Z50 street tires

reamjob · Jan 10, 2015

In the quest to set up my Lifan monkey clone as a street legal bike I have searched countless hours for some street tires. I think the bike looks best with 8" wheels. I love the look of the Heidenau K75's 3.5 up front and a 4.0 in the back on a monkey.

I found a local scooter shop that deals in Heidenaus who can special order me the two K75's I want for $104 out the door. I find that to be steep for 8" tires but the K75 basically owns the market for 8" street tires wider than 3".

Are there any comparable alternatives to the K75 for less $? Or a cheaper source for the K75's?
I looked at the Michelin S83 ($28 each) and it is a nice tire, I like the tread but being 3.5" wide I wonder if it would look too narrow asthetically?

I also ran across a Bridgestone B01 Hoop in 3.00x8" ($40 each) which looks closer to the K75 tread pattern but is significantly narrower. If the tire could be stretched safely across wider wheels like the 3.5" wide TB wheels, the Bridgestones could have potential. Stretching them would make the aspect ratio appear smaller but idk if I'd be riding on the sidewall in a turn or not.

What do you with street legal Z's run? I wonder how Trail Wings handle above 55mph!?!?

DSR BLACK DEATH · Jan 13, 2015

The hoop is too skinny, you will not like it one bit. I have one on a stock rim.
Never seen the much tire.... I need to see it.
Honestly, your like me, well have to just break down & spend the $100 for them

1ez50 · Jan 13, 2015

When you look at the bike do you want to see scooter or performance street bike?
I broke down w/ K75's and couldn't be happier. They make a little bike look tough and stick in a corner well too.

reamjob · Jan 13, 2015

Well, K75's it is. Why get tight over $40 after spending $1500 on the bike!? Thanks for the input.

66Cooper · Jan 13, 2015

Do it man. The K75s are the bees knees

57HotrodVW · Jan 13, 2015

They're tough to find in the US these days, but I like King Tire KT903 tires in 4.00x8 size. I've scored a couple pairs from dealers in the UK.

reamjob · Jan 14, 2015

57HotrodVW said:
They're tough to find in the US these days, but I like King Tire KT903 tires in 4.00x8 size. I've scored a couple pairs from dealers in the UK. <img src="http://planetminis.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=154696"/> <img src="http://planetminis.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=154697"/>

Those are nice, I knew there had to be a few alternatives to the K75's! I'll look and see where those are available from in the states, I'll probably still go with the K75 as I prefer the look of the tread pattern. Thank you very much for sharing!

dirtbkr188 · Jan 14, 2015

The King Tires are no longer available in the US, they did not conform to the DOT standards for road use.

reamjob · Jan 14, 2015

dirtbkr188 said:
The King Tires are no longer available in the US, they did not conform to the DOT standards for road use.

Makes that decision even easier.

57HotrodVW · Jan 14, 2015

My understanding after talking to the former US distributor for Kings Tires is that the company lost their DOT certification, so the tires are no longer available in the US.

That said, you can still pick them up here and there (i.e. Ebay, where a buddy of mine scored a new pair for $30!), and from Europe if you can find a vendor that ships to the US. The tires do still have the DOT stamp on them, so they at least look "legal"

I've heard nothing but good things about Heidenau K75s, so they should be perfect for you.

I was in search of a more "chunky", almost dual-sport looking tire, which is tough to find in an eight inch size, and the KT903 tires fit that bill. As you probably know, there are a ton of options available for ten and twelve inch wheels, but I didn't want to go that route.

reamjob · Jan 14, 2015

I see, wonder what caused Kings to fall out of grace with the DOT? If it's so bad they won't allow them on the streets I don't want them! I agree that options for 10"-12" tires are great compared to the few choices for 8" wheels. I just don't like the look of Z's with 10" wheels, to me they look best with 8's which reaffirms the consensus that the Heidenau's are the tires for me.

Mini K1 · Jan 15, 2015

I wonder if anyone has any experience with the Bridgestone 3.50 - 8" SP Universal tire?

reamjob · Jan 15, 2015

That's a cool looking tire, it would look at home on a cafe racer with the raised white lettering.

dventu · Jan 15, 2015

Those almost look like the shinko whitewalls

Wompa · Jan 16, 2015

I got the Michelin S83... But I like the looks of the Bridgestone

DSR BLACK DEATH · Jan 18, 2015

Any pics of the s83 on a z50 bike?
Can anyone do a side by side comparison of the og 3.5x8 compared to the s83?
I should just buy the k75s but I can't decide if I want to go to 10" yet

DSR BLACK DEATH · Jan 18, 2015

Did you try these guys?
Heidenau K75 Scooter Tire 4.00-8 Front or Rear - K754008 - MotorcycleTire.com

Wompa · Jan 18, 2015

I bought the S83 because it was the best all around... rain, dry etc. Maybe not gravel but for a daily city runner it would work!

The tyres looks good also, and the quality is amazing.

I bought 3.5x8 for my wheels, 3 and 3.5 inch wides rims.

Can fix a photo?

EDIT: Took some photos..

reamjob · Jan 19, 2015

DSR BLACK DEATH said:
Did you try these guys? Heidenau K75 Scooter Tire 4.00-8 Front or Rear - K754008 - MotorcycleTire.com

By the time I factor in shipping I might as well go with my local supplier. Thanks for the link though! The S83's are cool, I think I'll hold out for the Hiedenaus at this point though. I have a cafe project I'm debating on doing which the S83's would fit perfect on. Too many ideas and projects with too little time and funds!

DSR BLACK DEATH · Jan 19, 2015

Maybe I did mine wrong but you sure shipping wasn't free?

Z50 street tires

reamjob

DSR BLACK DEATH

1ez50

reamjob

66Cooper

57HotrodVW

reamjob

dirtbkr188

reamjob

57HotrodVW

reamjob

Mini K1

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reamjob

dventu

Wompa

DSR BLACK DEATH

DSR BLACK DEATH

Wompa

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reamjob

DSR BLACK DEATH

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