Triumphrat

hilobemagical · 10-29-2012, 04:06 PM

My 2011 T100 is currently stock and I'd like to get some better tires that I can grow into. I've read enough of the tire threads here to know that what's offered in stock sizing is limited but that I can go up on size and have a much better selection of more sport-oriented tires. Beyond that I get confused at some of the mix-and-match solutions I've read about and would think there should be a matched set of great sport tires that can be accommodated by the stock rims.

Stock setup specs on the current tires:

Front- 100 / 90-19 M/C 57H; Rear- 130 / 80 R 17 M/C 65H
Front Wheel- 36-spoke, 19 x 2.5in.; Rear Wheel- 40-spoke, 17 x 3.5in.

What sizes can I look at to get a matched set of better tires using these same rims? Thanks.

( And if I've just missed the master thread where all this is explained, just point me in the right direction.

)

All the best,
Hilo

hilobemagical · 10-30-2012, 10:16 PM

<head scratch>
Did I do something wrong?
</head scratch>

Hlo

killian101 · 10-30-2012, 11:27 PM

No, not really. The topic has been disused, at times, ad nauseum. Keep your front stock, 140/80 or 90/17 will work just fine. Some folks are moving up to 150...I run 140/80/17 and what ever stock up front it. Sport Demons are a nice choice

hilobemagical · 10-31-2012, 12:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by killian101

Keep your front stock, 140/80 or 90/17 will work just fine. Some folks are moving up to 150...I run 140/80/17 and what ever stock up front it. Sport Demons are a nice choice

Thank you. Appreciate it.

Hilo

PAAS · 10-31-2012, 04:55 AM

The problem with getting a matched pair of sport oriented (generally radial) tyres for the T100 is the wheel sizes. Not many are available in a 19" for the front and the rear is too narrow for anything over a 140. Although plenty of people use a 150 on the rear, the only 150 I've seen that is actually recommended by the manufacturer for a 3.5" rim is the Dunlop GT501. As Killian said, Sport Demons are a sporty (bias ply) tyre that work well and are available in suitable sizes, but they wear quickly.

henrys · 10-31-2012, 07:02 AM

I used to run a 140/80 on the rear but I didn't like the way it made the bike handle. It raised the rear of the bike which seemed to make it "twitchy" in high speed corners. I've since gone back to the stock size and it seems better. Others have used a larger rear tire with success though so your mileage may vary. If I were going with a 140 or 150 on the back I'd drop the sidewall down to a 70 series to keep the overall tire diameter down a bit.

hilobemagical · 10-31-2012, 09:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PAAS

The problem with getting a matched pair of sport oriented (generally radial) tyres for the T100 is the wheel sizes. Not many are available in a 19" for the front and the rear is too narrow for anything over a 140.

Yes. Exactly the why I posted the original. I really do understand the reason for Killian101's "ad nauseum" comment. As sigh-inducing as another thread on this topic must have been for the long-time members here, it was equally frustrating to read the several dozen threads on the topic (and then go download spec PDFs from manufacturers), and not find a solution. The Michelin Road 3 spec sheet, for example, lists a 110-19 available for the 2-1/2" rim on the front but doesn't offer a 140 for the rear. The Road 2s don't offer a 19" front at all. Well... crap. One of the most-acclaimed brand models in the threads seems unavailable for the T100.

So, another look, and I find the Michelin Pro Activs are available in both sizes for the T100, but now were back to bias-ply instead of radial.

Quote:

Originally Posted by PAAS

As Killian said, Sport Demons are a sporty (bias ply) tyre that work well and are available in suitable sizes, but they wear quickly.

Yes; it is seeming that bias ply is the only option given the T100's sizing limitations. I'll take a look at the SDs.

Quote:

Originally Posted by henrys

If I were going with a 140... on the back I'd drop the sidewall down to a 70 series to keep the overall tire diameter down a bit.

Henrys, I hadn't considered the height increase on the rear with a 140. Thanks for a very useful rec on the 70 profile.

I appreciate the three of you trying to help with this. Thanks.

All the best,
Hilo

mikeinva · 10-31-2012, 07:36 PM

One more thing if you go to 140/80 its changes gearing about a 1/2 tooth up front the 140 /80 on stock wheels gives a very round tread on the ground going in a stright line so stright line traction goes down some .I run the 150/70 gt501 on the rear of mine.I like it better then the 140/80 s.d. I had before.

rodhotter · 10-31-2012, 07:43 PM

the 140-70 is very close to stock diameter and works on our stock 17" rear rim, be aware of incorrect rim to tire sizing distorts the tread. having bigger rims will open up your choices. on my sportster i used 18x3.5 front allowing use of 120-70-18 mich radial on the rear 18x4.25 allowing a 160-60 mich radial, both are sport touring tires that handle well and last a fair amount. depends on your $$$, my sporty needed wider trees, i was looking at pirelli diablo II's radials when the time comes, winter is near so riding will be little, unfortunately

hilobemagical · 11-01-2012, 04:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rodhotter

the 140-70 is very close to stock diameter and works on our stock 17" rear rim, be aware of incorrect rim to tire sizing distorts the tread. having bigger rims will open up your choices...

Thank you. I'll be keeping the stock rims so the 140-70 will be it for the rear. Referring back to the OP, I think I'm getting from these replies that even though I'm increasing the width of the front and rear by 10mm over stock, I'm still limited to bias ply... correct?

Hilo