DRZ400 rear tyre: 140 or 150, what's best?

[BADGRL]

soooooo it's time for some new tread...

my biggest question is: would going wider to a 150/70/17 (factory 140/70) prohibit it's 'on rails' cornering ability??

What are people's thoughts? Would love to hear, cheers :)

[Ocean1]

What's the rim width?

Check the tyre makers spec for rim sizes, an over-width tyre on a narrow rim won't be the right shape, (rounder, less sharp).

Apart from that go for something that's designed for your riding, sharp and sticky if you ride near the limits of traction and want quick handling, more rounded with a bit more tread and longer life if it's a commuter.

Don't use that size/style so I'll leave the brand wars to others.

[SVboy]

Take off useless shitty Dunlops.Throw far away or burn. Replace with pilot power 120/70/17 front and 150/60/17 rear. ENJOY. 150/70 a bit tall and PPs dont come in that size. Dont be tempted by a Pr2 in 150/70. Thank me later.

[Silage]

soooooo it's time for some new tread...

my biggest question is: would going wider to a 150/70/17 (factory 140/70) prohibit it's 'on rails' cornering ability??

What are people's thoughts? Would love to hear, cheers :)

Hi BG
I found that when the original rear gave out there was not much choice in the 140 range . I wanted to go more dual purpose so changed the rear to an Anakee 150/70/17 as it was then about the only choice to get a 120/x/17 in the same pattern for the front ie very few non-road tyres in 17". The Anakee is great and the 150 fitted the rear easily and well. Real happy with it. There were two small bolts holding the chain guard or something that had to be shortened a bit to get the tyre between the swingarms. By the time the front was gone, either the Anakee (version 1's) were not available still or something but I ended up with a Sirac (same brand and pattern just cheaper and I had to go to a 120/90/17 which doesn't look great but handles OK).

As we live nearby, PM me to come over and have a look (or vice versa).
Cheers
Alan

[SVboy]

Probably depends on the riding you do: I am 99 per cent road with a little shingle use from time to time-Silage may be a bit more dual purpose in his recommendations.....

[BADGRL]

Wheelies, wheelies and more wheelies haha!

I should probably hit the dirt on it but whenever I do I'd much rather be on a motox having extra fun ;) Sooooo 99% road, LOVE the hills/twisties...

I'm running a Pirelli Supercorsa 120/70F, you've got me sold on the 150/60/17 part, but something more resistant to smoking up hehe... sports tourer perhaps?? Something with grip when it counts but will last a bit longer from skidding/drifting and burnouts ;)

[BADGRL]

Hi BG
I found that when the original rear gave out there was not much choice in the 140 range . I wanted to go more dual purpose so changed the rear to an Anakee 150/70/17 as it was then about the only choice to get a 120/x/17 in the same pattern for the front ie very few non-road tyres in 17". The Anakee is great and the 150 fitted the rear easily and well. Real happy with it. There were two small bolts holding the chain guard or something that had to be shortened a bit to get the tyre between the swingarms. By the time the front was gone, either the Anakee (version 1's) were not available still or something but I ended up with a Sirac (same brand and pattern just cheaper and I had to go to a 120/90/17 which doesn't look great but handles OK).

As we live nearby, PM me to come over and have a look (or vice versa).
Cheers
Alan

Hey Alan, there's some good backroad practise spots out our way ;) Do you take your DRZ out much? Sounds like we have the same model, I'll have to keep my eyes peeled! As for the bolts... I bought this bike as a bit of a stunt hack so any excuse to take the grinder to it sounds like fun to me lol

[SVboy]

Wheelies, wheelies and more wheelies haha!

I should probably hit the dirt on it but whenever I do I'd much rather be on a motox having extra fun ;) Sooooo 99% road, LOVE the hills/twisties...

I'm running a Pirelli Supercorsa 120/70F, you've got me sold on the 150/60/17 part, but something more resistant to smoking up hehe... sports tourer perhaps?? Something with grip when it counts but will last a bit longer from skidding/drifting and burnouts ;)

Lol! Woudnt that be the perfect tyre! Have a play on SUPERMOTO JUNKIE.com. Lots of DRZsm opinions on there. A road two might last longer[150/70] but I maintain they dont handle as well as the 150/60. SCs are great but drzs dont get a lot of heat into the fronts.
I go to Akkers every weekend-usually sunday so come and check my bike out-it has good sensible mods aimed at fun times!

[Silage]

Hey Alan, there's some good backroad practise spots out our way ;) Do you take your DRZ out much? Sounds like we have the same model, I'll have to keep my eyes peeled! As for the bolts... I bought this bike as a bit of a stunt hack so any excuse to take the grinder to it sounds like fun to me lol
I use my DRZ all the time (it stays registered but put the 1200 on hold over winter). I don't do a lot of gravel but bought it and went onto more adventure tyres so I could. The 1200 isn't something I would choose to take onto gravel much. Now on the DRZ I am equally happy on seal or gravel which just means I take different roads sometimes rather than having two similar (sort of) bikes. The Anakee corners well on seal and has tiny chicken strips even though it is wider and that sort of behaviour is unusual for me :) However I do admit that they are heaps of fun on good road tyres.

[badblackbuell]

I have had the best luck with Avon Distanzia, 150/60 for the rear is by far the best. My 0.02

[Tard]

I have had the best luck with Avon Distanzia, 150/60 for the rear is by far the best. My 0.02

I 2nd that too...1 1 was a race horse...:wacko:

Stock Dunlops last 5 minutes, I tried Shinko Stealth's for a while which were okay for the price...now running Avon Distanzia front & rear, running a 160/60 on the rear...it's widest ya can go without mods. Happy with them and planning to replace with same...

[strandedinnz]

I 2nd that too...1 1 was a race horse...:wacko:

Stock Dunlops last 5 minutes, I tried Shinko Stealth's for a while which were okay for the price...now running Avon Distanzia front & rear, running a 160/60 on the rear...it's widest ya can go without mods. Happy with them and planning to replace with same...

Where did you get them from ? I've tried a few places in Auckland and they didn't even know they did them in the right size for front, and also the lead time is in weeks :-(

And if you don;t mind me asking, roughly how much did they cost ?

[Tard]

Where did you get them from ? I've tried a few places in Auckland and they didn't even know they did them in the right size for front, and also the lead time is in weeks :-(

And if you don;t mind me asking, roughly how much did they cost ?


Avon Distanzia's distributed by DOLD Industries and appear to be in stock right now. Was over 6 hundy fitted.