Tires

[Zombie Master]

R100 1984

So I'm about to change tires. What is the best choice for performance, if you are not worried about mileage, and just want to have fun?

[melville]

I've been curious about these, and would go for them on a 2nd bike:

https://www.continental-tires.com/motor ... ssicattack

No direct experience, though. Here's an advrider thread from when they came out:

https://advrider.com/index.php?threads/ ... ck.809640/

[Seth]

I put a set of the Conti Classic radials on a friend’s R90S and they seemed to make the bike quite unstable. Don’t think I could recommend them.

In the past, we used the Michelin Pilot Activ. No real problems with performance but found they wore more quickly than the old Macadam 50, not that it’s important to you.

Also put a set of Pirelli on the S and didn't like them much. Didn’t hold a line thru the corners like it did with the Michelin’s.

I haven’t used the them on an older Airhead, but I’ve used Bridgestone BT45 tires on a 94 R100M and have them currently on my 75 Honda CB400F and have not been disappointed. On the Mystic, I wore the sides off the Bridgestones before the center of the front on a run down and back the Blue Ridge Parkway and had some cupping, but the bike probably needed front fork service (haven’t changed the fluid in forever).

[George Ryals]

https://www.continental-tires.com/motor ... c/rb2-k112

I have used the Continental Twins for years on my airheads and 1974 Harley Super Glide.

[Beemerboff]

Mitas still make the Conti twins and sell them under their own name.
Mitas E08 / Conti TKC 70 have a modern road style carcass and rubber compounds and the E08s work great on my GS - like a cut slick and the only tire which I wear out two fronts to a rear.'
Dunlop still make the TT100 in standard and classic race compounds so you can have as much grip as you want. Work
great on my 75/7 in stock road compound.
The full race compound really sticks when fresh, but shelf life is poor - they are hard in six months and covered in cracks in twelve so dont suit light use on a club bike like my BSA B44 which isn't out much - .DAHIK.
Tried a set of Spitfires once, put me off Bridgestones for life , and preferred Mac 50s to Pilot Actives which just dont seem to work for me.

[Zombie Master]

I've been running Spitfires up till now. I find them very neutral on my R100S. I hardly notice them, which is a very high compliment. But I would like to find something better.

[ME 109]

I use tyres that are excellent, even outstanding, on quick tight mountain roads. I also use tyres that are excellent off road as well.

The pilot activ rear despite its possible sob to seat, is it. 4:00/18
The front is a pilot activ, or lasertec 3.25/19. I can't tell the difference between these two, on the road/bush track.

The front pa or lasertec offer superior performance, in my experience.

Thoroughly lab tested, over several years.

I think one of the most important things about a rear tyre for our airheads, is how well the tyre retains its round profile, before wearing as flat across, as a wagon wheel. A flattened across rear tyre can give handle bar wobbles/twitches when riding along small ridges in the road surface. With brand new tyres the handle bar wobble will not occur. Well, it shouldn't!
I found the pa rear to be king of this, of the tyres tried.
Of course anyone who rarely sees corners is going to wear any tyre flat across the tyre.

How much fun are you looking for anyway, ZM?

[Zombie Master]

How much fun are you looking for anyway, ZM?

Well....I don't have any straight roads to ride in any event, the main reason why I moved here (west coast Vancouver Island). But your point about the rear tire wearing flat is important. I will look into the Pilot Active. Thanx for your opinions.

[Beemerboff]

Wearing flat is more a problem with off road knobs, and hard high mileage tires like a Mitas E07.
E07s last me around 3 times as long as most, but to get that you have to ride the last third on a squared off tire.
IRC also have sensibly priced tires in Airhead sizes, and for me they work better than Pilot Activs.
Pity Michelin Anekee 3s dont come in airhead sizes, a big step up in class from the PAs , last almost as long as the E07s and keep their shape right to the end.

[Gibson]

I have had Avon Roadrider tires on a few bikes including an R100S. I really liked them.