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T500 Tire
Posted: Thu Nov 13, 2008 1:16 pm
by TLRam1
What size tire do you run?
I put a 120-90 Spitfire tire on and it hits my chain guard. I will attempt to bend the guard more, my limited attempts have failed.
Posted: Thu Nov 13, 2008 4:50 pm
by GT Tim
That's because your tire is too big! A 120/90 is more closer (but not 100% equal to) to a 4.50.
110/90 is the closest to a 4.00.
4.00x18 is stock T500 and gt750 size.
http://www.kgmotorcycletires.com/size_c ... charts.htm
Posted: Thu Nov 13, 2008 4:54 pm
by Frank T
On my Cobra I have mounted Dunlop K70s. The rear tire is 400x18 and fits very well. These tires are inexpensive and grip the road very well. I run them very hard at the Gap and they have never let me down.
Posted: Thu Nov 13, 2008 5:29 pm
by muzza
Suzis were designed for and delivered with narrow tyres. They handle better with narrow tyres as that is what was available then and the design suits them.
Avoid wide tyres and especially low profile tyres if you want the bike to handle well.
The GT750 trail was not quite right and it always handles better with a passenger on board, or a big load, unlike most bikes.
Posted: Thu Nov 13, 2008 5:31 pm
by rngdng
On the 750s 120/90/18, Blueboy has a BT45. and Pinky an S11.
Lane
Posted: Thu Nov 13, 2008 5:48 pm
by GT Tim
rngdng wrote:On the 750s 120/90/18, Blueboy has a BT45. and Pinky an S11.
Lane
Do you have stock GT750 swingarm on your blue bike Lane? If you do is it modified?
Posted: Thu Nov 13, 2008 8:18 pm
by TLRam1
I thought that's what people were putting on these. I put the 120-90 on the Buffalo but haven't ridden it yet, I guess I better check clearance first.
On the T500 I put 100-90 on front, have not aired it up, waiting to replace the hub spacer between the bearings first. It was a burger to get between the fender, the 90-90 might have a better fit.
If this is the case I will have a 120-90-18 Spitfire for sale as I think the 380 is a smaller rear tire.
I think I'm getting close to riding the bike and something goes wrong, albeit my fault.
If I sell the tire does anyone have an interest? Sell if for 69.00 and I cover shipping.
Posted: Thu Nov 13, 2008 8:26 pm
by Wayne Meuir
Terry, a 120/90/18 on the Buffalo is fine. Thats what mine had on it when I got it and I put a new BT45 on it when I restored it with no clearance issues.
The T500 or GT380 probably need a 110. That is what I have on my KH400 and it fits well and look good. I put a 100/90/18 on the front of the KH400 and although it fits fine with no clearance issues, it would have looked better with a 90/90/18 or a 100/80/18. The tire looks to fat, almost like a flat tracker tire.
Wayne
Posted: Sun Nov 16, 2008 10:26 am
by bikegeezer
Guys, The new Avon Road Rider AM26 tires come in the OEM sizes for our bikes. They're inexpensive, too. I put a set on a guy's H1 that I restored for him, and those tires really made the bike handle. Look good, too.
http://www.mawonline.com/newsite/avon-t ... _ROADRIDER
Stu
Posted: Sun Nov 16, 2008 12:21 pm
by johnakay
Posted: Sun Nov 16, 2008 1:36 pm
by tz375
That ABC report was interesting, but totally misleading.
As far as I know, the biggest cause of tire failure through de-lamination is excessive heat caused by underinflation.
We lost a tire on our van two weeks ago. I had noticed it seemed to lose a little air and meant to check it but ran out of time. Sure as fate, it cost me more time and money to replace that blow tire and we were lucky.
Posted: Sun Nov 16, 2008 2:01 pm
by GT Tim
tz375 wrote:That ABC report was interesting, but totally misleading.
As far as I know, the biggest cause of tire failure through de-lamination is excessive heat caused by underinflation.
We lost a tire on our van two weeks ago. I had noticed it seemed to lose a little air and meant to check it but ran out of time. Sure as fate, it cost me more time and money to replace that blow tire and we were lucky.
What was misleading about it? It said don't buy old tires. Old tires can be a cause of tire failure. Old tires are being sold out there and the US consumer is unaware of it. Here is how to tell if the tires are old
If I buy tires for my vehicle, I sure don't want 3, 4, 6 or more year old tires being put on even as a matter of principle if not for any other reason.
A number of factors come into play when a tire fails...this is one of them. One I never thought to look for. You can bet I will now.
I don't feel misled, I feel empowered as a consumer.
If it doesn't bother you to buy old tires, then go ahead. It's your choice. But to me, it's a chance I won't be taking. I'll be checking my tire codes in the morning. Why chance it?
Posted: Sun Nov 16, 2008 2:10 pm
by johnakay
Posted: Sun Nov 16, 2008 6:07 pm
by rngdng
GT Tim wrote:rngdng wrote:On the 750s 120/90/18, Blueboy has a BT45. and Pinky an S11.
Lane
Do you have stock GT750 swingarm on your blue bike Lane? If you do is it modified?
Stock swinger. The only change was adding the brake stay for the disk.
On my GT500, I also found that a 120 drags on the chain gaurd. A 120 is great on a Buffalo.
Lane
Posted: Sun Nov 16, 2008 7:23 pm
by bikegeezer
tz375 wrote:That ABC report was interesting, but totally misleading.
As far as I know, the biggest cause of tire failure through de-lamination is excessive heat caused by underinflation.
I think you're correct. At least that's what the various tire makers have told me. The big issue with tires more than 6 years old, according to the manufacturers, is inelasticity. They may lose grip under conditions that a newer tire wouldn't. But they tell me that rupturing or throwing the tread are issues related more to heat damage from underinflation/overloading. Still, I'd have to double check my facts before saying that this reporter didn't check his.
Stu