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Tires-radial vs non-radial

pano

pano

Forum Mentor
Past Site Supporter
TGSR Superstar
What is the distiction as to when you can and cannot use a radial tire?

I always ordered tires by size and stuck with the same model and brands for years so I never gave it much thought.

Do they not fit our older rims?


Thanks
 
radial tires of the same size as bias ply tires require a wider rim to keep the sidewalls straighter. Generally you'll need at least a 3" wide rim to run radials, but the latest 160 rear radials will require a 4 1/2"+ rim width. 180 rear tires require a 5" to 5 1/2" rim.
 
You probably won't find radials sized for our bikes. Radials for bikes weren't around when our bikes were designed. Newer bikes were designed with radial technology in mind, hence the wider wheels. The only way to use radials on our bikes is to replace front ends and swingarms to allow wider wheels necessary for radials.

Joe
 
You might want to look around though because I know that6 on the Sag/Mag site there have been quite a few people that have had good luck in fitting radials to Honda V-65 Sabres. The front was a 110/90-18 and the rear was a 130/90-17. An exact replacement isn't available but people have had good luck with Front: Dunlop D205 110/80/zr18 and a Rear: 140/80/zr17 there may be something similar that will work on at least some of the GSs.


action-smiley-083.gif
 
One of my GS 1150's & my Honda CB 1100 F are fitted with radials, & I'm still trying to find any differences in them & the bias ply tires. I have Metzler ME Z 1's & ME Z 2's. Unlike automotible radials, they don't seem to grip any better, they don't last any longer, the sidewalls are just as stiff as the bias ply sidewalls, & prices aren't much different than an equal bias ply. Metzler has discontinued my sizes. so I'm fix'n to try a set of Dunlap 205's. Got the pair for less than $200, including shipping from mawonline.com. Didn't find stock sizes, but one size wider on both ends.
 
I've had great luck with the Dunlop 205 on the back of my 1150, but that's with the 3.5 inch wheel, not sure how it would work on a 3 inch wheel
 
The 205 rear seems to fit the 3'' rim fairly well on the wifes 1150. The profile seems much flatter than the bias Pirelli Dragon 140/80/17. The Pirelli definetely needs the 3.5'' rim but the Dunlop looks like contact could be made to the edge if the stator/peg/ or kickstand hinge don't touch first, but probably will.

As far as ride comfort goes, I found a noticable difference between bias rears and radials. The bias is harsh. The radial soaked up the bumps noticably more. The grip is equal though between the old MEZ2 and the Dragon. The Dragon probably has better compounds than the MEZ2 did or is the replacement for it.

Thinkin about trying the 110/16 205 for the front to compliment the rear as the MEZ2 is about done.
 
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