Best tires for an 86 - 87

Just curious...as everything else for these years seem to be end of life or no longer available...

What is the concensus on tires for the 86/87 VFR750?

For the stock 16/18 inch rims, can't go wrong with the Dunlop GT501's.

I just got a new set of 501's andI like 'em!

veefer800canuck, Feb 14 2006, 05:00 PMFor the stock 16/18 inch rims, can't go wrong with the Dunlop GT501's.

Also can't go wrong with Avon Roadrunners. The classic ME1/ME33 CompK Metzeler combo is good. The ME55A Metzeler rear if you want a little more mileage. And the newer 550/330 combo is fine. I've also sampled the bias ply Bridgestone Battleaxes on an interceptor and they were nice.
So... still some pretty good choices for the original rims out there.

Hay KurtAZ i'm in the same boat let me know what you pick up and where you picked it up.

Hay guys recently $300 fell into my lap. Is that enough cash to upgrade from our skinny rims to modern F2 rims? Or should i just say the hell with it and stick to what works and pick up the Dunlops?

For the stock 16/18 inch rims, can't go wrong with the Dunlop GT501's.

+1.gif I've also been pleased with the GT501's. I've also heard decent reviews of the dual compound bridgestones (BT-45V) but I haven't used them on a VFR.

Hay guys recently $300 fell into my lap. Is that enough cash to upgrade from our skinny rims to modern F2 rims? Or should i just say the hell with it and stick to what works and pick up the Dunlops?

You could likely do a F2 rear wheel conversion for that amount, but that would leave you with nothing for the front. The newest bias-ply tires like those mentioned above would likely give you all the stick you'd want for street and with the money left over you could get a set of fork springs for the front end idea3.gif (probably your biggest bang for the buck improvement from what I've heard).

Just my 2 cents....

I had great luck with the bias ply michelin macadams a few years back on a 750 Yamaha... I'd highly recommend them. I also had the ME33/55 combo (also good, but I thought the Michelins were better), and a set of Bridgestone Spitfires (horrible!)

Hi,

When I bought my bike last year it had an elderly set of michelin radials on it (A89front / M89 Rear, sized 120/80R and 160/60R respectively) on the stock rims. The rear was fried and the 160/60 looked a little shaky to me on the 3.5" rim, so I went looking for replacement radial sizes for the 18" rear. If I remember correctly, I think I discovered that Michelin still makes a 150/70R macadam radial that will fit the rear, and there is probably a matching front available as well.

In the end, I discovered a "left-over" 150/70R michelin Hi-sport that I was able to get for a good price. It fit easily (there would be no need to cut the chainguard, although mine was already trimmed) and the handling seems good to me. I'm told that going back to the stock tire sizes would lighten up the feel of the bike, but having never experienced the original set-up I really don't know what I may or may not be missing.

Good luck in your search.

Welp, ordered some Bridgestone BT-45s yesterday. I went with the recommended widths as we have had some discussion on here about what will fit in the rear, etc. I decided to try the stock sizes and then play around with widths after the fact. I'll let you know how the Battleaxes hold up in the AZ heat, this is my daily commuter so we shall see.

Just mounted the new tires yesterday...took her for a test drive around the block and she seems a bit more stable with the recommended tire sizes. Could be that the old tires were so worn out as well, but I got into it on a start and actually got the front up a bit...not intentionally but the tires seem much stickier. After I break these in and get them into the twisties I should have some better info. smile.gif

For right now I am liking them though. The skinnier rear actually makes her feel more agile.

The recommended tire size is definitely the way to go. I had played a couple times with tires that were not the stock size - they never handled quite right.

I had Dunlop 591's (same compound and construction as GT-501's) and Metzeler Comp-K Lasers on my Intercepter and FZ-750 back in the late 80's. The Metzelers were stickier and lasted longer. Can't help with other brands.

LOL, didnt even see this thread.. anywho, if you didnt see my other posts in the 700 thread.. the 501's are the best tires bar none for having a fast bike in the twisties.. Instead of the reccomended 110/90 front a 120/80 seemed to work better with my bike.

Have you tried the BT045s? I am liking these so far.

KurtAZ, Apr 13 2006, 04:29 PM
Have you tried the BT045s? I am liking these so far.

I must agree with you on the BT-45. Last year I did 5 track days with the old VFR, and the BT-45 were great. Very predictable, quick warmup, and tons of grip.

A lot of vintage racers also like the BT-45.

-Frank