Let's talk tires! Gt380

[CowboyX]

So let's hear some reviews and recommendations for tires for my 380. Brands, models, stuff to stay away from, etc. I'll be using the original spoke rims so that will affect choices I'm sure. I was looking at an ad for Continental Classic Attacks. But then I thought of maybe a more scrambler style for facing the occasional gravel road. Give me some pros and cons of street vs scrambler. Of course I don't want to blow the rebuild budget in one go either so good econo tires are an option too.

[pearljam724]

I like Kendas for these bikes. Reason being the price, longevity, performance of the tires suit the performance of these old bikes. The tires are very cheap, fair mileage, fair grip. No reason to go much further considering the performance of these bikes. With some bikes it's important to match a high performance tire with a high performance bike. Especially depending on riding specifics. So, with that being a fact. Why anyone would want to spend a lot of money for a set of tires on a motorcycle that has a very poor horsepower to weight ratio doesn't make the slightest sense to me. They aren't the slightest fair at cornering due to clearance issues, etc. Unless, your looking for a high mileage tire. Then, I would look into a mid grade touring tire of your choice. But, do to the lack of horsepower. You'll get pretty good mileage even from a cheap tire.

[Alan H]

Dunlop Arrowmax Streetsmart. A GT380 is a bit low and wide for use off road as a scrambler.

[mike1161]

I bought these IRC Grand Sports 11s for my T350, and am really happy with them. They have a vintage look, and run pretty nice for the type of riding I think most of us do on these old bikes. Got both for a combined total of $115, from a place called Big Bad PowerSports (they had the best deal at the time), so I thought the price was a pretty good deal, too. I think you should be able to find a size to fit the GT380 also.

[zk0ot]

Conti Go!

[CowboyX]

Some great advice guys. Both about the tires and the limits of the bike. Still, do rear sets and the expansion chambers give it better clearance for cornering? I like the looks of the IRC tires. They have a great all round look at a good price. The continental look very sporty and grippy but they are probably a little more money.

[pearljam724]

Kenda's look very similar to those Conti's pictured. Yes, expansion chambers do add a lot of ground clearance. At least, Higgspeeds do. Pretty sure other brands do as well. What hurts these bikes a lot as far as ground clearance is the engine cases. Especially with the 380/550. There's nothing you can do to fix that. Other than buying another bike. What I like a lot about these old bikes, is they do in fact lack in a lot of areas. But, there are other fun factors you get from them that simply can't be found from other better performing modern machines. You have to accept them for what they are due to the times they were built. That doesn't make them any less enjoyable to me. You can slightly improve some of those aspects. But, for the most part. It is, what it is. Lol !

[Coyote]

Kendas for me too!

[CowboyX]

Kendas are definitely the fan favorite here it seems. They get mentioned a lot in other posts as well. Now the trick is to see if the local shop will get them in for me. I have a lot of high hopes for the little 380. I know it's more about fun than performance. Still, it is great to sport an old bike up and modernize it a bit.

[Alan H]

Dunlop details.
They should stick like sh1t to a very furry blanket.

[Tripleking]

I bought these IRC Grand Sports 11s for my T350, and am really happy with them. They have a vintage look, and run pretty nice for the type of riding I think most of us do on these old bikes. Got both for a combined total of $115, from a place called Big Bad PowerSports (they had the best deal at the time), so I thought the price was a pretty good deal, too. I think you should be able to find a size to fit the GT380 also.

I have these IRC tires on my GT380 and I have gotten as low as the pegs will allow (my expansion chambered pipes give me a bit more clearance vs. stock pipes) and they were nowhere near their limits. A good tire at a good price and they seem to wear nicely. I installed the Kendas on my 1970 Honda CB450, but have not yet ridden that bike.

[TLRam1]

I use the Bridgestone on mine.

[Vintageman]

In general, I run lower cost tires too and have bought more expensive ones as well, Not too many choices due to size.

However, if the OEM tires were a 4 ply I will not drop down to a 2 ply tire.

[woertske]

I am reading this topic... and I have a question too about tires..
I have a T350 (almost gt380 ) and the front tyre is 3.60x18 and rear 4.00x18. Original they are smaller.. (3.00x18 front and 3.25x18 rear)

My bike should have a robust outlook!! Want to make a flat-track or dirt-track bike out of it.
So the front-tyre has to be almost the same size as the rear.
Think about the Michelin M45 - size 3.00x18 and 3.25x18

Please advise me: Keep it Original, or go for other sizes.