Radial Tyre recommendations - 120 17 & 170 17

[salty_monk]

Anyone have any recommendations?

I was thinking of going with the Avon Vipers which are about $200 a set plus postage.

120 70 17F

Note I need a 170 60 17 rear so may not qualify for some of the set deals as they usually have a 180.

Dan

 

[man8woman]

For $255.85 you can get a set of Pirelli Diablo Rosso at American moto tire. There good tires!

 

[80GS1000]

Michelin Pilot Powers are the best sport-oriented street tires on the market IMO, especially on a GS-GSXR suspension conversion project. What bike is this going on?

$266 shipped for a 120 front and 170 rear set.

http://stores.sportbiketrackgear.com/Detail.bok?no=680

EDIT: What type of tire are you looking for? Sport, sport touring, touring?

 

[salty_monk]

Should have been a bit more precise sorry!

I don't want something that will flatten in the middle in 1000 miles. It takes me an hour to get to the good twisties so it will need to do some freeway work etc

I want something as grippy & confidence inspiring or more than the Roadriders (but wider) with a similar life if possible. Was wondering about some kind of dual compound with the softer shoulders?

I'm fairly easy on tyres (I'm light & I ride light). Got about 6k on the rear of my 1000G & I reckon I'll get at least another 4-5k on it. If you compare this to Bwringer who I think gets about 6k per tyre on his 850g you'll see the difference.

These are going to go on the 83750ES with GSXR front end, standard rear (except a 5.5" rear & a Ducati monster mono shock with fully adjustable damping & preload.

Dan

 

[posplayr]

Dan,
Sport touring is the category for increase mileage with grip.

Check Dunlop Roadsmart which is in direct competition with Michelin Road Pilot 2's. An alternate are the Avon Storm AV55/56 as I know you are partial to tyres
Jim

 

[80GS1000]

Should have been a bit more precise sorry!

I don't want something that will flatten in the middle in 1000 miles. It takes me an hour to get to the good twisties so it will need to do some freeway work etc

I want something as grippy & confidence inspiring or more than the Roadriders (but wider) with a similar life if possible. Was wondering about some kind of dual compound with the softer shoulders?

I'm fairly easy on tyres (I'm light & I ride light). Got about 6k on the rear of my 1000G & I reckon I'll get at least another 4-5k on it. If you compare this to Bwringer who I think gets about 6k per tyre on his 850g you'll see the difference.

These are going to go on the 83750ES with GSXR front end, standard rear (except a 5.5" rear & a Ducati monster mono shock with fully adjustable damping & preload.

Dan

In that case, you might want to look into a set of Michelin Pilot Road 2s.

http://www.michelinmotorcycle.com/index.cfm?event=pilotroad2

They're dual compound - touring compound in the center, Pilot Power soft compound on the sides for cornering grip. 8000+ miles possible on the rear. A bit more expensive than sport tires but will last 2-3 times as long while retaining the ability to rip up the twisties. Nice profile too - turns easily yet neutral steering in the corners.

BTW standard fitment on a 5.5" rear rim is a 180/55/ZR17 tire. A 170 will have its profile a little more stretched than ideal on a 5.5" rim.

 

[salty_monk]

Thanks guys. I'm aware the 170 will be a bit stretched but there are a bunch of tyres that do show a 5.5" as an allowable alternative size for the 170 under manufacturers recomendations.
I'd like to go with a 180 but the 170 will be enough of a squeeze!

The Avon's & Bridgestones allow it on most of their tyres.

The wheel has a 170 on it now & it looks pretty good

Hmm I was thinking about the Viper's but maybe I'll look again...

Not sure I'll get any benefit from a full on sport tyre over a sport touring/dual compound.

Had a further mock up last night & it seems that the chain line will be pretty good, I'll probably need to move the front sprocket out 2 or 3mm by the looks of it. Have space for a 530 chain but will probably go with a 520 to give a bit more room. Just a case of sorting an axle & spacers out properly now then I can start in on the brake & torque arm.

Dan

 

[tone]

020 brigestones would be my first choice as a balance between grip & wear

 

[Guest]

Tone,

I think they call them BT-021 now (also a dual compound), that's what I run on my Gs1100. They wore beautifully for 7500 miles. Probably still have some life in them.

I run the 021s on my FZ1 also and while I love them for the first 4000 miles after that they don't wear as well as they do on the GS. By the way I also run a 170 rear on a Bandit rim.

I usually buy mine from Southwest Moto Tires http://www.swmototires.com/sports .

 

[bwringer]

My VX800 was wearing new BT020s when I bought it, and the front was utter complete crap. The rear seemed to work OK, but it wore out very quickly. Never again.

Avon Storms work wonderfully and wore well for me on the VX800.

Now it's wearing dual-sport tires, but never mind that...

 

[salty_monk]

Anyone tried the Viper's? Assume they would wear a lot quicker.... $200 a set as opposed to $260 on the Storm's.

PJ that's a great price with free post on those Pilots - maybe I'll give them a go. What sort of mileage can I expect out of them? This 750 looks like it should be good for a pretty sporty lean angle with the Bassani Pipe....

Dan

 

[Guest]

I like the Dunlop roadsmart that is on mine. And they have it in a 170.

 

[posplayr]

Avon Storms work wonderfully and wore well for me on the VX800.

...

Glad to hear that. I went Roadsmart 170/60-18 on Rear and Av55 Storm 110/80-18 on front

 

[80GS1000]

Anyone tried the Viper's? Assume they would wear a lot quicker.... $200 a set as opposed to $260 on the Storm's.

PJ that's a great price with free post on those Pilots - maybe I'll give them a go. What sort of mileage can I expect out of them? This 750 looks like it should be good for a pretty sporty lean angle with the Bassani Pipe....

Dan

I'd say 6K+ miles out of a PP rear on a GS750. I was getting 4-6K out of a PP rear on my 130ish RWHP 06 GSXR 750 before it became track-only and you know how I ride. Best tire I've tried so far on the GS since the suspension swap - they handle amazingly well, grip like crazy wet or dry, and last a long time for a sport tire.

 

[bwringer]

As nice as the Storms are, I've heard a lot of glowing praise for the new Dunlop Roadsmart and Michelin Pilot Road 2.

They're both horrifically expensive, though...

 

[salty_monk]

PJ - Are the pilot powers that you have a particularly wide tyre? I know some brands come up a bit wider or narrower than stated size.
Tried looking at Michelin's website but it's pretty Shiiite - damn french :lol:

The Avon site quotes actual measured tyre width in their specs.

 

[jknappsax]

Wouldn't Shiiite be in Arabic, not French?

 

[salty_monk]

:lol: probably... wouldn't matter though there still wouldn't be anything except for marketing drivel on their website

 

[Guest]

Here's two more data points since I have them laying around. Bridgestone BT-021 170 rear is 6.5 inches wide (widest point). Michelin 180 Macadam radial is 7 inches wide. Both tires are mounted on Bandit 5.5" rims.

That 1/4" on one side can make a big difference in getting chain, chain guard, and shock to line up.

 

[salty_monk]

So the Bridgestone is just under 170 at 165mm.. that's useful to know. The one I have on there now is about 172mm from my measurements (not that accurate, I will do it more accurately soon) so that would give me at least 3mm a side, could be very useful.

Thanks!

Dan