Getting some new tires and need some help

I'm lookin to buy some new tires and I would appreciate some help. First off I would like some suggestions on good tires for an 82' Seca XJ750. I have read a lot of you suggest the BT-45's? I'm not looking to spend too much, I want the most bang for my buck. Where would be the cheapest place to get tires? And then I have to pay for balance and mounting too right?

 

Oh and what size of tire will I need, front and rear?

 

Ok Snowrider I've got the manual right in front of me and just to make it interesting there are different sizes for US & UK models.
Front 3.25H19-4PR Tubeless fronts are all the same.
Rear 130/90-16 67H Tubeless or 120/90-18 65H.
Could someone double check these for us because when I looked at the sizes I thought thats a bit odd so I went out and checked mine [an 83]and mine runs 18s at both ends.
This International stuff gets a bit confusing.
Im assuming the 16 incher is for the maxim and the 18 for the seca but it is just an assumption.

 

120/90-18 for the rear, the front should be a 110/90-19. FWIW, the local Triumph dealer i use sells tires as well. I by my stuff exclusively from them. The charge nothing to mount and balance the tire off the bike. So when you figure in your cost for a cheap tires online, add another $30 for mounting and balancing, then compare that to what it cost to buy the tire from a shop. It might be even more for mounting, i get friend pricing at my shop. I am currently running Dunlop 404's on my Seca 650. Great tires, good price. Some folks prefer the Bridgestone Battleaxes, again great tire, a bit more pricy. It all depends on what brand strikes you and what your expecatations are. The 404's will probably be toast in 2 years. I may go with 591's next. cruzerjd

 

Yeah, like I said I'm just trying to get the most bang for my buck. If I could get a few recommendations for some good tires that would be great. I think I will take your advice and buy them locally, my friend works at a shop that sells tires and also balances and mounts. They are kinda pricey though, they charge for the mount and balance but they knock off 10 bucks if you buy the tires from them (10 bucks, big woopty doo). My buddy said he could probably get me 15%-20% off though so if you guys could give me a small list of good tires(preferably ones that will last me awhile), that I could take over to him and try to find the best price I would really appreciate it!

Oh and P.S.
I live in the northwest where it rains pretty often so tires that do good in the rain are a plus.

 

Dunlop D404 and K591 are good. Bridgestone Battleax radials are good as well. If you have the dosh, metzelers are nice. The tire i replaced on my Seca 650 was an IRC Durotour which lasted me 4000 miles last summer and was looking shady when I got it. So these would be a good bet. I am a Dunlop guy on my bikes. The K491's are good wet and dry, as are the 404's. The 491's will last longer though. I had Bridgestone battlax's on my EX500, never had a problem cornering or getting traction, and they lasted me 10000 miles over a year and a half. A bit more money would get you a some GT501 's as well. Performance oriented and long lasting, About 20% more than the 404 or 491's. For an idea of pricing. DK has the 404 front for $68, ther 491 front is $86 and the 501 rear is $105. The Battleax's are $185 a pair. cruzerjd

 

after you change/balance your tires yourself, you'll wonder what all the fuss was about
use the money you save to get a little better tire

 

Agreed. If you look in my gallery you will see pics of homemade tire changing setup. HERE is where I think I stole the idea from.

I don't think you need to come up with a press to break the bead. They come pretty easy, last one I did I just used a tire iron.

 

snowridr:

I bought Battlax BT-45's (NON-radial) for my baby Seca for about $75 each (90/90-18 front and 110/90-18 rear) from Chapparal Motorsports. They offer free shipping for tire orders over $100.

The BT-45's have lasted 14,000 miles of interstate commuting. The rear is now down to the wear bars, so I'll be changing it in the next week or two. The front still has plenty of tread, but has "cupped" pretty bad, so I'm going to change it as well. (Ordering both will also get me free shipping.)

I changed and balanced them myself. A small investment in tools and supplies to start with, but that's a one-time expense.

It's not a bad job to do, and there was no way I was paying my local shop over $100 per tire for mounted cheap Chinese tires (IF I brought the wheels in off the bike).

The BT-45s have been great in the rain, and I sure can't complain about their length of service. I've never run anything else to compare them to (except the 25-year old OEM tires that were on the bike when I bought it!), so I can't offer any comparison to other tires.

I've been happy with them and see no reason to change.

Stay safe-
Herb

 

Standard sizes for your bike are:
Front: 3.25H19 (aka 100/90-19)
Rear: 120/90-18

The BT-45's are a really good tire - lots of happy customers with them - myself included.

I'm also a really big fan of Avon tires - for our bikes the RoadRunner tires specifically. Best set of tires I ever owned - great traction.

 

I'm looking on chaparral-racing.com and they don't have the BT-45's in those sizes....?

 

I think you guys have convinced me to get the BT-45's. Where is the best/cheapest place that I can buy these tires. My local shop is selling them for $150....

 

I am too inquiring about the bt-45's. There is a place on ebay i believe jc_motorcycle_accessories? 96.99 for the rear and 66.99 for the front. Everywhere else I had looked they were much more expensive. And there is an option to, to get the H rated or the V rated. I think I may go and order them!

-Pat