Tires CAR Tires Spreadsheet

Tires

 

There are obviously so many tire manufacturers that the idea of replacement can seem a daunting task.

The V Star 1300 is equipped with a rear tire has two direct replacements according to BoB on the VStar

1300 RIders Forum (March 2008) and that is the Dunlop K555 or Bridgestone/Excedra G722 G in

170/70/16 sizing. The front tire has direct replacements in many manufacturers in 130/90/16. Both

are "H" rated tires having a maximum speed rating of 130mph.

 

A popular replacement shared often among riders posting on the V Star 1300 forum

is the Metzeler ME880 Marathon in size 180/70/16. The Parts Unlimited dealer's listing

advertises this fitment as a STAGE 1 UPGRADE. There have been no issues with

moving to a 180 width tire though mounting on the XVS1300's 4.5" wide rim WILL change

the profile of the wider tire. Two other replacements that I've heard done were with

Avon Venom R and also the Dunlop E3 radial, also in the 180/70 sizing.

 

This sort of substitution on a sport bike would probably be shunned due to the aggressive

yet delicate control needed in high-speed cornering maneuvers. Expect your dealer to

give you his required disclaimer per Yamaha Motor Company about off sizing tires.

 

Mounted on the V Star 1300 cruiser the many riders who have made this change

find that there are no noticeable negative effects.

 

See some of the offerings from other tire manufacturers below:

 

Avon, Bridgestone, Continental, Dunlap, Kenda, Michelin

 

 

 

 

CAR Tires

 

 

Putting automobile tires on a motorcycle is called "Going to the Dark Side". Many have done this with great success.

One of our chapter members has a car tire on his Stratoliner and swears by it.

He said he was tired of paying $300.00 every 3 months for a new tire and mounting.

I've also seen several web sites demonstrating car tires on other brands of motorcycles.

 

Are the motorcycles safe using car tires? I have no idea, only second-hand information. However, those that are using them

seem to have no issues. I understand that the only major handling difference is in cornering (what did you expect?).

They say the car tire wants to straighten back up and you have to hold it in the turn. They also say it's like riding a different bike;

you get used to it quickly.

 

Personally, I'd like to try it. Unfortunately, there are no 16" tires in the correct size for the 1300 available in the US. In Europe and Australia there are numerous

175/75R16 and 185/75R16 tires made by Goodyear, Toyo, Michelin, Firestone, etc. For some reason they are not available here.

I assume that the cars that run those tires are not imported to the states.

I have found one source for tires for antique autos. These tires are only H speed rated, though.

http://www.dbtires.com./diamondback16inchradials.htm.

 

Since I first posted this we have had a brave soul test a Dunlop Sport 5000 195/60-R16 tire on his 1300. He has nothing but praise for

the way the bike handles and performs with that tire. That's what I'm going to do when my current tire wears out.

 

 

Spreadsheet

 

 

 Here's an interesting spreadsheet I've started:

. Type Brand Price Width Profile Mfg Rim Size Width on 4.5" Rim Mfg MAX Mfg MAX Dia Change Speed Type Vendor Mfg Width Mfg Dia Speedo Error . MC Dunlop K555   170 70 4.5 170 170 170 0 H Bias   170 25.37 0% . MC Dunlop D251   180 70 5 175 176 171 0.65 H Bias   6.92 26.02 -2.56% . MC Dunlop D251   200 60 6 185 209 194 0.02 H Bias   8.23 25.39 -0.08% . MC Bridgestone Exedra G722   170 70 4.5 170 173 173 -0.07 H Bias   6.8 25.3 0.28% . MC Dunlop D250   180 60 5 175 179 174 -0.56 H Radial   7.04 24.81 2.21% . MC Avon Venom R $165 180 70 5 175 175 170 0.77 H Radial Parts411.com 175 26.14 -3.04% . MC Avon Venom R   200 60 5.5 190 197 187 0.57 V Radial   197 25.94 -2.25% . MC Metzler ME880 $170 180 70 5 175 178 173 0.77 H Radial Parts411.com 178 26.14 -3.04% . MC Metzler ME880   200 60 5.5 190 197 187 0.57 V Radial   197 25.94 -2.25% .                                 . CAR Dunlop SP Sport 5000 $113 195 60 6 180 201 186 -0.17 H Radial TireRack.com 7.9 25.2 0.67% . CAR Various $150 195 55 6 180 201 186 -0.97 V Radial TireRack.com 7.9 24.4 3.82% . CAR Sumitomo HTR+ $68 205 60 6 190 206 191 0.33 V Radial TireRack.com 8.1 25.7 -1.3% . CAR Michelin Pilot Primacy $139 205 60 6.5 185 216 196 0.13 V Radial TireRack.com 8.5 25.5 -0.51% . CAR Kumho Ecsta LX $107 205 65 6 190 205.74 190.74 1.13 V Radial TireRack.com 8.1 26.5 -4.45% .                                 . CAR Classic Radial $119 175 60 4 180 170.18 175.18 -1.07 H Radial Diamond Back 6.7 24.3 4.22% . CAR Classic Radial $124 175 75 4 180 175.26 180.26 1.03 H Radial Diamond Back 6.9 26.4 -4.06% . CAR Classic Radial $129 185 75 4.5 185 182.88 182.88 1.73 H Radial Diamond Back 7.2 27.1 -6.82% . CAR Classic Radial $134 195 75 5 190 193.04 188.04 2.33 H Radial Diamond Back 7.6 27.7 -9.18% .                                 .     Notes:                           .     Speed Ratings: in order Q100, R106, S112, T118, U,H130, V/VB149, W166, ZR148