Hey guys,

The other day I was going through a small roundabout, not going very fast - probably about 40km/h - and I wasn't leaning that much, and I felt my rear tyre slip out a bit. The day after that I felt my rear tyre slide out a bit again (dry road this time) and again, I wasn't going very fast. (No, I wasn't applying rear brakes when this happened)

My current tyres are 120/60ZR17 and 160/60ZR17 Metzeler M3's manufactured in mid 2007, so they're just over 3 years old. They both have atleast 50% of tread left. What do you guys think? Smoke these ones up and try some new boots?

I'm running the suggested pressure from the Haynes manual (32-33 all round I think?). Although I think my rear tyre is leaking a little bit (there is a very small lip visible on the rear wheel so perhaps the tyre isn't beaded properly.. Perhaps I can get it bent back into shape?) Hopefully I can get this fixed cheaply. I really have spent enough money on this bike already.. I just want to ride the bloody thing!!

Any suggestions?

Cheers! :D

After all the money and itme on your bike you need ot get some good tyres...

fancy parts and such do not a good bike make. If it doesn't go, turn and stop due to tyres made of hard plastic then you are wasting it!

Get some Supercorsas on it and go rag some corners!!

The correct width is 150/60/ but you probably know that.

Those sportec M3's are pretty decent (not great but not bad)

Maybe dirt / oil on tyre / road surface, too much lean for speed, suspension issue.

If you suspect the tyre isn't seated on the rim properly dont' ride it, you'll only end up crashing it into something if the tyre suddenly goes.

Visit a tyre shop and get them checked out.

Cheers guys. In regards to tyre size, I was under the impression the 160/60 was the standard size but yeah the Haynes manual definitely says 150/60. That could explain why the bike tips in really slowly..

For road riding, the standard 150/60 would be the best choice, right?

Also, has anyone tried Bridgestone BT-003's or the new Dunlop a-12's (replacement for the 10's I'm pretty sure)?

I can get pairs of each of them quite cheaply, but the bridgestones involve free wheel removal and fitting, whereas with the dunlops I would have to take the wheels off.. Which isn't really a big deal.. I've just never removed the wheels off this bike before.. but I need to give the brake pistons and wheels a good clean anyways so I could kill 2 birds with 1 stone if I do this at the same time..

Any feedback on the BT-003's or a12's?

Cheers! :D

I tried the 003RS on my track bike, really really like them, good feedback and more grip than I can use. They work perfectly on track with hot pressures 34psi front and back.

Ronni

Not tried the above two (I've never got on with 'Stones) but I can recommend the Pirelli Sport Demons. They are available in all sorts of weird (by today's standards) sizes. Like to sh!t to a blanket wet or dry.

The Sport Demon's are (quoting Pirellis website)

New conventional sporty tyre for medium powered sport-touring bikes

Lighter and precise handling and stable behavior in all riding conditions given by the multiple radius rear tyre contour

Optimized mechanical dry and wet grip without compromising mileage

Totally different league to the 003's (1/3rd of the price too though!) more of a sporty touring tyre for older bikes (which is why the come in all odd-ball compared to modern sizes)

The BT90's are great for the 400's (and used by a lot of people on here) proper fast-road / race tyre, there a sure-fire 'safe' and trusted bet.

Or BT92's if you want something that'll last a bit longer.

Onto your original question not sure if they were the 003's or the older 002's that were on my mates Kawa 636 but they were really good, stupid amount of lean at 140mph+ and they felt really planted, maybe even more-so than the supercorsa's do...

Still trying to figure out if that uncrashable feeling great tyres give you is a good or bad thing :D

A lot of it will come down to how you ride the bike and how much confidence you have in the tyres.

Even a weaker set of sports touring tyres (i have BT45 crossplys on the NC24) can be ridden in anger like a nutcase to great success if the rider has confidence in them compared to somebody who has supercorsas on and doesn't trust them.

Do you street rider or track ride?

I still reckon BT90's / 92's are more than enough for track / street use resepectivly

Just riding on the road but I want to a superbike school course and possibly a track day later on in the year. But I want to try some good tyres as I've always had average tyres on my bikes, and I'm sure you know better than I do that they make a big difference...

I've read a few reviews on the bt-003's (the replacement for the bt090's which also have an overwhelming number of great reviews) an the gpr-a10's and I've heard great stuff about those as well! Google doesn't even know the Dunlop gpr-a12's exist, although there is a set at my local shop, and they look pretty much the same as the a10's so I'm not sure if I should go a12's or bt-003's.

Only negative thing I've heard is that the a10's dot last very long (alot of people on the net are saying 4-5,000kms or 2-3 track days)... Does anyone know if the bt-003's generally last longer than this?

The pirellis are more expensive in Australia (I got prices for diablo sports and supercorsas) so I'll stay away from them.

Thanks :)

Yes, Pirellis are a lot more expensive than most other brands in Oz. They make some cracking sports/track tyres, but not great economy for the road at the prices they charge in Oz.

Being an RVF (17" rear wheel) you have a lot more tyre options than VFR's (18" rear).

BT014's might be a good compromise for you, still a very grippy tyre and you'll get more life out of it than an 090. Also, not really up to date with them but a michelin pilot sport (or whatever their newest middle of the road sports tyre is) will also be pretty good on the rvf.

Go for a 150 rear, your slow turn in will be due to the tyre size and also because as standard these bikes sit a bit too low in the rear (you can raise it with a shim on the rear shock - improves it big time).

You will only get a few thousand km's out of the bt090's and alpha 10's (which are pretty much treaded race rubber), but I reckon it's a waste to fit long lasting tyres to an NC - grip and handling are what these bikes are about. At the end of the day, it depends on your mileage, budget and the type of riding you do. These tyres have saved my life on the road at least once at last count...

Grip is king!