Tires for CB77

Vince Lupo · Post by **Vince Lupo** » Fri Mar 05, 2010 6:15 pm

I'm checking out Michelin M62 Gazelle tires at the moment. They're 'P' rated (93mph), and I have a call in to Michelin USA to see if these tires would be okay for SuperHawks. Michelin refers to them as suitable for 'small' motorcycles, and Motorcycle Superstore.com refers to them as 'Scooter' tires, so i'll see what Michelin's resident 'expert' has to say to me next week....I think it's the big white puffy guy who will be calling me.

Vince Lupo · Post by **Vince Lupo** » Sat Mar 06, 2010 4:32 pm

While I'm waiting for the Michelin Man to call me back, I did a bit of comparison on my own with the Dunlop K82's that are presently on my bike and these M62 Gazelle tires (they are made in Thailand, BTW):

Both the rear Dunlop and Michelin are two-ply tires that are max-load rated at 440 lbs, though the Dunlops are for 36 psi and the Michelins are for 41 psi. The fronts are also 2-ply, but the Dunlop is rated for 340 lbs max-load at 36 psi, while the Michelins are rated for 397 lbs max-load at 36 psi.

So, I would say that these Michelins fit the ticket! They are in current production, they look great, and I just picked up 4 tires (2 fronts and 2 rears) in the proper SuperHawk sizes for $95 delivered from Motorcycle Superstore. These seem to be good tires, and hopefully will be the solution for many of us -- until they decide to discontinue them of course!

I'll still let everyone know what the Michelin Man says if/when he calls me back.

Here is the link to these tires on the Michelin USA website: http://www.michelinmotorcycle.com/index.cfm?event=M62

teazer · Post by **teazer** » Sat Mar 06, 2010 11:36 pm

Vince, why does teh Michelin site only list 17" sizes and not 18" for the CB77?

Vince Lupo · Post by **Vince Lupo** » Sun Mar 07, 2010 6:11 am

I don't know why they only have the 17" listed. When I spoke to Michelin customer relations on Friday, they did show the 18" in their system. As well, Motorcycle Superstore has the 2.75x18 and 3.00x18 in stock:
http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/5/ ... -Tire.aspx

Vince Lupo · Post by **Vince Lupo** » Mon Mar 08, 2010 10:29 am

Well I heard back from Michelin this morning, they gave me a thumbs-up on the Gazelle for the SuperHawk. Hooray!

This is the only tire they make in these smaller sizes (2.75x18 and 3.00x18). As far as continuing/discontinuing this tire goes, they are only able to look at this from year to year. So for 2010 the Gazelle is good...don't know what's going to happen next year. Probably depends upon sales, popularity, demand, etc etc.

So, I think we have a winner here!

sotxbill · Post by **sotxbill** » Mon Mar 08, 2010 12:54 pm

since its a street bike, I ran the avons and got a ultra modern safe, sticky tire. I also run modern oil, modern gas, and modern "air" in my tires. ;) Tires from the 60's performance sucks compared to the newer tires. Same on my scramblers. The cl77 are run on street and are really too heavy for any serious dirt riding. So its only on the dream that I've had to run the older style tires, gave up and put the white walls back on it with the 1950's tire design for now. 16" small tires are tough to find with a modern street compound. The 16s are like riding on ice in the grass till I get up to the street.

If your gonna static show it in a museum, then the old style tires are fine. I buy mine to ride and to live to ride again.

Vince Lupo · Post by **Vince Lupo** » Mon Mar 08, 2010 1:40 pm

I think these Gazelles have a nice tread -- not too vintage, not too modern. Same with the K82's, which I love (and I put over 4100 miles on them last year). They have an 'appropriate' look, and I feel extremely confident riding with them. The Cheng Shins scare me, particularly that front ribbed style.

I haven't mounted the Gazelles on my bike, as I just put a new K82 on the rear, and my front K82 is still good for another season or so. Judging by the look of the Gazelles, I think they're good value, and I think they'll be better than the Cheng Shins. I can't vouch for the Avons (and I'm sure they're great), but I think that just trying to find our sizes is going to get tougher in the long run, so I'd say whatever you can get your hands on, grab 'em. We soon may not have much choice!

BTW, I checked the date code on the Gazelles I just bought, and one is 4009, and the other is 3309, so at least they haven't been sitting on a shelf for 4 years, which is reassuring!