Feck! Arse! Tyres!

**jrandom** · 28th November 2003, 16:14

OK you lot. Here's how it goes.

The rear tyre on the FXR is fully shagged after 12000kms. Motomail say that all they can do for my rim size is dodgy Taiwanese crap or high-perf stickies (012s and wotnot).

Now, given that I've had a niggling feeling at the back of my head for a while that proper tyres on the scoot would likely contribute to my health and longevity, which of the supersport tyres do we like best? And therefore what should I spend my meager cash on next week when buying a new set? (Yes, of course I'm doing the front at the same time.)

**Motoracer** · 28th November 2003, 16:31

Can you get thoes tyres for the FXR150? eg Perellie diablos?

I'd be trying to get Dunlop GPRs on it if I were you. Costly but they do the job.

**jrandom** · 28th November 2003, 16:34

Originally posted by Motoracer
Can you get thoes tyres for the FXR150? eg Perellie diablos?

Well, the Dunlops and the Bridgestones I can get, yes. I chucked the Avons and the Pirellis into the poll for added interest (and who knows, anyway...)

**wkid_one** · 28th November 2003, 16:35

You forgot Metzler M1's and Rennsports.

The M1's kick the 208's, 010's etc arse and the Rennsports are better priced than the Super Corsas and offer no less grip.

**Motoracer** · 28th November 2003, 16:42

I was going to mention Rennsports as well cause I love them but Rennsports on a FXR150? Come on!! (no offence Jrandom)

**bluninja** · 28th November 2003, 16:44

The Avons, give pretty good grip, but used to be poor in the wet. The new ones though have solved that problem. I've sport on the front of the RSVR, and a sport tourer on the rear and I've never pushed the bike hard enough in any conditions on road in NZ to make them slide or squirm (but that may just be my riding slowly). Wear so far is good, even with a V twin that is noted for chewing up the rear.

The diablo is supposed to be ideal for cold and wet, but I've only read the blurb.

The pirelli supercorsas have great grip, but in the wet they're slippy as, when leant over (probably due to being almost a slick on the edges). I have these on the SV650 and only managed to lose the front in the wet at the track. Also had them on the RSVR, but the rear lasted about 1500k. The current rear has done 6k and is hardly marked (including 1 day at Pukekohe).

One thing someone pointed out in another tyre thread. Road/touring tyre compounds are made to be grippy at lower temps, whereas road race sticky tyres need to be really warmed up to temp to get optimum stickiness. Thus on your bike touring road tyres may give more grip/stick than the 'sticky' race tyres. Best talk to Kerry at Motomail and get him to give his expert advice, based on what sort of riding you do, and what you want from the tyre.

TTFN

**Motu** · 28th November 2003, 17:30

Just put some Kenda 760s on the XT - they make a hell of a noise,get a bit squirmy,but drift well with good control....on gravel they are excellent,haven't tried them off road yet,maybe this weekend,but I'd say as good as you can get with a DOT tyre.Tyre life looks dismal.

**georgedubyabush** · 28th November 2003, 20:11

Are you sure you can fit those hipo tyres?

According to the Pirelli site, a Diablo starts with a 150/60 at the narrowest for a 17" rim. A BT012 starts at 180/55ZR17 on the Bridgestone site, for a recommended 5.5" width of rim.

There would probably be a lower spec range in something that still has the brand name. I have BT092s which is about the best I can seem to find in my size range. I'm happy enough

**wkid_one** · 28th November 2003, 20:28

PS - buy a jet ski then tyres aren't an issue - only for the trailer and retreads'll sort that out right smart

**Kwaka-Kid** · 28th November 2003, 21:18

i have done much reading online etc and heard that the Bridgestone BT090 is one of the best allround tyres, by that i mean its meant to be pretty shit hot in the wet too. Altho i have also been told the Dunlop GPR70SP's are the best intermediate tyre for the wet... so who knows, all i know is my Bridgestone BT90 rear has not lasted 1000trackkm so i need something harder.

But if we are talking Crossplys, then F*** Metzler!! hate them, the old Lazers etc, nah-uh, you dont want. You want yourself a set of Michellen Macadam's if you ask me... to be honest i thought the FXR had such tiny rims it would be on crossply's not radials?

**Antallica** · 29th November 2003, 07:30

I have to say that my cheapo 3.50x17 Chengshin I got for $70.00 + $28 Labour has proved it's worth, it's a good all rounder in wet & dry. She still loves to corner. Only problem with it, is that it seems not as wide as the stockie's and looks more like a off road tyre.

But if I had known you can get a bloody high perf. tyre

**Coldkiwi** · 29th November 2003, 12:26

after my recent encounter with the tarmac, I'm sorry to say I will never trust dunlop rubber again. Having said that, I used GPR 80's on my GPX's 18" rear because I couldbn't find much else to fit and they were ok. If you're looking for 18" rubber you are very very limited for choice and won't find anything super sticky, only commuting tyres (so forget diablos/rennsports yadda yadda)

Haven't had any dramas with the number of pirelli combinations I've run on and can't wait for the GSXR to be wearing diablo corsa's!

**matthewt** · 29th November 2003, 23:24

Originally posted by Coldkiwi
can't wait for the GSXR to be wearing diablo corsa's!

Don't even consider commuting in the wet with diablo corsas, have you seen the sides of the front tyre ??

I'm just about to put a diablo on the front, the MV has an oddball 120/65 front which bugger all make now and the diablo 120/70 is one of the few that fit without clearance problems. I've heard fairly good things about the diablos. I run a dragon GTS on the rear which is more a sports/touring than pure sports but it's there so I'm not replacing rears every 3-4 months.

You'll be pleased to know I'm getting rid of the current D207 front (which is a 120/65) after shredding the front out in a hard session one day. I probably should of changed it before the track day in the rain on Wednesday, luckily I took it very easy and left early once it was obvious it was never going to stop raining.

Yamahamaman · 30th November 2003, 00:07

Originally posted by Coldkiwi
after my recent encounter with the tarmac, I'm sorry to say I will never trust dunlop

I do not believe that Dunlop is the fault as I have always used D207/D206/D208 depending on which was availbable at the time. Probably choose D220 for the next set. Remember the saying; "A bad mechanic always blames his tools".

However to qualify - if there was diesel on the road (spilled from a passing (overfilled) bus or other stinking diesel powered vehicle - or even placed by the Boy Racer brigade) then it would not have mattered what the Suzi was shod with - the result would be the same more than likely.

Oh and also, the Owner's Manual is a great place to start for the Manufacturer's recommendation. Yamaha suggest Dunlop or Michelin for their '01 R6.