What are the tyres options?
Standard sizes: 110/80-17 57H front, 130/80-17 65H rear
(The rear will also take a 140/80 or 140/70, but don't come running to me if it flies off the rim and breaks your legs!)
When to replace tyres: Exactly when to replace a worn tyre is a personal decision. The law says the minimum requirement is "a tread depth of at least 1mm across three-quarters of the breadth of the tread and in a continuous band around the entire circumference."
That's far too worn for most people's tastes. 2mm is a more realistic minimum, as any less and you risk aquaplaning. Many tyres have wear indicator bars in the tread marked with arrows on the sidewalls. When these become level with the tyre surface it's worn out.
The other factor is the 'squaring off' of the rear tyre profile when run long distances in straight lines. This does horrible things to handling, though it's easy not to notice because the effect is so gradual. A new set of tyres is often a handling 'revelation'.
Often one front tyre will last for two rears, and many retailers, following in the footsteps of the condom industry, now sell their rubber in packs of three.
When to replace valves: The tyre valves should be replaced along with the tyres if they show any signs of cracking, perishing or hardening when tweaked. Generally they last about five years. If in doubt ask the fitter's opinion. They only cost £1 each.
Punctures: Again, opinions vary about whether it's safe to repair punctures. Although catastrophic failure of punctured modern bike tyres is now incredibly rare, some folks say "you can't be too careful".
It's definitely not possible to replair puctures to the sidewalls. Punctures to the main tread, if not too large, can usually be fixed. This should be done at a reputable motorcycle tyre fitters.
If you find an object embedded in your tyre but the tyre is still hard, do not pull it out. If you don't have any other transport it's possible, if you're happy with the idea, to ride the bike very gently to the repairers in this state.
You can do temporary repaires yourself with a "Rep-air" kit or similar, which if kept under the seat will get you home in an emergency, but it limits your speed and prevents a professional repair being done later.
There are also puncture preventers such as "Ultraseal" which you squidge into the tyre via the valve and work to seal punctures 'automatically.' While it might sound questionable, these products and very thoroughly tested and many riders swear by them.
Tyre pressure: This depends on the make of tyre and whether you carry a pillion. Some recommendations are noted below, if in doubt ask the manufacturer. Check your pressures every two weeks -- low pressures cause more handling problems than anything else.
Bridgestone BT45s are now fitted as standard and are generally regarded as the best all-round tyre (all-square tyres being very rare). They last well (up to 6000 on the rear, 10,000 on the front) and provide enough grip to mince your footpegs. Bridgestone used to recommend pressures of 29 psi front, 36 psi rear, but have now changed their advice to 36 psi front, 40 psi rear. This should make them last longer, but run cooler. Take your pick.
Bridgestone BT96s This super-grippy rubber is expensive but can be affordable as the CB is fairly gentle on its tyres. Finding the sizes can be tricky, order well in advance.
Dunlop Arrowmax used to be standard fitment until a few years back, but hopefully you won't come across too many original examples! Mid-price, good mileage but mediocre performance. Not recommended.
Avon Azaro AV45/46
Azaros are full radial tyres with good grip but a relatively short life. Probably the cheapest decent radial you will find. But there may be a size problem...
"Hi, I Have fitted Avon Azaro AV45/46 in 110/80 17 and 140/80 17 to my CB500 - after the tyres it came with - Pirelli mt75 front and mt08 rear - they are a complete revelation - no more following lines and corrugations in the road - Avon said that they were not recommended for this bike but gave tyre pressures of 29psi front and 33psi rear !!" [LABOOH]
Ex-race scrubs (Bridgestone BT 090s) can be bought for about £50 a pair at race meets (see http://www.neweramcc.org/ or contact CBracer#9 on the site forum). The last word in grippiness, and only the very edges have been used!
090s are road-legal, but be aware they will wear out more quickly and have less grip when cold than standard tyres.
Continental Avenues A new tyre, about which I know nothing.
"Just to let you know I thought my Continental Avenue tyres were fantastic all winter. 50 miles a day, great grip, felt really secure, no problems. Can't tell you anymore, cos I've moved on to Kawasaki ZR-7, cheapest 750 around. It's described as a slug in BIKE mag but... [That's enough about Kawasakis - Ed]" [Ray]
"Now onto useful stuff. The rims work great and you get nice night time effects on roundybouts but it is quite expensive with the fronts wheel lasting about 200 miles and the rear 100 miles. The back spins up quite easily but you can alloy spray metal parts in your spare time. You can also make butter on the way to work to have on your toast, or sarnie or even crumpet." [Gary]
"Now Gary you are really taking the piss! 100 miles from a rear rim......I know you can get high mileages out of them drum braked CB500 rims but that is stretching it a bit far.....I reckon you'd be lucky to get more than 50 miles! You need to keep your information useful but not so ludicrous that people won't take your advice!" [Pugsley]
Theo, August 2004. If you have corrections, comments or updates, email us. 
since 21/1/04
