Tires: ContiGo vs. Sport Demon vs. BT45

silent_vik

silent_vik

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Continental ContiGo
Pirelli Sport Demon
Bridgestone BT45

im trying to find the best tire out of these 3. i think these would be the only types/brands availaible in the sizes im looking for.

bike: 85 interceptor VF750F
tire size: 120/80-16 front
130/80-18 rear

type of riding: i am used to pilot road 2 on my 250. want something along those same lines. good performance tires that would be good in the wet as well. longevity isnt the most of concern but couldnt hurt. i dont ride much anyways.. but when i do, i do prefer to go on the country side twisties.
 
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The BT-45 is a great tire. I did use them on my 86 VFR, they wear quite well, with great grip. I got about 12,000 - 14,000 KM our of the rear, and would change the front every second rear.

I even did a few track days on them with out any issues.
 
Franko! said:
The BT-45 is a great tire. I did use them on my 86 VFR, they wear quite well, with great grip. I got about 12,000 - 14,000 KM our of the rear, and would change the front every second rear.

I even did a few track days on them with out any issues.
Click to expand...

thanks! BT45 it is. since u have a vfr, do u have any sources for parts in Canada or States u prefered? im guna be looking for a belly pan at the minimum. also a battery as well.
 
I had BT45's on my 1986 VF500 and my 1986 VFR750...both wore horribley and the front cupped badly.

I installed Pirelli Sport Demons on my VF500 and I loved them

I installed Avon Roadriders on my VFR750 and love them too.

But don't take my word for it.....read this article:




 

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crap....cant delete that attachemet :-(


Vik: regarding a place to order parts.....pm toastman on this forum. I have gotten all of my tires from him. Quick shipping, good pricing, and support a local/small shop.
 
What's up Vik,
You've got an '85 eh? Sweet.
My beloved Joanne, tall strong girl, (ex-girlfriend) actually bought one brand-new in 1983.
I had CB900F back then.
1985 is a good buy, they increased camshaft lubrication after having sometimes problems with extended high-RPM operation in 1983/4.
Then of course it was an all-new bike for '86.
Re: Tires
I believe the stock front size for it is 110/90-16, same as my 1987 ZX750 Ninja.
But it's fashionable to go to the 120/80, though I did not on mine.
I got BT45, but though the stock rear was 140/70-18 on my Ninja I wanted to go 150/70-18, so it had to be Bridgestone.
If you intend to put the big 120 on the front, you'd better go 140/70-18 on the back.
And for that you can get Avon; very nice, V-rated. Less money than BT45 H-rated!
The BT45 is good, it just costs more. (Get V-rated.)
130/80-18 eh? That's brutal, worse than I remember...
Back in the day a new 1980 CBX (100+ HP) used 120/90-18 rear.
130/80-18 was the popular 1-over size.
140/70-18 is getting into a smaller rolling-radius though, it will actually lower your seat height by almost a centimetre...
But it should be fine, and the teeny change in steering geometry will increase trail and therefore front wheel self-centering tendency and high-speed stability. The 16" fronts are not noted for any of that.
I would actually go 120 front on yours, because it's iconic - the big fat front on the little 16...
Never been seen before, radical.
But I wanted the 110/90 front because I wanted more rubber between my rim and the road up front!
In other words, my front is closer to a 17" than 120/80-16 is.
I don't like my 16" front and 18" rear, on yours it's iconic but on mine it's... unfortunate.
So:
120/80-16 and 140/70-18 Avon AM26 would be PERFECT for your baby,
sorry for the long post.
Regards
 
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I've been lucky with parts, my bike has only needed the usual maintenance stuff.
Ebay has lots of stuff from time to time. I think Zdeno's has some VF's.
 
Hey Gryphon. u sure u r not thinking about VF750S? i have the F version. all the specs websites for the F version say, the original sizes supposed to 120 and 130. i didnt get the manual with the bike.
 
Ditto, BT45 from Pete's. It's much better than the Dunlops in all respects. Great traction in wet and much more confident in turns. Also, the BT45s give no issues or sense of wandering when travelling on tar snakes, grind patterns on ground-up pavement, or metal grates on the decking of lift bridges.
 
+1 on BT45, had them stock on my ninja 250. used it for commuting 14,000 km and 3 track days... Still plenty of tread left before I sold it. And I was able to drag my knees pretty well with those tires.

I heard other ninja 250 owners who had to replace them much earlier from commuting...dunno why? maybe different riding habits?
 
so many responses for the BT45, but now it s a bit too late. already ordered Avon Roadrider. Supposed to be better than BT45 for this bike. I will see.

thanks all!
 
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