Available tires

worntorn said:
The only other option I have found looks like a decent one. The Dunlop K81 4.10 x19 fits our standard rims and is a universal, like the Avon. Unlike the Avon it has generous tread depth at 9/32" , which is about 7.1mm, similar to dedicated rear Avon 18".
When the current set of Roadriders wears out I'm going to give the k81s a try. Fortnine has them at a bit lower cost than the 100/90/19 Roadriders.

I like the Avons on the Norton in general but don't enjoy the need to change them and pay for them on quite such a regular basis!

Glen
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Used the K81 for years .. New, they were ok but for me they seemed to square off far too quickly which leaves you with a nasty feeling of tipping over when going into the twisties . For me , the extra confidence in the Avon far exceeds cost and mileage factor of the K81
 
I have been running 100/90x19 Avon Roadriders for the last 2 years, recently I changed the front to a 325x19 Roadrider Mk2 totally changed the bike it now tracks beautifully in the corners where as before it was a bit like pushing around a "freight truck"
 
I am really happy with my 100/90 x 19 Roadrider Mk2 on the front.
Very stable and sure-footed (for me!)
Matched with my 2nd 4.00 x 18 Roadrider Mk2 on the rear
Both are balanced with 2oz (57g) Counteract beads in the tubes.

I have bought 2 more of each - stored in black plastic bags downstairs (coolish) - anticipated the Avon shortage.
Cheers

Edit: although I see both are still in stock for a number of Australian suppliers
 
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I ran into the American Avon importer about a month ago and he said that there had been a supply chain glitch and some contract problems but that Avons are "on the boat" and heading to the US.
 
robs ss said:
I am really happy with my 100/90 x 19 Roadrider Mk2 on the front.
Very stable and sure-footed (for me!)
Matched with my 2nd 4.00 x 18 Roadrider Mk2 on the rear
Both are balanced with 2oz (57g) Counteract beads in the tubes.

I have bought 2 more of each - stored in black plastic bags downstairs (coolish) - anticipated the Avon shortage.
Cheers

Edit: although I see both are still in stock for a number of Australian suppliers
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Same combo as me Rob, can‘t see me changing by choice…
 
When that time arrives, it will be down to the Bridgestone BT46 or Continental Trail Attack in 100/90/19 front fitment, reversed for the rear.
Based on my Africa Twin the Trail Attacks will be the first choice based on actual use.

Available tires
 
There are quite a few (front) choices for 100/90/19 tyres/tires but the rear would need to be reversed and ideally have wide rims to suit them. (At least 2.15")

There are some decent candidates in the adventure bike range (like the TA's) which would otherwise be overlooked.
 
Time Warp said:
There are quite a few (front) choices for 100/90/19 tyres/tires but the rear would need to be reversed and ideally have wide rims to suit them. (At least 2.15")

There are some decent candidates in the adventure bike range (like the TA's) which would otherwise be overlooked.
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Tread depth?

Edit: found it, listed as 5mm
 
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concours said:
Tread depth?

Edit: found it, listed as 5mm
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That would be the only hiccup.
Based on my (243 kg) Africa Twin DCT with a TA 90/90/21 front the 100/90/19 Trail Attack front should wear fine on the rear of a (light weight) Commando.

Going to an 18" rear will never be an option for me, 19's or nothing.
 
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robs ss said:
Sorry for the chortle - what's your reason?
18s can have the same rolling diameter - plus better selection of rears
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The combo that we both use Rob gives a universal tyre on the front with deeper tread than normal for a front tyre, and a dedicated rear tyre with a much deeper tread than a universal. And despite the 19 front and 18 rear, they both have exactly the same diameter front and rear.

So we have perfectly balanced ride height front and rear, the deepest tread possible, the fabulous handling of Roadriders, and the sizes we use offer the best cornering contact patch.

Hence why I’ll not be changing by choice!
 
Time Warp said:
When that time arrives, it will be down to the Bridgestone BT46 or Continental Trail Attack in 100/90/19 front fitment, reversed for the rear.
Based on my Africa Twin the Trail Attacks will be the first choice based on actual use.

View attachment 111523
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I don't think the BT46 is rated for the rear. I'd be concerned just flipping a front and assuming it would work. Thoughts?
 
Yes. Aside from the Avon, the only other 19" tire designated for rear use on a Commando is the Universal fit K81.
From the sounds of it, the K81 would be a downgrade from the Avons.
Glen
 
possm said:
I have been running 100/90x19 Avon Roadriders for the last 2 years, recently I changed the front to a 325x19 Roadrider Mk2 totally changed the bike it now tracks beautifully in the corners where as before it was a bit like pushing around a "freight truck"
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The cynic in me suspects that Norton only changed the front tyre from 3.60 to 4.10 because they saved a bit of money by just buying one size of tyre.
I am also guessing that most Commando owners have only ever used the larger tyre on the front so can have no idea how much better the bike handles with the smaller tyre.
After the demise of the Avon GP, in the 60's, 70's and 80's the Dunlop TT100 (K81) ruled the roads. and with everything grounding whilst cornering at ridiculous speeds a better tyre would have been wasted. Judging by other posts I can only assume that the modern Chinese and Indonesian K81s are crap.
 
swooshdave said:
I don't think the BT46 is rated for the rear. I'd be concerned just flipping a front and assuming it would work. Thoughts?
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I'll be flipping a new front to use on the rear next year so that I have the same narrow tire on both the front and rear on 18" rims. Tread depth is not a show stopper for me. Motorcycle rear tires don't last long enough regardless of tread depth for me to worry about it. I don't like changing tires anymore than the next guy, but resistance is futile. I also doubt anyone would notice the difference in the ride on the street using a front reversed for use on the rear if nobody told them it had been done.
 
A lot might depend on the travel and spring rating of the rear shocks, and how you use the bike. Whatever you change needs to be optimised to suit it's purpose.
If you carry a pillion passenger without winding the rear spring adjusters up, the bike can oversteer horribly as you accelerate. Similar can happen with changed ride height at the rear
 
When I worked for the then NZ Dunlop Wholesaler and having a long love for Nortons I used to [and still do] recommend using the 410x19 TT100 for rear fitment and fitting a 100/90x19 TT100GP for FRONT FITMENT ONLY the 100/90x19 GP is about 3.7-3.8" as the 410 is about 4.1" also the 100/90 being GP compound "sticks" better, it also "fills the gap in the front guard better than using a 360x19, I achieved similar by fitting the 325x19 Roadrider on the front i.e. same width as a 90/90x19 but a higher profile so "fills" the guard better.
 
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