Radials vs cross ply.

[awa355]

My CBF 250F came with Perelli MT75's. Perelli has this tyre listed on their website as a commuter tyre, which I would assume makes it a cross ply.

The rear has been replaced with a Shinko, front still the MT75. I am going to replace both tyres this week. Perelli do not list the MT75 in their NZ stocks.

The bikes isn't a high speed machine ( cruises easerly 100kph ) but I like to crank it through the corners. Will fitting radials ( sports/touring) alter the handling characteristics of the bike design?

The tyres are 100/80/17 F, 130/70/17 Rear.

[MSTRS:Me]

I doubt that you could notice any difference between the two. Just don't mix them.
Those profile heights you mention are probably not available in radial.
FWIW check out Pirelli Sport Demons or Bridgestone BT45s. Both are crossply and both are brilliant tyres.

[awa355]

I doubt that you could notice any difference between the two. Just don't mix them.
Those profile heights you mention are probably not available in radial.
FWIW check out Pirelli Sport Demons or Bridgestone BT45s. Both are crossply and both are brilliant tyres.

Thanks for your reply, much appreciated.. Would a change in profile make a great deal of difference ?

[MSTRS:Me]

Yes. Your speedo may not read right, for a start. Your revs will increase for the same road speed. (smaller circumference on the tyres, see?) The handling will probably be fine tho.

[Katman]

I often have customers asking for my first hand advice on choice of radials.

It's almost getting embarrassing owning up to the fact that I've never owned a bike that runs radials.

[Scotty595]

I'd say no point in a radial for a 250. I use Avon Roadriders (i think) which i find way better than my old sport demons.

But yeah, I really dont see much point in a radial for a 250.

[Mishy]

Yeah, as stated earlier in this thread - you are pretty unlikely to find radials in those sizes.
The biggest differences in performance are in heat dispersion (radial's often have a steel belt, and radiate heat better across the tyre)
Other than that, the radial will have inherently better damping charachteristics of the tyres carcase. This means less pump from the carcase, and less possibility of standing wave formation due to carcase weakness.
Radials just give more predictable, and confidence inspiring behaviour, and zero degree steelbelts add to that.

[boman]

My CBF 250F came with Perelli MT75's. Perelli has this tyre listed on their website as a commuter tyre, which I would assume makes it a cross ply.

The rear has been replaced with a Shinko, front still the MT75. I am going to replace both tyres this week. Perelli do not list the MT75 in their NZ stocks.

The bikes isn't a high speed machine ( cruises easerly 100kph ) but I like to crank it through the corners. Will fitting radials ( sports/touring) alter the handling characteristics of the bike design?

The tyres are 100/80/17 F, 130/70/17 Rear.

Read the tyre size again. If it reads 100/80R17 F, 130/70R17 Then they are Radials. If it reads as you have written, then chances are pretty high that they are crossplys.