Tired About Tyres

blagger · Post by **blagger** » Thu Mar 29, 2007 2:23 pm

Right ok i'm getting so muddled now with so many different companies telling me different things about tyres with the radial and bias ply types

1 company is telling my you should both have the same tyre on the front and the back eg both radial on front and back as it will be dangerous to have 1 radial and 1 bias as they both act differently in the corners, which i can believe.

but then the 2nd company says its fine to have mis-matched tyre types on the front and the rear which i'm a bit skeptical about..

I haven't rushed in yet to buy a tyre as i'm wanting my opinion backed up that i should have the same type on the front as the back eg RADIAL front and RADIAL rear cus the last thing i want to do is about 60/70 in a corner and of the bike to throw me off...

Post by al » Thu Mar 29, 2007 2:40 pm

When it comes to bike tyres you are risking your life and insurance if you don't have a matched pair on the bike. Even going for different models from the same manufactures isn't recommended.

The gist of it is don't take a risk with tyres as they are the only thing connecting your bike with the road. IMHO!

Big Kneed Al (master of the emergency stop & "stand up" comedian).

Grant · Post by **Grant** » Thu Mar 29, 2007 2:50 pm

Backs 400 · Post by **Backs 400** » Thu Mar 29, 2007 3:13 pm

It is illegal to mix cross-ply and radial tyres, whether on a bike, car or lorry.

Could it be that the second company said that you could mix say a sports front with a touring rear? This would be legal and many do it to give better milage to a rear, but it is something I would not recommend myself.

As said above, it is important to get matched tyres and manufacturers spend a lot of time making sure that two tyres react together in harmony. Start putting different makes or grip levels front and rear may upset the bike.

Personally i would not be considering cross-plys.

What bike is it for?

Post by **Zax** » Thu Mar 29, 2007 3:15 pm

More interestingly who / which company advised you that it was ok to mix and match tyres????

blagger · Post by **blagger** » Thu Mar 29, 2007 3:33 pm

the bike is for my gsxr 400 GK73A

is Bias ply and Cross ply the same make up of tyre ?

When i called breaking point they said it would be fine to mix bias ply with radial front and it only becomes a problem if it was for track racing or high speeds as the tyres both wear differently but for every day use it would be fine... so to me that doesn't really sound safe to me if i was to open the bike up for a good ride....

sillets suggested to keep a radial on the back and keep them both radial on front and rear

I have read somewhere on the avon tyre site that they don't recommend a radial and bias mix as it could be dangerous.

I dunno what to do...

I think for my piece of mind i will just wait till i can get hold of a radial for the rear but still interesting to hear what everyone else has to say about the issue

Backs 400 · Post by **Backs 400** » Thu Mar 29, 2007 3:51 pm

Dead easy....

Having ridden a ZXR 400 for a number of years I can tell you what to go for

..and I hope Izinbard will agree..to some extent..hehe.

First, only go for radials.

Forget Z rated tyres, your bike does not need them, go for H rated. They are cheaper and have a construction that works better with the power output from a 400, heating up quicker etc etc.

several makes to look at...

Pirelli Dragon H rated. Good, proven tyre, used to be the beez kneez but overtaken by the Diablo, that does not come H rated..yet.

http://www.pirelli.co.uk/web/catalog/mo ... TR0102.xml

Bridgestone Battlax BT 90. Replacement for the much loved BT 92. Cracking tyre often used by supermoto riders.

http://www.bridgestone.co.uk/bfe/v/inde ... 000396RCRD

Bridgestone Battalax BT 96. Dual compound touring tyre, so sticky at the edges, more durable in the centre. I used these in the winter as they got warm and shed water very well...and they are cheap.

Bridgestone Battlax BT 56. These tyres are amazing on things like CB 500's. Infact, they were used in the CB 500 race series as standard fitment. Very cheap compared to Z rated "modern tyres". The 57 version is the sports touring version.

http://www.bridgestone.co.uk/bfe/v/inde ... 000396RCRD

If yopu log onto most of the tyre manufacturers websites you will find a fitment guide to select the recommended tyre for your bike. This really helps!!!!!!

Hope that helps a bit :)

blagger · Post by **blagger** » Thu Mar 29, 2007 4:08 pm

kool cheers Backs

I have BT96's all round at the moment and love them as the bike feels solid to the road in corners even in the wet.. but i'll have a read through the links you have posted up on the other tyres...

i was just looking for something to do me for the time being until (being part worn) just to tide me over until i raise up the Â£94 of a new tyre and fitted I can't believe it's not butter! just to get me back on the road but if i'm looking for any tyre i will make sure its a radial

Backs 400 · Post by **Backs 400** » Thu Mar 29, 2007 4:14 pm

What sizes do you need?

The place I am away to move too has a set of tyres sitting in the workshop. They are in very good nick with plenty of tread and have come of a small bike, ie something sub 500cc. Looks like they may have been a spare winter set or summit...think they are Dunlops....

If they fit they are yours for nothing! :)

blagger · Post by **blagger** » Thu Mar 29, 2007 4:48 pm

i'm needing 140/60/18 mines are rated R by bridgestone

i think i could getaway with a 140/70/18 i have a hugger on my bike byt there is just over an inche gap between the tyre and the hugger

Kawasaki krazy · Post by **Kawasaki krazy** » Thu Mar 29, 2007 5:42 pm

Try this

http://www.bikesafe.co.uk/Bikesafe/ATS/selecting.html

KK

blagger · Post by **blagger** » Thu Mar 29, 2007 6:04 pm

Kawasaki krazy wrote:Try this

http://www.bikesafe.co.uk/Bikesafe/ATS/selecting.html

KK

Cheers Kawa thats interesting information esp with the table showing whats legal and not..

Quoted

Legal
Crossply front, crossply rear
Radial front, radial rear
Bias belt front, bias belt rear
Crossply front, radial rear
Bias belt front, radial rear

Illegal
Radial front, crossply rear
Bias belt front, crossply rear
Radial front, bias belt rear

Shame on Breaking Point saying its ok for

Radial front, bias belt rear

to make a quick Â£40

Don't think i'll be rushing my bike down there for advice again in a hurry

Backs 400 · Post by **Backs 400** » Fri Mar 30, 2007 8:50 am

gsxr400rider wrote: Shame on Breaking Point saying its ok for

Radial front, bias belt rear

to make a quick Â£40

Don't think i'll be rushing my bike down there for advice again in a hurry

I must admit I am supprised at this...maybe a misunderstanding???

Anyway, got the tyres last night, and unfortuantly, they wont fit your bike...they are 160/60 and 120/60 BT56's. I thought the GSXR would have had the same fitting as my ZXR 400..but obviously not..I can't believe it's not butter!.

Sorry

blagger · Post by **blagger** » Fri Mar 30, 2007 12:30 pm

Backs 400 wrote:
gsxr400rider wrote: Shame on Breaking Point saying its ok for

Radial front, bias belt rear

to make a quick Â£40

Don't think i'll be rushing my bike down there for advice again in a hurry

I must admit I am supprised at this...maybe a misunderstanding???

Anyway, got the tyres last night, and unfortuantly, they wont fit your bike...they are 160/60 and 120/60 BT56's. I thought the GSXR would have had the same fitting as my ZXR 400..but obviously not..I can't believe it's not butter!.

Sorry

cheers backs for looking any way

Backs 400 · Post by **Backs 400** » Fri Mar 30, 2007 12:33 pm

You could always pad the tyres out with cotton wool!..I can't believe it's not butter!