Street Tires for the Hawk 250cc

[ironman7408]

Hello,

I am new to the world of Motorcycle Tires. I love my Hawk, have had it since September and have put over 250 miles around town on it.

My question is this:

I will rarely ever ride my bike off-road. That being said, these tires are way too aggressive for mostly on-road riding.

The front tire size is: 80/100-21
The rear tire size is: 110/100-18.

I would like to switch to a street tire, but using the factory tire size, I cannot find a tire that is not an aggressive tire such as what is from factory.

I could use any help anyone can give. I have tried to do research on the matter, but I am not sure what conversions I need to do to get the correct tires that are about the same size as what are already on.

Thank you for any assistance!

[SpudRider]

Here is the code for deciphering metric tire sizes. The first number is the width of the tire in millimeters. The second number is the aspect ratio of the tire, or the height of the tire represented as a percentage of the tire's width. The final number is the rim size.

For example, here are the actual measurements of a size 80/100-21 tire.

The tire is 80 mm, or 3.15 inches wide.
The tire is 100 percent as tall as it is wide. Therefore, the tire is 80 mm, or 3.15 inches tall.
The tire is manufactured to fit a 21-inch rim.

An equivalent tire with imperial measurements would be size 3.00-21. Therefore, you could probably also mount a tire of size 2.75-21.

For another example, here are the actual measurements of a size 110/100-18 tire.

The tire is 110 mm, or 4.33 inches wide.
The tire is 100 percent as tall as it is wide. Therefore, the tire is 110 mm, or 4.33 inches tall.
The tire is manufactured to fit an 18-inch rim.

An equivalent tire with imperial measurements would be size 4.60-18.

I hope this helps. If you have any further questions, don't hesitate to ask. What are the rim sizes for your bike? Please post a photograph of your current tires, so we can better help you to choose new tires.

[ironman7408]

Thank you so much for your help!

I will try to get pics and post them today or tomorrow.

[jct842]

There are quite a few tires that are for dual sport/adventure that are maybe half way between street and knobies. They would be perfect for you. Rim sizes would include yours.

[2LZ]

For your same reason, I mounted these on my Q Link and like heck if I can remember what brand they are at the moment. I went a little wider on the rear than stock on purpose, strictly because I liked the look. I can tell you though, they are excellent! Great for street riding, canyon twisties and handle all the dirt roads I go on without a hitch. They've even handled wet pavement very well. As I recall, they were quite reasonable also. Make sure you replace the stock tubes with the thick ones.
Edit: I believe they're the Kenda Dual Sports.

[FastDoc]

Originally Posted by 2LZ

For your same reason, I mounted these on my Q Link and like heck if I can remember what brand they are at the moment. I went a little wider on the rear than stock on purpose, strictly because I liked the look. I can tell you though, they are excellent! Great for street riding, canyon twisties and handle all the dirt roads I go on without a hitch. They've even handled wet pavement very well. As I recall, they were quite reasonable also. Make sure you replace the stock tubes with the thick ones.
Edit: I believe they're the Kenda Dual Sports.

Pretty bike 2LZ.

Looks good in orange :-)

[SpudRider]

Kenda and Shinko manufacture a wide variety of excellent, yet inexpensive tires.

[ironman7408]

Here is the picture of my current setup.

Thanks Spud and 2LZ for all your help!

[2LZ]

Not to hijack the thread but here's a side note: I see in the pic your rear disk and master cylinder. MAKE SURE THERE'S GOOD SLOP IN THE LINKAGE AT THE MASTER CYLINDER TO PEDAL! While giving my X-Moto the once over, I adjusted 90% of the slop out of the linkage. While out trail riding, the brake fluid and brake components heated as it normally does and clamped the rear brake down. I had no tools and had to sit there until the brake unlocked. Just a heads up.....
Back to the normally scheduled thread topic.

[ironman7408]

Thank you 2LZ. I will double-check that!

[FastDoc]

I had the same thing on a similar bike. Locked the rear wheel on the road...

In my case was too much fluid in the master cylinder. I'd check that too.

[hnu13]

Originally Posted by ironman7408

Hello,

I am new to the world of Motorcycle Tires. I love my Hawk, have had it since September and have put over 250 miles around town on it.

My question is this:

I will rarely ever ride my bike off-road. That being said, these tires are way too aggressive for mostly on-road riding.

The front tire size is: 80/100-21
The rear tire size is: 110/100-18.

I would like to switch to a street tire, but using the factory tire size, I cannot find a tire that is not an aggressive tire such as what is from factory.

I could use any help anyone can give. I have tried to do research on the matter, but I am not sure what conversions I need to do to get the correct tires that are about the same size as what are already on.

Thank you for any assistance!

Im with this guy!!! i would like a set of mostly street tires as well.
can really find anything that size online..

[SpudRider]

Here are two choices in Kenda Tires.

Kenda K761



Rear Tire: 120/80-18
Front Tire: 90/90-21

Kenda K270



Rear Tire: 4.60-18
Front Tire: 3.00-21

Here are two choices in Shinko tires.

Shinko 244



Rear Tire: 4.60-18
Front Tire: 3.00-21

Shinko 700



Rear Tire: 4.60-18
Front Tire: 3.00-21

[2LZ]

Thanks Spud! It's the K761's are what I have on my Q. They've been really good tires so far.

[ironman7408]

Wonderful!

Couldn't ask for better help. Thank you Spud