Author Topic: Winter (Cold weather) tire suggestions?  (Read 4118 times)

Offline k75novice

  • Motobrick Curious
  • Posts: 21
Winter (Cold weather) tire suggestions?
« on: November 22, 2017, 01:50:49 PM »
I'm thinking about kitting up my K75 abs with a windscreen, heated grips, and handguards to extend the riding season. I'm in Manhattan, NY so roads will be snow free 99% of the time. Can anyone recommend a tire that does well in cold weather conditions? I'm currently on Continental ContiGo All-round V-rated tires, good tread, installed a year and 2,000 miles ago.
  • NYC
  • 1994 K75

Offline Martin

  • ^ Quintessential Motobricker
  • Posts: 4475
Re: Winter (Cold weather) tire suggestions?
« Reply #1 on: November 22, 2017, 02:12:13 PM »
Gryph will add to this, Shinko's very well thought of by many in the US, and he runs them in all weather. Yokohama technology, good wear, grip and excellent price.
Regards Martin.
  • North Lakes Queensland Australia
  • 1992 K75s Hybrid, Lefaux, Vespa V twin.

Offline The Mighty Gryphon

  • Administrator
  • ^ Quintessential Motobricker
  • Posts: 6852
Re: Winter (Cold weather) tire suggestions?
« Reply #2 on: November 22, 2017, 09:00:07 PM »
Okay, I'll shill for Shinko. 

I did about 2,000 miles last winter(December, January, February, and March) with no problems on my Shinko Tourmasters.  Granted, temperatures were above freezing most of the time, occasionally all the way up into the 50's and the pavement was mostly dry.   I doubt that any tire is going to work on snow or ice with a K bike, but the Tourmasters didn't do anything scary in the cold. 
  • In my garage in Marilla, NY
  • '91K100RS White/Blue
Current:
'91 K100RS16V "Moby Brick Too"

Past:
'94 K75RT "Ilsa, She Wolf of the SS"
'92 K100RS16V "Moby Brick" (RIP, deceased in a vehicular assault)
'94 K75S Special Edition Dakar Yellow "Cheetos"
'89 K100RS Special Edition "Special Ed"

Offline F14CRAZY

  • ^ Quintessential Motobricker
  • Posts: 1091
Re: Winter (Cold weather) tire suggestions?
« Reply #3 on: November 26, 2017, 05:36:03 PM »
While I was going to MSU I commuted one winter from Grand Rapids (60 miles or so each way) mostly via I-96. Shinko Tour Masters did great and I've ridden below freezing plenty of times at 80 mph. I still figure that if you hit ice you're F-ed but I haven't hit ice fortunately
  • Grand Rapids, MI
  • '87 K75C
'87 K75C w/ Pichler V1 fairing. LED's, CATZ driving lights, Audiovox cruise, LT top case, tons of other mods by Drake...


Offline RobP

  • ^ Proficient Motobricker
  • Posts: 183
Re: Winter (Cold weather) tire suggestions?
« Reply #4 on: November 27, 2017, 02:14:04 PM »
If you're considering a windscreen - FWIW:   I added an Aeroflow windscreen to my K100RS and it has made a huge difference in being able to withstand riding when it's below freezing.  Plus a significant reduction in wind noise and the bobble-head effect of wind buffeting.
  • Driftwood, TX
  • 1985 K100RS

Offline k75novice

  • Motobrick Curious
  • Posts: 21
Re: Winter (Cold weather) tire suggestions?
« Reply #5 on: December 05, 2017, 04:54:38 PM »
After seeing it in another naked K build thread, I bought this windshield from Amazon: Slipstream "Spitfire" S06C
I'm 6'2" 32" inseam and the wind hits right in the visor. I'm using earplugs to ignore the buffeting as I rarely go on highways (NYC) and it keeps all wind off my neck/collar/under helmet. The cutout fits decently around the gauge cluster. A taller screen would be better but is hard to find.

Still waiting on installing heated grips and generic hand guards (turns out OEM ones are NLA).
  • NYC
  • 1994 K75

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