I know my brother uses the Avon Distanzia tires on his Ulysses and rides back roads. Chunky block tread works fairly well in gravel. Only question is if they have a size that will work on your CB. Another tire that may work is the new compound "old style" K70 Dunlop. I used to run them on the SR500 when doing back roads. They wore a bit fast though. The smaller block tread squirms and wears fast.

 

So if anyone has any advice about making this bike more road worthy on the rough stuff, or even has advice on riding gravel or mildly challenging off road,I am all ears. If I am crazy for even trying to make a cb750 more like a dual sport,tell me that as well.
thanks in advance,
Slum

Before I bought a "real" dual sport (currently own both a BMW GS and a Kawaski KLR) I had a 1975 CB550 that I bombed gravel roads with all the time.

If it was dry I wouldnt hesitate to turn down a B-level (minimum maintenance) road......but I wasnt bombing down the single track forest roads on it....gotta draw the line.

I didnt change the suspension or even the tires....but if I was setting up a bike specifically FOR gravel I would have.

I run the Shinko 705s on my KLR.....great tires for gravel, dirt etc. Suck wind in mud....but so will that big pig of a Honda so no loss there.

I *think* a 110/80-19 would fit the front of your Honda and a 120/80-18 would fit the back......dont quote me on that.

 

Is it hard to convert a dirt bike to a dual sport?

 

No, all you really need is some lights, and some tires that are a little less knoby.

Baha sells a light kit for just about any bike, and they are about $400 to $500.

 

What about the gearing for the bikes? Are dual sports made more for the road. Like I'm looking into a bike for driving back and forth to school which is about 20-25 miles one way and I want something that's going to get as good of fuel mileage as possible but at the same time not wear out quick and also be able to easily run 70-80mph. The speed limit is usually 55 or under the whole way but it's nice to be able to go a little faster if needed.

 

I converted a Suzuki DRZ 400 dirt to dual sport and all it took was a light, directional lights, different tires and a speed-o-meter(Texas required it). Didn't change the gearing at all made several highway trips of 25 miles one way with no problem at all except the saddle got very uncomfortable.

 

What kind of fuel mileage?