Tire Options for our CB1100

[SportsterDoc]

My 2014 standard is tubeless 140/70-18 on the rear, from the factory with Dunlop Sportmax radials (discontinued?)

Looks like the rear will need replacing by ~6,000 miles, probably by March, so I am checking what is available.

Since the front will probably outlast the rear by 3:1, I would expect a radial on the rear is necessary to avoid mixing bias and radials...although I no longer corner aggressively, so maybe that is not as important...but I do like to accelerate!

I avoid riding in the rain and am more interested in longevity. I traded the V7II just before it was due for a rear tire (~7,000 miles in 7 months). I think it had Pirelli Sport Demons and the rear lasted about the same as the Metzler on my Triumph. A Metzler 880 was the prime contender for the MotoGuzzi, but the only 140/70-18 I find is listed as a front tire.

The local Honda dealer provides "free" install. Don't know it if price is simply full retail or retail plus. Most tires I am looking at are in the $160 range.

Pirelli Sport Demon (bias)
Bridestone BT45 (bias)
Metzler ME880 (radial-rated front)
Metzler Roadtec Z8 (radial-dual compound)
Bridgestone BT54 (radial)
Shinko SR741 (radial)
Michelin Pilot Street (radial)

Opinions for my type of riding?

I think that the longevity might be the problem with the Metzeler Z8s, but I would love to hear firsthand comments from anyone who has had them on their CB1100...handling in real world conditions and longevity are the key things for me.

I'd also like to hear from folks with the Pirellis Angel GTs for the same information...plus I'd love to hear from Pterodactyl again.

I have .... heck I don't even know.. whatever is stock on the 2013s in the US. I miss my PR3s a lot. I have 4k on these tires so I figure I have until about June before I'll need to replace them. Sure would be great to have the same confidence in my choice as I had with the Michilens.

Appreciate the response. They are a dual compound, supposedly harder in the center and softer on the edges. What prompts the longevity concern?

If Metzler ME880s were available in what they designate as a rear tire, I think that would be my first choice.

I am not extremely particular, but now that I am on a Social Security income, want to make an economical decision, which might be the Shinko SR741, if I were mounting it myself. I changed all my tires until my first alloy M/C wheel, circa 2002.

BTW, I generally take it easy in first, then let 2nd or 3rd gear do the work once or twice during a ride. Keeps the front tire on the ground and probably saves some wear.