'73 Eldorado, needs new tires.

[SmokyBC]

The date code on my Yokohama tires says they were built in 1994! But they have lots of tread left!

So on my high mileage bike, I really like Michelin Pilot Road GTs. I've gone thru as many as three rears in a season.

But the Guzzi is my cruisin' low mileage bike, and I'm not looking for high performance.

I searched this forum, and some dated posts suggested Shinko 712s. Is this still a budget recommendation?

[oldbike54]

 Yes .

 Dusty

[cwiseman]

I'm running bridgestone spitfire's and very happy with them. They were affordable, stick well, and have held up to the miles rode so far without looking worn any.

Shinko also makes a good tire so check the price on both

[Antietam Classic Cycle]

I prefer (and use) the Shinko 230 Tour Master in 110/90 front and 120/90 rear. The first rear lasted 10k miles, the front still has 12k miles on it and will need replacement soon. Great traction wet or dry. Unlike some "name brand" tires I mount on customer's bikes, the Shinkos need less weight (or none at all) for perfect balance. About $135 a pair from American Motorcycle Tire. 

[Tom H]

I don't know the Shinko tires. The Bridgestone Spitfire S11 rear is a good mileage tire on my Ambo and Eldo, though I still prefer the more open pattern of the Metzler ME88 for rain (maybe because I have experiance with them). I recently changed the front on the Ambo to the S11, once broken in for about 100 miles, it seems to handle the Cali freeway groves fine. I'm not a twisties rider, so I can't tel you how well they stick in the twisties.

Hope this helps,
Tom

[Hahnda]

I usually throw a set of Dunlop K70's on. I just like the look of them. They handle pretty fair as well on an old loopframe.

[Motogogo]

Dunlop K70's worked well on my Eldo the tread pattern looks old skhool.

[Lannis]

A lot of people damn K70 Dunlops up street and down alley ever time they're mentioned, but I use them (or K81s on the Norton) on all of my old bikes and they do very well.   Looking appropriate (filling the fender properly and the right tread) is a bonus.

Lannis

[Idontwantapickle]

I've always used Pirelli, currently Sport Demons.
It is Italian after all!
Hunter

[Antietam Classic Cycle]

I've always used Pirelli, currently Sport Demons.
It is Italian after all!
Hunter

And all of the Sport Demons I've bought lately are made in Brazil...

[Tom]

Smoky.....the tires that on it now.  Old, yes.  Have you inspected them?  Magnifying glass helps w/direct light on it.  How old are the tubes?  Slight chance you can still use them depending on the condition.  Age is a major factor but what kind of condition are they in?  Spirited riding may require better/new tires.

[Antietam Classic Cycle]

Smoky.....the tires that on it now.  Old, yes.  Have you inspected them?  Magnifying glass helps w/direct light on it.  How old are the tubes?  Slight chance you can still use them depending on the condition.  Age is a major factor but what kind of condition are they in?  Spirited riding may require better/new tires.

SeriouslY? No way I'd trust my life to 22 year old tires, no matter what "condition" they're in! 

[Tom]

At this point on a '73 motorcycle, the same logic would apply.

[Antietam Classic Cycle]

At this point on a '73 motorcycle, the same logic would apply.

Huh?

[oldbike54]

 Yeah , 12 year old tires are 12 year old tires , for 130 bucks a new set of Shinkos and tubes are cheap insurance .

 Dusty

[Lannis]

At this point on a '73 motorcycle, the same logic would apply.

Not quite.   The metal and bearings on a '73 Eldo don't degrade like tires do.

I bought a one-owner BSA with 4,000 miles on it once, in 1999.   The tires were 30 years old at the time.   I rode it on the original tires to West Virginia and back and decided to change the tires.

After I had broken the bead and peeled the first quarter of the bead off the rim, I used my hands to pull it off the rest of the way.   As I was doing it, my THUMB went completely through the sidewall of the tire ....

No, I'm not going to ride on old tires.   I can't imagine a stupider way "to save money" ....

Lannis

[SmokyBC]

Um, my tires are 22 years old, they could buy a drink. 

The bike has 9600 miles on it, and they are the second set of tires. Bike was stored inside for many years. Tires have lots of tread, no cracks, but are probably hard as iron, and I'm afraid to push them.

I'm really liking this bike, and I need new tires mounted up. My go-to tire guys don't stock Dunlops, and I think I'll go with the Shinkos.

Thanks for all the imput. 

[Tom]

No, I'm not going to ride on old tires.   I can't imagine a stupider way "to save money" ....

Lannis

SeriouslY? No way I'd trust my life to 22 year old tires, no matter what "condition" they're in! 

Antietam Classic Cycle

Yeah , 12 year old tires are 12 year old tires , for 130 bucks a new set of Shinkos and tubes are cheap insurance .

Dusty

"slight chance you could use them"  I didn't advocate full use.  I'm advocating inspection.  Of course old tires are old.