Talk to me about tyres (GSXR 250)

[st00ji]

right, the suzi is due for a new rear tyre. its currently got a sport demon on there which has been pretty awesome as far as i can tell. when i first got the bike i replaced the front tyre with a dunlop arrowmax, which seems to have been fine as well.

when i went down to my local bike tyre place, who had sold me the arrowmax they told me that it 'wasnt available' in the right size for my rear. i think he actually meant they didnt have one on the shelf, and couldnt be bothered getting one in for me. maybe.

anyway, he had a shinko for around $170, and recommended a lasertec which i think is made by metzler? which was like $260.

so, how important is matching tyres? he seemed to think that having two cross plys would be good enough, but i've read on here that its best to have a matched pair if possible. should i ask him to get me another dunlop? or just take one of the others? was leaning towards the lasertec due to the old 'get what you pay for' and generally belief in using the best tyres you can afford, bike or car.

the rear is a 130 / 70 / 17 if it matters.

cheers!

[IdunBrokdItAgin]

Tyres don't have to match but it is better when they do (some will disagree about this but it's what tyres companies say - and they design them).

As far as I am aware it's mainly about the tread patterns working in tandem, for grip. Plus different tyres have different handling characteristics - some turn in quicker and some slower. Your choice of tyre will affect how your bike feels more than any other (changeable) part of your bike

On a car you would generally have a matched set of tyres on the front and a matched set of tyres on the back (but front and back sets can differ). Tyres work best in pairs.

But, as your front tyre type doesn't do one in the size of your rear (can happen but you need to check this out yourself - easy to do just search the internet), then it's pretty much your choice.

So tyres work best in pairs, but if you're not going to change your front then I would suggest going for a sport demon again as you know how they feel (when paired with your current front).

Mate of mine just a got a quote for new sport demons rear and front on a 250 vtr for $300 fitted, which is a very good price. So at a guess you'll be looking at $160 to $175 for a rear as a good price.

Edit: Plus I would use a different tyre shop if they sold you a tyre type before checking that the rear size was also available, in preperation for when your rear wore out. They really should have advised you to go with a sport demon front at that time.

[st00ji]

wow, $300 IS a good price. i guess that was in wellington huh? i'd almost be tempted to replace both tyres with sport demons if i could find a similar deal up here in auck-wood, then try and sell the arrowmax on TM or something.

i've been taking the bike to red baron, they've been pretty good to me i reckon so was keen to keep supporting them. they have seemed slightly disinterested on the suzuki front occasionally though, being as they are not agents. perhaps i should go and visit colemans - anyone got feedback on them?