Ok Tyre comparison time

[aff-man]

Right on the 18th of jan (or round abouts then) i am getting me some new tyres. (counting down the days yeeeeeehaaaaaaaaaa) But now the question is what to get.

They are all about the same price so GPR80's, sprtec M1's,Diablo's etc.. What is your guys experience with these tyres. i.e. i havn't hadproper sports tyres on the zxr400 yet (only owning it 5 odd months and not having the cash) so i don't know what to get.

And they did put the wrong tyres on. I am running a 120//60/17 and a 160/60/17. But apparently even though the manual says it's those i was told to run a 110/60/17 and a 150/60/17. It will make the bike tip in a lot quicker which is what i really really want. Any comments. Cheers

[Jantar]

Right on the 18th of jan (or round abouts then) i am getting me some new tyres. (counting down the days yeeeeeehaaaaaaaaaa) But now the question is what to get.

They are all about the same price so GPR80's, sprtec M1's,Diablo's etc.. What is your guys experience with these tyres. i.e. i havn't hadproper sports tyres on the zxr400 yet (only owning it 5 odd months and not having the cash) so i don't know what to get.

And they did put the wrong tyres on. I am running a 120//60/17 and a 160/60/17. But apparently even though the manual says it's those i was told to run a 110/60/17 and a 150/60/17. It will make the bike tip in a lot quicker which is what i really really want. Any comments. Cheers

My GS1200 came with Dunlop D207s. I found these to very good in the dry, but didn't give me any confidence in the wet. I have recently changed to Pirelli Dragons. They seem to suit my riding style well although I have yet to try them on a really wet road.

My RE5 runs best on Pirelli phantoms. Unfortuanately they stopped making that style of tyre about 20 years ago, so I'm currently using Demons instead.
A good all round tyre with quick turn in and easy to roll from side to side. I have tried Bridgestones which gave a good all round grip and were also quite suitable.

[onearmedbandit]

I'm running sportec m1's, brilliant tyres. Good feedback, plenty of grip both wet and dry. These came second in a PB tyre test, only beaten by the Diablo Corsa's. And definitely run with the OE spec sizes, as you say this will give better turn in, also a thinner width tyre doesn't offset the bike so much when tipped in.

[gav]

You want to stick to original tyre size for your ZXR esp if doing track days, I havent heard of anyone running the smaller size tyre combo on the track. Not sure why they would recommend those sizes, ZXR's tip in plenty quick, can raise your ride height on rear shock if you want more.

[Motoracer]

And they did put the wrong tyres on. I am running a 120//60/17 and a 160/60/17. But apparently even though the manual says it's those i was told to run a 110/60/17 and a 150/60/17. It will make the bike tip in a lot quicker which is what i really really want. Any comments. Cheers

I don't think ZXR400s had a 110 front. I think 120/60/17 is the stock front size.

And yes, put the 150 rear, it'll handle shit loads better than the 160 rear.

[jimbo600]

Depends on what riding you are mainly doing. If it's mostly track time go Metzeler Racetecs, if it's mostly road then M1 sportecs are the go. Awesome tyre for a good price. Good milage too.

[SPman]

Depends on what riding you are mainly doing. If it's mostly track time go Metzeler Racetecs, if it's mostly road then M1 sportecs are the go. Awesome tyre for a good price. Good milage too.

Performance Bikes picked Diablos slightly ahead of the Metzlers in their latest comparo. Same company but.. They're all good - except Dunlops...and Avons...and.........

[jimbo600]

Performance Bikes picked Diablos slightly ahead of the Metzlers in their latest comparo. Same company but.. They're all good - except Dunlops...and Avons...and.........

Yeah I read that article (in the newsagent) but those guys are professional bike journos and I'm just an ordinary pleb. The M1's are cheaper than the Diablos especially at $399 a set and they grip plenty good enough for my road and track shenanigans.

[BUBBLE]

GSXR600K3. Ive had Dunlop 207's, wouldnt hang on in the dry, felt comfortable in the wet.
Now running a Metzler Reinsport I bought second hand off Trademe for $100, it had done a practice meet on the track and ive now done 3000k's on the road and it looks like it has another 2000k's left to go. Awesome grip in the dry but a bit slippery in the wet.
Next tyres will be some second hand Super Corsa's or Diablo Corsa's. Can't go wrong for $100 per 5000k's.
If you are using your 160 rear to the edges I would agree to go narrower (150) and you will get a more round profile allowing you to tip it over more in a corner.

[aff-man]

Yeah I read that article (in the newsagent) but those guys are professional bike journos and I'm just an ordinary pleb. The M1's are cheaper than the Diablos especially at $399 a set and they grip plenty good enough for my road and track shenanigans.

Where did you get them for that price????? I got quoted a little over $500 fitted??

Gav: Try riding my zxr.... i know it has a lot to do with the shittyness of the avons profile but it is really sluggish into the corners. Definatley decided on a 150 for the rear but not to sure if i want to do the 110 front yet???

MR: Yes the stock front is a 110. But the manual says the rear should be a 160 so if i am changing the rear i want to change the front to dont i?? Dont want then tippin in at different angles aye

[Bonez]

MR: Yes the stock front is a 110. But the manual says the rear should be a 160 so if i am changing the rear i want to change the front to dont i?? Dont want then tippin in at different angles aye

Having the rear tyre as close to the size of the front tyre is the way to go.

[DEATH_INC.]

Go with dunlop gpr's,70's if you're not to worried about mileage or 70 front/80 rear if you are.Best tyres we've ever used on a small bike.
And don't believe all the rubbish about a smaller rear,it will make the bike tip in easier,but that's because it doesn't turn as fast so it resists leaning less.

[Two Smoker]

Use a 120/60 on the front, and you can go down to a 150 on the rear.... Ive still got a 160 on the rear, but i havnt had money or time to experiment with a 150. KK uses 150's and he swears by them...

Personally i would go for Metzler Sportec M1's due to the majority of your riding being on the road... They grip like fuck and are cheap too.. That or GPR-70's are awesome too,

I found my Supercorsa's a little vague on the road due to having to do almost race pace to have them at a good temperature....

[Motoracer]

MR: Yes the stock front is a 110. But the manual says the rear should be a 160 so if i am changing the rear i want to change the front to dont i?? Dont want then tippin in at different angles aye

Eh? In my post above, I said it should be a 120 stock, not 110. Then again maybe your ZXR could be a slightly diff model. Or that manual you got ain't right.

[aff-man]

Eh? In my post above, I said it should be a 120 stock, not 110. Then again maybe your ZXR could be a slightly diff model. Or that manual you got ain't right.

Online manual. Well i reallly want some sticky tyres and so i think the best i can get for my money is the sporttech m1's. Will be running a 120 front and a 150 rear probably