Sport tyre for Honda VF500F?

[johan]

G'day!

I have a Honda VF500F '86 sitting in the garage. :blink:

I'm looking for a sport tyre for this machine. I have no idea what's out there, does anyone know?

The ones that are currently fitted are new, but has a very flat profile (Pirelli Route). I'd like something closer to the 180/55 profile I'm using on the other track bike (obviously a completely different dimension/tyre).

I'd like to try this machine on the track, so a sporty road tyre would be sweet.

Front Wheel
100/90-16

Rear wheel
110/90-18

Any ideas?

[vifferman]

It's a tricky one. When I had my VF500, the only front tyre that worked really well was the Metzeler ME33. I tried a more sporty Dunlop, and it was shit.
Can't help with the rear - I had an IRC which was awful, followed by an Avon which was too hard (I could even slide it with the meagre power the VF produced!). But at least the rear tyres are a more common size, so they shouldn't be such a problem.

[johan]

It looks like I can get Metzeler Lasertec for this bike. That might be a good option!?

[vifferman]

It looks like I can get Metzeler Lasertec for this bike. That might be a good option!?
It's been 10 years since I had my VF, so I dunno. I just remember talking to the owner of the BMW shop at Mt Maunganui when I lived in Roundabouta, and he used to work for Honda and owned a VF500 or two. I took it there to have the Dunlop replaced, and he told me that the Metzeler was (at that time) the only tyre that worked well on them. The Dunlop (can't remember the model) was recommended by Cycletreads in Chch, and I didn't have a good run with it. It was a much more triangular profile compared to the ME33, and while it was OK, it didn't wear well, and I had to keep two hands on the bars, esp. down hill, as it would shake the bars like a bastard otherwise.

[johan]

I ended up getting Pirelli Sport Demon from Motomart:

http://www.pirellityre.com/web/catalog/moto/moto_catalogo_schedaDescription.page?uri=/pirellityre/en_IT/browser/xml/catalog/moto/MOTO_MV_SPORTDEMON_STR.xml&vehicleType=MOTO

It has a nice round sporty profile. I'll do some riding in the weekend to try them out.

[vifferman]

Good stuff!
I'll be interested in hearing how they go.