mk5 tyres

[brianrylan]

Hi, Does anyone know what tyre type and pressure works well on mk5 models? I need to replace my car.

Thanks for all the help.

[EW-Ron]

Since replies are a little scarce, I'll throw in my 2 cents worth.!

Firstly, what does the Owners Manual state on this.
Always a good starting point.
Tyres have improved over the years, but not to the point that
any one of them is suddenly the miracle product to have. ?
Sizes are likely to be of the order of 3.25 x 19 - a very common size back then,
and very widely used. Check that Manual.

These days, there are still a number of suppliers of this size.
I just bought some Dunlops, but for a more utilitarian machine.
I've had good service out of some Metzelers, on a teutonic flat twin.
They provide a very stable, predictable and reasonably grippy ride.
And have also tried some asian types, notably with nylon sidewalls.
They were grippier than I expected, and the nylon aspect offers long life.
(I've had tyres that cracked in the sidewalls, long before the tread was worn out.

Finally, tyre sidewalls on near all modern tyres are softer than of old,
so they NEED pressures of 28 to 30 psi to keep profiles correct.

Surveying what your local tire supplier or bike shop can supply should
produce something suitable for you.
(and almost all modern tires are likely to be made somewhere weird,
manufacturing ain't what it used to be )(Avon moved to France ?)
Hopethishelpsabit.

[Dave]

Hi Brian, if you put this set of words (without the quotes) "tyre tyres tire tires" into the Advanced Search tool, then choose "Match any words" in the Match window, quite a lot of topics about tyres will be listed. Many of them are about pre-war models, but still make very interesting reading.

To get things started, here are a few quotes about post-war models from the first page of the search results.

David writes in 350 Mk4 Tyres

I put new tyres on my Mark 4 last year.
Front is a 3.25 x 19 and the rear is 3.50 x 19. Both are Avon Speedmaster Mk II.
The front is ribbed and the rear is a block tread pattern.
I bought them mail order from M&P in Swansea IIRC.
Hope this helps, David

Then in Mk 5 replacement tyre, Eddie writes

Last year I fitted a Mitas HO1 tyre on my Dragonfly, and am very pleased with it.

And in Dragonfly Tyres, he says

From new, the Dragonfly was fitted with WM2 rims and Firestone tyres - both 3.25 x 19" - ribbed on the front and block tread on the rear. I have always had a preference for Avon tyres, but the 3.25 x 19 SM (rear) is no longer available, so am now using a 3.50 x 19 rear with no problems.

Roy lists his preferred tyre pressures in Dragonfly tyre pressures

I've owned my Dragonfly for over 50 years and I use 22psi front and 24psi rear.

And Eddie concurs in Dragonfly maintenance

Depending on your weight, the recommended tyre pressures are 22/24psi both front and rear.

Further comments from Eddie in Tyre problems 80+

John,
          Originally the rear tyre would have been a 3.25 x 19 on a WM2 rim (1.85" wide) with 22 lbs / sq in pressure - these figures being for standard road use. If the tyre section or rim width has been altered, it may effect the seating of the tyre bead in the rim and be the start of your problems. I have used the 'cheapie' Oriental tubes without any problems other than slight porosity giving rise to gradual pressure loss - about a pound every 2 days. (Always check tyre pressures prior to riding). With the original Dunlop rims and tyres, some lubrication and about 40 psi is usually needed to get the tyres to seat correctly on the rims - if yours are going into place much easier than that, perhaps you should invest in new rubber, as they have probably been strained or are getting somewhat geriatric. If rigor mortis is setting in, I would have expected the tyre bay mechanic to have commented!
        Security bolts were listed for the Plus series, but were not really needed for general road use. A little dodge we used to use on our old scrambles bikes, was to fit the tyre and before inflation, turn it in the direction that it would normally rotate - this makes the valve lean back - if the locking ring is then left loose, you can periodically check the valve angle to see if creep is occurring (before having to spend out on another tube!). The front tyre only suffers braking forces, so the valve should be leant the other way!
                                    Regards, Eddie.

[EW-Ron]

All good advice I am sure.
There are a heck of a range of tyres out there, still.
Ribbed front v's block tread front is another discussion.
I find ribbed fronts very prone to 'tram tracking' ?

I would comment though that 22 psi in modern soft sidewall tyres is too low.
This is equivalent to running them half flat.  They probably even look half flat ?
Just reading the sidewall recommendations should increase that to 26 to 28 psi,
and 30 psi for performance motoring - or pillion carrying.
They could be quite skittish on 22 psi ?

??