on both my vintage bikes. This time around I went one size bigger on the V. Recommendations I found  from tire manufactures was not to exceed 10mm (width) over stock sizes and to do the same front and rear. I went with 100/90 front and 120/90 rear. I can't say that there is a noticeable improvement other than aesthetics. Since the speedo is purportedly inaccurate anyway I wasn't concerned with that either. If the steering is slower it's not noticeable to me but I don't think slightly slower steering would be a bad thing on these bikes. :)

[Rick G]

Having experienced the slower handling on my VX , I long for the quick handling of the XZ . At first I though it handled too fast and was twitchy , but time in the saddle has convinced me that it just fine!
I have to use caution with the VX on Oatman road . If I try the same stuff on the VX that I did on the XZ , I would end up embedded in the grill of an on coming pickup or off the road into the canyon. You can't change lines with the VX in a turn , like you can with the XZ. I really have to get it running again this summer!

I have tried 130 90 17 tyres on the back of the VX in an attempt to speed up the handling (stock is 150 70 17 ) But really, the fork angle and wheel base are the real problem. The thing is a good long distance rig, but even though Suzuki called it a sport bike is not really a canyon carver. The Vision will eat it alive in the twisties,

[motoracer8]

Rick, I went up through Oatman on old 66 early last year, what a cool road.

[Rick G]

Its the best ride in this part of the state. We have(too) many roads that are miles and miles of miles. Straightaways  that are 20 miles long. The 50 miles  of Oatman road (old 66)  are really a treat. The only other one is Highway 18 from 66 to Supi. Its 120 miles of high desert and forest  with out a cross road. I've tried to count the turns , but I always lose count!

[kwells]

120-80-18 will work for the rear just fine. I think 110 is better suited if you're not sure though. These old bikes are getting hard to find decent tires that fit.

[Rick G]

Tires ARE getting to be a problem Chaparral still has a suitable set, I seem to remember their Shinko.
I'm even having a hard time with tyres for the VX , I found that J C Whitney has a better selection than  Chaparral.

[kwells]

I think the best tire out there for the Vision is the Avon RoadRider. Turns in a bit quick but a far better tire than the Dunlop 404s.

[calipanda]

I bought a pair of Shinko tires from Motorcycle Superstore for $94 shipped a few days ago. Great deal.

[Rick G]

I won't use  Dunlop tyres . The ones made here are crap. I'm sure the Avons are great, but  I can't justify the price. Bridgestone Spitfires are available too.

[kwells]

Any set of modern sized tires will easily cost 250/set. Prob 220 for Vision sized Road Riders shipped to your door. About 165 for crappy 404's. The ME880s are slightly more expensive than the Avons but also an excellent tire. I would like to see how the Conti GO handles on the V though.

[Rick G]

My past history with Continental tyres is that there second rate. but then I haven't had any experience with them, in a long time. They had a soft carcase
I'm not picky about tyre's, I used Cheng shin tyres for a long time and they worked fine and lasted well. Even though they have a very soft carcase.
I tried Dunlops but they took for ever to bed in and then promptly wore out ! Bridgestone spitfires worked fine and wore well.
I tried a set of IRC durotours , The rear wore out in 1800 miles, I changed both for Cheng shins Marquee, which lasted 10,000 on the front and 6000 on the back, which is average for me.
I've been using Shenko's and am happy with them . The carcase is a lot stiffer than the Cheng Shins . I tried a set of Kendas  which wore like iron, but were slippery.
As you can tell I'm not a fan of higher priced tyres, if I had a bike with 100 plus HP I would purchase differently.Of coarse part of my decision making process is because I have a badly underfunded retirement . LOL :D

[motoracer8]

 I have a set of Continental TK's on my Vision, they were free and you get what you pay for, they are crap. They replaced a pair of Bridgestone BT45's, in my opinion good tires for the money.

[fret not]

I notice those Bridgestones have pretty stiff carcases, so how does that relate to quality of ride, handling, etc compared to the other brands mentioned?

[Rick G]

One of the theoretical problems with Cheng shin tyres was/is the soft carcas. If it goes flat at speed, the odds are that bead will let go of the rim. This will provide an exciting ride, right before you go down. They sure were easy to install, though!
Try a Kenda, the carcas is like cement! Most tyre's have a pretty stiff carcas. How does this affect handling? Beats me !

[gph]

just go buy the Avon Roadriders in a stock size: transformed the handling and I can't say enough nice things about them. Yes, price is an issue but....you won't be sorry.