Tyres for my '10

[nudemetalz]

Greetings,

Haven't been on here a while as haven't been able to ride and it depresses me too much hearing other peoples riding enjoyment :(...

However, I now have renewed enthusiam to start getting the ZX-10 up to scratch so hopefully my Neurologist can tell me I can ride again this summer....( I keep telling her how lovely she looks but don't think this is doing the trick alone....)...

Anyway, enuff crap,...I'm running Battlax BT020's front and rear on the '10.
The front end has never felt right and I'm wondering if it was just setup or whether it was this tyre I'm running. As it's worn out to mins now I'm thinking of changing it. There's a BT56 on TM at present. As these a lot better than the 020's? As the rear still has a lot of tread left in it I don't want to mix and match too much and think that at least keeping to Bridgestone Battlaxes front and rear might suffice.
I'm not a hard rider anymore, like to long distance riding with the occassional Rima's scratch on a Sunday morning (well at least that's what I'm planning).

Yes I do find the rear rather squirrely in the wet but might be more with too much throttle than tyre inefficiency...

Any help/advice appreciated.

[Toast]

How big's the rear tyre? I found Bridgestone BT45s mint, but they only come
in 160 (150, maybe?) and below. Not heaps of grip, but good feel, very stable.

Something similar in the range for big bikes could be the go. MAybe the BT56 is that tyre...?

[nudemetalz]

Hi Toast,

The rear is a 160/60 ZR18 (which will make my tyre choice limited anyway).
I've read that a popular mod is to put the 17" rim from a ZZR11 into the '10's swingarm. Makes more tyre choice available. Might consider that too.

[Toast]

Yeah, that does limit your options a bit.

If you're keen on going down to a 150, there's quite a few choices though. I know that most recommend shifting from 190 to 180 on a 6 inch rim, not sure what your rim size is (Dover et. al., quiet), but it may work out nicely?

Cycletreads' catalogue gives you a look at the different sizes available for different tyre models:

http://www.cycletreads.co.nz/content/catalogue.aspx

[nudemetalz]

Thanks for the link !!!
Excellent stuff.

The rear is a 4.5" , dunno how a 150 would go. The Haynes workshop manual recommends the sizes that I have at present.

Cheers for your help.

[Wasp]

Offer to take the neaurologist out with you - if she faints when you mention it you dont stand a chance BUT if she laughs/jokes about it I reckon a few more of those "You look nice today" comments might work ;)

[nudemetalz]

I could do that...but then may suffer the wrath of the Missus not getting the jist of that idea...:shit:

[Lou Girardin]

Hi Toast,

The rear is a 160/60 ZR18 (which will make my tyre choice limited anyway).
I've read that a popular mod is to put the 17" rim from a ZZR11 into the '10's swingarm. Makes more tyre choice available. Might consider that too.

Metzeler makes a Z6 in that size, a lot of people are using these with excellent results. I'm on my second set, i get around 9000 k's from a rear on the Bandit.
Price is up there now due to recent price rises, I can do one for around $375.00 inc.

[nudemetalz]

Thanks Lou, I'll remember that when the rear has worn out.

[Squeak the Rat]

I don't even know what a tyre is, but good luck with getting the all-clear.

[nudemetalz]

Thanks Squeak.

Even in this really crappy Wellington weather, the bike urge is immensely strong !!
Nay mind, the ole beast will be perfectly fine when I get back on her (the bike, not the missus or the neuro-lady...)