95 Nighthawk 750 Tire Suggestions

[J.R. Bob Dobbs]

Back in January, I bought my 1995 cb750 Nighthawk, and I also got new tires for it. I purchased Dunlop k505, the exact tire recommended in the manual.

Now, 5 months and 5000mi later, it's looking like they already need replacing. The rear is almost worn down to the treadwear indicator in the center. The front, while it has lots more tread, has recently been showing dry-rot cracks in the grooves between the treads, and now there's some forming on the sidewall also. Not too bad yet but growing quickly.

I can understand sticky high-performance tires only lasting 5k miles, but I'm just using the plane-jane stock tire. I've never done a burnout or slid the tires, and it lives inside a garage out of the sun.

Can anybody recommend a good longer-lasting tire for my bike? Would a radial be acceptable? I'm pleased with the performance of the tires I have (I don't push it hard), and they ride perfectly smoothly at any speed. Just would like them to last longer.

[jacksonc]

I just got a '92 Nighthawk it has the original totaly shot K505 on the front and a Bridgestone Battlax BT45 on the back. The Bridgestone is a dual compond for rear tires, the center of the tire is a little harder rubber than the outsides. So it doesn't wear out in the middle so bad. I ordered a matching Bridgestone for the front which will be here tommarow so I'll have to see how it rides. Avon and somebody else I believe makes a set of Radials that will fit it, I will probalby get those next for now I just wanted to get this thing roadworthy.

[mydlyfkryzis]

I also have a 91 NH750. I have Bridgestone Battleax BT-45 n the front and rear. They have 3000 miles and barely look used. I am happy with them.

MY Buddy has a 99 NH750 and uses them too.

They are the easiest tires to find in our size. MY rear tire is H rated, The front V rated. This is because they don't have an H rated tire for the front.

They grip well in the dry, and the last time I was caught in the rain, the grip in wet very well.

Overall, I am very happy with them.

[TechTMW]

Bridgestone spitfire s11 and bt-45's are tires I use and recommend for all UJM's they really are the best value for the money (imo.) I'm running s11's on my BMW and Yamaha right now. I run bt-45's on my suzuki (s11 don't come in that size)

PS Bob, all tires sold in the US have a DOT required "Born On Date" dry rot cracks may be from old tires. Don't buy anything over 2 years old, and don't buy from a dealer that keeps his tires in the sun or near electrical equipment (Ozone also breaks down tire rubber compounds)

http://www.ama-cycle.org/roadride/tires.asp <--- click that and scroll down to "born on date" if you don't know what the heck I'm talking about

[flynrider]

I'm amazed that you found the K505 tires last January. They've been out of production for several years and were replaced by the GT501 (which doesn't come in Nighthawk sizes). That would probably explain the wear and dry rot problems that you're having.

I put a set of Bridgestone's dual-compound BT-45 Battlax tires on late last year and they're doing great. 5,000 miles and they look like they're good for at least another 5K. They're much stickier than the old K505s. I've been very happy with them and I'll probably buy a second set when the time comes.

As I recall, due to the varied sizes offered by Bridgestone I had to get different speed ratings. The rear is an H rated (130 mph) and the front is a V rated (149 mph). Not much chance of exceeding either of those ratings

[MotoF150]

Pirelli MT66 that tire turned my bike into a different bike, it grips like glue! plus you will never find another tire with a deeper tread than the Pirelli MT66.

[J.R. Bob Dobbs]

Thanks for all the input!! That's practically a unanimous recommendation for the BT45 on a late-model CB750. I will probably get a pair within the next 2k miles.

I'll also go check how OLD my "new" tires actually are hmmph, at least they weren't very expensive.

[J.R. Bob Dobbs]

It appears they were manufactured in mid 2005, so they're not old, just wearing out fast.

[runsilent]

The K505 are still made and are Dunlop's current fitment for the NH 750, but forget them. The BT45 were good tires but are getting a bit dated and the new Metz Lasertec, Pirelli Demons, and Mich Activ are all better bias ply sport touring tires.

Metzler's current fitment for the NH 750 is the Z6 radial in answer to your question about radials. I replaced the 2nd rear BT45 on my 97 GS that was more than half worn out at 2k miles with a Z2 radial that lasted about 14k miles. A set of Avon radials went about 13k miles. The radials handled better both wet and dry and were the best value in the long run. Ride better too.

I'm currently running the Lasertecs and they handle as good both wet and dry as the Metz and Avon ST radials I've run. Just won't last as long. Tires I've tried on the GS's and miles I ran them:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v443/ ... irelog.jpg

My last of 4 Hondas was a NH 650 I traded in on the 1st GS, same engine as your late model 750; wish they still made those NH 750's.

[mydlyfkryzis]

The problem with the NH750 is the tire size. There are lots of good tires out there, but the BT-45 are the only ones that you can get a matched set in the sizes needed. When I was looking for tires, I found I could only get the other brands in an oversize or undersize. The rear is a 140/70-17 and the front is a 110/80-18. The other manufacturers either make a front or a rear, but not both in the same model. Since I prefer to have a matched set of tires, the Bridgestone BT-45 is the best answer to my question.