[DoppelgangerONE]

Hey everyone.

I'm looking for a new rear tire for my bike. It's an 86 Yamaha YX-600 Radian.

It has a 130/90/16 size tire on it, and I'm finding that there aren't alot of options for a tire for it. From the options that I am finding, they all seem to be bias designed. I haven't seen a single radial for it yet.

I was wondering if bias is alot worse for perfomance/longevity than a radial is on a motorcycle?

The two tires that I'm most interested in right now are the Bridgestone BT-45 and the Pirelli Sport Demon model. Anyone have any opinions on these two tires??

Also, does anyone know of a really good place online to buy tires from?? I've been looking mostly at www.tiresunlimited.com.


Thanks.

 

[Ghost Rider]

If your bike wasn't designed for a radial tire, don't put a radial tire on it. Metzler used to bake some great non radials. I think they still do http://www.metzelermoto.com/

 

[SqDancerLynn1]

The problem you have is that the wheel itself is not Wide enough for modern radial tires. You would need to do some mods to convert to later wheels both front & rear

 

[jim schmidt]

Avon also sells bias ply performance tires.

 

[Juniper]

I had both the Bridgestones and the Pirellis (briefly) on my Ninja. The Bridgestones were decent, but I like the Sport Demons better. Metzeler's Lasertec are supposed to be really good as well.

 

[runsilent]

Forget the radials, your wheels are too narrow and wrong dia. My GS500 has a 3.5" x 17 rear which is just wide enough for some radials. When I got half the milage from a 2nd rear BT45 than I did on the first one, I switched to sport touring radials. Ran 2 sets of Metz Z4/Z2 a set of Avon AV45/46 ST radials. Got 13-14k miles from the rears, less from the fronts. Much improved handling all around, wet and dry.

I'm now running the Metz Lasertecs and they are every bit as good handling as the sport touring radials I tried, just won't last as long. More than half worn now, I may get 8-9k from the rear Lasertec. BUT! They do make them to fit your bike.

The BT45 and Dunlop GT501 are getting a bit dated. The newest bias ply sport touring tires with the latest in construction and compounds are the Pirelli Demons, Metzeler Lasertecs, and Michelin Pilot Actives. Don't think the Actives come in your size so that leaves the Demons and Lasertecs. Both very good, I think the Demons are a bit stickier and the Lasertecs a bit longer lasting. Depends on how you use or abuse them. <G>

 

[fiveninerzero]

Sport Demons are great Bias Ply tyres, I have used them in the past to good results

 

[l3uddha]

just dont mix bias & radials; I hear it can be very dangerous. change whatever you got on the front as well as ur 130 on the rear. If you want better rubber many bikes can be fitted with a larger rim with very slight modifications. my GS can take the rear 4.5 inch rim from a katana 600. the mod is practically a direct bolt-in with only very minor work to do. just something to think about....

 

[DoppelgangerONE]

I think that I'm gonna end up going with the Pirelli Sport Demons. They look cooler, and have a cooler name. =)