Tyres for K100?

[Conquiztador]

Firstly I will admit that apart from solo speedway tyres I know very little re tyres for bikes. Have mostly ridden cruizers and dirt bikes I would often fit whatever I got my hands on and off I go.

Now I got my self a BMW K100 that runs but still is to be classified as project as she needs work. The handling is crap (OK, so they are no nimble scratchers). The suspension needs work back and front. Also steering.

But I also need a set of tyres. And will get a new set for her. After studying up on what works best I have come to the conclusion that I want Radial Ply's. And if possible a set of Bridgestone or Dunlop. But it looks like they are not made anymore. (Sizes are front: 100/90 18 and rear 130/90 17). By the tyre people I have been recommended Bridgestone Battlax BT45V.

As I am looking at $400 for the set I want to make sure that I spend the money on the right ones.

Does anyone know anything re these or is there a better option?

[Ixion]

I run a K75. I have a BT45 rear at present. It works well. I've used BT45 on many bikes with results that I consider good. But, it is quite a personal preference thing, all a matter of tradeoffs.

The BT45 is very predictable, and has excellent wet road adhesion. Tyre life is good. I will get around 20000+ km from the rear, maybe 27000 or 28000 from the front . It is definately not a sports tyre. That suits me. It may not suit you.

Prior to the BT45 I had Continentals fitted. I preferred the feel of those to the BT45 , though in other respects the BT45 is superior . TKV11 and TKV12 I think. I only switched to the BT45 because the Continentals were hard to source.

Originally it had Metzlers fitted , can't remember what but they were the OEM spec and no longer available anyway. I didn't like those too much.

But as I say, it's a very personal sort of thing.

[xgnr]

I ran Pirelli Sport Demons for 60,000kms on the K75 and found that they wore well and were predictable. Got 14-16,000km out of a rear tyre.

Drop kicked the Metzlers as they were not sticky enough in the wet.

Cheers

Stu

[Conquiztador]

I tend to ride at 110 - 140k/h and want to be able to lay her down in corners and not hang off the side. Also would like to be able to trust the grip. I am fitting progressive springs at front and looking for a upgrade to the standard shock at the back.

Re the tradeoff, where does that become influential?

[xgnr]

I tend to ride at 110 - 140k/h and want to be able to lay her down in corners and not hang off the side. Also would like to be able to trust the grip. I am fitting progressive springs at front and looking for a upgrade to the standard shock at the back.

Re the tradeoff, where does that become influential?

Well I liked the Sport Demons as I could scrape my boots and keep up with the guys on the bigger bikes with no drama's. The tyres were more capable than I was (am).

Need a decent rear shock tho' (Wilbers seem to be the choice).

[BMWST?]

I tend to ride at 110 - 140k/h and want to be able to lay her down in corners and not hang off the side.

they are quite able to do this,but its quite dependent on having the throttle open......if you slam the throttle shut they sink down on the suspension,and rise when you open the throttle,riding downhill fast with a pillion passenger requires forward planning!

[Conquiztador]

they are quite able to do this,but its quite dependent on having the throttle open......if you slam the throttle shut they sink down on the suspension,and rise when you open the throttle,riding downhill fast with a pillion passenger requires forward planning!

Yep, hense the change to progressive springs in the front. Sofar I have come to the conclusion that I have a high speed missile in a straight line, but a bitch in corners. My plan is to tame the cornering and stroke the straight line stuff.

[Motu]

I have the same front wheel on my R65....I have 2 sets of wheels,one for gravel,one for road,the road wheel is off a K100.I needed a new front tyre and battery at the same time....so opted for a cheap front tyre - got me a Kenda K671.

I'm a bit biased from my fat soft and sticky 4.00x18 Dunlop K70's - the little 90/90 at high pressures feels harsh and tippy.....I feel a little nervous entering corners where I just tossed it in on the fat front tyre.But it looks pretty well scuffed up after my 150km test ride.I have yet to try it in the wet - believe it or not it hasn't been wet enough lately....I want constant light rain,not these squally showers.

[Conquiztador]

I have the same front wheel on my R65....I have 2 sets of wheels,one for gravel,one for road,the road wheel is off a K100.I needed a new front tyre and battery at the same time....so opted for a cheap front tyre - got me a Kenda K671.

I'm a bit biased from my fat soft and sticky 4.00x18 Dunlop K70's - the little 90/90 at high pressures feels harsh and tippy.....I feel a little nervous entering corners where I just tossed it in on the fat front tyre.But it looks pretty well scuffed up after my 150km test ride.I have yet to try it in the wet - believe it or not it hasn't been wet enough lately....I want constant light rain,not these squally showers.

So if I get you right you had a 4.00x18 Dunlop K70 on the front before? And you were very happy with that one?

[Motu]

So if I get you right you had a 4.00x18 Dunlop K70 on the front before? And you were very happy with that one?

You are one of the few who might know where I'm coming from - I used to run a Kenda 3.75x19 speedway tyre on the front of my dirt track bike.The K70 was used as a dirt track tyre,and the speedway tyre is kinda similar - flexible carcase run at a low pressure so it molds to the surface,soft almost race compound rubber to give grip.So yeah,I'm really happy with my streettracker set up....but I guess some people might shit their pants if they rode it.

[Motu]

How about this K100 for some customising ideas? You mustn't of seen my thread here.....the link in my last post will show where it is.

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/sh...ad.php?t=95531

[Conquiztador]

How about this K100 for some customising ideas? You mustn't of seen my thread here.....the link in my last post will show where it is.

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/sh...ad.php?t=95531

Yep, I got stuck on that thread for 3 hours... That K100 is...well..different. Not me thou. I have this picture of a brushed steel/alloy K100 with a small faering no paint. Add spoked wheels. Probably straight laced. (Here we go again... I was buying her so I would have a bike to ride that I had no interest in making a project. I mean, what was the chance that I would even want/consider customising a old brick???) Old habits die hard.

[Motu]

I was looking at K75's before I got the R65....they go for the same price as airheads,and I was thinking,y'know....toss off a whole lot of crap,slim and trim.I'm sure they could be turned into a more aggressive bike to suit me....but still too much weight.

[Conquiztador]

I was looking at K75's before I got the R65....they go for the same price as airheads,and I was thinking,y'know....toss off a whole lot of crap,slim and trim.I'm sure they could be turned into a more aggressive bike to suit me....but still too much weight.

Yep, heavy. I am considering lifting some weights. Or perhaps scoring some steroids...

[BMWST?]

yes....a k100 rs had tiny narrow bars....seriuos countersteering is required,all the while keeping inputs smooth as poss....I loved my flyin brick....