Tyres?

[guest1680]

Hi,

I have an R26 250cc single that has some 'old' AVON tyres fitted - a ribbed front tyre and a block pattern rear tyre. These aren't as old as the bike but they arent new...   ....and I wonder if I should fit some newer (not necasarily more modern pattern) rubber.

The AVON (UK) site doesn't seem to list the R26 size...in whats fitted - I think they are old 'Speedmaster tyres'.....

The size I gather for the R26 (and maybe other older singles and even /2 bikes) is I think is 3.25 x 18.  

What is a recommended tyre / combination of tyres for a single?

I recall yrs ago Michelin, Pirelli, Continental and Metezler used to make tyres for smaller bikes (in the 70's) and recently seen names of Heidenau and Mitas - but as the bike isn't the modern 'plastic sports bike' tyres to fit seem hard to identify.

Can anyone share their preferences?  

Regards

Mark

[guest1680]

[Rütz]

Hi Mark,

my personal expierience:

Metzeler ME 22  -> very good performance, roadholding and "wobbleproof"; look is a matter of taste (i like it)

Heidenau K34  -> good performance as well; look is nearly original

Michelin M45  -> very good when new; but terrible, when the profile blocks become uneven

Metzeler "Block C"  -> the original tyre; the today available reproductions are licened, but not made by Metzer and qualitiy (i.e. balancing) is poor

Dunlop K82  -> has a special performance: falling digitally into corners, "straighting up" when braking inclined (this is surely wrong english, hope you understand ) and slightly prone to wobble (i don't like it, but others do)

regards
Ruetz

[mekgyver]

Hi Mark,
for a long time i've testet the Metzeler M22 front and rear,
nowerdays, since 2 jears ME22 (soft rubber mixture) front and ME77 (medium rubber mixture) rear i've been riding,
i can say it's always good.
I think it's a good an safety choice for hard at the limit riding bikers, as i am.

Hope it helps, regards, mek    

[BenW]

Hi Mark,

The correct size for your R26 is 3.25x18.

I had been riding Block Cs and Metzelers (ME22 front/ME77 rear) for the past 20 years. Block Cs were quite original, but nowadays the quality and performance seems to be rather mixed, if not poor. The Metzlers were OK, but looked very 'modern' and are more expensive.

Two years ago I switched to Heidenau K34 (3.25 - 18 M/C 52S TT) and couldn't be any happier. They look better (i.e. more like the old Block Cs) than Metzelers for my taste, and are a joy to ride in all weather conditions. On top of that, they are rather affordable. Here's a link to this tyre on their website:
http://www.reifenwerk-heidenau.de/modules/reifenliste/view.php?point=2&rtyp=9&sv=1&profil=14&pic=16

Attached you will find an image of this tyre on my R26.

Cheers,
BenW

[† odeon8]

Hi Mark,

it depends on what you prefer:

• Old style look
• Performance

In order to get best performance on my R26 concernig maximum slant in curves
i asked Bridgestone for a solution. They calculated the 3.25 - 18 size into their actual
models and gave me a written release for

• Rear: BT45 110/80 - 18
• Front: BT45 100/90 - 18

Link

I am riding bikes since 1968 and i must say that i never found a better street behavior
at such an old (1956) model . . .

For an old style look you may use some Chinese tyres like these 

Thomas

[rolf.soler]

For an old style look you may use some Chinese tyres like these 

Or Heidenau Tyres, or Mitas Tyres. Both look nice on our old bikes, and are good, and relatively cheap.
For Brits: The Avon Speedmaster or Safety mileage tyres are also nice (I have them on my sidecar bike), but I think they come only in 19'' Check their website
Personally, I still have Metzeler Block C and are quite happy wih them. Not all of them are produced in dubious countries; mine are made in Germany (the 3.50 - 18 on the boxer as well as the 3.25-18 on the R27, at least that's what is printed on it). But I willl replace them with Mitas or Heidenau next time. At least same quality, but better price.

Dunlop and Metzeler 22 / 77 and Michelin ad Bridgestone may be good, but look ugly 
...o.k. I'm gone

[bullet]

Mark,

if you like the look of the Avon Speedmaster tyres, you could consider the combination of Heidenau K44 for front and K34 for rear wheel.  The look is very close to the Speedmaster pair, the K44 does not look as rough as the K34.  Gives a good balance, very well controllable in the rain.  The Speedmaster gave me almost a heart attack in a thunderstorm, I don't miss it.  In contrast to Avon and Metzeler, the Heidenau tyres have a modern rubber, only their pattern looks like "vintage".

Regards,
HaGü

[BSA Bob]

I ordered a Heidenau K34 3.25.18 for the front wheel of my R26 project & a 3.50s turned up. Apparently 3.25s aren't available in Australia. I'm inclined to use it but would this make the front wheel feel heavy? I'd appreciate any opinions.

[strichzwojan]

Heidenaus are quite good and a bit cheaper than the Metzeler Block C5, but the K34 profile is not as durable as the Block C5.

Jan

[Einzylindär]

Hello.
I had chosen Dunlop K82 this year for my R27. I am satsfied. I like the apprearance/look of these tyres.

https://bmw-einzylinder.de/forum/index.php?topic=20653.msg309616#msg309616

best regards
Stefan, the one cylindrist

[rolf.soler]

I ordered a Heidenau K34 3.25.18 for the front wheel of my R26 project & a 3.50s turned up. Apparently 3.25s aren't available in Australia. I'm inclined to use it but would this make the front wheel feel heavy? I'd appreciate any opinions.

Many users choose the 3.50 x 18 on purpose. It fits, no problem, Thats the tyre used for R50 etc. boxers, same dimensions in terms of the rims, mudguard, forks, wheels.  Personally, I stay with the more slender 3.25x18. it looks a bit more elegant in a 250 ccm. But you can use the 3.50, no problem

[Hans Otté]

Hi Mark,
for the R26 & R27 bikes front wheel a 3.25x18" would be the best choice regarding the handling in dynamic driving.
However, you can mount a 3.50 in front without any problem. Just the direction will feel somewhat more "heavy" when you need to turn at low speed or maneuvering your bike by hand.  Metzeler 3.25 tires are less noisy in driving than the Heidenau ones on paved grounds.
Fuel consumption may also be something less as the Metzeler are more smooth in profile design.
For the rear wheel a 3.50 is a quite appropriate choice. That's just the combination i myself have mounted on my R27.
Have fun riding your R26, its just a very nice old fashioned bike. Regards, *****

[BSA Bob]

Thanks for these replies. I bought the Heidenau 3.50 & now it's on the wheel. It's the first Heidenau I've seen that doesn't have direction arrows. This project won't be finished for a while, with any luck the 3.25 will be available when I need the second tyre.

[BSA Bob]

I just contacted the national distributor for Heidenau in Australia who told me the 3.25 .18 isn't stocked in this country. Dammit!!

[rolf.soler]

I just contacted the national distributor for Heidenau in Australia who told me the 3.25 .18 isn't stocked in this country. Dammit!!

And the dealers in Germany , UK or Poland or whatever etc. don't send parcels to Australia ? I mean, if you really want it....
But you can use the 3.50....it is not THAT much fatter...

[BSA Bob]

rolf
I briefly thought of importing a 3.25, but only briefly. A 3.50 will be OK.