Earlier this week at Intermot, Metzeler introduced their new SPORTEC Klassic tire for vintage motorcycles.
While the show circuit is mostly about exciting new motorcycles being unveiled for the public, parts and accessories manufacturers also show off their new products at the expos, and these tires are welcome news for people who like style and speed but can’t afford a new Ducati.
Here’s the idea: Bikes from the 1970s and 1980s often had the basics down in the handling and power department, and they can be improved on. Your garden-variety cafe racer is usually just a hack job and some tape on the front headlight, but with work, it is actually possible to improve the performance of your CB750 or GS1000.
As part of that transformation, you’ll eventually need better tires. That’s where the SPORTEK Klassic tires come in.
They’re made to fit machines from that time period, giving owners the latest technology for motorcycles that originally came with bad rubber.
They offer improved performance, particularly on wet roads. They’re also made to wear more evenly, and have a better footprint whether under straight line acceleration, or cornering.
The new tires will be available next spring, in the following sizes:
Front
110/70 – 17 M/C 54H TL
110/80 V – 17 M/C (57V) TL
100/90 V – 18 M/C (56V) TL
110/90 V – 18 M/C (61V) TL
100/90 – 19 M/C 57V TL
Rear
130/70 – 17 M/C 62H TL
130/80 – 17 M/C 65H TL
130/90 – 17 M/C 68V TL
140/80 – VB 17 M/C (69V) TL
120/90 – 18 M/C 65V TL
4.00 – 18 M/C 64V TL
Too bad they are ignoring the smaller sizes!