Tyre replacement selection and specs - HELP

I would have thought ordering new tyres would be straight forward, however, am concerned if the new ones will fit...
I've got the 1983 22F T50 Japanese market spec bike here in Zambia.

Rim: 17x1.2;
Current tyres 17x2.25 Yokohama "Y506". (cracked to hell - could they be the originals?!)

I am looking at the Shinko SR704 (#87-4540) or the Shinko SR241 (#87-4442)
What are people running on their T50s, and could anyone help me determine if the above two tyres will fit for sure?

Best,
C.

2.50 x 17 is the standard size, readily available here in UK (dont know about Zambia) https://www.ebay.ie/itm/HONDA-C50-C70-C90-FRONT-OR-REAR-TYRE-NEW-13/362419115760?hash=item5461dcd6f0:g:2TEAAOSwbe5ahWFW so Shinko SR241 (#87-4442) should be OK
Same as Honda C90 so should be available world wide. Just ask at your local motorcycle tyre shop, or look up on internet.

Thanks John. Very useful.

Hello  zambiamud

As JohnW  said before the 2.50 x 17 is the standard size.

I don't know about Shinko ,I do not know if they are represented in my country.

I always prefer and trust known brands for my motorbikes, such as Michelin , Dunlop and Metzeler.

Recently I changed the tires from my motorbike with Metzeler ME22.

Τhe size was 2.5/17 front and 2.75/17 rear.

At next photo you can see the new ones at the middle and left, at the right is the old   Dunlop



The price for these was very good, here are the link:

https://www.plus4u.gr/showitem.php?ID=144084341&ref=skroutz

https://www.plus4u.gr/showitem.php?ID=144084342&ref=skroutz

The 2.75 x 17 rear tyre sounds a good idea as most motorcycles use a larger rear profile than on the front. The T80 in standard form does seem a little under geared, but in hilly areas or windy conditions the higher gearing of the 2.75 tyre may have adverse effect on performance.

This is gold. Thanks guys!
Thanks for the intel.

Of course, I battled to find 2.5x17 (rear tyres) in Lusaka, and one oke got me a nice front (2.5x17) and recommend a 3x17 for the read. It fit, but now the bike seems to be struggling on the top end. It used to top out at over 65kph, and cruise at 55kph easy, and now I am topping out at 55kph, and battling to get there. I called the okes, and they ahve found a 2.75x17" and it seems to be quite a smaller diameter than this 3x17". So Ill go back and change that rear tyre out.

The bike came with 2.25x17" and I am almost tempted to try and go back to that size...

Duckrider do you note any decreased performance on that 2.75x17 like JohnW mentions? (I have a T50, so it's a bit underpowered anyway.)

2.25 is too small do not fit that size. 2.75 should be OK but if still too high geared fit an original 250 x17. You could fit a T50 rear bevel drive with the 300 x17 tyre as the T50 is lower geared.

zambiamud wrote:This is gold. Thanks guys!


Duckrider do you note any decreased performance on that 2.75x17 like JohnW mentions?  (I have a T50, so it's a bit underpowered anyway.)

Hello again,

When I bought it I changed the tires immediately, it was the first thing I did for my safety.

And my own was T 50, but I changed cylinder and piston and so it went up to 72 cubic.

Initially it had tires of 2.5 / 17 front and rear, but because I was driving it with the new tires I do not have the relevant experience to compare a difference in performance.
Because the cylinder, and the valves are still new, I do not drive it more than 50 km / h until I make 1000 km, I have only done 125 km.


The largest rear tire has given a softer damping on puddles and small roadblocks.
And of course because I use more of the rear brake, the rear wheel is not easily blocked.
But it must always have the correct air pressure.

I know some guys run Shinko tyres and haven't heard any complaints from them. I replaced my michelin tires with ME22. To me, Metzeler is a bit better. They give me confidence in the corners.