Wildguzzi.com
General Category => General Discussion => Topic started by: Groover on September 15, 2014, 03:37:48 PM
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Hello, these tires came on my G5 that I bough earlier this year. I plan on getting new tires next riding season, but since these have been decent and I figured the previous owner probably did some trial and error before settling with these, I'd like to learn a little bit about them Though... I cannot find any information on this brand online at all. The brand is "Formula"
Has anyone heard or used these before? They seem to handle pretty decently and the American-chopper-looking-thread is sort of growing on me.
Are these available anymore?
Front
(http://www.scooteropolis.com/images/guzzi/wg/tire_front.jpg)
Rear
(http://www.scooteropolis.com/images/guzzi/wg/tire_rear.jpg)
Thanks!
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They look like copies of the Continental K112 (rear) and RB2 front. Most likely made in SE Asia somewhere (of course, the Continentals are too now - Korea).
I'd be looking at the date code that tells you when they were made.
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tiretech/techpage.jsp?techid=11
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What's the date code say ?
What is country of origin? Should be stamped on sidewall.
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I'll have to check more in detail when I get home. I didn't see any more markings on the tires other than this print under the size. Not sure what that means, but maybe it helps identify? The bike came from MI. Maybe Canadian tires?
(http://www.scooteropolis.com/images/guzzi/wg/tire_label.jpg)
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Just checked Charlie's link. Looks like maybe they are 2011? (or at least the front)
Here is a link to the Continentals mentioned... I think you nailed it!
http://www.conti-online.com/www/motorcycle_de_en/themes/motorcycletires/conti_classic_en/rb2k112_en.html
(http://www.conti-online.com/www/linkableblob/img_img_channel/7622978/data/K112_rb2_uv-data.gif)
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Googling a bit, the only reference I found was a National Tire advertisement from 1980. Hope they're not that old. :o
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They could be I suppose... they don't have any cracks and the rubber feels... not so old!
They are inline for replacement for sure ;D
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Googling a bit, the only reference I found was a National Tire advertisement from 1980. Hope they're not that old. :o
Yeah. That's why I suggested checking the date code. I think they may be vintage.
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Yeah. That's why I suggested checking the date code. I think they may be vintage.
Yep, and why I mentioned checking the date code 42 seconds before you. ;D
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Hard to tell as that is not a DOT date code, but I am guessing they were built the 14th week of 2009 ???
I personally have found that while vintage tires look good they handle like sht. Look into Perreli sport demons or Avon Roadriders and be safe ;-T
i currently have these on my older bikes and really like them.
My R50/2 has Heidenau vintage tires on it, brand new, and when you hit the cement rain grooves the bike is all over the road. It WILL be getting new tires come the winter tear down.
Marc
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Hard to tell as that is not a DOT date code, but I am guessing they were built the 14th week of 2009 ???
I personally have found that while vintage tires look good they handle like sht. Look into Perreli sport demons or Avon Roadriders and be safe ;-T
i currently have these on my older bikes and really like them.
My R50/2 has Heidenau vintage tires on it, brand new, and when you hit the cement rain grooves the bike is all over the road. It WILL be getting new tires come the winter tear down.
Marc
I had a very similar tire on the front of my 72 HD Super Glide. For all I remember it was a Conti but one thing it did was wobble like hell in rain grooves. Never again.
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The tires I got for my H2 when I bought the Lesters were the Continentals that these look exactly like. They were decent tires that were forgiving and gave a little warning before they let loose. I haven't seen that tread pattern for decades though.
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The tires I got for my H2 when I bought the Lesters were the Continentals that these look exactly like. They were decent tires that were forgiving and gave a little warning before they let loose. I haven't seen that tread pattern for decades though.
Continental never stopped making them, they're still popular with the classic Airhead crowd. Just installed some on a customer's R90/6 last year, they're now made in Korea.
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Interesting, thanks. So I guess I just haven't paid attention to Continental for decades.
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I found a few more markings. Looks like maybe the front one was manufactured in 08, not sure about the rear... thought they look like they were maybe put on at the same time by the looks of them.
Made in Taiwan.
(http://scooteropolis.com/images/guzzi/wg/tire_markings.jpg)
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Had those Contis on my CB500/4 in the late 70's. They were good in the wet.
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Looks to me that the front was November of 98. Or maybe 88.. 78? ~; :BEER:
Oh, forgot. Getya some Sport Demons if you don't mind low mileage.. they rock on Tonti framed bikes.
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I found a few more markings. Looks like maybe the front one was manufactured in 08, not sure about the rear... thought they look like they were maybe put on at the same time by the looks of them.
The date code for tires made after 2000 is four digits - two digit month and two digit year. For example: 4108 means the 41st week of 2008. Yours are at least 15 years old.
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Before 2000 date codes were 3 digit and after 2000 they are 4 digit. The 4 digit ones are more specific as you can figure out the exact year. 3 digits its a guess because 106 could mean the 10th week of 1976, 1986, 1996 etc.
In any case your tires are old and should be replaced.
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Looks to me that the front was November of 98. Or maybe 88.. 78? ~; :BEER:
Oh, forgot. Getya some Sport Demons if you don't mind low mileage.. they rock on Tonti framed bikes.
You're right! I looked at the chart again, and it does look like the pre-2000 marking...
I don't mind the low mileage on tires. I don't travel long distance with my bike anyway, so they better grip is my preference. I plan on refinishing the rims this winter I think, and at that point I'll get some new rubber. Pirelli Sport Demons seems to be the favored so far.
Thank you all for the assistance, and I hope this has been a fun trivia game for everyone!
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You're right! I looked at the chart again, and it does look like the pre-2000 marking...
I don't mind the low mileage on tires. I don't travel long distance with my bike anyway, so they better grip is my preference. I plan on refinishing the rims this winter I think, and at that point I'll get some new rubber. Pirelli Sport Demons seems to be the favored so far.
Thank you all for the assistance, and I hope this has been a fun trivia game for everyone!
There are other tires that offer excellent grip and decent life for less money. Unless you plan on pushing the G5 to it's limits, in my opinion, Sport Demons are overkill.
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Unless you plan on pushing the G5 to it's limits, in my opinion, Sport Demons are overkill.
I probably won't unless I want to wear diapers while I'm pushing the limits... ;D
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The problem is that when someone pulls out in front of you and you're going 60 mph, you'll be pushing the limits no matter how much you intended to when you started the ride.
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Groover, what tires did you end up going with? I just put a pair of Sport Demons on my Mille, and the difference from the worn Bridgestone S11s is far greater than I expected. On the first couple curves that I took aggressively, I almost rode off the inside of the road! I don't know how much the improvement can be credited to the new tires, versus getting rid of the worn S11 front with a pointed center tread area.
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If cost and miles is not an issue then I also would suggest Sport Demons. I had both before andthey were really sticky. The rear only went fo a bit over 6kmiles. I still use one on the front of my T5 but I use a Shinko on the rear. It lasts the same as the Pirelli but is half the cost. It isn't as sticky but I don't get much time on wet roads :) The little that I have ridden in the wet the Shinko has done well. If Shinko made a tire to fit the front I'd try one there too.
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I do not play with old tires. Formulas never were premium, and if they're more than 2 years old even less so. Don't endanger yourself, get new tires.
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Sport Demons are the dogs danglies on these bikes
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Groover, what tires did you end up going with? I just put a pair of Sport Demons on my Mille, and the difference from the worn Bridgestone S11s is far greater than I expected. On the first couple curves that I took aggressively, I almost rode off the inside of the road! I don't know how much the improvement can be credited to the new tires, versus getting rid of the worn S11 front with a pointed center tread area.
I still haven't bought them because I'm also debating if I should convert my rims to tubeless, which I've been meaning to post a question on that but I haven't (I have the alloy wheels not spokes) - I think I have narrowed it down to the "Michelin Sport Activ". I typically ride two-up so I figured maybe the Michelin's would maybe last a little longer over the Pirelli's since the Michelin's have the bias-ply construction making that middle part a little more resistant to wear. The decision now is if I should get the TT or TL...
These are the tires:
http://motorcycle.michelinman.com/tires/michelin-pilot-activ
I'll need to get them ordered actually.
What's involved in converting my rims to tubeless, and should I do it?
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If cost and miles is not an issue then I also would suggest Sport Demons. I had both before andthey were really sticky. The rear only went fo a bit over 6kmiles. I still use one on the front of my T5 but I use a Shinko on the rear. It lasts the same as the Pirelli but is half the cost. It isn't as sticky but I don't get much time on wet roads :) The little that I have ridden in the wet the Shinko has done well. If Shinko made a tire to fit the front I'd try one there too.
Shinko SR740f is avaliable in 100/80-16.
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I still haven't bought them because I'm also debating if I should convert my rims to tubeless, which I've been meaning to post a question on that but I haven't (I have the alloy wheels not spokes) - I think I have narrowed it down to the "Michelin Sport Activ". I typically ride two-up so I figured maybe the Michelin's would maybe last a little longer over the Pirelli's since the Michelin's have the bias-ply construction making that middle part a little more resistant to wear. The decision now is if I should get the TT or TL...
These are the tires:
http://motorcycle.michelinman.com/tires/michelin-pilot-activ
I'll need to get them ordered actually.
What's involved in converting my rims to tubeless, and should I do it?
For cast wheels you only ned to get tubeless threaded valve stems. If you order tires online from a place like Motorcycle Superstore they will also have the valve stems. So does you local NAPA or local MC shop. In certain instances you may have to drill out the hole for the new valve stem a bit.
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For cast wheels you only ned to get tubeless threaded valve stems. If you order tires online from a place like Motorcycle Superstore they will also have the valve stems. So does you local NAPA or local MC shop. In certain instances you may have to drill out the hole for the new valve stem a bit.
Sounds easy enough. Thanks for the tip. Any reason I should not convert to tubeless? I was going to stick with tubes cause that seems to still be a good system in my book, but the more I read online, the more seems like tubeless may be better so if needed, I could potentially do an on the spot plug-repair of I got a flat (with a plug kit, and maybe a small Co2 bullet thing)?
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Groover, just for the record, Pirelli Sport Demons are bias ply tires. If I had cast aluminum wheels, I'd get sealed valve stems and go tubeless, although I don't hate tubes.
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Groover, just for the record, Pirelli Sport Demons are bias ply tires. If I had cast aluminum wheels, I'd get sealed valve stems and go tubeless, although I don't hate tubes.
Good deal, thanks again. I must have missed it somewhere that the Pirelli's were double-ply. Would this be an applicable stem? Any good ones you guys are aware of?
http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/22509/i/drag-specialties-metal-valve-stem?WT.ac=SLIsearch (http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/22509/i/drag-specialties-metal-valve-stem?WT.ac=SLIsearch)
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Good deal, thanks again. I must have missed it somewhere that the Pirelli's were double-ply. Would this be an applicable stem? Any good ones you guys are aware of?
http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/22509/i/drag-specialties-metal-valve-stem?WT.ac=SLIsearch (http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/22509/i/drag-specialties-metal-valve-stem?WT.ac=SLIsearch)
Your on the right track but you need to measure the wheel thickness where the stem will go though and allow another approximately 3/4 of an inch for the rubber, nut, washer and valve cap. Also measure the diameter of the hole and get something that fits without drilling the wheel.
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Ok, thanks for the reply and tips. I think I'm now 99.9% convinced to make the switch to Tubeless!
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Do it, you'll like it! :)
I converted mine a bit over a year ago. I had to turn down the flange a little to fit in the recess but that was it (I would not do anything to the rim). I also did not use the rubber 'gasket' under the nut. I just used the one inside the wheel (between the flange and the rim).
Shinko SR740f is avaliable in 100/80-16.
Mine are 110/90-16. I don't like to vary from that even though those will probably fit.
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Mine are 110/90-16. I don't like to vary from that even though those will probably fit.
Up or down one size is not uncommon. If you measured 5 different manufactures tires width I'd bet you would find 10mm of variation.
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I would bet you are right. When my current Sport Demon wears out I might have to try one.