Tires! What to wear?

[rdnNHandAZ]

I need a front tire for my 1959 R60. The rear is a continental K112 in 3.50X18 and I would put on a Conti 3.50X18 RB2 on the front but it doesn't seem to be available! What is a good choice? In fact if I replace them both is there a replacement size. One vendor suggested Avon AM 26 in 100/90 on both front and back even though it doesn't look "vintage" Could I run the Avon front with the Conti back or must I change them both? The current front is a Metzler ME77 but is 4.00X18 and it barely fits between the shocks!

[schrader7032]

Past thread on tires:

http://www.vintagebmw.org/v7/node/7374

I've been running the IRC GS-11 tire on my R69S...they have worked well for me.

The R60 should take the 3.5x18 front and rear...a 4.00 on the front seems too big and will adversely affect the handling.

[Zeno Lee]

I wanted to keep the treads vintage so I had a choice of Metzler C or Heidenaus. Heidenaus are a bit cheaper so I went with that. I haven't ridden one with Metzlers so I can't compare how they are.

[Darryl.Richman]

I am running the Avons. They are a very nice tire, but they do not look vintage. They don't act vintage, either, if you really enjoy riding your bike! They are a good handling tire with lots of grip.

A friend of mine is using the Heidenaus. He was enamored of them until he rode his R69S on a local freeway with particularly sharp rain grooves. He actually pulled into the breakdown lane and got off at the next exit. He told me the bike was "uncontrollable" -- his word -- on those rain grooves. Before this experience, he told me he thought they handled well and gave good grip, but as he rides his bike routinely and won't live with this situation, he is going to change out the tires for something else, and soon.

My experience is that all of the vintage looking tires, including things like the Metzeler ME-33s and ME-77s, squirm to some extent on this particular freeway (CA-85 in the SF Bay Area). The Avons don't exhibit this behavior. I suspect it is the lack of longitudinal sipes that eliminates the problem.

[miller6997]

I shifted from Metzelers to Avons when the Metzelers became very difficult to find. They handle well and I have been satisfied with them so far. I agree with Darryl that they are more stable in the freeway rain grooves. That is a critical factor for me. When I bought mine they were widely available and it was possible to shop for price. I think I paid about $75 per tire but would have to dig out my records to be sure.

(Metzeler ME77s can still be bought from Germany, but they don't last long so you will soon be going through the hassle of importing them all over again. The Block C, by the way, is absolutely terrible on rain grooves, so if that makes you nervous, stay away from them unless you have a side car.)

[rdnNHandAZ]

I appreciate the imput and as both the tires on my bike are about 5-6 years old and mismatched for both size and brand I guess the Avons are going on. Many of the other manufacturers are not selling the inch size so unless someone lets me know differently its going to be 100/90 X18. Thanks all.
Ralph Hudson

[schrader7032]

Why do you want to run the 100/90? The 100 means it's nearly 4 inches across...there's a lot of variability between manufacturers. The bike was designed for the 3.5 inch size tire...the 90/90 would be a closer fit.

[miller6997]

I agree. The 100/90 is too big. The 90/90 front and rear makes a very nice handling setup.

[donscoin]

If you want to stay with the vintage look, Bench Mark Works has German made tires. They are a good source for other parts also. Don

[rdnNHandAZ]

I will do the 90/90 Avons. I certainly don't want a tire as big as the 4.00 that is on the front now and without the responses I would have them too wide.

I saw the tires on Vetch's site but I am not committed to the Vintage look as my bike has had some changes like a Karcoma petcock etc. Mine wont be a restoration back to is manufacture but will have sensible upgrades if they make it more serviceable and useable but still be able to be restored if a future owner wants to. I think the better handing of the Avon tires fits that goal.

Ralph H.