1979 honda CM400 at tire suggestions

Mongeau308

New Member
Joined
May 1, 2026
Total Posts
9
Total likes
8
Location
York Pennsylvania
The tires on my bike are still from 1979 so I'm going to need new tires. Any suggestions on brand and size would be appreciated. Thanks.
 
Tire sizes are 90/90/18 and 120/90/16. Max size is 100/90/18 and 130/90/16 with the rear needing the brake stay mod.
Any number of manufacturers out there, Shinko seems popular currently
 
I’m in the UK and was struggling to find a rear that wasn’t 130. I wanted 120 to improve agility.
Fitted two new tyres this week; rear fitted today.
100/90 18 Heidenau K65
120/90 16 Heidenau K65
Had Heidenau before and impressed. Bridgestone BT46 was available, but was 130.
 
Windmill John said:
I’m in the UK and was struggling to find a rear that wasn’t 130. I wanted 120 to improve agility.
Fitted two new tyres this week; rear fitted today.
100/90 18 Heidenau K65
120/90 16 Heidenau K65
Had Heidenau before and impressed. Bridgestone BT46 was available, but was 130.
Click to expand...
Good choice on the tires(y)
 
Ooh, didn’t see those! I could have saved £60 by buying a pair of them. I’ve just read some mixed reviews. I possibly would have bought them, but the percentage of positive reviews for the Heidenau led me to those.
Hey, it’s a tyre thread, it can easily descend into hell 🙄
 
chad said:
I ordered the Kenda Challenger for my 1981 CM400T based on price point and being able to get both the front and rear sizes.

100/90 18
120/90 16
Click to expand...
Windmill John said:
Ooh, didn’t see those! I could have saved £60 by buying a pair of them. I’ve just read some mixed reviews. I possibly would have bought them, but the percentage of positive reviews for the Heidenau led me to those.
Hey, it’s a tyre thread, it can easily descend into hell 🙄
Click to expand...
How's the experience so far? Our bikes are pretty different but I changed my front tire from 90/90-19 to 100/90-19 and I can't help but feel it made the front somewhat heavier/worse. I did go from locally produced rubber to Metzeler so of course it changed a lot of things other than the size but still curious.

My rear tire was original size - around 109/80-18 if I recall correctly, the good old 4.10-18. I ended up going for 130/70-18 and have been fine with it so far, although I do feel the bike leans less.
 
I haven't ridden with the new tires yet. When I was putting the wheel on I noticed the bearings aren't lined up right so I'm waiting on new ones to arrive before I ride it.

I got the bike not long ago. Coincidentally it had the same Kenda tires on it - just very old ones. Side by side the old tires feel more like hard plastic. The difference is obvious.
 
Same as above, still recommissioning the bike. Mine also had a 130 rear. I didn’t want that as I wanted faster more responsive steering; hence the 120.
Yes as you mention, going wider will slow down the steering. I believe wider might give more comfort, but handling is preferable to me.
 
Windmill John said:
Mine also had a 130 rear. I didn’t want that as I wanted faster more responsive steering; hence the 120.
Yes as you mention, going wider will slow down the steering. I believe wider might give more comfort, but handling is preferable to me.
Click to expand...
I always blamed the slightly wider front wheel as most of the difference that I felt was in the front, but now that you said it, my rear tire is now much wider than the one before. Probably why the bike feels less "flickable" since I changed them.
I won't lie though, the wider rear tire looks much sexier with the bike and gives the rear section quite a lot of presence, not changing it back anytime soon hehe.
It will take a few years (probably more) before this bike (or its tires) hold my riding ability back I guess.

I also mixed and match my tires, Metzeler Tourance on the front, Pirelli Sport Demon in the back, so it is what it is.
 
Yes I am happy to agree that you can mix tyres as long as they are for the right size for the bike; as long as they’re both road or off road matched 🙄
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom