TINY MOTORCYCLE TIRE WANTED 18"

[FADED]

Im looking for the skinny-est/ smallest 18" tire that will still be SCTA legal?  I have an 18 x 1.40 rim

[dr j]

To get the answer you need to tell us what is the current record speed for the class you want to run in so that the speed rating of the tire can be determined.

[FADED]

100cc 98.4? I need a "m" rated (I think) tire for 130mph. I have found some moped tires the wont pass tech

[dr j]

For a current record speed of 98mph you need at least an S rating (up to 112mph) or preferably an H rating (up to 130mph).  An M rating is only good to 81mph.

Here's a link to a 3.00 x 18 tire that comes in an S or H rating.

http://www.americanmototire.com/catalog/product_info.php?manufacturers_id=712&products_id=2147

I think it will be hard to find an 18" tire with the correct speed rating that is narrower.  Many of the smaller tires on this site don't mention a speed rating in the catalog but it will be on the sidewall so you may have to call for the info.  Also remember that if you buy a front tire and will use it on the rear then you mount it in the opposite direction from the arrow due to the stresses involved (ie positive acceleration from the engine rather than negative acceleration from braking).
Good luck.

[Anvil*]

Something like:

Avon Roadrunner R2  90/90 - 18  H speed rating
Race only non DOT, tube type

BikeBandit    $143.48
http://www.bikebandit.com/avon-roadrunner-r2-motorcycle-tire

(added)

Avon Universal Race  80/90 - 18  H speed rating
BikeBandit    $125.15
http://www.bikebandit.com/avon-universal-race-motorcycle-tire

(ships to lower 48 only)

[Seldom Seen Slim]

While we're talking about unusual/tiny tires for an LSR bike -- howsabout a speed-rated bicycle tire?  That is -- my grandson's project of the year includes designing and putting together (on paper only!) a fast bicycle.  This is the kid, you may remember from a few years ago, that attached a 3,000 psi air bottle to the back of a bicycle to see how much thrust he'd get.  Anyway -- now he needs to find a source for a 26" x 2.50" tire with a speed rating in the 100+ mph range.  Anybody have a clue as to whether there is such a thing?  And if there is -- where?  Thanks.

[Anvil*]

Wow, I can't see doing 100 on cruiser-bike tires. If the total weigh isn't high I would suggest high-pressure clincher tires for a 10+ speed bike. I've only been up to 75+ on these  8-)  [no guarantees or warranty expressed or implied]. Oh, bike brakes suck at high speed and the frame geometry is wrong for anything over 50 mph.

[Seldom Seen Slim]

Forgive me -- but since I'm pretty bicycle ignorant -- what are "high-pressure clincher tires"?  Got a name or anything I could look at?  Thanks.

[Anvil*]

Bicycle tires are basically in three styles. Tubular which are like thin rubber hose donut that glues onto the rim, Clinchers that mount like a normal tire with a tube inside, and Tufo Tubulars that might be described as a hybrid. The high-pressure clinchers are again like a regular tire but reinforced, so unlike a bike tire from the 70's these pump up to 75psi for a low rolling resistance.

So, bicycle folks would describe tube motorcycle tires as Clinchers. It's just jargon for talking to the kid behind the bike counter on the style of tire.

[Stainless1]

just get the tires John Howard used... http://www.canosoarus.com/08LSRbicycle/LSR%20Bike01.htm

Yes I know some foreigner went faster since then, but I saw this one... yes that is the Vesco Liner..

[Tman]

Jon, we have done 60mph off road on our tandem bicycle (2 seater). That was on normal MTB tires. Look at Skinny 26" Continentals for mountainbikes. They make slicks. Conti rates their tires at 1/2 the psi it takes to blow them off the rim. Very high quality I would trust them at 100+

Here are some options.

http://www.conti-online.com/generator/www/de/en/continental/bicycle/themes/city/overview_ct_en.html

A decade in bikes shops is good for something!

[Glen]

The best answer is to go to the tech people on the motor cycle committee on the SCTA web page and get the real approved tire info from them.

[Seldom Seen Slim]

Tman, while the tires may work at 60 mph -- the inspectors want written proof - usually a verified speed rating from the manufacturer.  Glen's got the right advice, though -- if you don't/can't get the mfr. data -- talk with the motorcycle tech folks to get some input from them.  We've been in touch with Van Butler on this bike tire issue.

[Dakzila]

Faded,

Avon makes a very slim race only version of it's Speedmaster tire.  They are rated "S" and are not street legal.  I just bought a couple of these tires in 19".  They were the only tires I could find that would fit between my front forks.

You may have to look around to find them but they're out there.

Buzz 1513B

[tomsmith]

Try this site:
http://www.emot.nl/webwinkel/index.php?act=viewCat&catId=47

They have 2.00-18, 2.25-18 and 2.50-18.  They are all H-rated.  The Heidenau tires may be available in the USA from BMW San Jose (CA), but I'd call them first.  The 2.25 also comes in a NON-H-rated, so be careful:
http://www.sjbmw.com/?s=news&nid=241