Hello all, Just wanted to pass along my feelings on this subject. Over the weekend I installed a new set of Perilli Angel ST's on my '91 4V to replace the completely used up Metzeler Z6's that the PO said were "new" when I bought the bike in July. Once I managed to figure out how to remove the calipers on the front wheel and find enough room to pull the rear wheel out between the exhaust and final drive everything went back together fairly well. Now for the good part, all I can say is WOW! what a difference. I'm so impressed with the handling and confidence improvement I can hardly believe it's the same bike.

Glad you got a good result with the tyres and got the wheels on and off OK.

I don't have experience with the brands you mention but you would expect Pirelli's to be good. My 16 valve still runs on Bridgestones Battlax, until last month had a BT20 on the front and a BT21 rear, now replaced the front with a BT23. Be interesting to hear others views on radial tyre choice for 16 valve bikes.

Cheers
Dave

There's almost as many opinions about tires as there are motorcycles....LOL
I have to admit that any time we take a set of worn tires off a bike and install a brand new set, they're going to feel remarkable (after you get the mold release agent scrubbed off).
The degradation from new tires to worn out ones is extremely subtle because of the time span. On the other hand the change between worn out & brand new is ALWAYS remarkable.
I'm not trying to rain on anyone's parade here, I'm just pointing out that the remarkable change may not always be soley attributable to the quality of one brand/style over the next one.
I'm usually the odd man out around here, I just ordered a new set of Conti Go tires in the OEM size for my 85rs.
I expect them to wear out faster than some of the Bridgestone's, Avon's or for that matter almost any other tires.
I have had good experience with the Conti's and the Metzlers in my history & I expect to get about 8,000 miles out of this set.
We will see.
Regards, ibj....

I love the Michelin Pilot Road 3s that are fitted to my 16v. They came with the spare set of wheels that I bought and were brand new. I paid less for the two wheels than the tyres would have cost me!

What size Angels did you fit Gelmyk?

My K1 is wearing Michelin pilot and I'm pretty happy with them. Then again I've found that there's much less variation between radial tyres than there is with bias belted.

When they need changing I may go for Metzeler Roadtec Z8.

bikerboy wrote:I love the Michelin Pilot Road 3s that are fitted to my 16v. They came with the spare set of wheels that I bought and were brand new. I paid less for the two wheels than the tyres would have cost me!

Yes I have heard those well rated elsewhere

I'm currently on a 6000 km road trip through BC WA OR CA OR WA BC. Should be home in a couple of days. My Metzeler Z6's on the R/RT are nearly finished now. 17K kms on them by the time I get home. While in the USA I took advantage of purchasing tires via internet and having them shipped to me. This way I won't have to pay duties or taxes to bring them over the border. Brand new Metzeler Z8's for just over $300 for the pair and free shipping. Motorcycle Superstore if you are interested.

PS. Also gonna buy one of those Harbour Freight motorcycle table lifts. Have a coupon from a bike mag-$300.

Cheers from the California Central Coast!

waves to doug ....good riding ol mate

my pirelli sport demons (crossply ) are well and trully scrubbed in since about september last year

looks like im averaging about 15,000 - 17,000 ks on the rear and well over 20,000 ks on the front (i guess cause its an rt rather than an rs that has a slightly different balence front to rear )

the tyre sizes are plus 1 s

more work to happen before the piralli "angel st's" go back on (yes i do have a nice 5 inch rim for the rear )

interesting to note on our "neranderra trip" the differences between the same 5 inch rear wheel (160mm tyre) and the "paralever" rear end on halo's 86 rs compared to the standard 8 valve rear end ...it lines up beutifully front to rear ....despite all the "educated guesses" that we have seen in the forum

onya halo ...another one solved

Glad to here you like them i just got a set of demon gt's delivered and I'm anxious to get them on

88, I stayed with stock sizing 120/70-17 front and 160/60-18 rear.
Club_c, Yes I also piurchased through Motorcycle Superstore, great pricing and superior service

I just put the conti go's on and am impressed with the ride (as you said...)
The front actually balanced with no weights

Wow,
2 Votes now for the Conti Go's!!!! (Out of a cast of 1000's).......I'm felling really special now!

My new to me K75RT seems quite good on it's Avon tyres. Well it did till last night when I discovered a puncture. On the bright side the rear wheel was easy to remove unlike a K100RS 16V belonging to a friend was. Back in the 80's when I ran a K100 German tyres rather than British were used by most people I knew. Times move on. I am a big fan of Avon in the wet on Harley's.

Gees here they don't ride them in the rain they hide under the overpasses till it stops raining

metzler lazertech seem good value here, got em fitted today, front axle assy a beaut piece of engineering in my view.
Rick

I've said it before but it's worth repeating:

The trouble with tyre recommendations from around the world is that road surface construction, how well they are maintained and all the other variables such as weather etc makes a lot of difference to the way tyres perform and wear.