Exactly a year ago I bought a set of BT46's for my RZ 110 and 90 sizes, $123 and $117 each. Now the same place I bought them from they are $172 and $161 !! :eek: I don't see where you can get Avons anymore for RDs??? Looks like you can get Shinko's and Kenda's at bargain prices. Any other ideas on tire choices for RDs?
is there consensus on viable "2nd tier" alternatives when you can't get your #1 choice? Dunlops used to be fairly highly regarded IIRC. Pirelli, Yokos? I've got 2 new sets of 20+ years old IRC & Cheng Shin that I've never even ridden on that will not be used for anything other than roller wheelsets in the shop but looking to purchase something not made in China for builds I'm currently working on.
I run Metzlers from Dennis Kirk. "Perfect ME" 3.00 front for $68 and 3.25 "Block C" rear for $125. On stock width rims.
I tried BT46's and could feel the extra weight versus the Metzlers with no performance gain.
Bridgestone BT46 (previously BT45) and Avon Roadrider are the most commonly used and best performing, and all that I have used in the last 15 years or so. Avons seem to be out of stock everywhere for the past several years due to company & supply chain issues, and the closing of their factory in England.
Sometimes you can take advantage of manufacturer rebates and get $50-$80 back on a set, but unfortunately the current rebate right now from Bridgestone doesn't include BT46.
I have been purchasing tires through Revzilla, Chaparral Motorsports, and American Moto Tire.
By the way, there are no Yokohama-branded motorcycle tires any more as Yoko sold their MC tire division to Shinko a while back, so Shinkos are effectively Yokohamas (made in S. Korea by a Japanese company).
While we're on the subject of tires, here's the new 2026 data sheet for the BT46
Bridgestone_motorcycle-tire-data-book_2026_p16.png
Thanks guys! :metal:
I found these Continental Contistreet tires come in all the RD sizes and are very reasonable, about $70-$80
Quote from: 1976RD400C on April 24, 2026, 08:13:01 AMI found these Continental Contistreet tires come in all the RD sizes and are very reasonable, about $70-$80
They don't have a front tire our size...
Quote from: Brad-Man on April 24, 2026, 10:01:25 AMQuote from: 1976RD400C on April 24, 2026, 08:13:01 AMI found these Continental Contistreet tires come in all the RD sizes and are very reasonable, about $70-$80
They don't have a front tire our size...
...or a rear.
Correct sizes for the RD125 and RD200 though
Quote from: SoCal250 on April 24, 2026, 11:33:06 AMQuote from: Brad-Man on April 24, 2026, 10:01:25 AMQuote from: 1976RD400C on April 24, 2026, 08:13:01 AMI found these Continental Contistreet tires come in all the RD sizes and are very reasonable, about $70-$80
They don't have a front tire our size...
...or a rear.
Correct sizes for the RD125 and RD200 though
Oh well, I'm going to try a Shinko on the rear of my stock 400. I had an IRC (made in Japan) on there but it sure didn't have a very long tread life.
https://www.continental-tires.com/products/motorcycle/tires/conticlassicattack/
That's what I fitted on the RZ
Quote from: teazer on April 25, 2026, 11:47:26 PMhttps://www.continental-tires.com/products/motorcycle/tires/conticlassicattack/
That's what I fitted on the RZ
radial instead of bias ply?
Yes they are. I haven't ridden hard enough to find any downsides so far. Seem like great tires for an RZ
I mean, my Shinko 712's have been stellar on my RD. I'll be looking to replace them probably next year as they're reaching replacement age.