How big of rear tire fits commando? (2010)

If you want stock or stock appearing rims you will be limited to WM3-19 as far as I have discovered. <...>
If you want wider rim then it is an alloy one and if that is ok with you then off you go.

Not quite. Buchanan sell Spin Werkes bare steel rims with a Dunlop section (ISO 4249-3) 2.50" wide x 19". I have tried to persuade them making an 18" version also, no luck so far.
It's surprising no one has picked up this business opportunity, including provision of S/S versions. I intend to order a sample and will try to reshape it into an 18" rim by a rolling.

Edit: Radaelli also supplies 2.50x17"/18"/19" steel rims. I believe they will provide bare rims if buying from Italy. The quality may not be as good as a Jones/Dunlop rim though.

- Knut
 
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Not quite. Buchanan sell Spin Werkes bare steel rims with a Dunlop section (ISO 4249-3) 2.50" wide x 19". I have tried to persuade them making an 18" version also, no luck so far.
It's surprising no one has picked up this business opportunity, including provision of S/S versions. I intend to order a sample and will try to reshape it into an 18" rim by a rolling.

- Knut
Surely this means you are going to cut a piece out of the rim to make is shorter. You will then lose some spoke dimples doing that and you need all 40 of them unless you use some other hub.
 
Surely this means you are going to cut a piece out of the rim to make is shorter. You will then lose some spoke dimples doing that and you need all 40 of them unless you use some other hub.
These rims are supplied bare (undimpled).

- Knut
 
At the front:
Tyre 90/90-19" on a minimum 1.85", optimum 2.15" wide rim
At the rear:
Tyre 110/90-18"/19" on a minimum 2.15", optimum 2.50" wide rim
The above highlighted text is what is on my Commando now.
 
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I’d be very surprised if Roadriders weren’t grippy enough for anyone on the road. I use them on the track and think they’re great.

I run a 100/90 19 front and a 4.10 18 rear because this combo give the same rolling radius front and rear, with a little more contact patch when leaned over.

Running 19s front and rear will also give all the handling you need. The only downside is that universal tyres (meaning same tyre can be fitted front and rear) have less tread depth, and a consequently shorter life, than a rear fitment tyre (the 90/90 19 has 5mm tread depth, the 4.10 18 has 7.5mm… ie 50% more). As to whether or not that’s an issue is down to the individual.

So whether its 19/18 or 19/19, I will certainly vouch for Roadriders.

Avon give great info on their tyres: https://www.avontyres.com/en-gb/tyres/roadrider-mkii?cartype=motorcycle
I checked out the Avon site and could not find the 4.10 18 rear tire. I did however find the 400-18 rear tire with the deeper tread depth and the same 26.4" diameter as the 100/90 -19 front tire.

When it comes time to replace the rear tire that is on the bike now, I will replace both front/rear with the sizes highlighted above.
 
Since i couldn't get any measurements on the 120 Conti, I went ahead and bought it. It looks like it will fit (not saying it's the best tire size for a Commando mind you)

Post #34

Measurements on on post #35
 
I have a giant Harley rim and tire mounted to a 16" rim with a pre-MKIII rear hub. It fits between the swingarm but the chainguard requires a lot of cutting. If you're a crazy person making a franken bike, come get it - it's in my way. Soon I will cut the spokes put the hub on a shelf and throw the rest away. It's free if you come and get it - it's $150 + actual shipping if I have to go through the PITA of shipping it.
 
I've had a bit of a result then!
I purchased two pairs of Conti Road Attack 3 tyres that were used on a TZ350 & scrubbed in for £150. I couldn't figure why he didn't get Race? Maybe for the wet? But thought at that price modern tyres for the road bike that would do lol.
 
I use a 90/90 x 19 Avon RR on the front and a 4.00 x 18 RR on the rear. Changed to an 18" rear rim to make use of the greater tread depth with the 4.00 x 18 Road rider. Half as many miles more, per rear tyre. Tyre costs the same. £170 a pair
 
Do you mean a 110-90 on the back? The only 4.00-18 Avon I see is the old Slipmaster which
wears well but has an abolutely square profile.
And I must ask about the 90-90 on the front: they look SO narrow they scare me thinking of a full on disc brake stop. No issues?
 
4.00-18 mk11 Roadrider is listed on their site.
It’s what I use, on 3 bikes currently.
If mated with a 100/90 19 front it gives identical front / rear diameters, which I like.
 
Do you mean a 110-90 on the back? The only 4.00-18 Avon I see is the old Slipmaster which
wears well but has an abolutely square profile.
And I must ask about the 90-90 on the front: they look SO narrow they scare me thinking of a full on disc brake stop. No issues?
I hear people say this, but I know that far faster riders than me use that use the 90/90 and have no issues at all with breaking effect.

And when it comes to turning, skinny wins.....

Don't forget that under really heavy braking the load spreads the tyre somewhat.
 
4.00-18 mk11 Roadrider is listed on their site.
It’s what I use, on 3 bikes currently.
If mated with a 100/90 19 front it gives identical front / rear diameters, which I like.
I am also very happy with this combination.

Though, I think I am only saying this for maybe the 9th time.
 
I came across this older thread when looking at tire sizes. What sizes are recommended for front and rear stock 19” x 1.85” rims? Thanks.
 
I'm running Conti Classic Attacks on my '73 850, 100/90-19 front and 120/90-18 rear (wheels redone by CNW/Buchanans).

No real brief for or against them except this - they are without a doubt the biggest PITA to install (I run the same on a BMW R100RT so I've had the pleasure twice). I thought radials were supposed to have flexible sidewalls; isn't that the point? These SOBs are an absolute biotch to spoon on by hand.

I will likely revert to my beloved PIrelli Sport Demons next time around assuming they come in the right sizes (and the sizes I have seem perfect).

Before this it was Bridgestone BT-45s, recommended (and installed) by Sir Matt Rambow himself; IIRC, they were the same sizes. They were okay too.
 
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