dual compound rear tire recommendations for an '86 VRF700?

Discussion in '1st & 2nd Generation 1983-1989' started by 0dder0tter, Oct 21, 2014.

  1. 0dder0tter

    0dder0tter New Member

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    Hi gang,

    I'm a very happy new(ish) owner of an '86 VFR700, having upgraded from an '83 VF750F. I've had the '86 for about 6-8 weeks (not really sure) and put ~5000 miles on it. When I purchased it the tires seemed to be (close to) new Bridgestone Battleax front and rear, and while I LOVE the grip of the Battlax's the rate that they wear is too quick for my budget.

    So I'm looking to get a dual compound tire so I can get some more life without sacrificing too much grip. Recommendations?
     
  2. Captain 80s

    Captain 80s Member

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    Which ones were they. BT39 or BT45. The 45 is a dual compound tire. The 39 is their softer option.
     
  3. 0dder0tter

    0dder0tter New Member

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    They are 45s (I had to go look). Kind of surprsing that the dual compound version has only last ~5K, though I didn't look at them _that_ closely to judge how new they really were.

    From my recollection of riding years ago I thought I would get more miles out of a rear tire. Is ~5K what I should be expecting with fairly hard riding?
     
  4. V4toTour

    V4toTour New Member

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    If you are still running the stock 16/18 rims your tire choices are very limited. 5k sounds about right, that's about what I got from dunlop gt501's (recently discontinued with no replacement) on my 86. And that was with very spirited riding.
     
  5. 0dder0tter

    0dder0tter New Member

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    Yep. Any recommendations within that small pool? Kind of sounds like I might wanna stick with the Battleax 45s. They're pretty damn grippy even in the rain and it sounds like they might last just as well as any other.
     
  6. V4toTour

    V4toTour New Member

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    I was going to go with avon roadriders. Really liked the dunlops, in fact I still have a brand new front and rear set I cant use since the bike is gone. If you're interested I'd let them go for 200 shipped (for the pair)

    I bought them just 2 months ago or so.
     
  7. 0dder0tter

    0dder0tter New Member

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    That sounds like a deal too good to pass up. What model and sizes are they specifically?
     
  8. V4toTour

    V4toTour New Member

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    Dunlop GT501. Stock vfr sizes. 110/90-16 and 130/80-18
     
  9. VF1000Fe

    VF1000Fe New Member

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    Bt45

    I used the BT45 set for last years tour (5350km) on the VF1000Fe. And there is still rubber left.
    I like the profile (good handling) and the profile held up during wear.
    Here you can see where the Dual Compounds change (140/80-17);

    [​IMG]

    The Front Tire also had a good profile, was sticky and wore well (120/80-16);
    [​IMG]
    Note how the internal oils surface and turn the tire slightly Blue when pushed hard.
    I would buy another set
     
  10. Dukiedook

    Dukiedook New Member

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    Rear tires always wear out before the front, usually at a 2:1 ratio.
    YMWV with tires depending on type of tire and where and how you ride.
     
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