tired tires

[taber hodaka]

Need to replace super rat tires 3.25 x 18 rear knobby , and the 3.00 X 19 front knobby. I do not get the new tire size 90/90 or 100/90. What do I do, to get close?. --------------Clarence

[BrianZ]

Duro has their HF313 in a 3.50 x 18 and 2.75 x 19. I just bought an HF311 in a 3.25 x 17 for my Dirt Squirt. They are a vintage style tire.

Brian

[Dale]

I don't think there is a 3.25x18 or equivalent out there. The best tire that I have found is the 4.10x18 Cheng Shin C755. It measures just under 3.50 inches. It grips well and it is also the lightest tire that I have found. The 3.50x18 Vee Rubber is just slightly wider. It has a lower profile but does not grip as well as the Cheng Shin in my opinion.

I have not seen or even found a place to purchase the Duro that Brian mentioned so I can't compare to it. I would sure like to find the 3.25x17 knobby for my Dirt Squirt!

The front tire will be a challenge too. I believe that either the 90/90 or the 100/90 will be quite a bit larger than the stock 3.00x19.

[hodakamax]

Clarence, you might go to the Maxxis site. As I remember they had numerous measurements at least on their tires. The Maxxis 70/100-19 looks right on the Day One project. My input. Check it out.

Maxie, user of Maxxis. Love that name. Nice ring to it.

[Bruce Young]

Hello Dale, Clarence, Max, there may a new Vintage tire being introduced into the MX world this season, Dunlop,s Broc Glover is working with Terry Larson of Two Brothers Racing to bring us some new tires for the Vintage racing world, there have been some testing already and I hope we see results soon. I talked to Broc, myself last season and he is excited to find something in the Dunlop tire family for us. He knows the Hodaka needs and concerns working with Terry and hopes to have an announcement soon. Lets keep our fingures crossed. In the meantime all the tire manf mentioned above are very good tires and have been run on many diff Hodakas, in all kinds of conditions, they do work.
Bruce

[Makotosun]

Some Dunlop knobbies would be a great thing for the vintage world! We have the same problem with some of the older small Yamahas as even a 4.00 rear is really too wide on a bike designed for a 3.50.

Looking forward to some word on this!

[Steve Arnold]

Thanks to ddvorak recommendation, I got a Cheng Shin 4.10 x18 knobby for my Super Combat. Happy with price and performance.

[Dale]

Just to reiterate, I believe that the Cheng Shin 4.10x18 C755 knobby is the narrowest and lightest knobby available today. It is as narrow as the OEM Nitto 3.50x18 knobbies measuring outside knob to outside knob. The Vee-Rubber 3.50x18 is also available. In my opinion, it is only good on hard surfaces. If anyone has a source for any other tires in addition to these, please speak up!

As for a 17 inch rear knobby, I have never been able to find a source for a new tire. Brian Z said that Duro makes a 3.25x17, but I sure can't find a source in the U.S. to buy one.

I am crossing my fingers that Dunlop comes through with new tires for our Hodakas.
Dale

[Bill2001]

My Wombat 94 shouldn't need tires for some time, but i typically think about tires ahead of time so I can get them on-sale or as-available.

My Wombat came with oversize tires; the PO had concerns about the narrow stock size sinking into muddy terrain ( ). The bike was fitted with Kenda K270 knobbies, 3.25x21 front and 4.00x19 rear. Stock tire x-section is 2.75x and 3.00 to 3.50x, respectively. The rear tire fits, but I did have to shim the rear wheel 3/32" to the right to clear the chainguard. The front tire clears the accessory fork brace by phaps 3/8". I have no idea how this clearance will work in heavy mud.

Anyway, based on this "sample of one" the Kenda 270 seems to work well enough. Since I'll expect to go through a couple of rear tires before I'll replace the front tire, I will plan to replace the rear with another Kenda of this size. When f&r need to be replaced, I'll likely go back to the stock sizes. You don't really need oversize tires to put 12hp to the ground.

And of course I'll read discussions here for alternative brands to Kenda/IRC.

[Dale]

All of my posts are regarding off-road knobbies only. There are some great choices for dual sport type tires in acceptable sizes, Kenda and IRC being two of them.
Dale

[viclioce]

DennisKirk.com is currently offering the Maxxis 100/100-17 in a rear tire for $48.88. Seems like a good tire for a good price. Victor

[givergas]

Accessories International, Inc.
13343 SW 131 ST
Miami, FL 33186 US........ i have been looking at this web site for tires,

[Joe Ormonde]

Clarence: If you`re talking about a Model 93, a Barum 3.50-18 S9A fits better than the Cheng Shin C755 4.10-18 does. The C755 will probably rub the chain guard, the Barum clears. Nice tire that C755! Been around a long time too. Had one on my Super Rat 45 years ago and had to shave it down to clear the Chain Guard. The Barum has 15mm deep knobs and has equal or better traction than the C755. As far as it goes for the front, a bunch of good ones have already been brought up.Joe Ormonde.

[Joe Ormonde]

My mistake: it was 43 years ago. I wore out the factory tire, then, a Trelleborg, then a C755, then who cares.The hardest thing is finding a rear tire that isn`t taller than the front.When that happens, the bike looks goofy: at least to me. The Barum I mentioned is the same height as my front tire, a factory Nitto. A 21 inch front wheel would solve that problem,but I`m keeping my Super Rat as close to stock as possible now and still be able to ride it.The only things that aren`t factory correct on it are : The rear tire, sprocket, and Kill button.And I have those items. The only alteration is the addition of a J&R Silencer so it can be ridden. Stock is COOL! Joe Ormonde.

[SuperRat01]

"All Moto Tire" has vintage tires from "Vee Rubber" that match up perfect for Hodaka Super Rat 98 and Road Toad 99. I bought a set from them for my Super Rat (3.50x18 & 3.00X21). They fit perfect and they use the"old school" tire sizes. They are out of Seatlle, but they will ship them right to your house. Maybe check there for your Super Rat. Linc

[Dale]

Just for reference, the 100/100-17 knobbies that I have found (IRC and Maxxis) both measure 4.25 inches outside knob to outside knob. I would expect to find the same width with the 100/100-18 knobbies. Too wide! You can run them but you either have to remove the chain guard or trim the knobs or both. You also will be giving up a noticeable amount of power.

[matt glascock]

Agreed, Dale. I ran the Maxxis on a pumped up, reed induction Combat Wombat and even with the high-output motor, there was an easily noticeable drop off in power to ground particularly when accelerating out of corners requiring an average of one click of additional down shift to keep the bike on the pipe. I did not need to trim knobs but could not run the chain guard which, even on a well groomed MX track is inadvisable.

[cjeks298]

Has anybody tried the Dunlop tires that have since been introduced? The Dunlop K990 "Vintage Tire" in 90/100-18?
The description I've seen says, "Ideal for small-bore vintage bikes of 100/125cc classes." I'm wondering if these would work on a model 98 Super Rat.

Any insight would be appreciated.

[Bruce Young]

FYI-- Terry Larson, has done testing on the Dunlap tires on their bikes, over the past two years, very happy with them. I know he can give the best report ever. Hodaka-parts INC, Missouri [email protected] Bruce Young