Hello, I'll need new tires soon. I was considering Vintage style tires. These are New tires made on Vintage molds. I really like the look.
In my eyes, the new pattern tires do NOT go well with a vintage style motorcycle.
These vintage style tires require tubes, do current drifter tires have tubes? anyone have experience with these tires? they are sold by a company called Coker.
(https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/GIoAAOSwkvdahI0r/s-l400.jpg)
(https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/R3UAAOSwNmNakKqS/s-l400.jpg)
(https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/1nEAAOSwxOFace-5/s-l400.jpg)
:o not white walls, the Drifter needs white walls.....lol......tires I'll leave this area to GreenBarn as he is the tire expert.
I totally agree that white walls are very cool especially on an Indian tribute bike like a Drifter. But at least for me too much work to keep the white white especially on the rear tire which ya can barely see. Just my 1.5 centavos
There is a very good reason that tires today have different tread patterns and construction than these "vintage" style tires...performance. As a cop told me, back in '65, "your tires are your life, man" while he wrote me a ticket for a bald tire on my '46 Knuck....
Quote from: CDNRatMan on March 25, 2018, 00:00:57 AM
:o not white walls, the Drifter needs white walls.....lol......tires I'll leave this area to GreenBarn as he is the tire expert.
(https://www.cokertire.com/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/400x/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/c/o/cokerclassic-motorcycle-500-16-ww_2.png)
I don't expect these to be the best tires. but, if they are good for weekend driving, with little to no highway driving. I'm good...
They're really nice, most of all those www ones, but this answer from the maker doesn't sound good to me...
"Question: How do these tires compare to a 140mm or 150mm tire size wise? I am worried about fitment on my 2011 Softail Deluxe?"
"Answer: These are vintage reproduction motorcycle tires and are therefore not recommended for modern motorcycles".
I've heard people describing the zigzag patterned tyres as truly horrific. IIRC they are like riding on balloons inflated by asthmatic hamsters; very little sidewall rigidity. Lean the bike into a corner or try to avoid a brick lying in the road and the bike barely reacts.
They do look good though.
Quote from: Ernest on March 24, 2018, 23:17:22 PM
These vintage style tires require tubes, do current drifter tires have tubes? anyone have experience with these tires? they are sold by a company called Coker.
To answer this question...yes all spoke wheel Drifters have tubes. Also you can use tubeless tires with tubes.
thanks for the info. the bike shows sizes frnt: 130/90/16, rear: 140/90/16. has anyone tried going 140/90/16 on frnt and rear (both)? I'm thinking mostly for looks, beefier tire up front. I did a search, but no luck on the question.
I think it's all been said.. but to reiterate and agree...
Yes on the tubes - spoke wheels generally all require tubes -unless maybe somebody has a new spoke wheel that is made tubeless - but the Drifter wheels are definitely tube type. Any tire - tube type or tubeless- can have a tube in them -- won't hurt a thing.
Now on the tire designs-- Yes the old vintage tires look really cool, granted. But yes there is a reason they don't make them like that any more. The zig zags are cool on something like a Cushman scooter or Mustang motorcycle- or something else, maybe your Drifter, if you aren't serious about riding much or far. Me personally, I'd rather have the better ride, better performance, and safer (handling) tires with the modern designed tread. I think one bad thing about the old straight treads that I haven't seen here on this thread is that they are also real bad about following any little crack or groove in the pavement.
Good for a show bike..not good for everyday riding...pretty much sums it up.
Thanks for the info. does anyone have info on 140/90/16 (rear size) on front of a Drifter 800?
The 140 is too big for the front fender.
130/90-16 is the same size as an H-D dresser
Quote from: Pilgrim on March 25, 2018, 14:09:01 PM
Good for a show bike..not good for everyday riding...pretty much sums it up.
Yea, I wanted so badly the OLD tire look but agree their performance is lacking and there are still those metal grated bridges and grooved pavement and having experienced that with old style tires in the "old days" I do not want to repeat that experience again. I will glumly accept the new tire treads that do not have the cool factor. At least I have whitewalls. And yes cleaning the rear white wall on a Drifter is a pain but I will accept this and deal with it because I love my Drifter.
;) I will agree with my learned friend from NY State....... ::) smart minds think alike........
130/90/16 front
140/90/16 rear
Dunlop Elite wide white wall.
My buddy has over 12000 miles on his and still isn't down half way yet. He says trick is to split what psi bike calls for and the tire calls for. He's running 34 front n 36 rear, with passenger he ups it to 38 on rear or if looooong ride he bumps front up two pds too.
Also. Instead of metal band inside tire I've always used wide electrical tape and wrap over spoke ends as I wrap inside three times.
Also get Quickshine99. Best ever! Use on chrome, paint, glass etc. no road tar, bugs etc anymore. Clean with just water.
What I also do is put a lil in a rag and wipe over white wall area only and you'll never have a problem keeping em white.
Hope this helps.
Quote from: Inkslinger43 on April 08, 2018, 12:01:14 PM
Also. Instead of metal band inside tire I've always used wide electrical tape and wrap over spoke ends as I wrap inside three times.
Also get Quickshine99. Best ever! Use on chrome, paint, glass etc. no road tar, bugs etc anymore. Clean with just water.
What I also do is put a lil in a rag and wipe over white wall area only and you'll never have a problem keeping em white.
Hope this helps.
where do you buy the quickshine99? Amazon has never heard of it...
Quote from: greenbarn on April 22, 2018, 23:02:13 PM
where do you buy the quickshine99? Amazon has never heard of it...
GB, check here, they can probably help you out on where to find it. http://www.quicshine99.us/
SO this is good stuff, eh? the quicshine?