Probably almost made a mistake

My 85 Kawa ZN700 needs a new tire before inspection next month. I saw this Pirelli Sport Demon 130/90-16 Rear Tire on ebay for $99.95 which is about 2/3 of new price. Looking closely at the photos revealed a 4311 build date. So, I thought I could get it cheap and bid $60. They came back with 94.95 and I bid $30 and they came back with $89.95 which I rejected. Probably way too old,7 1/2 yrs, to be buying anyway. The existing rear tire on my bike was 5 years old when it was delivered from Motorcycle Superstores and it was installed in 2010. So, it is now 14 yrs old. It's a Metzler Lazertec which is a sport bike tire and it has amazing grip but only lasted 4k miles over 9 yrs. The bike is 500lbs with 74hp and I do love to turn up the wick. Grip is the most important aspect of motorcycle tires to me. So, I suppose I'll be looking for a newish tire, maybe a Bridgestone BT45.

I'm not a fan of old tires. Matter of fact, I won't ride on anything older than 8 years. They start getting hard, and lose grip. And riding on 2 wheels is not worth saving a few bucks on. I would have been disappointed if I bought a tire from Motorcycle Superstore that was 5 years old. I have my local store order them, they usually will match internet prices (then stick me on the install, lol)

I'd grab one of these = https://www.ebay.com/itm/130-90-16-Shinko-712-Rear-Tire/332581065971?epid=171119424&hash=item4d6f6054f3:g:76kAAOSwpWBaoubR&frcectupt=true

, spoon er on and be riding the back wheel of that scoot faster then you could say "why did I even consider putting a 7 1/2 year old shoe on this sweetheart" Sky!! Them Shinks are AWESOME tires and for the price (with free shipping) is outstanding!!

I second the Shinko tires. Put two on my RSMV (because Puc said to:whistling:) and they are great.

I second the Shinko tires. Put two on my RSMV (because Puc said to:whistling:) and they are great.

 

I did the same cause @videoarizona said to:whistling: and told Sly about it:happy34:,,, heyyyyy,,, wait a second,,, am I startin to see a pattern developing here

VR MC

I did the same cause videoarizona said to:whistling: and told Sly about it:happy34:,,, heyyyyy,,, wait a second,,, am I startin to see a pattern developing here

 

VR MC

Yes you are the missing link in the videoarizona to Sylvester conversation.

I would have been disappointed if I bought a tire from Motorcycle Superstore that was 5 years old.

Motorcycle Superstore was bought by or merged with JPCycles maybe partly due to their service or maybe just the downturn in interest in motorcycles. Evidently, re-cycles the ebay seller thinks that old Pirelli is okay to sell.

I did the same cause videoarizona said to:whistling: and told Sly about it:happy34:,,, heyyyyy,,, wait a second,,, am I startin to see a pattern developing here

 

VR MC

I put Shinkos on my 83 because Videoarizona said to as well. Love them, lots of stick

Yup, too old of a tire at any price! Tire manufacturers recommend NOT using a tire older than 6 years. This really came to light many years ago when FoMoCo installed new but aged tires on their Explorers and a few people died from tire failure accidents. 2 wheels are bad enough but 2 wheels are pretty much unforgiving with a blowout...

well, I ended up ordering a Bridgestone Battlax BT45V 130/90V-16 tire from DennisKirk since they were the cheapest on that tire. Now, I have to find my tire tools and see if I can install it. I've never installed a tire before....... I hope nobody is watching when I give it a try.

well, I ended up ordering a Bridgestone Battlax BT45V 130/90V-16 tire from DennisKirk since they were the cheapest on that tire. Now, I have to find my tire tools and see if I can install it. I've never installed a tire before....... I hope nobody is watching when I give it a try.

!!! Of course,,, a full fledged club report is in order once ya get er spooned on, balanced and wrung out on the road right brother

Installation 101:

I got a notice from ebay that the 7 1/2 yr old Pirelli sold for $90! Maybe the purchaser knows how old it is?

Today my new Bridgestone Battlax BT45 was delivered. It has a build date of 3818, a fairly new tire. I should make a video of me installing it! Probably get lots of laughs!

Today I rode the Kawasaki about 40 miles each way to the monthly retiree luncheon. On the way there, a truck stopped suddenly in front of me and I hit the brakes hard. The new BT45 rear tire broke loose, seems to me way quicker than with the replaced Metzler Lasertec. I was able to modulate the rear brake without going down. I smelled the burning rubber. The Bridgestone V rated BT45 is a dual compound rear tire with the harder compound in the center. I shoulda bought a sport bike tire. Then on the way back a rain cloud dropped it's bottom on me and I found out it doesn't grip very well in the rain either...... Oh well! Famous last words!

You can always change rear tires again. You now have experience in changing it....and to be honest, based on your comments...I agree...go back to a sport bike tire.

Sell the new dual compound tire on Ebay. Probably get most of your bux back...

Don't judge it until you have well over 100 miles on it. New tires are slick until you get them rubbed in. The BattleAxe is a good tire.

RR

Man wish we would have had advance notice on this event. I can imagine at one point "hold my beer, watch this"