My 84 VF1000F (US market) has an 18x3 rear wheel on it. I believe it came from a VF750 interceptor, I have the opportunity to put the original 17x3.5 rear wheel back on it but I’m not sure which would be better. I already found a set of tires that will fit the 16/17in combo, Bridgestone makes their battleax in the original sizes. Which one will offer better handling, and are matching sets available for a 16/18in setup? Both wheels look identical, just different dimensions. Very strange.
Avon do much better tyres for the 17 rear wheel & 16 front, The Avon Road Rider is a far superior tyre to the Bridgestone.
I have them on my RE.
Smithy.
Hi mate.
If you are looking for better handling and tyre choice then go the whole hog and swap the wheels for cbr600.
A little bit of faff but the result is a modern ish handling bike with grippy rubber. I did mine with the help of biff the saviour. you won’t regret it unless you are a purist and want to leave it stock with crap handling🏍
Not looking to do any crazy swaps lol. I have the 18 inch wheel and the 17 inch wheel handy, just need to decide which one to put on. I like the stock style (they’re identical aside from dimensions)
Might be something to look into. Avon isn’t a tire I see here in America very often, and they’re quite expensive. Seems like most places I look for Avons have them listed as out of stock.
I believe Avon are no longer making tyres, so anything that dealers have in stock is probably the last of the line
I have been able to buy Avons recently, with fairly late manufature dates too, I bought new Avon “Road Rider MK-II” tyres last year with “3622” date moulded on them, so only two years old when bought. Not sure if they have gone out of production though.
Smithy.
Avon have been bought out by Dunlop and have dropped most of the range. They are still making the Spirit and AV85 and 86 sports tyres.
Ahh. Looks like I’ll end up going with the Bridgestones then. Unless anyone has recommendations that will fit the bike that aren’t necessarily factory spec.