Can we get a new manufacturer for 16" tires???

[paso750]

wondering what Pirelli did with their MP7 moulds

[johanv]

The new Gilera GP800 has a 120/70-16 front tyre, maybe it suits the paso. It's a Michelin, check the gilera website. (rear is 15" )

[Finnpaso]

Its bigger problem in 16" Paso to find suitable REAR tire...

[AndyPaso]

Hey everyone.

I've crossed over from the 906 forum 'cause they said you had a good tire discussion going on. I have just had a 3 month search for a rear tire for my 906. Finally got one but the suppliers in the US are very reluctant to export now, so stock must be getting low.

I have heard that Harley Davidson have changed their 2009 touring chassis and the rear wheel will now sport a 180/65-16 tire. (http://www.brainbucketmag.com/News/print/sid=4122.html).

Please excuse my ignorance re tires but is this useful news for those of us keen to keep 16" wheels?

[persempre907]

I guess that a 180/65 is too big to fit to the rear fork without any modification.
Ciao

[jcslocum]

Hey guys,

I'm back from Spain and trying to catch up. I spoke with a few Ducai folks while at the meeting and they promised to give us a hand. I had a chance to bring this to Diego Sgorbati, Marketing Director for DMH and he is interested in the fact that the Paso's and other bikes that use these tires need a supply to keep them on the road. I also spoke to the Marketing director from the UK and they also showed interest. So, what I need to do is put together a letter to send to these folks explaining our case and trying to get their support. What are your ideas for this letter and what facts should be included??

[higgy]

It would seem to me all they need to know is who needs tires and how often. There are still a lot of bikes out there using 16 inchers, not to forget the hoard of Hondas. But then eloquence is not my strong point

[persempre907]

Higgy,
we all have understood your point.

WHO AND HOW MUCH DO NEED NEW 16" TIRES??????

A little planning is useful to try finding an agreement with the producer.
Ciao

[paso750]

I don`t think that is the question as tires are needed by way more persons as are registred here.
May be more important to get a picture of how many bikes using these tire sizes do still exist and then estimate that a person my need a set every 1-1,5 years or so. Just a thought.

[Finnpaso]

Has anybody lookeed from Honda forums, what they will do ???

[paso750]

why does Honda have any issues ? The old CBRs use a 130/70-16 on the front (that size is available from numerous manufacturers) and a 17" on the rear. The Hondas and other bikes that use a 16" on the rear use 150/80 or 180/60 but not 160/60-16.

[jcslocum]

We are trying to build a good case for support from Ducati to assist or at least apply some pressure for us. We need a compelling case for this not just a "we need tires" approach.

Ducati is in the biz of building and selling new motorcycles. They do have huge respect and interest in the heritage of the marque as well. The Paso is a mile post in the design of Ducati and you can see it's lines in many bikes that have been huge for Ducati.

If you have any thoughts on what should be contained in this letter, please email me at slocumjon@gmail.com

[persempre907]

I don`t think that is the question as tires are needed by way more persons as are registred here.
May be more important to get a picture of how many bikes using these tire sizes do still exist and then estimate that a person my need a set every 1-1,5 years or so. Just a thought.

I guess that only those few late '80 Ducati (Paso, F1, Sport...) use 130/60 - 160/60 16" tires.
Besides, many bikes has been swapped to 17" rims.
So, I think a good start would be to know how much tires are needed here.
All in all, we are talking of a very little number of bikes.
Ciao

[paso750]

I guess that only those few late '80 Ducati (Paso, F1, Sport...) use 130/60 - 160/60 16" tires.
Besides, many bikes has been swapped to 17" rims.
All in all, we are talking of a very little number of bikes.

absolutely agree but I would not mention this as this is not for our advantage

So, I think a good start would be to know how much tires are needed here.

if this is done you`ll see that only the guys that post on regular basis will answer, for sure not all forum members owning a 750 or 906. This also won`t cover all the owners that are not registered and I think there are many out there. Also some guys will probaly say they would buy 3 sets immedeately which wouldn`t help as you couldn`t estimate yearly required volumes based on this.
The least would be to take the actual number of forum members that own a 750 or 906 (this info can probably be taken from the site`s stats). Still this wouldn`t give a proper picture.
I personally would take a different approach and start of from production numbers of P750, 906, 750S, Bimota DB1 (and whatever other bike used this size - 851 tricolore ?!) and then just by rule of thumb reduce the total volume by let`s say estimated 40% (bikes that were crashed, scrapped, some may stand in collections etc). This should give a more realistic (and also bigger) figure.

G.

edit: (from Wikipedia)
"There were three road-going versions of the DB1:
DB1 1985-87 standard model. Red green and mostly pearl white bodywork. 453 made. Some 400 cc machines were made for Japan and are included in that number.
DB1S with freer exhausts and larger carburetors and no air cleaners. Same body colours as DB1 but with an "S" in the name. 63 made.
DB1SR with a very highly tuned engine, and different two-piece wheels made by Marvic/Akront. Same colours as the DB1 but mostly red. 153 made."
DB1 total produced 569

from Ducati 2-valve belt drive restauration guide:
total Paso 750 & 906 produced: 6.665
750 F1 Santamonica 204
750 F1 Laguna Seca 296
750 Sport (1988/89) 2.607

if I didn`t make a mistake there were 10.341 bikes produced using the same tire sizes.
Thinking that DB1 and the F1 models may not be moved a lot required sets per year may be not more than 3,5-4K. (which still seems a bit high for me. On the other side guys may ride more if they knew they can get new tires easily)

edit:
add
851 Strada (1988) 300
851 kit (1988) 200

[Finnpaso]

Remembering, that F1 with its modells, like Montjuch, Lacuna Seca used different rear wheel, narrower, than Pasos use. So, then they use different type of tire.