What tyres? (650 Katana)

[Shaft]

So, giving the bike a quick look over prior to the May Day run and it looks like some new boots are on the cards, as I've got a slow puncture on the front and sidewall cracking on the rear.

It's been a long time since I've bought bike tyres, so I'm seriously out of touch with what's good these days.

All the major brands offer something and, in the past, I would've just thrown a set of Pirelli Phantoms or Metzeler Lasers on and had done with it, but there are other choices and things may have moved on.

Pirelli Sport Demons and Metzeler Lasertecs are available, but there's also BT45s, Dunlop Streetsmarts, Conti Gos and Michelin Pilot Activs to consider (I won't have Avons, don't like them, never have, never will).

I don't do enough miles to worry too much about high wear rates, my thing is grip, particularly when it's cold and/or wet.

So what does the BCF massive recommend?

(Sizes are 100/90V 19 front, 130/90V 17 rear, if it matters)
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Things get better with age; I'm close to being magnificent........
20 RE Interceptor, 83 Z1100A3, 83 GS650 Katana
WooHoo, I'm a Man Point Millionaire! https://www.bikechatforums.com/viewtopic.php?t=234035

[WULFSTAN]

Go with Pirelli Sport Demons they were great on my old cbr great grip wet or dry
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Your backside is better enough for you to run again, if need be – bristle up the courage of the cornered rat, put on a bold front, and to hell with them. Bluff my boy – bluff, shift and lie for the sake of your neck and the honour of Old England

[sidewinder]

Michelin pilot activ's I have on my divvy have been great so far

[evoboy]

I like the Pilot Street tyres on small bikes. They use the same tread pattern as on the PR2.

The Conti Go is a good tyre for the money also. They grip very well ( used on a Divi 600 and a GPZ500) and seem fine in the wet. Dont seem to last quite as long as the Street mind.....
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Suzuki GT250 x7------- Fazer 600------CB250RS------Aprilia Rally 70----- Bandit 600

APT Motorcycles

[c_dug]

If you can find them in the right size then any of the modern sports touring tyres are a safe bet, bt023's, t30's, PR2, 3 or 4.

All more than enough grip from cold, sticky enough for light track work, very long lasting. All probably over kill on an older bike, but I can peg down easily enough on my divvy with the S30's so they must be doing something right!

Edit: I always had bt45's on my light bikes and got on well with them, but they squared off far worse than more modern tyres and the mileage was about the same from a bt45 on a gpz500 as my bt023 lasted on my cbr600, 10,000 on both.
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I am a bellend, I am a man of constant sorrow, I am a gummy bear, I am a rock.

[sidewinder]

[temeluchus]

I loved the Pirelli Sport Demons.

[P.addy]

I'd be between the Sport Demons and the Conti-Go. Both are grippy enough for me!

Could stick to tried and tested BT45s though.

[nowhere.elysium]

I'm still very impressed with the Heidenaus I bought for the GS. They're pretty grippy, don't cost much, and seem to be wearing well. I've not had any moments of clench on the GS yet, and I did ride it through the winter of 2012-13 (yes, that includes in the snow).
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'10 SV650SF, '83 GS650GT (it lives!), Questionable DIY dash project, 3D Printer project, Lasercutter project

[P.addy]

[LaurenceR46]

I'd recommend Michelin Pilot Road 3 or 4's they are amazing tyres.
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Yamaha R6 (R46) Rossi Replica Edition

[Shaft]