classic bike tyres

[125H]

I wondered if an members had any opinions on tyres for my Morini 125H,size is 2.75 X 18 and 3.00 X 18.
My original tyres need replacing, I don't really want an Indian or Chinese made tyre as I had issues with them when fitted to a car, it was like trying to stop a sledge, but British tyres seem to have disappeared, Goodyear took over Avon then closed the factory, I suppose one option would be Pirelli, but are they still made in Italy?

Any suggestions are appreciated.

Leonard Gant.

[Morini Jen]

Hi Leonard.

Not based on experience, but Dunlop K82 Universal may be worth considering?

https://www.vintagetyres.com/dunlop-k82 ... sal-275-18

https://www.vintagetyres.com/dunlop-k82 ... sal-300-18

[Parker3865]

I have ContiGos on my 250 2c, the same size. Seem ok now I have the pressures worked out. They are tubed, but I believe Continental are discontinuing them. Others are using Metzeler ME22, I think, but the sizes are tubeless. Assume it is ok to put tubes in?
https://twotyres.co.uk/product/metzeler-me-22/

[MickeyMoto]

Continental
Michelin
Pirelli
Metzeler

Go on tinterweb and do some research.

Choose a known brand, they will not risk skidomatics.

[125H]

thanks for replies, I am considering having the rims fitted with a bonded liner (Central Wheel building) this allows the fitting of tubeless tyres and will increase the availability of choice, as its not getting any easier to find what one wants.
We must be aware though, that just because something is sold branded with a well known name, that it may not be of the same quality as the original, as I found to my displeasure with car tyres, fitted by the company I worked for, they where actually produced in Asia from some sort of hard synthetic compound, very hard and did not grip under breaking and failed to get up a low-rise hill in snow. I refused to drive the car again until they were replaced.

I will certainly be looking for tyres made in Europe, this time.

[MickeyMoto]

Are the rims tubeless? If not you are risking blow out or deflation along with the tyre not staying on the rim.

Most tyres are tubeless but can be run with tubes.

I have run Pirellis that are made in China on my 650 and 1200 Morinis, fitted as oem, and were absolutely fine. I have bought replacements from the Internet and they are the same tyre. I have Lassa tyres fitted to my car, a Bridgestone company, made in Turkey, also fine. The only tyre I really hated was a CST fitted to the Excretia, it was horrible.

[125H]

I will have to be guided by Central Wheel as to the rims and suitability for tubes or tubeless tyres, they rebuilt the wheels with new rims about three years ago.

It is quite possible that the non British tyres have improved over the years - its sometime since I had the incidents with car tyres and I suppose it all depends on the compounds used and the manufacturing process. Its just a shame we don't produce anything anymore. We live in an age of Indian made Royal Enfield's and BSA's and of course Chinese Morini's.

[norbert]

That´s the way it is.
Does anyone use a computer or smart phone made or designed in GB or Europa? Since quite a long time people are drinking tea that has not grown in a british garden. Maybe the diference is that now the rules of the old european conolizacion are not accepted anymore in great part of the world. And we are wondering, feeling unconfortable and beeing treated unfair by others that rule the worlds economy today, meanwhile our nations for hundreds of years have treated them allways with love and tenderness.

I agree that it is a shame, that we don´t produce anymore a lot of important products (medicaments, energetic stuff and other things maybe more important than tyres). But we want it all cheap! That means only some big players can supply for the price we are willing to pay and earn a lot of money meanwhile the fundament of local/nacional economy is eroding.

Like the old grumpy head said:
The times they are a-changin´

[mbmm350s]

That´s the way it is.
Does anyone use a computer or smart phone made or designed in GB or Europa? Since quite a long time people are drinking tea that has not grown in a british garden. Maybe the diference is that now the rules of the old european conolizacion are not accepted anymore in great part of the world. And we are wondering, feeling unconfortable and beeing treated unfair by others that rule the worlds economy today, meanwhile our nations for hundreds of years have treated them allways with love and tenderness.

I agree that it is a shame, that we don´t produce anymore a lot of important products (medicaments, energetic stuff and other things maybe more important than tyres). But we want it all cheap! That means only some big players can supply for the price we are willing to pay and earn a lot of money meanwhile the fundament of local/nacional economy is eroding.

Like the old grumpy head said:
The times they are a-changin´

well said sir, even the bit about British tea.
The west is addicted to cheap and the Far East feeds our addiction

Metzeler ME22 tyres made in Germany? Nope - Indonesia
Continental made in Germany, probably not try Thailand.
Richard could check the tyres DOT plant code.
Avon Melksham plant code AT (1AT) is no more.
Perhaps look to Japan for homemade products?
Let us not go back to those Jap Crap days, its just divisive nonsense.
Are we really saying that people can be ostracised
for buying a Triumph motorcycle because it wasn't assembled at Hinckley,
or its somehow not a proper Triumph? Or buying a CF Moto on silly cheap lease deal
means they are not a real motorcyclist?

Pirelli Scorpion tyres made in China are superb the are on my "Fatto a Mano en Italia" 1200
Ceat tyres as OEM on Royal Enfields are great tyres.
Brembo motorcycle brakes even high end are made in China.
ByBre a subsidiary of Brembo makes brakes for Royal Enfield and others in India
Ducati Energie has plants in India.

Why?
In Thailand 2023 New Motorcycle registrations was 1.8M, this exceeds that of UK (105K), Spain, France
Germany and the once mighty Italian market combined. The markets couldnt amass more than 1.05M
Lets not stop there, Indonesia a Whopping 6M new registrations. Pales against India's 21M
yes of course many are tiddlers but not all, China registrations of motorcycles over 250cc was 425K ,
more than Italy's total registrations!

To think that much will be made for mainstream motorcycles in Europe is increasing fantasy.
For sure we would in Europe love there to be local manufacturing,
but its only going to be for products for the wealthy few.
Assembly of vehicles of parts from around the world is normal.
KTM are going east, Europe's largest by volume manufacturer has recently moved 790 model production east.
who will be next even the mighty BMW, when people decide they no longer need a 20K+ two wheeled SUV?
more models move to India's Hosur plant?

As to quality that is for the designers to specify.

Mark

[Parker3865]

The Made in Britain ship sailed long ago. However more money is in the design and intelectual property. Hence iphones designed in California and made in China. Good until the Chinese engineers and designers become self-sufficient (as they are with electric cars). Please don't take this as zenophobic or racist, just how it is.

Meanwhile back to tyres!
My ContiGos are made in Taiwan.
(FYI the Heidenau tyres on my Garelli are made in Germany and the Michelins on my Honda 600 are made in Spain.)

[Parker3865]

And lastly!
Bought mine as a known brand and were tubed. Stick to the big names and the quality should be the same.