Tires Megathread

[G19Tony]

I've been giving this some thought and some looking around for a while as after riding them for a while, I actually like them quite a bit. I think it was @m in sc who tried to buy some but couldn't get them too, he ended up going a different route.

I've come to the conclusion the semi-reliable methods are:
1) eBay
2) other Trail 125 riders.
3) Importing from another market (seems expensive).
4) Different tire.

#4 is definitely the easiest.

I have never tried to order them directly through Honda which might be one of those amusing moments, but I plan to ask when I go to the Honda dealership next. I reckon they'll shush me out the door pretty fast.

I have GP1's on now. I just like the 5's better for the kind of riding I do. I just don't get why this is so difficult.

 

[dmonkey]

IIRC I read somewhere that the IRC GP-5 was made in the 80/90-17 size specifically to be the OE tire on our Honda CT125, though the size also makes it usable on some other bikes.
You may have better luck searching for the tires as Honda parts than as a tire make/model/size. You should be able to order them through your local Honda Powersports shop, or many of the Honda parts websites online. Partzilla.com says both tires ship in 2 to 3 days, but worth double checking on that before placing an order because it's unfortunately common for sites to say they have something ready to ship when it's really on backorder.

TIRE, FR. (80/90-17M/C 44P) (IRC) 44711-K88-B02
TIRE, RR. (80/90-17 M/C 50P) (IRC) 42711-K2E-T01

If you're replacing the tires consider that it's a good practice to also replace the tubes with each tire change, and rim strips / rim tape (Honda calls them "tire flaps") as needed - which is often just if they're damaged, which can happen from a flat or from changing a tire or tube.

There's also Babbitt's Parts House which is a HUGE OEM powersports parts dealer out of Michigan:

2021 Honda CT125A AC REAR WHEEL | Babbitts Honda Parts House

Shop online for OEM REAR WHEEL parts that fit your 2021 Honda CT125A AC, search all our OEM Parts or call at (231)737-4542

www.hondapartshouse.com

2021 Honda CT125A AC FRONT WHEEL | Babbitts Honda Parts House

Shop online for OEM FRONT WHEEL parts that fit your 2021 Honda CT125A AC, search all our OEM Parts or call at (231)737-4542

www.hondapartshouse.com

 

[G19Tony]

IIRC I read somewhere that the IRC GP-5 was made in the 80/90-17 size specifically to be the OE tire on our Honda CT125, though the size also makes it usable on some other bikes.
You may have better luck searching for the tires as Honda parts than as a tire make/model/size. You should be able to order them through your local Honda Powersports shop, or many of the Honda parts websites online. Partzilla.com says both tires ship in 2 to 3 days, but worth double checking on that before placing an order because it's unfortunately common for sites to say they have something ready to ship when it's really on backorder.

TIRE, FR. (80/90-17M/C 44P) (IRC) 44711-K88-B02
TIRE, RR. (80/90-17 M/C 50P) (IRC) 42711-K2E-T01

If you're replacing the tires consider that it's a good practice to also replace the tubes with each tire change, and rim strips / rim tape (Honda calls them "tire flaps") as needed - which is often just if they're damaged, which can happen from a flat or from changing a tire or tube.

There's also Babbitt's Parts House which is a HUGE OEM powersports parts dealer out of Michigan:

2021 Honda CT125A AC REAR WHEEL | Babbitts Honda Parts House

Shop online for OEM REAR WHEEL parts that fit your 2021 Honda CT125A AC, search all our OEM Parts or call at (231)737-4542

www.hondapartshouse.com

2021 Honda CT125A AC FRONT WHEEL | Babbitts Honda Parts House

Shop online for OEM FRONT WHEEL parts that fit your 2021 Honda CT125A AC, search all our OEM Parts or call at (231)737-4542

www.hondapartshouse.com

Thank you. I get my parts from South Sound Honda, in Olympia. I recently ordered new rim and associated parts to build up another set of wheels. I just ordered the GP5's from them. If it goes in your cart, it's in stock at American Honda. I hope I get them, they are, indeed, the OEM spec tires, which are the tires they should have come with. These aren't Super Cubs, after all.

 

[SneakyDingo]

They're within "single tank of fuel" range for me. Good to know.

 

[Tchap]

Post Status: Still being maintained.

Hi all,
We have had quite a few threads on which tires, where to get them, etc. In an effort to get that information together, I'd like to start a single (preferably pinned) thread with a single post that has some of the most common tire options and where to get them. This will hopefully be a one-stop-shop for anyone looking for new tires. I will keep updating this first post with information as people add suggestions.

Please also include:
where you buy your tires if you got them at a good price or with exceptional service
links to the manufacturer's website for tires (I'm avoiding linking to Revzilla, etc.)

Tires
Tire options are generally targeted towards the US market unless specified otherwise. When choosing your tire select one that matches your terrain, speed and desired load rating. Please see the disclaimer at the bottom of this post before placing your order.

Model	Size	Type	Other Names	Load Designation (max)
Deestone D982	2.50-17	Motocross	Higher availability in UK, Japanese markets	38L
IRC SR244	2.50-17	Dual Sport	aka Shinko 244	38L
Bridgestone Battlax BT-390	2.50-17	Street	Thai market / Webike	38L
Deestone D982	2.75-170	Motocross	Higher availability in UK, Japanese markets	41P
Duro HF307	2.75-17	Dual Sport		41P
IRC FB3	2.75-17	Dual Sport		41P
IRC NR53	2.75-17	Street		41P
IRC TR-1	2.75-17	Trials		41P
Kenda K262	2.75-17	Trials		41P
IRC GP-5 (OE)	80/90-17	Mild Dual Sport	OEM tires	44P (front), 50P (rear)
CS C186	3.0-17	Trials	Cheng Shin C186	45N
IRC GP-1	3.0-17	Dual Sport		45P
Kenda K262	3.0-17	Trials		45P
Kenda K262	2.75-17	Trials		45P
IRC SR241	2.75-17	Trials	aka Shinko 241	47J
Duro HF319	2.75-17	Street	Vintage motorcycle tire style	47P
Vee Rubber VRM-022	2.75-17	Dual Sport		47R
Vee Rubber VRM-022	3.0-17	Dual Sport		48R
IRC SR244	3.0-17	Dual Sport	aka Shinko 244	50P
Michelin City Extra Scooter Tires	80/90-17	Street		50S
Michelin City Pro Tires	80/90-17	Street		50S
Michelin Pilot Street 2	80/90-17	Street		50S

Rating lookup chart

Rating	KG	Lb	Speed (km/h)	Speed (mph)
38L	132	291	120	75
41P	145	320	150	94
44P	160	353	150	94
45N	165	364	140	87
45P	165	364	150	94
47J	175	386	100	62
47P	175	386	150	94
47R	175	386	170	106
48R	180	397	170	106
50P	190	419	150	94
50S	190	419	180	112

Where do users buy them?

• Rocky Mountain ATV MC (+2)
• Revzilla
• Denniskirk
• Midwest Traction

FAQ
Dude I just want some tires, what makes people happy?

• Shinko 241's in 2.75-17
• OR Shinko 244's in 2.5-17 front, 3.0-17 rear.

What combinations are known to work without modifying the bike?

• Max 2.75" on the front (80/19-17) with no rub, 3.0" with a tiny bit of rub at speed.
• Max 3.0" on the rear.

What happens if I go larger than this?

• Front: Will work, but will rub rocks on the inside of the fender rather than bouncing them around, and at higher speeds (45+ mph) the screws holding the mudflap will rub & make a sound) - +3 users/reviewers confirm.
• Rear: DaBinChe points out the inside of the rear fender area can rub with Shinko 244 3.0's, however the rub is largely cosmetic; larger or taller tires will increase this rubbing. +3 users confirm.
• For the front you can get a fender lift kit or redrill the holes to get slightly more clearance.
• @range rat fit the Shinko 244 3.00-17's with the lift kit successfully, but noted that the fit past the fender bolts was on the tight side.

What's the disclaimer you mentioned?

• Take the load ratings with a grain of salt. Trust, but verify.
• I generally link to and defer to the manufacturer's website wherever possible. This may differ from sites that you actually buy tires from.
• The tire options listed are what I was able to find on the internet and from various tire sites. Some of the details had to come from archived information or returned multiple results (the Duro HF319 tires in particular came up with several load ratings, some far exceeding spec).
• In other cases, the maximum speed rating has been listed but different options exist (e.g. SR244 45P and SR244 50P in the 3.00-17 size, with the difference being tire construction resulting in reduced weight). This is often the case for Front only, or Front and Rear tires.
• Additionally, tire options presented do occasionally drop below the maximum speed and load rating of the bike.
• If you are getting the tires mounted instead of doing it yourself, some non-CT125 riders report that "if you got the tires from Revzilla, they have an arrangement with Cycle Gear in some cities, for reduced price tire changing." The mechanic may offer a discount for certain sources.
• Be EXTRA careful when ordering your tires to make sure you match the specification, size and load rating for your needs.

I’m running the kenda k760 trackmaster, which comes in 70/100-17, 46m rating. It’s a dot approved 90/10 trail/street use tire. I wanted big knobs that aren’t sipped, so that it would take screw in type tire studs. Much stiffer sidewalls compared to oem or Shinkos, they were kind of difficult for me to mount, but they’re holding the studs nicely. Available on Amazon for under $50.00.

 

[SneakyDingo]

Added K760 tires. I wasn't sure that would actually fit on the bike, interesting that it does. Can you take a photo of what it looks like near the front fender mount?

 

[Tchap]

Added K760 tires. I wasn't sure that would actually fit on the bike, interesting that it does. Can you take a photo of what it looks like near the front fender mount?

Sure thing. There’s no clearance issues at all.

 

[Tchap]

Added K760 tires. I wasn't sure that would actually fit on the bike, interesting that it does. Can you take a photo of what it looks like near the front fender mount?

Here’s a couple more pictures showing the kenda760, OEM and Shinko 241 in the 2.75” width, plus another shot of the kenda on the bike.

 

[AZ7000']

Let Is know. I tried track masters on the Baja 450x because they were cheap. I did not like the ride/grip/whatever. No mas for me…

 

[Tchap]

Let Is know. I tried track masters on the Baja 450x because they were cheap. I did not like the ride/grip/whatever. No mas for me…

I think you bring up a really good point, the k760 is a bit of a trade off. I’m sacrificing road feel and traction on tarmac for those big, solid wide-spaced knobs to hold the ice studs and avoid snow accumulation. Truth is, I had some difficulty finding a tire with those features that would fit the Ct150, and the trakmasters meet the need there. For the CFR450x, I don’t know what I’d choose. There’s probably more options.

 

[ShieldArc]

How are Honda 42711-102-764 tires? They should last longer than Shinko 241s.

 

[RustyRodder]

Dumb question time- how does the stock 80/90 compare to a 2.50x17? I know it's smaller than a 2.75

And is there a preference for anyone on tube? Seems like the stock tires/tubes get a lot of flats

 

[dmonkey]

How are Honda 42711-102-764 tires? They should last longer than Shinko 241s.

That looks like it might be a great option for mostly paved riding and light gravel or dirt. Keep us posted if you end up order them Load rating might be a concern since they're for older bikes.
Same or similar tread pattern as the IRC 3R, it might even be that tire model just as a Honda part number. With it being an OEM part for 1970s-1980s bikes, you would want to make sure it's not past its shelf life and has been stored well. New-old-stock tires are only good for show.
The Shinko SR241 is likely one of the softest tires available for this bike, I would expect any tire to outlast it in longevity. The SR241 is a great choice for off-road traction, just not pavement miles.

Dumb question time- how does the stock 80/90 compare to a 2.50x17? I know it's smaller than a 2.75

And is there a preference for anyone on tube? Seems like the stock tires/tubes get a lot of flats

That's a great question because it varies by tire model and tread type. Trail or trials knobby tire dimensions are going to be a lot different than both street and dual sport type tires. If you're looking at a knobby tire in 2.50-17, it will likely be around 1/4" narrower and possibly taller in circumference compared to the stock tires.

For example the stock tire is IRC GP-5 is 80/90-17 on paper, where 80mm = ~3.15 inches, yet in the real world it's only a tiny bit wider than a 2.75-17 Shinko SR241 that is 2.75" on paper, due to the tread blocks protruding from the side of the tire. The SR241 2.75-17 tire is also taller (larger circumference, oversize) due to the tread blocks/knobs.

The OE tubes are a mix of butyl and natural rubber that hold air well but aren't especially puncture resistant. Some of the mention of punctures may be from mounting the tire by hand with spoons and puncturing the tube. I've pinched tubes mounting by hand, it's easy to do. The risk of this can be reduced by using more care and patience, using a tire machine, or using something like the zip tie method to keep the tube from coming in contact with a tire spoon. If you want more puncture resistance you can switch to a natural rubber tube with the compromise that it is more porous and will let out air over time so you will need to check your tire pressure and reinflate them to spec more frequently. Natural rubber is also easier to patch IMO, but that's only relevant if you carry a patch kit and tire inflator.

I ran these tubes in a set of Shinko SR241 2.75-17s which are a very overkill solution and I had no flats for the life of the tires (replaced when rear tire was square and bald): https://www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/double-tough-inner-tubes?sku_id=1132924
I am currently running these in a set of IRC TR-1 2.75-17s because they're inexpensive and accessible, also had them in the prior (one or two?) sets of tires without any flats: https://www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/bike-master-performance-motorcycle-tube?sku_id=1087209

Something like a screw would puncture an aftermarket tire and tube the same as it would the OEM ones. IMO don't worry too much about a problem that you aren't currently facing, just have a plan for how you would deal with it. That might mean carrying a bottle of tire repair sealant, a tire inflator, tools, a spare tube, a patch kit, etc. or it might mean just having a cell phone on you and the number of a friend who would help you push the bike and load it into a truck to deal with later.

 

[ShieldArc]

As far as I know these are new tires. Honda dealers can order them for you. And why would the 125 need a higher load rating?

 

[RustyRodder]

That looks like it might be a great option for mostly paved riding and light gravel or dirt. Keep us posted if you end up order them Load rating might be a concern since they're for older bikes.
Same or similar tread pattern as the IRC 3R, it might even be that tire model just as a Honda part number. With it being an OEM part for 1970s-1980s bikes, you would want to make sure it's not past its shelf life and has been stored well. New-old-stock tires are only good for show.
The Shinko SR241 is likely one of the softest tires available for this bike, I would expect any tire to outlast it in longevity. The SR241 is a great choice for off-road traction, just not pavement miles.


That's a great question because it varies by tire model and tread type. Trail or trials knobby tire dimensions are going to be a lot different than both street and dual sport type tires. If you're looking at a knobby tire in 2.50-17, it will likely be around 1/4" narrower and possibly taller in circumference compared to the stock tires.

For example the stock tire is IRC GP-5 is 80/90-17 on paper, where 80mm = ~3.15 inches, yet in the real world it's only a tiny bit wider than a 2.75-17 Shinko SR241 that is 2.75" on paper, due to the tread blocks protruding from the side of the tire. The SR241 2.75-17 tire is also taller (larger circumference, oversize) due to the tread blocks/knobs.

The OE tubes are a mix of butyl and natural rubber that hold air well but aren't especially puncture resistant. Some of the mention of punctures may be from mounting the tire by hand with spoons and puncturing the tube. I've pinched tubes mounting by hand, it's easy to do. The risk of this can be reduced by using more care and patience, using a tire machine, or using something like the zip tie method to keep the tube from coming in contact with a tire spoon. If you want more puncture resistance you can switch to a natural rubber tube with the compromise that it is more porous and will let out air over time so you will need to check your tire pressure and reinflate them to spec more frequently. Natural rubber is also easier to patch IMO, but that's only relevant if you carry a patch kit and tire inflator.

I ran these tubes in a set of Shinko SR241 2.75-17s which are a very overkill solution and I had no flats for the life of the tires (replaced when rear tire was square and bald): https://www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/double-tough-inner-tubes?sku_id=1132924
I am currently running these in a set of IRC TR-1 2.75-17s because they're inexpensive and accessible, also had them in the prior (one or two?) sets of tires without any flats: https://www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/bike-master-performance-motorcycle-tube?sku_id=1087209

Something like a screw would puncture an aftermarket tire and tube the same as it would the OEM ones. IMO don't worry too much about a problem that you aren't currently facing, just have a plan for how you would deal with it. That might mean carrying a bottle of tire repair sealant, a tire inflator, tools, a spare tube, a patch kit, etc. or it might mean just having a cell phone on you and the number of a friend who would help you push the bike and load it into a truck to deal with later.

Thanks, this post was really useful!

Did you notice much of a difference in top speed going with the 2.75 tires? I've seen some posts saying the larger 3.0 tires knock 5+mph off top end

 

[dmonkey]

As far as I know these are new tires. Honda dealers can order them for you. And why would the 125 need a higher load rating?

Always a good idea to check the manufacture week and year on the DOT code before mounting if it's a DOT approved tire, as well as doing a visual inspection. It's a tire that's likely been in production for a long time, so it's possible that what a dealer would receive wasn't recently manufactured. Easy enough to check.
The CT125 weighs ~50+ lb more than the bikes that 42711-102-764 is listed as OE for, it likely also has a lower speed rating than the CT125's stock IRC GP-5.

Did you notice much of a difference in top speed going with the 2.75 tires? I've seen some posts saying the larger 3.0 tires knock 5+mph off top end

The knobby 3.0s (Shinko SR244) rubbed for me so I didn't keep them on the CT125, replaced them with the Shinko SR241s in 2.75 at the time. Didn't do any comparative top speed runs, but seat of the pants feel was that the acceleration felt bogged down by the 3.0 SR244. More details on where they can rub is shared earlier in this thread, as well as others sharing that they didn't have the same rubbing issue or mind it and are satisfied with that tire choice. Knobby tire options mostly result in tires of larger diameter (oversize) so any MPH comparison would need to be done on GPS rather than the bike's speedometer. Knobby tires will also kick up gravel in the front fender making aluminum can crunching sounds, I redrilled my front fender to raise it a bit which mostly mitigated that. If you're going for top speed on pavement then the OEM IRC GP-5 or a street tire will be hard to beat. Tire weight and diameter aside, knobby tires have more rolling resistance, and that resistance is on a curve where there's more of it the faster you go, so they're not the speediest choice.

 

[ball_socket]

Can't speak to their functionality, but another potential option for knobbies are the Camel CM 705. Can be purchased as a set of rear/rear in 80/100-17 (!) at 8ftweekend.

I first saw what appear to be these same tires in some YouTube video and have been trying to find them since:

 

[ShieldArc]

I would like to try waffle tread tires in 2.75x17 size. I dont need the soft 241 shinko's. Any recommendations?

 

[SneakyDingo]

I would like to try waffle tread tires in 2.75x17 size. I dont need the soft 241 shinko's. Any recommendations?

I can understand a reluctance to install soft tires, but a counter point: if you're trying them and you don't like them, a softer tire that wears out faster means less time riding on a tire you don't like.

 

[m in sc]

Just ordered a pair of Kenda 262s for mine as the rear tire is finally wearing out. went with 275 width front and rear. Have seen these used on other bikes with good street wear, very good in the wet. they are rated 41 load (320 lbs, per tire). P speed rating, which is 94 MPH. I'll never exceed that on this bike, should have them on by end of next week.