Official Nighthawk thread

[Yokomo]

Mine has Avon Roadriders (i think that's what they're called)

[lucky lindy]

Avon RR's here too. They are excellent, and if you shop around can get a good deal.

[mctaggert]

Originally Posted by TucsonBob64

Whoa! Those are some pricey tires. What size did you put on your Nighthawk?

110/80 18 on the front and 150/70 17 on the rear. That was as close as I could get with the Metzelers.

Warren's advice is good. Just run BT45s on the bike. It's what I had on the Nighthawk and what I'll put back on it if I'm not feeling flush when I order the next set of tires. I just got all excited when you mentioned that you might go with radials.

I'd also consider where you live and how you ride. If you're going to commute on the bike, get something that's priced right. The BT45 offer value and performance. If you spend most of your time riding in the twisties, splurge. You'll have more fun on a radial tire.

[Nodaclu]

I put a set of Michelin Pilot Roads (the original Pilot Roads, not the Road II's) on my '96, and they made that bike corner like it was on rails. Absolutely phenomenal. I'd put them on again in a heartbeat.

[CL77]

I have Metzlers on mine. It seems to handle pretty well.

[Warren]

Originally Posted by Nodaclu

I put a set of Michelin Pilot Roads (the original Pilot Roads, not the Road II's) on my '96, and they made that bike corner like it was on rails. Absolutely phenomenal. I'd put them on again in a heartbeat.

Hey Mike, what does your tank bag want to be when it grows up???

Sorry, that little bugger caught me off guard - Probably perfect for some music and a camera.

[Warren]

I headed out last Saturday around noon to meet my good friend Jim (on his trusty KLR 650) in Ramona at Packard's Coffee Shop.

We headed up Highway 67 to Santa Ysabel where we stopped so I could get the family favorites at Dudley's (Potato and San Diego Sourdough bread as well as Dudley Bars).

We then headed down Highway 79 to the Mesa Grande turnoff which winds you around to Highway 76.

From there we went up East Grade Road towards Palomar Mountain to the overlook to check things over.

Here are a few shots of the iron steeds:

Jim by the bikes:



Your's truly:



Another:



And some shots of the Lake Henshaw area:











From there we headed back to the Lake Henshaw Cafe (on Highway 76 just south of the lake) - Jim having a hot chocolate, me a rootbeer in a mason jar - Cute place.

Then I just wound my way back down to Ramona and home to Alpine. A nice 4 hour trip and about 125 miles.

A real nice day - But a bit chilly - In the mid 40's to low 50's - Thank goodness for grip heaters!

[njd]

Originally Posted by Warren

Sorry, that little bugger caught me off guard - Probably perfect for some music and a camera.

And a couple of tampons...

I kid.

[TucsonBob64]

[quote=Nodaclu]I put a set of Michelin Pilot Roads (the original Pilot Roads, not the Road II's) on my '96, and they made that bike corner like it was on rails. Absolutely phenomenal. I'd put them on again in a heartbeat.

[mctaggert
110/80 18 on the front and 150/70 17 on the rear. That was as close as I could get with the Metzelers.

Warren's advice is good. Just run BT45s on the bike. It's what I had on the Nighthawk and what I'll put back on it if I'm not feeling flush when I order the next set of tires. I just got all excited when you mentioned that you might go with radials.

I'd also consider where you live and how you ride. If you're going to commute on the bike, get something that's priced right. The BT45 offer value and performance. If you spend most of your time riding in the twisties, splurge. You'll have more fun on a radial tire./quote]
__________________________________________________ __

You both must be running 150-s on the back. Is that OK? I looked and I do not have much space between the chain guard and the brake stopper arm.

[Warren]

Originally Posted by TucsonBob64

You both must be running 150-s on the back. Is that OK? I looked and I do not have much space between the chain guard and the brake stopper arm.

There are a few 150's that will not fit - Most do.

I don't have the list handy however...

[TucsonBob64]

Originally Posted by Warren

There are a few 150's that will not fit - Most do.

I don't have the list handy however...

Actually, the denniskirk.com list the real inflated width of the tires on a 4" rim and a 150-s (mm) tires can be quite different in width. The 140 OEM Dunlop K505 is 5.7 " wide. The 150 Metzeler Roadtec Z6 is 5.86", which is still OK. But the 150 Michelin Pilot Road with its 6.46 inch width might be too wide for the back of the Nighthawk. I prefer more than just couple of mm between frame and tire. But this is only my 2 cents worth.

Sooooo, if I go with bias ply: Bridgestone BT-45-s, if radial: Metzeler Roadtec Z6-s ($$$)

Thanks again for all the input.

[Warren]

Have fun buying your new tires Bob!

[dogjaw]

Avon RR's here as well, until I had a flat at 80 mph, definitely a pucker factor of 10, had to replace the rear with a Metzeler Marathon, meaning to replace it with another RR, but it feels do good back there and wears lke iron that I may replace the front instead... always thought the me880 was a cruiser tire, but this one is doing great, 7000+ miles and still looks new and still grips great in the corners

[Warren]

With all this talk of tires, did anyone happen to catch my ride report a few threads up???

[Yokomo]

How do you like the KLR?