Modern Tyres

[bl**dydrivers]

I’m currently having my hubs blasted, painted, laced and trued.

Could not be bothered doing it myself and would be quicker getting them professionally done

Thinking about tyres

It’s a 1962 BSA A10 Super Rocket

The original tyres are I believe 325x19 front and 350x19 rear
Think the originals were Avon Speedmaster’s

What’s the equivalent size for modern tyres?

Was recommended Avon Roadrider MK2
And don’t know what the modern size would be

Should I keep to the original look or go modern?

[BagONails]

Hmmm Tyres are a very personal choice I reckon but for what its worth most of us here locally are running Dunlop K70's front and back and they seem to be fine, although we are mostly riding on very warm to hot, dry tarmac. I find they feel fine when new but seem to wear quite quickly on the back and start to track white lines etc when worn.

I've heard lots of good things said about Michelin Classics but they are lower profile and look more modern, may not suit your taste.

I'm running Mitas E07 tyres on the Kwacka W800 which has spoked wheels and tubes, they have been excellent and really grip well for a compromise road/enduro style tyre. They have quite a big range of classic sizes available and very good prices.

Avons always used to be the go to brand back in the day but they're not made in England anymore and I have no experience of the recent ones.

TBH there are very few 'bad' tyres sold nowadays, and the classic old tread patterns actually work really well with the modern compounds so you would be best trying to find local opinion and see what's available in your neck of the woods to suit your conditions.

[Black Sheep]

I have found that K70s wear rapidly and the grip isn't that great. I had reluctantly switched to Roadriders and they are fine though I have always used Speedmaster/SM which has suited my BSAs very well in the past.
Have you seen the price of an SM these days, assuming you can still get one? Hence the switch to Roadriders.
P.S. the Star Twin is still on its Cheng Shin trials tyres. The handling is different but they work!

[groily]

I agree with Black Sheep about K70s, and also K71s (TT100) for that matter, in terms of rapid wear. Also agree about cost / availability of Avon SMs now but like them for the look, and they're quite grippy in more modern materials. Avon AM26 Roadriders last a lot better than Dunlops but look modern and may have a small but noticeable effect on gearing. Good grip though in the wet, I find anyway.

I snaffled a pair of classic Avon AM9 RoadRUNNERS earlier this year from Vintage Tyres for rear ends, and I am very pleased with them so far. Look 'right' on sportier bikes of the day for which they were designed and I hope will last longer than the previous K71s. (Hard to last less long to be honest!) But when I checked recently, wanting to get some more  for future needs  . . . the cupboard was bare. Maybe they'll come back.

Mitas are popular here but haven't tried them personally.
Michelin classics I don't know.

Sizes are going to be 4.10 x 19 for rears or 3.60 x 19 for fronts on standard rims I think, for tyres not described as 3.50 / 3.25.

[Klaus]

I use Heidenau K 34 and I am happy with.
Good handling and feed back.

cheers Klaus

[Catz]

What’s the equivalent size for modern tyres?

Was recommended Avon Roadrider MK2


Should I keep to the original look or go modern?

Avon Roadriders on mine. Cannot fault them.

[Angus]

Avon roadriders on the A7,did have K70's on the A10 but agree with wear comments and now have Mitas, had Mitas on the Notrun Model 7 for ages and they are good.
In the garage I have a 1980's 4.10 roadrunner, never been on a bike, it is still soft and I keep being told to use that, maybe this year 

[Billybream]

Have a pair of Mitas European Classic Tyres 325-19 HO1 & 350X19 H02 on my Super Rocket, been on a couple of years now, decent grip and ride and half the price of the equivalent Dunlop or Avon

[fffcycles]

I use Heidenau K34 on my older BSA’s and swear by the Avon mkII tires for my Norton’s. Have Michelin Classic on a few other older machines they have worked well. Agreed,  tire type and use are a very personal preference.
Frank

[Rex]

Ahhh, a good "what tyre" thread. Nearly up there with "what oil" threads in their ability to go on and on.
For cost and performance, I don't think Mitas can be beaten for a good all-rounder, though the ST has Avons.

[Worty]

100/90-19 57H TL Kenda K761 on the back of the GF.  Universal tread and sticks really well.

Have a couple of Kendas on the Kwaka too - absolutely spot on although can't attest to wear rate at present (good prices too).  Generally, I get about 5,000m out of a rear and around 12,000 out of a front.

[RDfella]

Used Speedmaster on the front & K70 on the rear for decades (several bikes) but K70's wear out a bit quick, so have been using 4.10 roadrunners. Need one for my latest bike, but they seem to have stopped production. Like everything else, progress is backwards .....

[berger]

years ago mine ran well on steel rims.

[bl**dydrivers]

I might just get Avon Speedmaster MK2 on front and Avon Safety Mileage MK2 on the rear, see how it feels while getting to know the bike and then make a decision to go for the more modern like Avon Roadrider MK2

[Worty]

Had good results with a Roadrider on the back.  What does 'Safety Mileage' mean, always had a suspicion of things with 'safety' on them.

Bergs, did no-one tell you, the legal limit is 1mm