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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?


 

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?


 

Michelin Road Classics - pretty good tires also!

On Wed, Mar 29, 2023 at 10:28?AM Rev <keith.kkr@...> wrote:
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?






 

BT 46, Great tires


 

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?


 

¿ªÔÆÌåÓý

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.?

Ruari

On Mar 29, 2023, at 11:28 AM, jseconds77@... wrote:

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?


 

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.


 

¿ªÔÆÌåÓý

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!

Ruari



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.


 

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.?


Bob Lombardi
 

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.?


 
Edited

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


 

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


 

Dear ¡°Ton Up Dan,¡±

¡°Slow class? ¡°...saw the ton every lap???¡±¡± On a Dub?!?!

The Sport Demons sound good! Thanks! And for more reassurance on the rough tire pressure debate...

Hi to you too and I hope to see you & R. this summer!

Ruari

On Mar 30, 2023, at 9:12 AM, Dan Muir via groups.io <djmuir22152@...> wrote:

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





 

After the originals wore out, I've always had Bridgestone Spitfires on my W650. I can't recall how often I've replaced them. They seem to work pretty well and the price is reasonable.


 

Can anyone identify these tires?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tSIcETNZvTw


 

They seem to be Firestone deluxe champion widely used in cafe racer builds... Bot not sure as there are some similar tires as it is an old design.?

A sexta, 21/04/2023, 09:29, fardoost via <fardoost=[email protected]> escreveu:

Can anyone identify these tires?


 

Fardoost,

I believe those are either Coker-Firestone Champion Deluxes or Shinko 270s. I¡¯ve been eyeballing a set for my next replacements. Neither are what most of us might consider a superior performance tire.?

The Shinko 270 is the way we I am leaning based on handling reviews comparing those two tires. (Cornering, braking, and wet riding.) That said, nearly any modern tire from your favorite big tire maker will outperform them in most areas, except looks, for most styles of riding.

--
John H. in Omaha
2000 W650
2006 Vino 125
1981 CT110 ¡°The Goin¡¯ Postie Bike!¡±


 

I fit a slightly larger 110/90 x 19 on front and a 140/80 x 18 on rear. The higher/wider profile makes the bike handle and look better plus there is a slight up gearing. I use an adventure-style pattern.?
Safe riding Pete

Virus-free.

Den fre. 21. apr. 2023 kl. 21.29 skrev Joao P Carvalhinho <joao.carvalhinho@...>:

They seem to be Firestone deluxe champion widely used in cafe racer builds... Bot not sure as there are some similar tires as it is an old design.?

A sexta, 21/04/2023, 09:29, fardoost via <fardoost=[email protected]> escreveu:
Can anyone identify these tires?


 

John,

Have you lowered your W?


 

Mine had Shinko 230 road masters when I bought it, they were great so I bought them again but I don¡¯t really love the front tire as it tracks in groves in the road. Wondering if I put on a good take off tire from my BMW1200GS and see how it feels. It¡¯s a Shinko 705 with lots log life left ini it. Maybe it will track better and I think the adventure type tire would look good on it as I have a set of scrambler pipes on her. It¡¯s a 110/80/19 so only marginally wider.?