tires on my 1987 se lemans V

[motorhead]

hi to all,

need to put a new set of tires on my bike. i'm running conti's tkv. they don't seem to perform well in the corners.thinking of trying another brand. i also have an 18 inch wheel on the front......this could be a big factor! maybe someone could suggest the right size rubber

thanks

 

[mwest]

I have a 16 inch wheel on the front of mine but FWIW, I started with Metzeler lasertecs in stock sizes. I found it to be difficult to ride in tight curves. Took a lot of effort to put into a corner but very solid once you got it there.

The rear wore out at 3k and I put an Avon Roadrider on it. it was like a totally different bike. So much easier to initiate turns. Still have the Metz on the front and I really like this combo.

 

[Will]

I tried various tyres on my MkV & those Conti TKVs were the best of all........until I fitted Bridgestone BT45s. They felt much stickier and gave a really confident feel. They also lasted a bit longer than the Contis. I was really impressed & wouldn't hesitate to use them again.

 

[double.d]

The last set i put on were Michilin Mac 50's and they are very good. But i have the 16" front.

 

[guzzibob]

Depends on what you want, how you ride. Ridden hard in the twisties, you cannot possibly beat Pirelli Sport Demons, wonderful feel & stick. I know lots of aggressive riders who feel that way. However, they will be toast in 3-4000 miles. I demand much more mileage than that on my T3 & 1000S which have gone on many a long trip. They are both Tonti frames like yours, the 1000S essentially a LM V with a great paint job. I use Michelin Macadams on both, & get about 6k front, 8k rear, & find them plenty good for moderately spirited riding-but by no means as good as Sport Demons if that is what you demand. I've used Avon Roadriders, found them roughly equivelent to Macadams in stick & feel, but with about 20% less mileage. Sometimes can't get the Macadams in the stock sizes I want, Roadriders will do then. Tried Bridgestones once, hated them, also Dunlop GT501's OK but not great mileage (4000 rear).

Stock sizes 100/90-18 front, 120/90-18 rear. Most (inc me) feel it is best to rsist the temptation to go to bigger sizes on the relatively narrow rims these come with. Will only slow down the steering which is slow enough as it is, plus bow out the tires so they tend to wear out quicker down the center, with little or no gain in return.

Oh, & the SE was a LM IV, not V. So you may have a LM IV SE, or a LM V, or maybe a LM IV standard-but not a LM V SE-no such animal. The SE had the red/white paint job, close ratio gear box (a mixed blessing around town) & a few other goodies. This per Guzziology, & my memory from the time.

 

[Andy in NZ]

FWIW I use Metzler Lasertecs 100/90 front and 120/90 rear.
I find them very predicatable and stable on our coarse chip roads here in NZ. A smooth patch of seal here is where the trucks have pushed the chip away on hot days.

They get plenty of scratching around corners and have yet to fail me wet or dry. I still get to scrape and grind around corners as required without requiring a change of underwear. They are pretty easy to get hold of as old school Beemers tend to have a range that uses the same size so in our town the BMW dealers always has them on the shelf.

Happy choosing
Andy in NZ