Tyre Advice

Could someone recommend some good all year round tyres for the 91 xj600

Front: 90/90-18, Rear:110/90-18

 

I'd have a look at some Bridgestone Battlax tyres.

 

Bridgestone BT45

 

Maxxis make some fair budget tyres.

 

I like the Avon tire.

 

Dunlop 404 works good for the 750

 

Round, black, and new.
Aside from that we need to know what sort of riding you normally do and what the roads are like.

 

Roads in Antrim will be generally good - it's in Northern Ireland.

 

We've got 130/80 on the rear.

 

On an xj600?

 

Budget? On a bike, no way, stickiest I can get in the right size.
On four wheels you can take the gamble - every time I have, I've been disappointed. Disappointed in a car means your arse twitches, or you draw a breath, correct things and carry on. On a bike you're skidding down the road. No thanks.

 

Windey, black and often wet...

 

The best kind then.

 

Hmm I don't mean that in bad way.. they are still a decent tyre - better that a RoadRider I had where the walls crack after 3 years (I don't ride enough to wear them out!). .

 

My Pirelli Demon tyres had cracking on the sidewalls too.

 

The date code should be observed. Tires could be years old before being sold to the customer.
I was going to suggest Pirelli Sport Demons but it looks like they don't even offer the 90/90-18.
Bridgestone Battlax BT45 are a sound choice and it looks like the newer BT46 might even be better.
I believe the 46 replaces the 45, vendors are still offering both though.

 

I will be using it all year round regardless of conditions apart from ice as a commuter and a bit if B road fun at the weekends

 

The above mentiond tires I agree with. You mght alos look into the Kenda Retroactive. I have not tried them yet, but I have been very pleased with the K671, and the Retroactive is supposed to have a profile that gives a larger contact patch for bikes of our era.

 

Yup and tubeless.
Even had 140/70 with innertube on the rat, no problem.

 

I have Heidenau tyres fitted on the XJ now but bike is not on the road yet.

 

I'm using Mitas E-08. They are just fine in the wet and offroad.
After 4K of stiff (autobahn) riding and lots of mountaincorners there's still a lot of thread left.
No need to change them for the next trip.

 

I had Dunlop 404's that were on the bike when I bought it and they were fine. I replaced them with Shinko's and so far I really like them. However, at my age I'm not an aggressive rider and hardly ever see 70 mph even on the interstate. These will probably dry rot before I wear out the tread.

 

I'm using Shinko 721 on both of my Secas good price and decent performance.

 

They do. A world removed from the Cheng Shin rubbish they used to make. Maxxis is the marketing brand for the range they brought in years ago, in an effort to make people forget the trash tyres. I've worn out a fair few Maxxis on the GS.
Worst tyre I ever had the misfortune to ride in the wet was an original Cheng Shit. Even in the dry it was twitchy.

 

I prefer Dunlop D404’s.
Shinko’s are ok in dry roads and conservative riding, but I find them less grippy when wet, and a tad squirrelly for evasive maneuvering

 

You mean 712? I've got a Shinko 777 on the front and have a Shinko 230 ready to go on the rear.

 

Yes you are right

 

For more modern tire, in your size I would look at Continental Classic (Vintage) Attack, These are modern Radial tires for vintage bikes.
I checked and they make your stated sized 90/90/18" and 110/90/18" rear. These would be my choice if I needed these sizes. They also make
the classic radials in 100/90/18" frt. and 120/90/18" rear. in the US front is $155.50 and Rr is $155.26 prices are for the smaller sizes.
Cheers, 50gary

 

Plus the D404 looks boss when you white letter them with a Sharpie...IMHO.

 

Beautiful 550!!

 

I have ordered a set of the new Michelin Road Classics for my XJ900 just worn out a set of BT-46,s which were good but always liked Michelin,s

https://www.michelin.com/en/press-releases/new-michelin-road-classic-motorcycles-range/