Tyres - availability & experiences

[Maturin]

There are not too many manufacturers for the Bullet-specific tyres anymore. On the other hand it´s easily possible to order from all around the world with low price differences.
I´d like to summarise all the experience with well and less well known tyre brands, as by now  these are spread ll over the forum. If possible, post e-mail-addresses or phone numbers for availibility, aswell as prices.


AVON:  http://www.avon-tyres.co.uk/motorcycle

stock: F:Speedmaster Mk II 3.25-19
stock: R: Safety Mileage MkII 3.50-19
F: AM20 90/90-19
F: Roadrider AM26 90/90-19
R: Roadrider AM26 100/90-19


MITAS  http://www.mitas.cz/index.php?stranka=400&scid=7

F: H-01 3.25-19
F: H-16 3.25-19
F: H-14 90/90-19
R: H-02 3.50-19


METZLER  http://www.metzelermoto.com/web/default.page

F: Lasertec Front 3.25-19
F: PERFECT ME 11 3.25 - 19
F: Block K 3.25-19      for sidecar use
R: Block K 3.50-19      for sidecar use
R: Block C 3.50-19


HEIDENAU  http://www.reifenwerk-heidenau.de/?lang=en

F: K 34 3.25 - 19
F: K 44 3.25 - 19
R: K 34 3.50 - 19
F: K 65 90/90 - 19
R: K 65 100/90 - 19
F: K 53 3.25 - 19


DUNLOP  http://www.dunlopmotorcycle.eu/dunlop_euen/mc/

F: Arrowmax GT 501 FJ 3.25-19
F: D 401 Elite 90/90-19
F: D 408 90/90-19
R: K81 TT100 100/90 - 19
F: K70 3.25-19
R: K70 3.50-19
It seems that the K70 in 3.25-19 and 3.50-19 is still available in the UK here:
http://www.vintagetyres.com/results.asp?m=51&ds=motorcycle%20tyres&dc=103&sort=sort_size&mw=2&st_01=motorcycle%20and%20not%20tube&sf_01=type
and in the US here:
https://www.universaltire.com/motorcycle-tires.html?p=2

CHENG SHIN  http://www.cst.com.tw/  since you need a solid knowledge of the Taiwanesian language to read that I used a link on that side and asume thereafter that they´re selling their rubbers here: http://www.maxxis.com/

F: M6011 Classic Front 90/90-19


ENSIGN  http://www.vintagetyres.com/results.asp?m=61&ds=motorcycle%20tyres&dc=103&sort=sort_size&mw=2&st_01=motorcycle%20and%20not%20tube&sf_01=type

F: 3.25-19 ROAD TYRE: UNIVERSAL
R: 3.50-19 ROAD TYRE: UNIVERSAL


CONTINENTAL  http://www.conti-online.com/generator/www/de/en/continental/motorcycle/general/home/index_en.html

F: ContiGo! 3.25-19
F: RB 2 3.25-19


MICHELIN  http://www.michelin.co.uk/motorcycles/

F: Pilot Active 3.25-19


PIRELLI  http://www.pirelli.com/tyre/ww/en/motorcycle.html

F: MT 66 Route 90/90-19
F: MT 60 90/90-19
F: City Demon Front 90/90-19


Bridgestone http://www.bridgestone.eu/tyres/motorcycles/bridgestone-motorcycle-tyres

F: BT 45 F 3.25-19


DURO http://www.durobike.com/products/motorcycle.php

F: HF 317 3.25-19
F: HF 314 3.25-19 (Treat is similar to Dunlop K81)


List will be completed bit by bit. I focused on the odd 19´ as the EFI-18` are easier to get. Input is welcome, I´ll update the list accordingly.
What I didn´t get is this 3.60/4.10-thing. Are these usuable without disadvantages? What is the difference between 3.25 and 3.60 respectivly 4.10 and 3.50?

[GreenMachine]

I looked into Duro and Mitas tires in the U.S..  No go as they are not sold in this country..For example, Mitas sells agricultural tires and even though their website says they sell motorcycle tires  I talked to their  rep. out of North Carolina,. He says he cant even get them...Many of the tires u mention u can get out of England  and EU but the shipping, currency conversion and customs makes the cost at twice the price if not more....Our sponsor sells a good variety and some of the fellows are finding other sources within this market to satisfy their requirements..You can't beat some of the prices right now for K-70's and was looking at the Coker website and they have what I swear are the K70's but they call them something different for a higher price.  Coker has really cool vintage tires for just about everything but not much in a 3.5 x 19" range/. They have a diamond block tire design that is so cool but just a wee bit to much tire for our machines... I really like the duros and the Mitas H-01 are just fantastic for a vintage tire look .  Of course the ones I like I can't get without paying at least  twice the cost....But I guess if I really wanted them I shell out the additional  cost for getting them from the European market..The reality is  I can live with what I can easily obtain here and no worst fro the wear....Cheers

[Maturin]

I looked into Duro and Mitas tires in the U.S..  No go as they are not sold in this country

That´s a surprise! These Mitas guys even have a decent website in several languages, including a link to an importer in the US! I guess they´re underestimate their market chances...
But this list shall give an overview as complete as possible. As you mentioned, Br. GreenMachine, there is always a way to get something - for money! But you know...sometimes I just want something in particular..and nothing else, and I don´t care about the cost...you got the picture. I´m usually quite picky in terms of tires, and just want to support the like-minded.

[GreenMachine]

Yes and agree if those are the tyres u want by all means get what u desire..

[boggy]

This is a great list.

[bman734]

I must admit as well that the thin tires .scare me a bit but have learned to trust them.

[Maturin]

What scares me much more than the skinnyness of these rubbers is the fact, that there are no new tyre modells available for the rear. In the front you can even get a Michelin Pilot or a Bridgestone BT45, but aft?
There are some Heidenaus that are pretty new, but in a recent tyre test of a German magazine they prooved to be miles behind the latest from France or Japan.
Any ideas what could fit with a Michelin on the bow?

[singhg5]

It is a great table you have put together, Maturin.  Danke !

[Ice]

Thank You Maturin !!

[Arizoni]

To each their own as they say, but I thought it interesting to read that the original BSA A6 and A10 as well as the A50 and A65  all weighed within a few pounds of the current RE's and they all used the 3.25 sized front and 3.50 sized rear tires.

No doubt the materials of today's tires are vastly superior to the tires in the 50's and 60's in both grip and wear but these "pizza cutter" tires look right at home to me on a Royal Enfield.

Then again, I'm old fashioned.  My muzzleloading rifles are mainly Flintlocks and I don't own even one of the new styled muzzleloaders. 

[barenekd]

Those new style muzzleloaders should just be called "Cheaters." They are ridiculous.
Give me a good ol' flintlock any day.
Bare

[GlennF]

Bear in mind what gives tyres like the Mitas H02 that distinctive vintage "look" is they are a square profile (the tyre width equals the tyre thickness from rim to tread.) .

Most modern road tyres are low profile.

[boggy]

Does the squareness of the tire lend itself to stability at speed?  Some folks here report squirrely handling at higher speeds while I feel my RE's fairly steady at 65+.

I'm wondering if the old school Avon square style are more stable than say, round Dunlops.

[Maturin]

It´s not possible to tell the stability of a tyre by looking at the profile. Important at higher speeds is the internal stability of the carcass, meaning the ability to maintain a shape fitting to the tread, namely either rolling, acellerating or stopping. Providing comfort and damping ability are on the to-do list aswell, so there are a lot of compromises.

One difference between modern, plain treats and oldschool gritty ones is, however, the behavior beeing in threshold. With old fashioned profiles this threshold usually begins earlier and is easier to detect, whereas the overall performance is weaker.

All of the above are very general statements, though. Bikes like the Bullet, having an old fashioned  geometry and weight distribution in combination with tiny tyres do not automatically improve their roadholding by using modern tyres, as they´re usually not designed for this kind of vehicle.
These Avons (as well as the Dunlops) are made for these - and similar -  bikes and although I miss certain features I´m used to riding modern bikes, these obsolete rubbers work pretty well on our mule.
I´d give these K70 Dunlops a chance if I can get them anywhere in Germany. I´d prefer the K 81, but if I can talk the TÜV guy into accepting a 3.60/4.10...well, worth a try 

[GlennF]

Does the squareness of the tire lend itself to stability at speed?  Some folks here report squirrely handling at higher speeds while I feel my RE's fairly steady at 65+.

I'm wondering if the old school Avon square style are more stable than say, round Dunlops.

If you mean the high speed issues with some (but not all) C5's I am pretty sure that was tracked down to the nylon bush the C5 uses in the swing arm. If you have that issue the fix is to replace the nylon bush with a brass one, you can buy adapter kits.

EDIT: Apparently the brass bush only helps reduce rather than eliminates the issue