This thread is being created as a tool for members to know what tire choices they have, and what other experience has been with the tire.  It will eventually become a thread in the Tech Section or a Sticky - so that new members can find their tire options easily.  For the moment it is limited to tire "pairs"....where a matching front/rear tire set can be purchased.  (Most likely mounting different front/rear tires will not cause any issues.)  Tire prices will be taken from Motorcycle Superstore Website just for comparison - prices will certainly change and I will not be constantly updating them.

Input from Forum Members who have experience with these tires is welcome and will be used to determine how these tires perform on the Savage.....and obviously the folks who have thousands of miles on the tires will have a better review than folks who mounted a set last week.  (That is one of the problems with the reviews on Bike Bandit and Motorcycle Superstore....when you buy something from them they send you an email 2 weeks later and want you to post a review).

Once you members have provided reviews and comments on these tires - this first post will be revised and posted as a "Tire Recommendations Guide".

I should also include a comment somewhere in here about the larger 140/90-15 size changing the gearing and slowing the engine down a bit and changing the speedometer accuracy, slowing the handling down a bit, and perhaps having a clearance issue with the saddlebag bracket bolt heads.


Shinko 712

This tire is the most affordable.  It comes in the stock front tire size - the rear tire size has to be increased to a 140-90-15.

Reviews for this tire are good - a few comments suggest the tire wears faster than other brands/models.

Front 100/90-19 - $ 48.95, Rear 140/90-15 - $ 66.40




Shinko 230

This tire comes in the stock front tire size - the rear tire size can be either be a narrower 130/90-15 or a larger 140/90-15.

This tire is reported to be a good bargain tire with performance equal to more expensive tires.

Front 100/90-19 - $ 56.99, Rear 130/90-15 - $ 66.40 & 140/90-15 - $ 74.99.




Kenda K657 Challenger

Front 100/90-19 - $ 54.99, Rear 130/90-15 - $ 65.99 & 140/90-15 - $ 72.88



Kenda 671

I don't know anything about this one - online reports are pretty good.  The Kenda description states this tire is for Cruisers and Sport Touring bikes, and RYCA sells this tire for use on their Cafe' conversions.  Sport Touring tires tend to be a bit softer to allow more aggressive cornering than a dedicated Cruiser tire - but I can't confirm that is true for this tire.  The rear tire is the slightly narrower 130/90-15 tire or the larger 140/90-15.

Front 100/90-19 - $ 63.05, Rear 130/90-15 - $ 67.99 140/90-15 - $ 69.56



Kenda 673 Kruz

Front 100/90-19 - $ 62.99, Rear 140/90-15 - $ 89.99




Pirelli Route 66

I don't know what our members like/dislike about this tire.  This tire comes in the stock front tire size - the rear tire size can be either be a narrower 130/90-15 or a larger 140/90-15.

Front 100/90-19 - $ 78.95, Rear 130/90-15 - $ 87.49 & 140/90-15 - $ 99.99.




Dunlop D404

This tire comes in the stock front tire size - the rear tire size can be either be a narrower 130/90-15 or a larger 140/90-15.

This tire is reported to be a a bit slippery feeling, and it a bit expensive for the performance and life it provides.

Front 100/90-19 - $ 79.99, Rear 130/90-15 - $ 90.99 & 140/90-15 - $ 106.99.




Michelin Commander II

This tire is the most expensive - but does offer the longest tire life of any that are available.....20,000 miles is not uncommon.  If you buy this tire you need to be riding more then 4,000 miles a year so you can wear it out before the rubber becomes hard and the tire doesn't stick to the road well anymore.  The front tire can be the stock 100/90-19 size, the rear has to be increased to a 140/90-15, and it is a big looking tire on the Savage.

Front 100/90-19 - $ 105.99, Rear 140/90-15 - $ 122.99.





IRC GS-18

This tire is the original equipment tire and is not too bad - but there are better tires that cost less.

Front 100/90-19 - $ 111.05, Rear 140/80-15 - $ 129.79.



Metzler ME880 Marathon

This tire appears to be the highest cost option.  The rear tire is available in the stock 140/80-15 size, and the larger 140/90-15.  The 140/90-15 rear has the known clearance issue with the saddlebag bracket bolts if you have them.  Serowbot says they have a lot of rubber on them and are heavy - and that deep tread can make for a large flat spot in the center of the tire as the tire gets worn.

Front 100/90-19 - $ 84.92, Rear 140/80-15 $162.95,  Rear 140/90-15 - $ 147.99.

I just put a kenda 671 140/90-15 on the rear. Nice tire for the price. Got it off amazon for like 64$. Good handling so far. I like to push it around corners sometimes. Haven't had a chance to ride in the rain yet. Looking like it would more likely to get caught in snow soon enough though  

Kenda Kruz where on the '96 when I got it.
Seemed fine but most of my riding is commuting.

Serowbot wrote on 11/20/15 at 08:05:45:


I use Metzler.  I tried Perelli Route 66.. once.  They slid on downhill dry pavement and put me in the ditch.  Pulled them off and sold them, put Metzler back on.   Yes, I know it probably was more a case of me not knowing what the tire would do than the tires fault.  Maybe I will try some other brand someday.

Why do you say the center will wear quicker on a Metzler?   I think that is true of any tire, unless you spend all your time in curves and on the edge of the tire.
To get the money's worth out of the expensive Metzler, you have to ride quite a bit.  If you don't, the tire will start cracking from age before the tread is worn enough to replace.

youzguyz wrote on 11/20/15 at 08:23:26:

I don't say it will wear quicker...  I'm saying that a tire with thick tread will eventually wear a flat spot in the center, (as all MC tires do),... but being that the tread is thicker, the flat spot will be bigger.

Imagine cutting a straight slice from a round cheese...
The deeper the cut,.. the flatter the spot... ...

Dave wrote on 11/20/15 at 07:52:41:


My bad I just looked it's a Kenda 657 140/90 15

Serowbot wrote on 11/20/15 at 08:45:09:


Got it.  Mis-understood what you meant the first time.

IRC rear was worn to canvas after 6 or 8 thousand miles and made the bike track and wobble in rain groves or repairs on black top, changed to a Conti Blitz, no longer made and did wear out the middle. I now have Michelin Commander 140/90 rear and Michelin Pilot Active front I'm happy with this arrangement. I was never happy with the IRC in the wet. No bolt issues with the 140/90 rear.