Re: In 2023 what is the best tire for our W650?
I totally agree with the Sport Demons. I’ve had BT45’s on my W650 and they were completely adequate, but replaced them with the Pirelli’s at my last tire change. The Sport Demons weren’t particularly hard to mount or balance, but the best thing for me is their handling. I took my Dub to the track last summer (slow class, for sure!) so they saw “the ton” every lap. They felt great! No issues at lean or transitions, I just felt confident with them.
I run 33F 36R psi normally, though lower for the track as tires get really hot and gain pressure at sustained higher speeds. No need for tire warmers, the Sport Demons are a street tire and while they don’t have the ultimate traction of track tires, they also aren’t finicky about tire warmth.
My 2 cents. And: Hi Ruari!!
Vr, Dan
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Re: In 2023 what is the best tire for our W650?
Hi Bob - photo is from my BT46 front, not new Road Classic that I got at cost.? I think the stamp said 2019 or 2020 on the BT - can't recall but it's been swapped out in any case
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Re: In 2023 what is the best tire for our W650?
Read the age code on the side of the tire.?? Maybe you got them at cost because they already were aging.
On Wednesday, March 29, 2023 at 03:25:53 PM PDT, drewwils via groups.io <drewwils@...> wrote:
I had BT46s but I'm trying out Road Classics. Not happy with cracking on my front BT46 after less than a year. Luckily I got the Road Classics at cost so that helped. The 120/90 is normally about $212 on many sites.? 
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Re: In 2023 what is the best tire for our W650?
I had BT46s but I'm trying out Road Classics. Not happy with cracking on my front BT46 after less than a year. Luckily I got the Road Classics at cost so that helped. The 120/90 is normally about $212 on many sites.? 
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Re: In 2023 what is the best tire for our W650?
Yeah, I vaguely recall checking the Avon Tires site - or was it “Tyres?” - (I run 190s btw not stock) and finding that for the T Bonneville they said around there. Seems consistent with your Triumph Ratters!
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On Mar 29, 2023, at 12:30 PM, jseconds77@... wrote:
?Ruari,
No worries! I'm a light weight for sure! These were recommended pressures from my mechanic pal and from riders over at TriumphRat group. Their Bonnie reissues were similar size and specs of our Ws and they recommended the pressures as well.
Lower pressures I'm not used to and higher felt too hard on my bum. What I have been running and even with the previous BT tires works best for me.
Longevity and safety are my tire priorities. Don't need super sporty now based on where I live; wide flat stretches of roads. Every now and then, I will wind it up for a few moments of speed but def not consistently.
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Re: In 2023 what is the best tire for our W650?
Ruari,
No worries! I'm a light weight for sure! These were recommended pressures from my mechanic pal and from riders over at TriumphRat group. Their Bonnie reissues were similar size and specs of our Ws and they recommended the pressures as well.
Lower pressures I'm not used to and higher felt too hard on my bum. What I have been running and even with the previous BT tires works best for me.
Longevity and safety are my tire priorities. Don't need super sporty now based on where I live; wide flat stretches of roads. Every now and then, I will wind it up for a few moments of speed but def not consistently.
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Re: In 2023 what is the best tire for our W650?
If I might be so bold, how much do you weigh without riding gear, jseconds77? ?Interested in your tire pressures. I did something similar with my Avon Roadriders, I think IIRC 32F and 36 R. I was 205lbs then.?
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I have used the BT45 and Pirelli Sport Demons
The BTs worked fine; able to handle high speeds and no wobble. Got caught twice in very heavy rain and they handled well. Rear tire did 8,000 mi. Maybe could have done slightly more but user error with inflation led to some spots of center tread causing doubts. Hey, we all make mistakes.
The Pirelli tires easily 'out ride' me! I have broken the ton twice on them and they keep the bike planted! Where I live now; wide, flat, humid....I think the center tread is probably incorrect application now. Mounted 6,000 mi ago however, bike was not ridden for 5 months before it was shipped so I don't count the 6k miles as consistently ridden miles. If this makes sense?
I run them 34-36 PSI F and no more than 38 PSI rear. Feels good to me!
The Pirelli tires are quieter than the Bridgestones. I'm trying to prolong the life as long as I can, tires are costly and new $$$ responsibilities now.?
I'm thinking about Michelin Road Classics next and heard very positive reviews. If that rear tire does 10,000 miles I will be beyond happy!?
I believe the Pirelli is better quality vs. Bridgestone. Real fast modern riders claim the Pirelli Sport Demon rear only does 3,000 mi. They must be rich?
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Re: In 2023 what is the best tire for our W650?
I have used the BT45 and Pirelli Sport Demons
The BTs worked fine; able to handle high speeds and no wobble. Got caught twice in very heavy rain and they handled well. Rear tire did 8,000 mi. Maybe could have done slightly more but user error with inflation led to some spots of center tread causing doubts. Hey, we all make mistakes.
The Pirelli tires easily 'out ride' me! I have broken the ton twice on them and they keep the bike planted! Where I live now; wide, flat, humid....I think the center tread is probably incorrect application now. Mounted 6,000 mi ago however, bike was not ridden for 5 months before it was shipped so I don't count the 6k miles as consistently ridden miles. If this makes sense?
I run them 34-36 PSI F and no more than 38 PSI rear. Feels good to me!
The Pirelli tires are quieter than the Bridgestones. I'm trying to prolong the life as long as I can, tires are costly and new $$$ responsibilities now.?
I'm thinking about Michelin Road Classics next and heard very positive reviews. If that rear tire does 10,000 miles I will be beyond happy!?
I believe the Pirelli is better quality vs. Bridgestone. Real fast modern riders claim the Pirelli Sport Demon rear only does 3,000 mi. They must be rich?
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Re: In 2023 what is the best tire for our W650?
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Re: In 2023 what is the best tire for our W650?
Michelin Road Classics - pretty good tires also!
BT46 (updated 45s) every time.
Keith W650 1999 60550miles
On 29/03/2023 17:49, J Bender wrote:
> Mine has about 15K miles on it and the back is getting a bit thin so I
> want to get a set. I the the current ones are BT45s? So what are the
> latest recommendation?
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Re: In 2023 what is the best tire for our W650?
BT46 (updated 45s) every time.
Keith W650 1999 60550miles
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On 29/03/2023 17:49, J Bender wrote: Mine has about 15K miles on it and the back is getting a bit thin so I want to get a set. I the the current ones are BT45s? So what are the latest recommendation?
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In 2023 what is the best tire for our W650?
Mine has about 15K miles on it and the back is getting a bit thin so I want to get a set. I the the current ones are BT45s? So what are the latest recommendation? 
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BTW ? Lacquer and Varnish are two different things.?? Varnish is mainly for wood and I don't think it would stand up to the heat of an engine very long.?? Lacquer doesn't like gasoline getting on it.?? Enamel does fine that way.
However nothing seems to last forever.???
I took all the peeling coating off my my 1963 Honda years ago and did what you did.?? I polished the engine cases and left it that way.??? It could always be painted again any time if needed to make it look original.
On Tuesday, March 28, 2023 at 03:21:52 PM PDT, Ruari McLennan <ruari.mclennan@...> wrote:
Yes, polyurethane, that's the stuff I thought it was.? Lacquer remover didn't touch it.
Ruari
On Tue, Mar 28, 2023 at 8:58?AM Bob Lombardi < chiplom@...> wrote:
Polyurethane ? ? That stuff is pretty durable,? but requires special safety precautions when using.
Bob
P.S. to that: ?I tested mine years ago and determined to my satisfaction at least that the factory coating is not lacquer - it’s the stuff beginning with “poly…”
Ruari McLennan
Hi " They all do that " ?Mine is a 2006 and both external cases have peeled, so I just cleaned them, then polished them with Autosol , then sprayed with furniture polish , still look good years later ! Too much grief to re-lacquer ! [ unless you're doing? a " rebuild " ] regards Derek UK
Hi all,
For some reason relatively all of the varnish on the engine sides and even the metal bevel cover started cracking and coming off. Reckon some cleaning agent must have attacked it. Ive seen some badly oxidized w650s and wondered if there was any success in preventing that? Or re-vsrnish simehow without disassembly?
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Yes, polyurethane, that's the stuff I thought it was.? Lacquer remover didn't touch it.
Ruari
On Tue, Mar 28, 2023 at 8:58?AM Bob Lombardi < chiplom@...> wrote:
Polyurethane ? ? That stuff is pretty durable,? but requires special safety precautions when using.
Bob
P.S. to that: ?I tested mine years ago and determined to my satisfaction at least that the factory coating is not lacquer - it’s the stuff beginning with “poly…”
Ruari McLennan
Hi " They all do that " ?Mine is a 2006 and both external cases have peeled, so I just cleaned them, then polished them with Autosol , then sprayed with furniture polish , still look good years later ! Too much grief to re-lacquer ! [ unless you're doing? a " rebuild " ] regards Derek UK
Hi all,
For some reason relatively all of the varnish on the engine sides and even the metal bevel cover started cracking and coming off. Reckon some cleaning agent must have attacked it. Ive seen some badly oxidized w650s and wondered if there was any success in preventing that? Or re-vsrnish simehow without disassembly?
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Polyurethane ? ? That stuff is pretty durable,? but requires special safety precautions when using.
Bob
On Tuesday, March 28, 2023 at 08:44:55 AM PDT, Ruari McLennan <ruari.mclennan@...> wrote:
P.S. to that: ?I tested mine years ago and determined to my satisfaction at least that the factory coating is not lacquer - it’s the stuff beginning with “poly…”
Hi " They all do that " ?Mine is a 2006 and both external cases have peeled, so I just cleaned them, then polished them with Autosol , then sprayed with furniture polish , still look good years later ! Too much grief to re-lacquer ! [ unless you're doing? a " rebuild " ] regards Derek UK
Hi all,
For some reason relatively all of the varnish on the engine sides and even the metal bevel cover started cracking and coming off. Reckon some cleaning agent must have attacked it. Ive seen some badly oxidized w650s and wondered if there was any success in preventing that? Or re-vsrnish simehow without disassembly?
|
P.S. to that: ?I tested mine years ago and determined to my satisfaction at least that the factory coating is not lacquer - it’s the stuff beginning with “poly…”
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
Hi " They all do that " ?Mine is a 2006 and both external cases have peeled, so I just cleaned them, then polished them with Autosol , then sprayed with furniture polish , still look good years later ! Too much grief to re-lacquer ! [ unless you're doing? a " rebuild " ] regards Derek UK
Hi all,
For some reason relatively all of the varnish on the engine sides and even the metal bevel cover started cracking and coming off. Reckon some cleaning agent must have attacked it. Ive seen some badly oxidized w650s and wondered if there was any success in preventing that? Or re-vsrnish simehow without disassembly?
|
Hi " They all do that " ?Mine is a 2006 and both external cases have peeled, so I just cleaned them, then polished them with Autosol , then sprayed with furniture polish , still look good years later ! Too much grief to re-lacquer ! [ unless you're doing? a " rebuild " ] regards Derek UK
Hi all,
For some reason relatively all of the varnish on the engine sides and even the metal bevel cover started cracking and coming off. Reckon some cleaning agent must have attacked it. Ive seen some badly oxidized w650s and wondered if there was any success in preventing that? Or re-vsrnish simehow without disassembly?
|
Hi all,
For some reason relatively all of the varnish on the engine sides and even the metal bevel cover started cracking and coming off. Reckon some cleaning agent must have attacked it. Ive seen some badly oxidized w650s and wondered if there was any success in preventing that? Or re-vsrnish simehow without disassembly?
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Re: Has this W650 been lowered?
Wheels appear to be stock, but the tank looks a bit boxier—maybe an old KZ tank or something aftermarket.
John H. in Omaha
--
John H. in Omaha
2000 W650
2006 Vino 125
1981 CT110 “The Goin’ Postie Bike!”
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Re: Has this W650 been lowered?
Try Dunlop K70s for a classic look. Size would be 4:00-18 and 3:50-19 back and front. They wear well and handle the W650s performance well enough. Not bad on the green lanes either. Don in Niagara
Agreed on all counts… reasonably priced, too!
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Ruari McLennan
Jeffrey Alexander