Tyres - availability & experiences

[barenekd]

The 3.25 K70 definitely doesn't push like the Avons. It tracks exremely well.
Bare

[Maturin]

At the end I have to admit that the money spend an the AVON AM26ers was blown into the oven. They just didnīt make it straightforward in their own right, neither with 1,3 bar nor with 2,0. Finally I was fed up with swerving about and got myself a pair of

Heidenau K44 front 3.25 and K34 rear 3.50
http://www.reifenwerk-heidenau.de/modules/reifenliste/view.php?point=2&rtyp=9

wich seem to have cured most of my problems with the rubber sector. Today I could do a test ride of some 60kms in late autumn temperatures ( 5-10°C). Iīm quite impressed, the stability problems above 80 km/h I encountered with the AM26 were just blown off, the Heidenaus run dead straight up to 120 kms. However, the handling is more on the stubborn side now, but thatīs the way I like it and the Bullet, beeing an Enfield, is still very nimble compared with other bikes of itīs size. Steering precision is good, there is a slight tendency to understeer but maybe itīs owed to the rubber nipples that are not yet worn. I canīt say much about the behavoir beeing heavily cantered or very hot, as the road conditions are very treacherous these days and I had to be extremly carefull. Iīll keep you posted!
5 kms before I reached home I passed a car accident on the Autobahn and the driver really managed to set the cage on the roof. I hope noone is seriously injured, but it was an excellent reminder what all is about: to make it home alive. Best regards
Maturin

[GlennF]

At the end I have to admit that the money spend an the AVON AM26ers was blown into the oven. They just didnīt make it straightforward in their own right, neither with 1,3 bar nor with 2,0. Finally I was fed up with swerving about and got myself a pair of

Heidenau K44 front 3.25 and K34 rear 3.50
http://www.reifenwerk-heidenau.de/modules/reifenliste/view.php?point=2&rtyp=9

wich seem to have cured most of my problems with the rubber sector. Today I could do a test ride of some 60kms in late autumn temperatures ( 5-10°C). Iīm quite impressed, the stability problems above 80 km/h I encountered with the AM26 were just blown off, the Heidenaus run dead straight up to 120 kms. However, the handling is more on the stubborn side now, but thatīs the way I like it and the Bullet, beeing an Enfield, is still very nimble compared with other bikes of itīs size. Steering precision is good, there is a slight tendency to understeer but maybe itīs owed to the rubber nipples that are not yet worn. I canīt say much about the behavoir beeing heavily cantered or very hot, as the road conditions are very treacherous these days and I had to be extremly carefull. Iīll keep you posted!
5 kms before I reached home I passed a car accident on the Autobahn and the driver really managed to set the cage on the roof. I hope noone is seriously injured, but it was an excellent reminder what all is about: to make it home alive. Best regards
Maturin

So how did these shape up several months down the track ?

[Maturin]

Sry Glen, winter in Bavaria. I covered a couple of hundered kilometers with the Heidenaus under harsh conditions and it was madatory to drive extremly carefull, so I couldnīt test them properly. Canīt wait for spring *deep sigh*. Iīll keep you posted when temperatures rise. Best regards

[GreenMachine]

winter in bavaria....sounds beautiful and lots of the white stuff...I'm going to c if i can buy those tires here in the U.S.

[singhg5]

Finally I was fed up with swerving about and got myself a pair of

Heidenau K44 front 3.25 and K34 rear 3.50
http://www.reifenwerk-heidenau.de/modules/reifenliste/view.php?point=2&rtyp=9

wich seem to have cured most of my problems with the rubber sector. Today I could do a test ride of some 60kms in late autumn temperatures ( 5-10°C). Iīm quite impressed, the stability problems above 80 km/h I encountered with the AM26 were just blown off, the Heidenaus run dead straight up to 120 kms.

That is pretty good.  Can you post pictures of your new tires ?  Thanks in advance.

[SHIFTYMACK]

Just instaled AM26's front and rear. seems like most off the new tyres are made to run tubeless. makes the sidewalls a little stiffer. get ready to work up a sweat changing them. The bike (04 bullet 65) handles so much better you can drag footpegs with ease. only problem is the aspect ratio. the diff.between width (100) and heigth (90) 90% The stock tires 3.25 frt 350 rear are as tall as they are wide. so the new tires change the gearing. (lower) just food for thought.

[AgentX]

The 3.25 K70 definitely doesn't push like the Avons. It tracks exremely well.
Bare

My initial impression of the K70s is quite good, as well.  Certainly not inferior on pavement to the AM26s I was running on my previous bike.  And better for mixed conditions.  I rode alongside a traffic jam in the dirt and broken concrete yesterday without the slightest insecurity.

[Blltrdr]

My initial impression of the K70s is quite good, as well.  Certainly not inferior on pavement to the AM26s I was running on my previous bike.  And better for mixed conditions.  I rode alongside a traffic jam in the dirt and broken concrete yesterday without the slightest insecurity.

Yes Agent X, K70's all the way. I will only run K70's from now on.............TILL THE END OF TIME_________or whenever the wear limits force me to buy a new set.

SkidMasters are a hindrance to the Bullet which IMHO is a great handling bike........with the "right tires".

Mr. Yuck says, "Avon's suck hard rubber!" Rhesus monkey's are sacrificed in the development of Avon rubber on a daily basis. Lab rats skid incessantly while on injections of Avon rubber. This is an epidemic on a world wide scale. Who new the cure was as simple as changing brands. Read the report that no one wants you to read. The fine print is so small you will need a WWII periscope to make out the scribblings. Donald Trumps hair is an Avon product. If he only knew about Dunlop's he could reverse his hair woes.

Like I have posted before, a set of K70's with tubes, delivered to your front door is about $140. You can't beat that price with an ugly stick. Well maybe you can if ugly means sick and sick means rad and rad means awesome and awesome means .......well you know what I mean. I totally and completely endorse the use of K70's on the Bullet. If not for the performance aspect but for the spot on looks.

I am truly not sorry if I offended anybody running Avon's or any other crappy tread. It is only one opinion of many! My many.

[GreenMachine]

You guys with the 18" tires have a pretty good selection vice us 19" fellows..Okay I'll change to k70 when the time comes as u guys go on and on about it..Maybe I'll  die and go to heaven when I put a set on..But the thoughts of wrestling with those tires again and at  4-5 k intervals vice the 10 k I isn't something I look forward too as I prefer to do them myself and inspect for rust, spoke and tape wear .I need a tire stretcher..

[jartist]

The k70s go on and off MUCH easier than the Avons. The Enfield people didn't skimp on the Avons. They are good tires designed for long wear which makes them hard. No matter what the tread design there's always a tradeoff between long life or sticky grip. I'm only going to get 3500 miles till my rear k70 is bald. I can't find a good compromise tire that fits the 19" so it's changing tires every other oil change for now. That's alot of rubber to the landfill though.

[GreenMachine]

Jartist: Yes I've hear that they go on easier...3500 miles and shot..I bet they are sticky and ride great...Looks like your chain gets adjusted every 3500 miles too..

[barenekd]

I have a guy that changes my tire for $15 if I take the wheel off. I can handle that every 3500 rear, 7000 front. As long as the good ol' K70s keep the rubber side down, I'm happy.
Bare

[GreenMachine]

Bare: Good price. I had  a wild hair and decided to play WWF for a few hours..Guess the k70 aren't as stiff in the side walls and slip on better which isn't something to knock..GM

[barenekd]

Back in the day, when I could change a tube in under five minutes with the bike laying on its side in the desert, I didn't mind tire changing. I'm too old and weak for that business any more. I can still do the front ones, but the rear is just too much!
I have to settle with "my guy"! Now all I have to do is teach him that the red dot goes by the valve stem!
Bare