Need advice on current availability of tires.

[soulmachine_imp]

Tires have been ordered. I will definitely report back. I'm thinking it will be fine. The first gen Concours 1000's had a 2.50" wide front wheel before Kawasaki changed them to 3" wide in 1994. First gen owners have been using the 120 fronts on them for years, with no ill effects. I also went with a 160 rear.

Let's be honest. Whether stock sizes or larger, new tires have to be better than the ORIGINAL, and worn, tires that are still on this bike! YIKES!

And thanks for the welcome back Cormanus!

[soulmachine_imp]

Here is my initial follow-up. Haven't gotten to put too many miles on since Saturday.

The front 120 is definitely 'pinched' on this stock 2014 STD rim. I started with 36/42psi as a basepoint. The front felt flighty, to the point of being skiddish. I ended up dropping the psi two pounds. Helped. Then dropped the front end 5mm. Slacked off the pre-load by a line. Stability has returned. Will I do another 120? No. Serviceable? Sure.

The rear feels fine. Really nothing to report there.

All in all, I would still rather have 17" wheels on this bike. Just saying...

[misterprofessionality]

You know, it's funny, after reading your post I realized that same "skittishness" is one of the qualities that I liked most about switching my tire size to the 120/160 front/rear combination. I'm happiest if I'm never not changing direction.

[soulmachine_imp]

Eh, this was going beyond changing direction. I have a NC shield on the bike. Catch wind the wrong way, it wasn't enjoyable. But I get where you are coming from. It's pretty okay now.

[misterprofessionality]

oof, yea i wouldn't want to be wiggly on the highway. I always did ride my with no wind protection, but I can see how that would cause something similar because my wife's old triumph had that problem when she but a NC shield on the front of it.