Michelin M45 - anyone used 'em ?

[Phil-UK]

Hi All

Anyone used Michelin M45 tyres on a Hawk, Superhawk or other lightweight Honda ?
Had K82s front & back, then went to Cheng Shin ribbed front, block rear which are fine
in the dry but feel iffy in the wet.
Don't see IRC tyres here in the UK - any other recommendations welcome.

thanks

Phil

[Vince Lupo]

Hi Phil -- Did you not like the K82's? That's what I've been running on my CB77 for the past few years and I really like them. Brian Crichton at Classic Bike Magazine did a tire test a few years back on a 500 Enfield, and he considered the K82's to be a 'best buy', based upon price and quality.

I don't know anything about those Michelins, but have you given the good folks at Wheelhouse Tyres in Birmingham a ring? They might be able to suggest other options if the K82's weren't to your liking.

[Phil-UK]

Hi Vince

The K82s were fine, I was thibnking about the Michelin's because of cost ( quite a bit cheaper )
and availability ( they suit a lot of small commuter bikes and are sold as urban tyres ).
May go back to the K82s in the end - I used the Cheng Shin's to ride to Dijon and do the
track runs there but they really aren't confidence inspiring in the wet.
I don't think I'd have fallen off on the way back in the rain if I'd still had the K82s on.

I'll see if anyone posts any info then make a decision.

cheers

Phil

[e3steve]

I used to run my GT380s on K81s (TT100) back in mid-70s to early-80s; you always knew you could trust them, wet or dry (but avoiding inspection covers in a bend the road!). I never rode either of those bikes on the OE Bridgestones (Sensitol Lubricated!), but Bridgestone have come a long way since the 70s. K82s are the modern equivalent but the tread pattern leaves a little to be desired for a classic bike. And Dunlop no longer manufacture a 2.75, according to Mick at Wheelhouse Tyres:

Steve,
I’ve only just noticed that you’ve asked for a 2.75-18 front, unfortunately Dunlop have discontinued this tyre some 2 years ago and we no longer have stock. The options available in these sizes are, Continental Conti-Go, Metzeler ME22’s, Michelin M45’s or Pirelli City Demon. You should be able to check the tyre patterns on the manufacture’s own websites if you want to see the type of pattern they have. If you are interested in any one in particular let me know and I’ll work our a price for you.

Hence, I'm still scouting for a grippy, classic-treaded pair.

Sorry, my point is that Mick reckoned the K82 is a 'sportier' version of the K70 (my 1st CB77 was on a pair of K70s and was grippier that a grippy thing) and K81, so, in theory, the K82 is a better tyre than the K81 (TT100); it just doesn't look 'period'.