Tyres for old Fireblade - Dunedin

[Fast Eddie]

Just went around a couple shops in town today shopping for new rubber for my old blade..

No one seemed to be able to get me any bridgestones?

Any tips, maybe buying online somewhere or other shops in Dunners, I just did the mciver and MCR

Front is a 130-70 R16 <--- this one is the tricky one to buy for, one shop wanted to sell me a harley rear or something. Rear is just a 180-55 R17, pretty easy to buy for.

Best offer I got get was a mis match, metzler m3 for front and z08 "O" for the rear.. fairly decent price at 600 bucks for both incl the jist

I'd prefer a matching set, for no particular reason.

Last set I had was Bridgestone BT016 - at the moment I have mis matched pirelli or something on the rear and old bridgey on the front. I was hoping to get the latest sticky bridgeys again but dunners is slim pickings.

[DrunkenMistake]

Just went around a couple shops in town today shopping for new rubber for my old blade..

No one seemed to be able to get me any bridgestones?

Any tips, maybe buying online somewhere or other shops in Dunners, I just did the mciver and MCR

Front is a 130-70 R16 <--- this one is the tricky one to buy for, one shop wanted to sell me a harley rear or something. Rear is just a 180-55 R17, pretty easy to buy for.

Best offer I got get was a mis match, metzler m3 for front and z08 "O" for the rear.. fairly decent price at 600 bucks for both incl the jist

I'd prefer a matching set, for no particular reason.

Last set I had was Bridgestone BT016 - at the moment I have mis matched pirelli or something on the rear and old bridgey on the front. I was hoping to get the latest sticky bridgeys again but dunners is slim pickings.

http://www.motoxtreme.co.nz/ Try Kev hes usually pretty on to it when it comes to getting tyres, he seems to be the best priced for rubber as well.
Otherwise I know Cycle treads are pretty good to deal with for online sales.

[aderino4]

Bridgestone S20 comes in 130/70/16 I'm sure one of the shops down there can order it for you.

S20 is the replacement for BT016.

[Fast Eddie]

http://www.motoxtreme.co.nz/ Try Kev hes usually pretty on to it when it comes to getting tyres, he seems to be the best priced for rubber as well.
Otherwise I know Cycle treads are pretty good to deal with for online sales.

Chur bro, will look into that :) need to expand my horizons with motorbike shops here.. keep forgetting there is more than just MCR and Mciver..


Bridgestone S20 comes in 130/70/16 I'm sure one of the shops down there can order it for you.

S20 is the replacement for BT016.

shweet, yip just been told the s20 is avail for my blade.. It was not offered at the shops though. I guess I may have to go back and demand it specifically.

or buying online if possible.. so easy from the comfort of your own home :D



cheers fellas, should be sorted now - much obliged

[tigertim20]

were the shops not willing to order in for you?

[Fast Eddie]

Aw, maybe if I had been a hard bastard and demanded they get me in the s20s they might have. I simply went in saying I need new tyres for my blade, I told them I had bridgestones before and would like them again but they went another path with the metzlers or other brands and seemed to want to mix and match front and rears from different models. Not really a problem. I'm not complaining about the shops or anything - Just want to get a matching set of sticky tyres for the blade and will be able to now..

I'm gonna be buying them online after being informed of this website: http://www.bits4bikes.co.nz/accessories/battlax-sport-touring-radials/2656.aspx

the prices for the tyres are a decent bit cheaper than quoted by shops and free freight to 'me door, as well as 25 bucks off promo at the moment. Score.

Cheers for the help KBers

[DrunkenMistake]

Aw, maybe if I had been a hard bastard and demanded they get me in the s20s they might have. I simply went in saying I need new tyres for my blade, I told them I had bridgestones before and would like them again but they went another path with the metzlers or other brands and seemed to want to mix and match front and rears from different models. Not really a problem. I'm not complaining about the shops or anything - Just want to get a matching set of sticky tyres for the blade and will be able to now..

I'm gonna be buying them online after being informed of this website: http://www.bits4bikes.co.nz/accessories/battlax-sport-touring-radials/2656.aspx

the prices for the tyres are a decent bit cheaper than quoted by shops and free freight to 'me door, as well as 25 bucks off promo at the moment. Score.

Cheers for the help KBers


If you sign up a new account you get another 20% off as well, MCR use bits4bikes.

[Haggis2]

Too obvious maybe, have you tried Cycletreads? I have always found them good

[spanner spinner]

next time you see a written off vtr1000 buy the rims off it. The rear rim bolts straight in front needs new spacers and a skim off where the disks mount, any good engineer will be able to do this. I did this mod to my 1999 cbr900 best mod i ever did to it, handling is more neural, the front dosen't drop in hard as some of the 16" tyres can do, turn in is just as fast and you can then pick from all the new front tyre options.

[hayd3n]

got my m3 front (16) for 270 fitted :) at motoxtreme
i see on bits for bikes the s20 , next shipment due 17/5/13 :(

[tigertim20]

bits4bikes are a good option! - and you can get them delivered directly to the local dealer (mcr) then just drop your bikes or your wheels in for fitting:clap:

[Danger Dave]

got my m3 front (16) for 270 fitted :) at motoxtreme
i see on bits for bikes the s20 , next shipment due 17/5/13 :(

Hi, If you have look on the S20 page you will see a big tick under the heading in stock meaning that they are in stock now, under the info tab it indicates that the next shipment (on top of what is already in stock) will be arriving on the 17/05.

[HenryDorsetCase]

Just went around a couple shops in town today shopping for new rubber for my old blade..

No one seemed to be able to get me any bridgestones?

Any tips, maybe buying online somewhere or other shops in Dunners, I just did the mciver and MCR

Front is a 130-70 R16 <--- this one is the tricky one to buy for, one shop wanted to sell me a harley rear or something. Rear is just a 180-55 R17, pretty easy to buy for.

Best offer I got get was a mis match, metzler m3 for front and z08 "O" for the rear.. fairly decent price at 600 bucks for both incl the jist

I'd prefer a matching set, for no particular reason.

Last set I had was Bridgestone BT016 - at the moment I have mis matched pirelli or something on the rear and old bridgey on the front. I was hoping to get the latest sticky bridgeys again but dunners is slim pickings.

Shirley not??!?!? no one in the business would be that fucking stupid, please tell me.

I am told that the 17 inch front wheel from an equivalent era CBR600, and/or a VFR400 NC30 is the same pattern and straight bolt up.

[Fast Eddie]

bits4bikes are a good option! - and you can get them delivered directly to the local dealer (mcr) then just drop your bikes or your wheels in for fitting:clap:

I have my own tyre fitting and balancing tools in my workshop..

will be delivered direct to my door :D

[Fast Eddie]

Shirley not??!?!? no one in the business would be that fucking stupid, please tell me.

I am told that the 17 inch front wheel from an equivalent era CBR600, and/or a VFR400 NC30 is the same pattern and straight bolt up.

why bother.. Mr Honda put a 16" front on this bike so thats what its having.

Tyres are avail so no problems :D

But yes - plenty of info online about that conversion and many others.. single sided swingarms etc.. if you are that way inclined

[Fast Eddie]

next time you see a written off vtr1000 buy the rims off it. The rear rim bolts straight in front needs new spacers and a skim off where the disks mount, any good engineer will be able to do this. I did this mod to my 1999 cbr900 best mod i ever did to it, handling is more neural, the front dosen't drop in hard as some of the 16" tyres can do, turn in is just as fast and you can then pick from all the new front tyre options.

yip aware of the possible conversion, not just VTR rims that will work, cbr600 and other models too..

s20 is the newest bridgey and there is one for the blade so still happy at the mo. once they stop producing tyres for the bike I may look at a conversion. It will be a last resort though.

[Fast Eddie]

Ordered 2 Bridgestone S20's for my blade off www.bits4bikes.co.nz 2 days ago, got confirmation order back straight way same day and a dispatch notice with packing slip/tracking number a couple hours after that. Nice and speedy just how I like it!

And in a flash overnight they landed in Dunedin and were dispatched to my door. Very quick! and it was free freight. So I recommend bits4bikes for any bits you might need! Great site and service.

On a different note I don't actually have the tyres yet as the courier company claims I wasn't here when they tried to deliver them yesterday, when I was.. uni student.. what else am I gonna do.
And when I asked to redeliver/pickup they weren't sure where the tyres had gone.. blah. Let them sort it out and call me when they know. Hoping to have the tyres in my hands today or tomorrow - Will fit them to bike and go for a run and write up a little review :D

The tyres I have on the blade now are showing canvas, mismatched and the rear is I think 5+ years old, freebee off KB for my last wof. And both squared off in a horrible way - too much commuting and gunning it in a straight line. So the difference should be night and day when I put the new rubber on and go for a squirt round some corners

[onearmedbandit]

You're in for a very pleasant surprise mate.

[mulletman]

Shirley not??!?!? no one in the business would be that fucking stupid, please tell me.

I am told that the 17 inch front wheel from an equivalent era CBR600, and/or a VFR400 NC30 is the same pattern and straight bolt up.

They still need spacers, friend did this late last year.

[Fast Eddie]

You're in for a very pleasant surprise mate.
yea buddy! courier dropped off the tyres a couple of hours ago. Wheeled the bike out and got stuck in :D doing the wheel bearings at the same time.

arrival of tyres n bearings, speedy! only ordered them day before yesterday and prob would have got them yesterday if I had heard the courier knock
279971

new bearings, been a while and many kms since these were done, did steering heads year and a half ago.
279972

motoGP sticker to boot ;) now I feel like a racer
279973

Will have to finish off the tyres and bearings another day as I'm just in need of a sprocket carrier bearing, shouldn't take long to get one :D bits4bikes to the rescue

[hayd3n]

yea buddy! courier dropped off the tyres a couple of hours ago. Wheeled the bike out and got stuck in :D doing the wheel bearings at the same time.

arrival of tyres n bearings, speedy! only ordered them day before yesterday and prob would have got them yesterday if I had heard the courier knock
279971

new bearings, been a while and many kms since these were done, did steering heads year and a half ago.
279972

motoGP sticker to boot ;) now I feel like a racer
279973

Will have to finish off the tyres and bearings another day as I'm just in need of a sprocket carrier bearing, shouldn't take long to get one :D bits4bikes to the rescue

how much for the sprocket carrier one??

[Fast Eddie]

how much for the sprocket carrier one??

hehe, yea will find out tmoro. Was thinking about that after you mentioned your one yesterday..

[Dogboy900]

I put a 16" S20 on the front of my Blade a little while ago. So far WAY nicer feeling than the worn out Dunlop D208 I had on there.
I have not yet had a good run over the twisties with it on but the limited playtime I have had is really promising. The bike is leaning further than on the Dunlop and feels stable and like there is still plenty of angle left to use up. I can't wait to wear out my rear and get an S20 on there too.

I think you will have fun.

[Fast Eddie]

Aw quick pic of my favourite blade ;) new rubber and bearings in the wheels, all torqued back up and wheels are still in line so +1

Once I get a helper over I'm hoping to set the suspension up properly as well as it is far too stiff, barely moves when I sit on it. and it hops and skips all over the road when riding at a spirited pace on public roads. Should have done it long time ago but I guess you just put up with it/get used to it. Goes good on the track, but too stiff for the roads down here.

So far though, New tyres feel mint! smooth tip in and just feels like new tyres.. best feeling ever haha.

Got a fright coming out of my driveway when I put the new rear on, I had barely let the clutch out and got rolling, gave it like 1/8 of a turn of the throttle and the c*nt spun right around 180 on me. I was standing there bike still upright but facing the other way down the road - f*ck it so I just went that way instead. The front hasn't given me a fright yet..

Yet to go out for a proper scrub in, hopefully this weekend.


280294

[Fast Eddie]

how much for the sprocket carrier one??

bugger all, included with the rear wheel bearing kit- think 36/38 bucks all up.

www.bits4bikes.co.nz ;) hehe

[Fast Eddie]

Coming up to 100kms on the new tyres.

yip, like anyone said before me they are awesome! haven't pushed them at all yet. But for the general fun rides I do out the otago peninsula the bike feels great. Tyres are even compensating for my shitty suspension, bike feels so stable mid corner, you lean it over and it sits where you leave it - prior it really used to be hard to keep the lean angle it would try and stand up straight or drop lower constantly so you always felt like you were wobbling around.

tyres are confidence inspiring, so smooth. Still scrubbing them in I guess (if you even do that with modern tyres?).. but looking forward to giving it a little bit more :D

recommended for sure!