How big of rear tire fits commando? (2010)

Time Warp said:
What part of Continental Classic Attack 120/90/18 was missed.

I can not comment on the 120/90/18 Classic Attack radial but if I was to fit an 18 inch rear rim (unlikely) I would now consider the Bridgestone BT 46 in a 19 front / 18 rear combination over the Classic Attack in any size based on the resent information.
Tom U I hope you actually get someone with a 120/90/19 Classic Attack on the rear to post.
I can't see it being any different fit wise to the antiquated Avon's though.
#
When that time comes I will ask their advice sticking to 19's both ends regarding a 100/90/19 BT46 reversed on the rear wheel.
One problem with the 19 inch Classic Attack is even though they come in a front and rear dedicated fitment the thread depth is the same almost like the rear is a front with reversed arrow (Are they different internally being a radial is unknown, that might include the not imported here 110/85/19 rear also)

Mileage reports on the CA 19's is not inspiring but the 120/18 rear might be different (more thread depth) and most likely sold in higher numbers being popular in racing circles also.
Click to expand...
Not trying to derail this thread but I have the 19" Conti classic attacks on my commando and was also disappointed when they arrived with the " dedicated" rear tyre tread depth.
The Nz $318 tyre lasted one trip from home to Fairly in the south island and back again ( under 3000 km).
Saying that they handle extremely well.
 
I think the Bridgetones may be slightly narrower being bias ply. I wrote Continental asking but have not heard back. I may have to purchase them to find out.
 
blaisestation said:
Not trying to derail this thread but I have the 19" Conti classic attacks on my commando and was also disappointed when they arrived with the " dedicated" rear tyre tread depth.
The Nz $318 tyre lasted one trip from home to Fairly in the south island and back again ( under 3000 km).
Saying that they handle extremely well.
Click to expand...

I can't see it as a derailment, those other people have told old mate he is asking the wrong question according to them or should be fitting Avon's in a totally different size including rim diameter. :rolleyes: so may never get an answer.
#
The 100/90/19's were AU$259 front and $269 rear (The rear no longer available it seems, the 110/85/19 never imported)
3000 kms is somewhat alarming, I was told they need a high pressure as do the Continental Trail Attacks on my Africa Twin but those seem to last forever (I wish now I had recorded the fitment date)
 
Not sure why we’re all getting precious about de railing the thread.

Its a 12 year old thread chaps… the OP never even replied… and hasn’t been seen since the day after posting it 12 years ago…

Can‘t see any harm in a healthy conversation amongst enthusiasts taking a few twists n turns…
 
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This thread has it all ;)

Original poster that never came back to read the answers.

Reopening of a 12 year old Zombie thread instead of just starting a fresh one.

Being told the same opinion for the 38th, and that really should be the last time, but definitely won't be.

A post asking for the impossible ie the width of a rarely fitted tyre on an unspecified rim width size.

Thankfully some humorous replies.

Lots of off piste replies but with useful info.

But at least it's not an oil thread
 
kommando said:
This thread has it all ;)

Original poster that never came back to read the answers.

Reopening of a 12 year old Zombie thread instead of just starting a fresh one.

Being told the same opinion for the 38th, and that really should be the last time, but definitely won't be.

A post asking for the impossible ie the width of a rarely fitted tyre on an unspecified rim width size.

Thankfully some humorous replies.

Lots of off piste replies but with useful info.

But at least it's not an oil thread
Click to expand...
Sums up this site very elequantly ! Some useful information always comes out
It's still way better than most other sites
For the 39th time
 
kommando said:
This thread has it all ;)

Original poster that never came back to read the answers.

Reopening of a 12 year old Zombie thread instead of just starting a fresh one.

Being told the same opinion for the 38th, and that really should be the last time, but definitely won't be.

A post asking for the impossible ie the width of a rarely fitted tyre on an unspecified rim width size.

Thankfully some humorous replies.

Lots of off piste replies but with useful info.

But at least it's not an oil thread
Click to expand...

Opening a new thread vs updating an existing thread just creates a bunch of threads on the same subject. Oh, and these are 50 year old bikes. Do things evolve rapidly?
 
If you want stock or stock appearing rims you will be limited to WM3-19 as far as I have discovered. So the best you can do is put
on WM3 fore and aft on the Commando and go with the 100-90 tyre. No,it isnt as wide as it should be but there you are.
If you want wider rim then it is an alloy one and if that is ok with you then off you go. 18 inch at the stern and choices are much better for tyre choice.
 
Onder said:
18 inch at the stern and choices are much better for tyre choice.
Click to expand...
The range of available tyre choice in 18" sizes is definitely...umm...wider...

It's debatable if some of the choices people make are 'better'.... ;)
 
SteveA said:
The range of available tyre choice in 18" sizes is definitely...umm...wider...

It's debatable if some of the choices people make are 'better'.... ;)
Click to expand...
I have an 18" rim on the back of my '74 MK II. It has an Avon Roadrider MK II 110/90-18 61V on it now. (Front is a 90/90-19) How does this tire rate overall for spirited touring? I am looking for good wear characteristics with an emphasis on wet traction and of course, good dry traction. Would I be wise to purchase the same tire when replacing the one presently on the bike? Is the 90/90-19 110/90-18 combination a good choice for handling?
 
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Dan1950 said:
I have an 18" rim on the back of my '74 MK II. It has an Avon Roadrider MK II 110/90-18 61V on it now. (Front is a 90/90-19) How does this tire rate overall for spirited touring? I am looking for good wear characteristics with an emphasis on wet traction and of course, good dry traction. Would I be wise to purchase the same tire when replacing the one presently on the bike? Is the 90/90-19 110/90-18 combination a good choice for handling?
Click to expand...
I am not the guy to tell you really, my most recent road riding has been done on trials knobblies! But you asked, so I will give you my opinions, but let's hope someone else chimes in with more relevant actual feedback and comparison of your options.

To me, spirited riding is when the tyre sheds balls of rubber.....something rarely done when road riding. I have ridden race tracks with tyres from 90/90 front and rear but including 110/80 and 127/70 x 17 fronts and 190/50 rears....dry and intermediates, I have shredded them all to some extent! I have also decked the pegs on 700lb touring bikes with luggage and a passenger.....and without....These days I really don't ride as hard as I did but you would still call my riding spirited at times.

I run 18" rims on two of my race bikes! I have another race bike with 19" front and rear that had an 18" rear as standard issue. The tyres used are race compound Avon AM26s, 90/90 and 100/90 (race compound Roadriders). The reason for the change in this case is ground clearance, it has 20mm longer shocks too, and I suspect I will go another 10mm longer soon.

On a road going Commando I would stick to 19" rims, my experience with 19" rims on a Commando was always positive, if a little easy to get footrest grounding. If I was changing from original rimss, I would use minimum WM3 front and WM4 rear. If I bought a Commando with an 18" rear I would try it, but anticipate I would change back to 19". 110/90 would be the widest tyre I would consider (on and 18" rim), but anticipate I would settle on 100/90 as a good compromise in 19".

I like the Avon Roadrider tyre, and I would use that by preference as a road tyre on any classic bike.

I have no experience of the Conti, I would like to try them as a race tyre, I think they will hold up better in hot conditions than the Heidenaus I use, which are however, in race compounds, a great cooler weather and wet conditions tyre.

I used plenty of Bridgestones at one time clocking near two hundred thousand commuting and touring miles on them, including a bit of 'spirited' stuff in the mountains. Bridgestone makes great road tyres.

I would not use a 1970s tyre, even if they were great in the 1970s, time moves on.
 
SteveA said:
I am not the guy to tell you really, my most recent road riding has been done on trials knobblies! But you asked, so I will give you my opinions, but let's hope someone else chimes in with more relevant actual feedback and comparison of your options.

To me, spirited riding is when the tyre sheds balls of rubber.....something rarely done when road riding. I have ridden race tracks with tyres from 90/90 front and rear but including 110/80 and 127/70 x 17 fronts and 190/50 rears....dry and intermediates, I have shredded them all to some extent! I have also decked the pegs on 700lb touring bikes with luggage and a passenger.....and without....These days I really don't ride as hard as I did but you would still call my riding spirited at times.

On a road going Commando I would stick to 19" rims, my experience with 19" rims on a Commando was always positive, if a little easy to get footrest grounding. If I was changing from original rimss, I would use minimum WM3 front and WM4 rear. If I bought a Commando with an 18" rear I would try it, but anticipate I would change back to 19". 110/90 would be the widest tyre I would consider (on and 18" rim), but anticipate I would settle on 100/90 as a good compromise in 19".

I like the Avon Roadrider tyre, and I would use that by preference as a road tyre on any classic bike.
Click to expand...
At one time, "spirited" riding meant grounding the pegs 2-up and watching the sparks in my rear view mirror. Now days I'm not much of a risk taker as I once was. 'spirited" to me now means taking the bike into corners at what I consider near the edge, but not the "ragged edge". After all it isn't wise to takes risks far from home. (touring)

Since the rear rim is now an 18" and the diameter of the 110/90-18 rear tire is only about 1/4" larger than the front 90/90-19 front, I don't anticipate making changes in wheel/tire sizes unless someone can point out a significant advantage in doing so.

Your endorsement of the Avon Roadrider tires also makes my initial decision to stay with what is on the bike when replacement is made seem like a wise choice.
 
I’d be very surprised if Roadriders weren’t grippy enough for anyone on the road. I use them on the track and think they’re great.

I run a 100/90 19 front and a 4.10 18 rear because this combo give the same rolling radius front and rear, with a little more contact patch when leaned over.

Running 19s front and rear will also give all the handling you need. The only downside is that universal tyres (meaning same tyre can be fitted front and rear) have less tread depth, and a consequently shorter life, than a rear fitment tyre (the 90/90 19 has 5mm tread depth, the 4.10 18 has 7.5mm… ie 50% more). As to whether or not that’s an issue is down to the individual.

So whether its 19/18 or 19/19, I will certainly vouch for Roadriders.

Avon give great info on their tyres: https://www.avontyres.com/en-gb/tyres/roadrider-mkii?cartype=motorcycle

But, a mate recently tried Metzeler classic tyres on his T140 and they felt great too. Others will no doubt recommend Bridgestones and Continentals.

Bottom line is that any of the above, chosen in the appropriate size for the rims, will be fine.
 
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I remember the ex-Avon Technical Manager Alan (?) giving a talk to the local NOC branch 20 years or more ago.

He said that Avon Super-Venoms were not a good choice as a Commando was not powerful enough to be ridden hard or
fast enough to keep the Super Venoms up to their optimum working temperature.

This caused vehement responses from the old gits present, but Alan (?) strongly defended his opinion that Venoms and
not Super Venoms were the better choice.

That was 20 years ago so more relevant now than then.

Obviously this does not apply to Fast Eddie who I'm sure keeps his tyres well up to optimum working temperature at all times :)

(Point being that the tyre temperature is important for the grip/handling)
 
A review of above user recommendations, applicabel to a standard Commando, yields:

At the front:
Tyre 90/90-18"/19" on a minimum 1.85", optimum 2.15" wide rim
Tyre 100/90-18"/19" on a minimum 2.15", optimum 2.50" wide rim

At the rear:
Tyre 100/90-18"/19" on a minimum 2.15", optimum 2.50" wide rim
Tyre 110/90-18"/19" on a minimum 2.15", optimum 2.50" wide rim
Tyre 120/90-18"/19" on a minimum 2.50", optimum 2.75" wide rim if a Bridgestone BT46 is fitted (info by Matt/CNW)

-Knut
 
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