Tires Megathread

[RustyRodder]

I use the Duro 308. It is for SURE thicker and heavier duty than stock. I also put in heavier duty tubes at the same time, and have 2.75 front and rear. I lost about 3mph of top speed.

On a ride with my bike, one on stock tires, and one on Shinko 244s, you could see the difference of 'grabbing' on dirt. The stocks left barely a mark. Mine you could see tread and where it was tearing through the top layer. The shikos were the most aggressive, and had the most grip by far. The duro is a good mix, and would do well on most dirt situations- although not sure about soft sand, or mud.

 

[SneakyDingo]

I'll update the megathread first post when I get home, thanks for that @dmonkey.

Regarding the new HF308's, when I hear "more puncture resistant" there's almost always a tradeoff. With bicycles you're often trading off grip (dry, wet, cold, dirt being separate categories there), longevity, suppleness / comfort, speed, weight and maximum tire pressure / load. Based on what @RustyRodder is saying, I'd expect that the top speed drop is also accompanied by a 10 mpg drop in efficiency as well as a lot of the things that make you go fast are also things that make you go far.

Aligned with that, the tread of the SR244's does not lend itself well to efficiency or top speed (the cupping argument on knobbies). The reason I am very interested in the Duro HF30x series tires is the tread aligns with some dirt, lots of road. And honestly... I think they look really good for any classic oriented styling bike looking for a mostly roadgoing option. I'm throwing some Michelin road tires on my bike soon/next, but the HF30x series tires are something I've been very, very interested in for some time.

 

[dmonkey]

I have a CT110 with stock Yokohama Y-962 2.75-17 tires in need of replacement from age and cracking so I recently went back on the tire hunt.




Couldn't find any reproductions with that tread pattern. Right now my top pick for it are the Vee Rubber VRM-022 in 2.75-17 which I already had an order in for but they are still on backorder. A nice thing about the Shinko SR241 and SR244 is that they seem more readily available than even OEM tires most of the time.

While browsing Treatland's 2.75-17 tire options this stood out as another interesting tire option for the CT125:


Heidenau K58 2.75x17 47P TT or 3.00x17 50P TT. Also available through RevZilla, Cedar Rapids Tire, and Midwest Traction. They also come in Grom sizes (120/70-12 front, 130/70-12 rear), and reviews from Grom riders indicate they're excellent winter/snow tires but very soft and quick to wear.

 

[RustyRodder]

I'll update the megathread first post when I get home, thanks for that @dmonkey.

Regarding the new HF308's, when I hear "more puncture resistant" there's almost always a tradeoff. With bicycles you're often trading off grip (dry, wet, cold, dirt being separate categories there), longevity, suppleness / comfort, speed, weight and maximum tire pressure / load. Based on what @RustyRodder is saying, I'd expect that the top speed drop is also accompanied by a 10 mpg drop in efficiency as well as a lot of the things that make you go fast are also things that make you go far.

Aligned with that, the tread of the SR244's does not lend itself well to efficiency or top speed (the cupping argument on knobbies). The reason I am very interested in the Duro HF30x series tires is the tread aligns with some dirt, lots of road. And honestly... I think they look really good for any classic oriented styling bike looking for a mostly roadgoing option. I'm throwing some Michelin road tires on my bike soon/next, but the HF30x series tires are something I've been very, very interested in for some time.

my last tank before winter, my fuel started blinking at 107mi. Thats with mostly WOT riding everywhere. but I will take a bit more grip and puncture resistance for that.

 

[Farmer Mike]

I think I'm going to go with the 308's as well. I have no idea what my mileage is, but I just rolled over on 600 miles, I'm gonna do an oil change, get these tires on, "fix" the speedometer, and start paying attention. I don't generally ride WOT much at all, I'm hoping to get 100 mpg... that's the goal. Certainly beats taking the 15 mpg truck to the store for a few groceries, and way more entertaining.

 

[Farmer Mike]

I'll update the megathread first post when I get home, thanks for that @dmonkey.

Regarding the new HF308's, when I hear "more puncture resistant" there's almost always a tradeoff. With bicycles you're often trading off grip (dry, wet, cold, dirt being separate categories there), longevity, suppleness / comfort, speed, weight and maximum tire pressure / load. Based on what @RustyRodder is saying, I'd expect that the top speed drop is also accompanied by a 10 mpg drop in efficiency as well as a lot of the things that make you go fast are also things that make you go far.

Aligned with that, the tread of the SR244's does not lend itself well to efficiency or top speed (the cupping argument on knobbies). The reason I am very interested in the Duro HF30x series tires is the tread aligns with some dirt, lots of road. And honestly... I think they look really good for any classic oriented styling bike looking for a mostly roadgoing option. I'm throwing some Michelin road tires on my bike soon/next, but the HF30x series tires are something I've been very, very interested in for some time.

Was looking at some Michelin road tires (City Pro's)... man I would love to have a spare set of wheel assemblies one for road, and one for off road with different rear sprockets. But given the price of a tail-light... it would seem maybe the cheapest thing to do, it just buy a spare bike, don't register it... and just use it for parts.

 

[dmonkey]

Another DOT approved street tire option:
IRC NR77 80/90-17
Comes in Tube Type or TubeLess options. The tube type option is IRC part no. T10210
Load Rating 44
Speed Rating S

NR77 Racing / NR77

NR77 Racing / NR77 FRONT IRC No. SIZE TREAD TYPE L.I. OVERALLDIAMETER OVERALLWIDTH STANDARDRIM MEASURE-MENT RIM T10217 70/90-14 M/C NR77 TT 34P 482 68 1.60 1.40 T10207 50/100-17 M/C NR77 TT 23S 535 51 1.20 1.20 T10195 70/90-17 M/C NR77 Racing TT 38S 562 70 1.60 1.60 T10263 70/90-17 M/C NR77...

ircmoto.com

https://www.denniskirk.com/irc/nr77-tire.pfp543565.prdf?rs=543893

https://www.partzilla.com/product/aftermarket/ASC-IRC-T10210

 

[SneakyDingo]

Updated.

I noted the T10210 tires were the F/R TT set, and if you went into the F, R, TL, TT, the load rating actually changes for the rear only, front only tires, and they have a different part number. So getting a F+R pair instead of 2x F/R tires would actually be a lower rating. That was interesting.

 

[RegularGuy]

Maybe I missed it, but What is the load ratting on the OEM 42711-102-764 tire?

I am in between that tire and the VRM-022. Looks like the VRM is a 47R.

Also, some people in this thread mention the OEM GP5 in 80/90-17 is around a 3.15. Its the knobbys that make the 3" tires not fit. That all makes sense to me. but when you compare a "street" tire to a dual sport does the same theory apply? Will the two tires I mentioned be smaller that the stock GP5?

 

[Farmer Mike]

I struggle with this as well... my OEM tires are definitely 3.15 or so... in width.

 

[dmonkey]

Maybe I missed it, but What is the load ratting on the OEM 42711-102-764 tire?

I am in between that tire and the VRM-022. Looks like the VRM is a 47R.

Also, some people in this thread mention the OEM GP5 in 80/90-17 is around a 3.15. Its the knobbys that make the 3" tires not fit. That all makes sense to me. but when you compare a "street" tire to a dual sport does the same theory apply? Will the two tires I mentioned be smaller that the stock GP5?

Because 42711-102-764 is a Honda part number that has superseded original parts for the CT90 and CT110 that were discontinued (Yokohama tires), you should confirm the tire brand and model with the seller before purchase if you want to be sure of what you will receive. If it's actually a new tire with a recent DOT date code and not a new old stock tire that's been stored for decades, then it might be an IRC (Inoue Rubber Co) FB3 tire which were used on Australian Postie bikes.

FB3 / 3R

詳しくは投稿をご覧ください。

ircmoto.jp

If that's the case it would be 2.75-17 41P, 320 lb rating.

I struggle with this as well... my OEM tires are definitely 3.15 or so... in width.

It's a ways back in this thread, but:

Tires Megathread

@RedRyder Yeah you got this! Perfect mechanics don't exist, they just leave out important details. I'm no super mechanic. I'm an IT guy with soft supple hands. I did however watch a few youtube videos and got my big bore kit installed. Now im on my third and hopefully final replacement as long...

hondatrail125.com

 

[AZ7000']

Its the knobbys that make the 3" tires not fit.

Mine fit fine, I had some scraping from rocks in the knobs under the front fender. I was bored one day and redrilled the fenders and haven’t heard a rock since!

 

[dmonkey]

Right now my top pick for it [ CT110 ] are the Vee Rubber VRM-022 in 2.75-17 which I already had an order in for but they are still on backorder.

Disappointing news update on the Vee Rubber VRM-022. Cedar Rapids Tire called me today and said that they have been discontinued and they're no longer able to order that tire. I asked for clarification if they order through a distributor like WPS (Western Power Sports) who may have dropped the tire, and he said no, they order directly from the manufacturer, Vee Rubber out of Thailand, who have discontinued the tire.

 

[RegularGuy]

Disappointing news update on the Vee Rubber VRM-022. Cedar Rapids Tire called me today and said that they have been discontinued and they're no longer able to order that tire. I asked for clarification if they order through a distributor like WPS (Western Power Sports) who may have dropped the tire, and he said no, they order directly from the manufacturer, Vee Rubber out of Thailand, who have discontinued the tire.

I was wondering, I noticed its no longer available at Midwest Traction too. Well I guess that makes my decision easier.

 

[milkdudd]

Curious of anyone has tried both Kenda K262 and Shinko SR241. Can't imagine there's much of a difference, but thought I'd ask here before ordering a set. Planning to go 2.75 in the front and 3.00 in the rear. Mostly putting around the neighborhood but want the ability to do mild off road if needed. Thanks