Tyre choice - SV650 (120/60 & 160/60)

[davebullet]

Well, it's time to replace the stock tyres. Hopefully the above poll will be a quick reference for others considering the same.

I mainly commute on the SV650. Probably 80% commuting and 20% fun, so need a tyre that wears well in the centre, hence posting dual compound options. I never ride with a pillion, have no packrack fitted and weigh 78Kgs (incase running weight is a factor).

I'm not a huge lean angle guy in the dry. I need to improve my confidence in the wet however. I'd be happy with a tyre that gave up a bit of extra grip in the dry for more in the wet.

If you have another tyre not in the poll you'd recommend, then please post.

[Pussy]

Bridgestone 016s seem to be getting good press, Dave.
We ran Metzeler Roadtech Z6 on Gassit Girl's K1 SV650, and Sportec M1 on her K5.
We now both have K6 gixxer 750s, and are running M3s.... they are seeming to last okay

[Hidalgo]

BEST WET GRIP*

1st Michelin® Pilot® Road 2
2nd Pirelli Diablo Strada
3rd Metzeler Roadtec Z6
4th Continental Road Attack
5th Dunlop D220 ST
6th Bridgestone BT-021
7th Bridgestone BT-020

LONGEST TREAD LIFE*

1st Michelin® Pilot® Road 2
2nd Bridgestone BT-020
(tie) Dunlop D220 ST
4th Pirelli Diablo Strada
5th Bridgestone BT-021
(tie) Metzeler Roadtec Z6
(tie) Continental Road Attack

*Compared to the six leading competitors’ tires in the same market segment. Tests conducted by CERM (Centre d’Essais Routiers Mècaniques) in 2006, using tire sizes 120/70 ZR 17 and 180/55 ZR 17.

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

More Info (http://two-wheels.michelin.com/2w/front/affich.jsp?codeRubrique=2092004104045&codePage=2092004104045_13032007105938&lang=EN)

[slofox]

You would be hard pressed to better the PR2's...IMO

[cs363]

You would be hard pressed to better the PR2's...IMO


X 2, especially given the OP's quotes on what he wanted from a tyre.

[davebullet]

Thanks for the feedback guys. I hadn't seen that review before, but seems the PR2 set a benchmark for sport touring tyres.

I'll take a photo of the current stock tyres.... badly squared off and getting hard with age (they are.... gulp - 5 years old!) :laugh:, so you can see why I haven't been pushing the bike, like I would like to.

[FROSTY]

The only negative with the PR2's is that when they are about 2/3 worn things get a bit um Mushy I guess is the best word

[Pussy]

Thanks for the feedback guys. I hadn't seen that review before, but seems the PR2 set a benchmark for sport touring tyres.

I'll take a photo of the current stock tyres.... badly squared off and getting hard with age (they are.... gulp - 5 years old!) :laugh:, so you can see why I haven't been pushing the bike, like I would like to.

Almost ANYTHING will feel better than the Dunlop D220s you have on the bike at the moment, Dave!

[pritch]

Tests conducted by CERM (Centre d’Essais Routiers Mècaniques) in 2006, using tire sizes 120/70 ZR 17 and 180/55 ZR 17.


So that's out of date then... :whistle:

There's a lot more up to date information than that on KB.

[Hidalgo]

So that's out of date then... :whistle:

There's a lot more up to date information than that on KB.

Hmmm, i will b happy to see the updated info, and see how much difference does Tyres have from 2006 to 2009.
IMHO, Pilot road 2 r still way better then rest.
had in past battlex016, 021, M3 Sportec and Diablo Strada .
few of them are good track tyres, but not really suitable for commuting.

[Little Miss Trouble]

I'm running PR2s on my SV, have only had them on for about 1000km but they're awesome! Haven't given me a moment of concern & I was definately testing them on the Coast 2 Coast yesterday

[Mishy]

Hmmm, i will b happy to see the updated info, and see how much difference does Tyres have from 2006 to 2009.


Big differences from one year to the next, and often without them being advertised ! And you are correct, some of the tyres on that list are less than suitable for a commuter bike, and some of the info is also plainly at odds with numerous other tests from around the world.

[CookMySock]

I upgraded to the PR2 after Battleaxes, and they are awesome.

It will take a few months for you to stop worrying about them in the wet. All the sqriggle-wriggle in the wet has gone, thank god. In fact, in the wet I have not detected any artifacts from them at all - its like the tyres have been replaced by some magic.

I feel so so much better on my bike because of the PR2's. You will love them.

Steve

[svr]

Sizes: Should use a 70 aspect ratio on the front - will help out those dodgy forks. Also possibly a 150.60 on the rear...

[davebullet]

Sizes: Should use a 70 aspect ratio on the front - will help out those dodgy forks. Also possibly a 150.60 on the rear...

Ooops... I had already ordered the 120/60 and 160/60 PR2s before your post. I suppose a higher profile will achieve 2 things: (???)
1. Quicker corner tip in
2. More wall flex = smooth out the bumpy forks a little more

.... at the expense of contact patch on the road = more grip for braking and cornering.

I just did the newbie thing of ordering the same profile as what is supplied with the bike.

[Pwalo]

FWIW I've just had Conti Road Attacks (standard sizes) put on my SV, and must say that I really like them.

Nice and predictable in the dry and wet. Funnily enough they seem to be a much smaller tyre overall than the Dunlop 220s that came on the bike.

Obviously I can't comment on wear at the moment, but posters on the US and GB SV sites seem pretty happy with them.

[davebullet]

FWIW I've just had Conti Road Attacks (standard sizes) put on my SV, and must say that I really like them.

Nice and predictable in the dry and wet. Funnily enough they seem to be a much smaller tyre overall than the Dunlop 220s that came on the bike.

Obviously I can't comment on wear at the moment, but posters on the US and GB SV sites seem pretty happy with them.

I've also read good things about Continental tyres. Many people seem to run a sport attack front with road attack rear (for front grip / and rear wear).

I can't recall whether the Continentals are a multi compound tyre. Basically I need a good wearing commuter, so felt the PR2 would be weighted toward commuting than outright performance.

[Mishy]

I've also read good things about Continental tyres. Many people seem to run a sport attack front with road attack rear (for front grip / and rear wear).

I can't recall whether the Continentals are a multi compound tyre. Basically I need a good wearing commuter, so felt the PR2 would be weighted toward commuting than outright performance.

The Road Attack is a better all weather tyre, especially in the wet, where it shows better grip and more predictable behaviour. Sport Attack will give better tip in, and less stand up under brakes, as well as more outright grip in the warmer conditions, but is not as durable as the Road Attack.
Mixing the two is just fine, we do it all the time so we can get the durability of the Road Attack on the rear, but get sharper steering with the Sport Attack front tyre.

The Road Attack is single compound, but is MUCH thicker in the centre to get better life. Sport Attack is now made in continuos compound, so you get a constant change in compound over the width of the tyre - kinda like having 1000 different compounds, and without that step where the compound changes that can misbehave at times.

if you are not a thrasher, then road Attack would be more suitable, or even think of trying the new Conti Motion They cost a heap less, and have a carcase that REALLY suits our pothole infested N Z roads , while still having excellent durability and grip :2thumbsup

[gammaguy]

The Road Attack is a better all weather tyre, especially in the wet, where it shows better grip and more predictable behaviour. Sport Attack will give better tip in, and less stand up under brakes, as well as more outright grip in the warmer conditions, but is not as durable as the Road Attack.
Mixing the two is just fine, we do it all the time so we can get the durability of the Road Attack on the rear, but get sharper steering with the Sport Attack front tyre.

The Road Attack is single compound, but is MUCH thicker in the centre to get better life. Sport Attack is now made in continuos compound, so you get a constant change in compound over the width of the tyre - kinda like having 1000 different compounds, and without that step where the compound changes that can misbehave at times.

if you are not a thrasher, then road Attack would be more suitable, or even think of trying the new Conti Motion They cost a heap less, and have a carcase that REALLY suits our pothole infested N Z roads , while still having excellent durability and grip :2thumbsup

At my work(NZs Biggest rental business by far)we are currently running a side by side comparo of Conti Motion set and a Metzeler MEZ4 set,on identical VFR 800 VTECS.it is as scientific as we can make it(no nerds with clipboards though)i may make a thread about it when the results are in.

[davebullet]

At my work(NZs Biggest rental business by far)we are currently running a side by side comparo of Conti Motion set and a Metzeler MEZ4 set,on identical VFR 800 VTECS.it is as scientific as we can make it(no nerds with clipboards though)i may make a thread about it when the results are in.

Looking forward to it. I'm sure many others would too.

[Mishy]

At my work(NZs Biggest rental business by far)we are currently running a side by side comparo of Conti Motion set and a Metzeler MEZ4 set,on identical VFR 800 VTECS.it is as scientific as we can make it(no nerds with clipboards though)i may make a thread about it when the results are in.

Hi Stere, I did hear from Fowky that you were doing that. I'm real interested to hear how you get on :)

[Shaun]

The Road Attack is a better all weather tyre, especially in the wet, where it shows better grip and more predictable behaviour. Sport Attack will give better tip in, and less stand up under brakes, as well as more outright grip in the warmer conditions, but is not as durable as the Road Attack.
Mixing the two is just fine, we do it all the time so we can get the durability of the Road Attack on the rear, but get sharper steering with the Sport Attack front tyre.

The Road Attack is single compound, but is MUCH thicker in the centre to get better life. Sport Attack is now made in continuos compound, so you get a constant change in compound over the width of the tyre - kinda like having 1000 different compounds, and without that step where the compound changes that can misbehave at times.

if you are not a thrasher, then road Attack would be more suitable, or even think of trying the new Conti Motion They cost a heap less, and have a carcase that REALLY suits our pothole infested N Z roads , while still having excellent durability and grip :2thumbsup


Exellent discription and good details

[budda]

Exellent discription and good details

Yep, dead right Shaun. Do think that the Bridgestone BT016 would be the go though, these things really are a step up, stick like poohs , and last REALLY well. If you want that elusive "feel" as a priority, suggest BT090 Pro's, mileage is still pretty good, but the "damp road" feel is fantastic and the turn-in feel is great. Made for middleweight bikes, so carcass and tread compounds are made for the job.

As you've eluded to, pressure is key with all tyres - spend the dough on your own guage, and ALWAYS use the same guage. Note that the guage doesnt need to be the most expensive on the planet, but it will always show the same reading at the same actual pressure, so readings will be directly comparable. Course the best guage in the world is SFA use if you dont USE the bugger !!!!!!!!!