The Safe Bet would have to be the only matched pair which is available in the stock size.  While the bike is tolerant of going up a width on each end (and in fact all my other selections do so), the conservative Safe Bet to stick with the stock size.

As for general purpose use, the Avon Roadrunner is a very good tyre for lightweight bikes, and the V50 should be no exception.  One big benefit is the excellent straight-line highway stability of the AM20 front, which on a bike with narrow tyres is much appreciated.  It also has good wet and dry traction, and a profile which contributes to very good handling.

While the Kenda performs well on the rear of a motorcycle, and it's undoubtedly the best value for money (so little money!), there are some concerns about using it on the front.  I prefer something with a bit more traction on the front, particularly in the wet, and while the Kenda sticks well enough it doesn't quite have enough stick to make me comfortable with putting it on the front.  Also, there is a tendency to accentuate weaving.  So I'd match the Kenda rear with another front, of which the Dunlop 491 is a good and inexpensive example.

While the Avon Roadrunners would be a good touring tyre too -- with superb straightline stability -- for high-mileage riding you just can't beat the Dunlop 491.  The combination of good wet and dry traction, with excellent load-handling and tread life, makes it a clear choice for the touring rider.  In particular, the low price of these Dunlops seals the choice.

This one's a hard choice.  The Roadrunners don't have quite enough stick for sport-riding, and the Super Venoms don't last long enough for touring.  The best compromise, then, is one of Bridgestone's Dual Tread Compound technology tyres, of which the BT45 is the best and most recent -- it's turning out to be an excellent tyre indeed.

No question.  These are the best sport tyres available for older bias-ply machines, and they'll bring out the best in the light Goose's handling.

No matter which model of V50 we're talking about, I'd go for the Roadrunners.  The Super Venoms just don't last long enough to make it worth fitting except for primarily sport-riding, and the Roadrunners handle well along with their good general purpose qualities.

Avon

Bridgestone

Continental

Dunlop

IRC

Kenda

Metzeler

Michelin

Pirelli

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