The International CBX Owners Association

I have 120/90-18 Bridgestone Spitfire date 2812 on rear and 100/90-19 Bridgestone Spitfire date 4012 on front. I picked up a nail in the rear recently which is about 3/4 inch from center. I might be able to get it patched but I'm thinking it would be wise to replace it. I rarely go past 85 and mostly ride city streets. My replacement choices are:
1. Bridgestone Spitfire S11
2. Avon AM26 Roadrider
3. Shinko 230 Tour Master
btw - at 2lbs of air, the tire doesn't look all that flat. Probably old & hard.
Are my choices poor? btw I have no problem replacing the front to match.

They are 9 years old and so I would not roadrace them, but as long as they are not cracking on the sidewalls nor cupped or squared-off, I’d consider a patch and leaving them be. That said, I replaced a similarly old set of S11 with a fresh set of the Shinkos and the bike was much sweeter handling.

FYI - you have to search long and hard to find a new set of Bridgestones and they will be date coded a couple of years ago at least. Shinkos are a great choice.

Dave

+1 on the Shinko's.

That can be plugged....

Ok so I'm about ready to order some Shinkos. Will go with 100/90-19 Tour Master 230 on front. Question is can I go with 130/90-18 on the rear or will that size be too big. In other words stick with 120/90-18 for the rear? According to Shinko the 130 is 0.39 inches wider which amounts to 0.195 inches either side of center line. Am I asking for trouble?

I’m not sure I’d trust any 9 year old tire for use as to the hardness of it and grip it would provide in any slippery condition regardless of tread,don’t ask me how I know
Mfgs say tire life is 5-7 years

You will be fine with the 130.

Artie, I'm a wuss when it comes to slippery conditions. I don't ride in the rain but I do like good dry handling. I rode home from a bike show on the CBX a while back. When I left, a guy said my rear tire looked low. On the ride it felt a bit wrong so I rode very conservatively. I measured it when I got home and it was at 2 lbs. It didn't look all that flat. I let all the air out and it still held its shape. Kinda tells me the rubber is hard. I remember changing the 20 year old tires on my CB400F after I bought it. It made a huge improvement. I'm reasonably happy with my CBX but who knows how much better it could be?
Steve, thanks for the 130 info. One of my other bikes is a Buell XB9R with a 180/55 ZR 17 on the rear. The big meat look is addictive.

You’re not talking much of a contact patch with motorcycle tires soft pliable rubber and grip is very important ..duh
Dig your thumbnail or press on tread with screwdriver of new tire vs 5-6 year old tire
My front tire a 6 year old Dunlop 3115 (2015) made installed 2018 has 3000 miles with fine tread but feels hard like a hockey puck compared to new new Shinko Tourmaster waiting TBI
NEVER again will use tires older than 5 years again don’t ask me how I know

While at the Wisconsin Uplands Tour in June, we were tire kicking and someone noticed a badly cracked tire on the front of a bike. Owner said he'd just bought and installed it recently. Date code as sometime in 2015. Bought from a major tire distributor.

That said, not all tire brands are created equal. I've run some tires many years beyond where most folks would toss them. Others don't fare so well.

Does Avon still make vintage tires? once upon a time they made a tire with a wider footprint for narrow rims

Any of the online major vendors say that they can sell you a tire up to 5 years old but all said that I could return if I was getting any tire and not happy with date of mfg who wants to buy old tires buyer beware
Just bought Shinko Tourmasters from J&P Cycles 2020 and 2021 mfg date keepers not just got to spoon them on

As mentioned above, if the sidewalls are good, I would patch with your type of riding. Would NOT plug it, though. Plugs are best, IMHO, as a band-aid to get to either a patch or replacement. One other tire brand to consider is Kenda. Good overall handling and wet grip.

I can't find any shop that will patch a motorcycle tire. Liability issue. Guess it's time for new shoes