What tires are you using these days on your '85-'87 16"/18" Lemans wheels?

[Denis]

After years of the same tires being on my '85 Le Mans (still has the stock 16" front, 18" rear wheels), I'm finally going to replace them.
I see now that selection has dwindled, especially for the 16" front wheel.
What are you guys using these days?
And no, I'm not going to replace the 16" front with an 18"!
Thanks,
Denis

[JJ]

As I recall, on my old '83 850 LM-III, I used AVON Road Riders, front and rear.
On my current '98 Centauro GT, I am using Pirelli Angel GT's. 

[flower_king001]

Hi,

 I have a '86 IV w/ 18" and have been using Bridgestone Battlax BT45's on the last 3 tire changes.

Brian

[bigbikerrick]

I just mounted a set of Shinko 712s on my 85 LM IV. they make a front tire in the exact size for the LM, with the 16" front wheel, and they are dirt cheap, and handle fabulously!
the rear is an 18" and the matching shinko is about 6-7mm taller, but it actually corrected my speedo error!  I have been very happy with the Shinkos on this bike, and have no intention of ever getting rid of the 16" front wheel...I like it!
Rick.

[LeRoy]

I'm running a matched set of Avon Road Riders on my 1986 Le Mans with 16" front and 18" rear. These are in the factory sizes. To be honest, I was happier with the previous Michelins and will probably go back to whatever modern Michelin is available next time. The Avons don't do anything particularly wrong, they just don't seem to have as crisp and direct a feel as the Michelin tires. I haven't ever tried any other brands on the Le Mans so I can't comment personally on others.

[double.d]

I am on my second set of Avon Road Riders. the first rear was replaced for free because a crack appeared the length of the centre groove and now the replacement has done the same. Apart from this there is nothing to brag about them and as LeRoy said they don't have the feel of the Bridgstones or Michelin's.
I have not heard of the Shinko's in Australia but if they are around next time i go for tyres i might try them but other than that my opinion is you can't go past the Bridgstone's.

[wrbix]

BT45's

[Bazil]

Using BT 45s at the moment.

Having said that, the rear is being replaced today - disappointed with the mileage at only about 6500 km. I'm not  a very aggressive rider and tyre pressure is kept around 37 / 38 psi, so that just doesn't seem right. Strangely it wore down to the tread wear indicator in the centre  on one side, but 180 degrees around the tyre it still has 2 or 3 mm left till it hits the wear indicator. Rim is true and the tyre looks seated evenly - dunno what's going on there. Plenty of life left on the front tyre, so wont be looking to swap that out for a while.

Replacing the rear with a Michelin Pilot Activ - they seemed to get good reviews and price at AUD  $ 160 delivered was good ( less than the Bridgy as I remember) . Hopefully I get better life and at least the same performance.

[Denis]

Thanks for the input! I was leaning towards the Michelins or some Pirellis (what I have on the SPII now). I had Michelins on the SP for years, even a radial on the front) until Michelin had those hiccups back in the 1990s when you couldn't get them here. Those were great tires!
I have Avons on the Indian but after reading about the cracks in the center groove I think I'll steer clear of them.
I had looked at the Bridgestones as well but had never heard of the Shinkos.

[charlie b]

I had Sport Demons on the T5's 16" wheels front and rear.  The rear wore fast, but had great grip.  For performance I would have kept using them, but, I wanted more than 6k mi out of a back tire at that price.  So, I went to the Shinko on the back and kept the Sport Demon on the front.  The Shinko was pretty good for grip but never got to try them very much in wet.

I also tried the BT45's.  They were good but the front tracked rain grooves for me.

[double.d]

I would love to give the Sport Demons a go but they are not available in Australia.

[Fnq1000]

Hi Double D
Pirelli Sport Demons are definitely available in Australia. Onto the 3rd set on my SP, I reckon they are great.

You are in SE Qld aren't you? I have no knowledge of current Mk IV but Tyres4Bikes will sort you out. Give their Cooroy store a call and ask for Levo. Absolute wealth on info and he's racked up 350,000km on his Laverda RGS and onto his 75 or 76th rear tyre! He rates the Michelin Pilot Activ but if you are after performance and not concerned about wear, Conti Attack are the go. For a more central location I go to the Albion store.

Oh and it has been a while but thanks for your write up of your Moto Gadget install on the Lemans on another site. How has it performed over time? Your bike looks great too.

Whatever you choose Dennis, please update with your experience.

Cheers
Jason

[Denis]

Will do!

Whatever you choose Dennis, please update with your experience.
Cheers
Jason