Date: Mon, 20 May 1996 19:59:42 -0400
From: Michael A.R. Partridge
Here's what I think, for what it is worth. When choosing tires what suits one rider's style doesn't always suit another so there are no hard and fast rules. However, a few years ago I took a 1975 Mk3 low mileage Commando in on a trade and decided to use it for my summer mount. It had Avon roadrunners on it and after riding it for a month I was not happy with the handling - it did not fill me with confidence and had very little "feel". The Avon's had a pretty low profile and seemed to have very little flex vs. the rim. To be fair they may have been a bit old - but showed no signs of ageing. Anyway, I put a pair of new 410/19 K81's on (made in the Japan) and it immediately transformed the bike into one of the nicest riding and handling street bikes I have ever ridden. The K81 sits with a higher profile and I felt there was a bit more give between the "contact patch" and the rim - this seemed to work nicely with the isolastics. I have ridden Commando's with the "recommended" 360/19 K81 front tire and still prefer the slightly slower steering 410. I am not knocking Roadrunners - they work well on some bikes for some riders and we probably sell more Avon SM's than any other tire.
Mike Partridge, Walridge Motors Limited.