TOPIC:

Thanks Tim!
I set my sights in ME888 because I've read some reviews where people said they were improvement over the Avon AV26 they used.
Personally, I have Avon AV65 and AV72 (rear) radials on a Vmax. They are fine, but switching from bias to radials gave me with a weird feeling and confusion because they seem to feel like a wet noodle in corners comparing to what I had before - a pair of ME880 ply tires. This might also be a Vmax specific thing. They stick well, but I kind of liked the more rigid feel of the Metzeler ply tires. Except for one thing - the ME880 were not good on wet roads in my experience. From what I read, the new ME888 are a big improvement.
So, honestly now I simply can't make up my mind - go with radials or Avon Road Riders.

I will check the Bridgestone you suggest. I have no idea now what model that was, but I read Bridgestone didn't perform well in rain. That was on Vmax again, different dynamics because of different design, but both bikes pretty much the same weight.

Any input appreciated. Thank you Tim!

Oh, I see, these are the mysterious Battlax tires! haha I've red this word, now I know what it stands for

Another very popular on Vmaxe's are Shinko. I started looking at them but if remember correctly they don't fit our rear tire (if want an oversized one).
They are cheap, good grip, good in all weather and last a long time. I will deep into them a bit more and see what I come up with.

I'm thinking... thirty something years ago all these bike were raced on bias-ply tires. Considering improvement in technology, they can't be that bad!

Here is my short list with possible choices. I marked with '>>' and a number those which are in my focus.
I am leaning towards bias-ply tires at the moment, unless I would figure out a matched pair of different brand radials. I still might mix two different bias-ply tires as well.

I've noticed that in case of 150 tires, 150/80 is much closer than 150/70 to the stock 130/90 size in the sidewall height, but increases it by 3 mm. The 150/70 decreases the sidewall by 12 mm. A decrease might not be a bad thing when considering the flex, but perhaps 3 mm is negligible. There is also the factor of differences between different brands in the same tire sizes.

Out of all of these, only the Avon AM26 has both front and rear tires in the exact sizes I want. That's good for matched profiles.
Shinko are cheap and have good reputation - if they are good for a Vmax, they have to be good for KZ13.. They would be my choice but I'd like to go a little bit bigger than the stock rear and they only offer stock size.

My target sizes are 100/90-18 and 140/80-17. Alternatives are 110/90-18 and 150/70-17.

The prices are from Fort9 Canadian supplier and in Canadian dollars (great source for tires, bearings, batteries etc. - free shipping over $50 and only GST).

Radials:

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Avon Storm 3DX-M Front Tire 110/80ZR18 $162.99
>1>Avon Storm 3DX-M Front Tire 100/90ZR18 $144.99
Metzeler ME888 Touring Rear Tire 150/80R17 72V $ 325.31 (out of stock)
Continental Conti Motion Sport Touring Radial Front Tire 150/70ZR17 $138.53 (out of stock)
Avon AV56 Storm 2 Ultra Rear Tire 150/70ZR17 $157.99
>1>Avon AV66 Storm 3D X-M Rear 150/70ZR17 $199.99

I have seen quite few lower ratings when it comes to wet traction of these Continental tires, so I am leaning towards Avons. My intension is not to ride this bike in rain, but it's the West Coast, so you never know.

Bias Ply:

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Metzeler ME888 Marathon Ultra Front Tire 110/90-18 61H $163.99
Metzeler ME 888 Marathon Ultra Rear Tire 150/80R17 72V $242.99

Avon AM26 Roadrider Front Tire 110/90-18 V60 $139.99
>1>Avon AM26 Roadrider Front Tire 100/90-18 V56 $128.99
Avon AM26 Roadrider Rear Tire 130/90-17 V68 $164.99
>1>Avon AM26 Roadrider Rear Tire 140/80-17 V69 $180.99


Bridgestone BT45 Sport Touring Front Tire 110/90-18 61V $131.99
>2>Bridgestone BT45 Sport Touring Front Tire 100/80-18 53H $117.99
Bridgestone BT45 Sport Touring Rear Tire 130/90V17 $150.99
>2>Bridgestone BT45 Sport Touring Rear Tire 140/80V17 $145.99

>3>Shinko 230 Tour Master Front Tire 100/90V18 $86.99
Shinko 230 Tour Master Front Tire 110/90V18 $91.99
>3>Shinko 230 Tour Master Rear Tire 130/90V17 $102.99

Personally, I would go for a 110 section front tire, since that is the standard fitment, AND you want a fatter tire anyway, from the looks aspect. Skinny tires don't look right on a big bike. And I would keep in mind, when considering the rear, the effects on RPM vs MPH / KPH. If it was me, I would not want to have the engine revving higher for a given road speed, if that is the result of fitting a lower profile tire.

I've nee checking all this data in Tacoma Tire Calculator .
I've read in the KZ1300 Q&A section the original poster suggesting that this bike should had been equipped with a 100/90 front tire for better handling. That's what made me wonder. My Vmax is doing fine on 100/80 tire despite the stock being 110/90. I was told by a pro it's an excellent choice. For sure, no matter what's being said about tires, it always leaves me confused! haha

I am still 'sitting on the fence' on the tires. Like you said, a big bike looks better with a beefier rear tire. Too small front makes it look silly as well. I guess I need more time for digesting.

Stan: One thing to keep in mine, and forgive me if I posted this already.....

From experience, one tire manufacturer's actual inflated width/height measurement(s) may be different from another Manufacturer's actual inflated width/height measurements even if both tires have exactly the same dimensional specs. So, you may find that one tire fits while a tire from a different MFR with the same size specs doesn't fit (in terms of being too wide or too high).