What kind of tyre - radial or diagonal

[Sigurd]

Hi, I have to get a new rear tyre for my 1990 K100Lt. Should it be radial or diagonal? Can you mix types, eg radial and diagonal? When I look at the offers on the net, many of them are diagonal. I am fairly New to this, and confused. Pls enlighten me. The size is 130/90-17.

[Sigurd]

Nope, did not knew that. But what about my question?

[Glacial]

You may find some useful information on this thread:


http://www.motobrick.com/index.php/topic,2927.100.html

[koapono]

Greetings and welcome to the forum.
I am no tire/tyre expert so this is anecdotal based upon my personal experience.
Several years ago I bought a somewhat neglected 94 K1100LT, it had 52,000 miles on the odometer. There were bias-ply tires on the wheels, I do not recall the manufacturer and model type. Over the course of several months I rode it for a couple thousand miles before I parked it and performed a thorough inspection and maintenance cycle during which I replaced the old bias-ply tires with radials. I chose to do this based on conversations and information found on this forum and I had never rode a motorcycle with radial tires.
My choice of tires were Michelin Pilot Road series, PR3 for the front and PR4 on the rear.
The difference, for me, was immediately noticeable and remarkable. Smooth riding, tracked straight and true, confidence inspiring and longer lasting. The bike now has 86,000 miles and I have used the same type tire since.
Again, my experience for every forum member you will have another opinion/experience. You may also have to select another tire size to find ones that fit your wheels, lots of info on that here on the forum.
Also, it is a commonly accepted good practice not to mix radials with other type tires.
By the way, One of the best riding manuals I have ever read hails from your neck of the woods, should be required reading for all riders!
http://nmcu.org/files/Full%20Control_2013.pdf

[bizzaro]

When I got my 94K11 it had some old  tires on it that needed to be changed asap. Michelin Macadam rear, and Metzler Lazertech front I believe.  A common combo on the Big K's. I think I nursed them to under 1k before I switched them.   They were both Bias ply. Due to recommendations on this forum, I switched them out quickly for a radial. Bridgestone Battlax T30's is what I replaced them with. The rear was slightly oversized.  Even though they where rock solid and gripped like a bear, I didn't appreciate them until I wore them out and tried the bias ply Pirelli Sports demon's.  Not a great tire for a big, heavy touring bike IMHO.  I miss my radials and will probably switch them out before they are worn out to get back on a Radial tire.  YMMV.