Tire Recommendations

[roloscot]

I just purchased a stock xs400D that has not been ridden in the last 20 years and it still has (I believe) the original set of tires. I am going to keep the bike as stock as possible and maybe convert it to a cafe racer later on.

I am not sure what tires to purchase. Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated.

 

[hardtailed77]

I just purchased a stock xs400D that has not been ridden in the last 20 years and it still has (I believe) the original set of tires. I am going to keep the bike as stock as possible and maybe convert it to a cafe racer later on.

I am not sure what tires to purchase. Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated.

Welcome to the forum! I also have a 400D.....I don't remember what size rubber came on the XS stock, as I'm running different wheels and tires altogether. I run a Kenda Challenger K657 on the rear of my bike now and love it! It sticks to the road, wears well, and is priced decent. Now, I'm not sure if you can get them in the exact size you need, but it may be worth looking into.

 

[drewpy]

bridgestone BT45's great for the twisties 90/90 x 18 front
110x90x 18 rear.

A little intro would be nice

 

[roloscot]

Thanks for the replies. I will look into the tire recommendations. As for some introduction, the bike is in very good condition for 1977 bike and my guess is that it has been garaged for the past 20-25 years. The bike does not currently run so my first objective is to get it running and then go from there.

I want to keep the bike reasonably original because of its condition. However I do not like the twin exhaust system - very ugly. So that will be one of the first things to go.

As for me, well I am Brit living in the New York area. This will be the first bike I have worked on in years. So it will be challenging and fun. I will keep you posted on my progress.

All the best

 

[drewpy]

cool, keep us up to date.

BTW don't chuck the exhausts if in rust free condish, they are getting rare now

 

[roloscot]

sure thing. The exhausts are rust free condition, so they will be kept. On my Aprilia Shiver, I swapped the stock exhausts for Leo Vince Cans. I have kept the originals because they do look good and if you want to sell the bike its good to have the original equipment.

 

[OliverB]

Here is the response I posted in another thread:

Just bought a set of IRC RS310 Durotour Blackwall (Japanese) tires for my '80 XS400. They were the only set I could find in the correct sizes recommended by Yamaha as replacements for our older tires - front 100/90H-18, rear 120/90H-16. Other brands had correct front or correct rear size but not both together. The U.K. and Europe both have better selection of sizes for these bikes. These are much higher speed rated (130 mph) than we need for our bikes but they look really good. Will not have them installed for a few weeks so can't comment on handling and ride but don't think I will be disappointed. Purchased from Motorcycle Superstore for $76.99 ea. with free S&H. Best deal I could find.

 

[Hornix]

That's my setup too. (90/90-18 and 110/90-18). BT45's are the best, alltough I wouldn't mind the tyres to look more "retro".

 

[drewpy]

120's will foul the chain guard

 

[kikeymikey]

recommendations on a good whitewall that fits?

 

[hardtailed77]

recommendations on a good whitewall that fits?

How about an intro?

 

[kikeymikey]

haha, my bad.. ive been on the forum all day and saw someone get roasted for not introducing themselves, shoulda known!

well i'm from vancouver b.c. and i've got an 81 xs400 heritage special im working on restoring with the help of friends, i know absolutely nothing about working on motorcycles so i've been doing lots of reading and trial and error.. here's some photos of it so far

 

[drewpy]

try PM beaker on the chopper underground, he has white wall tyres.

 

[Travis]

kikeymikey, there is no rule about having an intro, I guess some of the guys just like to see one. I don't really care either way, I like talking to strangers.

Anyway, if you can't find anything for tires, there is a guy on XS650.com that can white wall your regular tires. He's got some crazy machine or something to do it. http://www.xs650.com/forum/showthread.php?t=3074

 

[hardtailed77]

Has anyone tried sending him their tires from XS650 yet, Travis? Seems a little sketchy, but hell, they may turn out great.

 

[Travis]

Not that I know of, but he used a pretty active member and seems like a good guy. I've emailed back and forth with him a few times. He says he's staying pretty busy making exhausts now. It's something to look into anyway if nothing else can be found.

 

[roloscot]

I thought that I had better post and let folks know what I purchased in the end. I decided to buy a set of Avon Roadriders AM26 Front and Rear. I haven't put them on yet but they look pretty cool.

 

[drewpy]

I thought that I had better post and let folks know what I purchased in the end. I decided to buy a set of Avon Roadriders AM26 Front and Rear. I haven't put them on yet but they look pretty cool.

don't forget the pictures!

 

[roloscot]

Update on the tires. Those Avons grip really well and very predictable. Managed to scrap the footrests and exhaust when I was riding in West Virginia this weekend. So I definitely recommend the Avon Roadriders!!!!

 

[jigm400]

Update on the tires. Those Avons grip really well and very predictable. Managed to scrap the footrests and exhaust when I was riding in West Virginia this weekend. So I definitely recommend the Avon Roadriders!!!!

they are great tires i have been running them for a year. they just have the sport look that alot of guys are not going for. sweet tires though.