Welcome to NESR! Most features of this site require registration, including replying to threads, sending private messages, starting new threads, and uploading files. Click here to register.

Results 1 to 9 of 9

Tire question

  1. #1
    Hood Rich Lucky13's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2004
    Location
    South Shore
    Age
    49
    Posts
    456

    Tire question

    I need new tires for my sv and someone recommended changing the front 120/60-ZR17 to a 120/70-ZR17.

    What would this do for the handling? Should I leave the rear size as is-160/60-ZR17?

    0 Not allowed! Not allowed!
    Clyde
    03 sv650s



  2. #2
    Lifer odduc's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2004
    Location
    NH
    Age
    55
    Posts
    2,121

    Tire question

    Yes, leave the rear tire the same size. It is real tough to find any 170 series tires anymore. The change to a 120/70-ZR17 theoretically should make for quicker steering. However, unless you're racing, you will never notice a difference.

    0 Not allowed! Not allowed!
    LRRS#167

  3. #3
    Lifer
    Join Date
    Oct 2001
    Location
    Bedford, MA
    Posts
    5,237

    Tire question

    Going from 120/60 to 120/70 should slow the steering.

    I did that on my 2001 SV when I had it and it was fine.

    It was noticeable but not dramatic. Different 120/60s can probably seem as different as a 120/60 to a 120/70.

    0 Not allowed! Not allowed!

  4. #4
    Lifer odduc's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2004
    Location
    NH
    Age
    55
    Posts
    2,121

    Tire question

    Sorry, Ben had it right.

    Higher profile = slower steering
    Lower profile = faster steering

    I had a dyslexic moment.

    0 Not allowed! Not allowed!
    LRRS#167

  5. #5
    Lifer Karaya One's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2001
    Location
    Springfield, Mass
    Age
    57
    Posts
    3,091

    Tire question

    Going from a 60 series to a 70 in the front could have a huge impact on the handling of the bike. You are changing quite a bit the height of the front.

    Usually, this change is accompanied by a change in the front forks - raising or lowering them in the triple clamps.

    The 60 series front is a poor choice for a front tire as you have a much smaller air chamber and you get a harsher ride. However, it is often used by the OEM's as a way to quicken steering.

    There is a reason why front race tires are 120/70. ..

    As for the rear, going to the 170 may work, but you will slow the bikes ability to turn. Stick with the 160.

    0 Not allowed! Not allowed!
    Putting his hands in the air, like he just doesn't care.
    Check out my eBay store!
    Dave - Motorace - Michelin

  6. #6
    Angry Gumball RandyO's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2001
    Location
    Farmington, NH
    Age
    71
    Posts
    18,028

    Tire question

    tire sizes vary so much between manufacturer that it is unlikely you will notice any difference in handling going from a 120/60 to 1 120/70. You will notice just as much of a difference in handling due to different profiles when you stay the same size and switch tire model/mfg.

    some tires (like motard tires) are not available in 120/60, only in 120/70s..... that is the only reason I run 120/70s upfront... and only in winter when I run motard tires, summer I run Azaro STs 120/60 on my SV

    0 Not allowed! Not allowed!
    RandyO
    IBA#9560
    A man with a gun is a citizen
    A man without a gun is a subject LETS GO BRANDON

  7. #7
    Lifer Karaya One's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2001
    Location
    Springfield, Mass
    Age
    57
    Posts
    3,091

    Tire question

    Randy - you wouldn't notice any difference?

    Then why make different profile tires?

    We don't need 120/70, 120/60 and 120/65 anymore?

    Same with 110/80, 110/70?

    Or do you think the tire engineers thought this through first?

    If profile didn't affect handling, then why aren't sportbike tires in 80/90/100 profiles? We can shim a fender!

    Since when does the height of a tire not affect handling?

    Do you think Yamaha just bolted on a 120/70, ditching the old 120/60 for 2004 on the new R6 and just said good enough? Or maybe they looked at how the bike handled with the new size tires?

    As for the greatly varying sizes between tire companies, I'd like some info on this. Not having a standard hurts all of them.

    0 Not allowed! Not allowed!
    Putting his hands in the air, like he just doesn't care.
    Check out my eBay store!
    Dave - Motorace - Michelin

  8. #8
    Angry Gumball RandyO's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2001
    Location
    Farmington, NH
    Age
    71
    Posts
    18,028

    Tire question

    Dave... very little, I noticed more difference between 120/60 MeZ4s and 120/60 D205s than I did between Azaro 120/60s and Pirelli MTR60 120/70s......

    maybe I didn't get the point across, correctly, there is a theoretical 12mm difference in tire diameter..... theres almost that much variation between manufacturer models of the same size tire.

    I also noticed that the slightly larger 120/70 offers more helium volume for the front wheel, coupled with the free horsepower gained while riding at 25°F temperatures, the SV650 is able to produce roll on wheelies in all but top gear

    0 Not allowed! Not allowed!
    RandyO
    IBA#9560
    A man with a gun is a citizen
    A man without a gun is a subject LETS GO BRANDON

  9. #9
    Hood Rich Lucky13's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2004
    Location
    South Shore
    Age
    49
    Posts
    456

    Tire question

    Hmm..maybe I'll just stick with the 60, but at least I now know what the difference is..thanks!

    0 Not allowed! Not allowed!
    Clyde
    03 sv650s



Similar Threads

  1. tire question
    By Nikon in forum General Bike Related
    Replies: 3
    Last Post: 07-02-09, 07:14 PM
  2. Another Tire Question
    By v2winstunter in forum Pit Area
    Replies: 4
    Last Post: 05-18-08, 06:41 PM
  3. Tire question
    By Uncle Snake in forum Pit Area
    Replies: 9
    Last Post: 02-14-08, 09:34 AM
  4. Tire question..
    By benVFR in forum General Bike Related
    Replies: 7
    Last Post: 10-11-06, 01:19 PM
  5. ok, another tire question...
    By chr|s sedition in forum General Bike Related
    Replies: 8
    Last Post: 06-27-05, 02:40 PM

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •