750 Nighthawk owners chime in on tires

[OldF7Guy_imp]

Ok, I have a 2003 750 Nighthawk. I was planning on selling. Not so sure now. The back tire is nearly wore out. I had to replace the front this summer due to age. This bike has bias ply tires on it. I knew better to mix match them.

NOw, Im temped to keep the bike. The difference in handling between the 750 and my newer 1100 is dramatic or so it feels. I think it is because of radial tires on the 1100.

Can I put radial tires on this 750? If so, what is a good solid bet? I am sorely temped to keep this motorcycles and put a good set of radials on it and ride it. This means I would have to replace the front yet again and I only have 6k on it but I am ok with that. Other than being cold blooded as all get out I find little to complain about with the NH. Its not worth much on paper but I sure have had a ball with it.

Any NH guys out there that have gone to radials and what did you think about them??


PS. I am worst that a women wanting a new pair of shoes and I know it. I just like this 750/

[the Ferret]

The Nighthawk uses a weird sized tire ( like the CB 1100's), so not a lot is available for them. The only replacement I found for them were the Factory Dunlop 205? 'S. At least they were cheap.

There was a guy over on the 750Nighthawk forum that was running some kind of dual sport tires on his, but it's been a few years and I don't remember the brand.

[CIP57_imp]

F7,

I would run the pilot road 3's, they have your stock front 110/80/-18 and the rear stock is 140/70-17 you can run the 150/70/17
You have the last year the nighthawk was made, i would hold on to the bike, its worth a lot more to you then its current worth on the open market.

[Randy B]

Ferret they are K505's stock.

[the Ferret]

Thanks Randy.. Memory is failing, and with multiple bikes hard to remember everything. Heck I keep a chart on the wall on each bike to remind me of tire pressures, oil amts, last time any service was done lol

[furious_blue_imp]

AFAIK. A motorcycle that is designed to use radial tires is spec'd differently than one made for bias ply tires..

http://www.dunlopmotorcycle.com/info-center/faq/

But then, neither bike is a real high performance machine so maybe it won't really matter to make the switch.

[OldF7Guy_imp]

F7,

I would run the pilot road 3's, they have your stock front 110/80/-18 and the rear stock is 140/70-17 you can run the 150/70/17
You have the last year the nighthawk was made, i would hold on to the bike, its worth a lot more to you then its current worth on the open market.

CIP, your right. I have searched and search and this is about the only option I can find. Ferret, your right also, its a odd ball sized and kinda a weird combo to try to match up. I dont think going up just one sized in width would make much difference. I know its been debated over and over but I am not a sport bike rider and not going to ever do anything real crazy.

FWIW, the front tires on the NH and 1100 are exactly the same size. CIP, I found your thread here on the road pilot 3s and read the whole thing. Sounds like you are impressed with them. I have dunlops on my 1100 and they feel sticky but my point of reference is the NH with bias plys that feel real hard. Plus, the back tire is a Kenda which is probably just a cut above a Shinko or something. Road pilot 3 is the way Im going on this deal. They are not that much more than the standard michelin active bias plys.

[Cormanus]

Pterodactyl has PR3s on his CB and swears by them.

[OldF7Guy_imp]

Pterodactyl has PR3s on his CB and swears by them.

Thanks for the heads up on that Cormanus. I have checked everywhere for reviews on the road pilots 3 tire and cant find much of anybody to complain on various different makes and models of motorcycles. Sure seems like a safe bet to me.

FWIW, NIghthawks were built to a price point and that included the cheaper bias ply tires. Im not buying that the chassis cant handle it or was not engineered for it. I remember back in the day when we finally put radials on old cars from the 60s and 70s and it made a big difference.

I think this is what I am feeling between the two bikes and I am willing to spend the money to verify it. Checked tonight and I only have 1/32 left on my rear tire. I forgot the limit. I know Im close. Wear bar indicators are really close. I can squeeze another 1000-1500 out of the rear but that is is. IM going to try and still be safe. I want to pull this off next spring if possile. I gotta a lot of bills this time of year.

Guys, thanks for your advice on this stuff. It has saved me a ton of time and I appreciate it more than you can know.




My ride today confirmed it.

[OldF7Guy_imp]

Guys, I hate to keep rambling on but its official. Im keeping the Nighthawk. I pulled down the adds. I got the last year model and its in good shape and I like it and its dirt cheap to maintain and insure and pay taxes on. So easy to work on also. Other than crappy tires, brakes that are average, and the frustration with carbs it is as slick as my CB1100 and just suits my riding style to a tee.

It just wont bring much on the open market. And its worth more to me to own and keep. I know what I have. I put 7K on it this year and know what I have. I have had 3 dealers offer me 1300-1400 for it which I just laughed off. They are hoping you are desperate before winter really sets in. Not biting.

Going to buy a new set of tires next spring hoping that it will ride a little more like the 1100 but we will see. I swore I would never do anything like this but here I am. IM starting to have a motorcycle addition and that is dangerous.