Tyre sizes

[DryRob]

Time's catching up on my old rear tyre and I'm in the market for a replacement, now I'm not interested in brands here just wondering what sizes people run. I'm thinking of switching to a different brand through a pair deal seeing as I can swap both tyres for £20 extra in some cases.

Do you stick with the recommended 110/70ZR17 on the front and 160/60ZR17 on the rear or do you mix it up and why? Is there any real danger/advantages to fitting a slightly different profile?

Also, which are the reputable online dealers?

Ta

[markbubble]

rob i wouldnt go away from the standard sizes  but my 600 came with a pair of brand new maxis on them 180 rear and 120 front,not ridden with any other tyres on a fazer but i think it rides realy well and tyres have good grip in dry(try not to use bike in wet but they aint slipped in wet wen iv ad to) i usually use pirelli super corsa pros 160 and 120 on my other bikes cos i can get dirt cheap(from a mate there x race tyres ) i can ask if he got a pair left from this season if you want or you can av look at the 180/120 set up on my 98 bike if you want,if you get pair tyres off ebay or similar my pal might fit them for few beer(or should i say race!)tokens

[Motorbreath]

170 fits rear no problem, it is stock for other bikes of same rear rim size. I do not know how it works combined with 110 front, I put a front TRX850 wheel to allow for 120/70 too. But I did not like mixing the new front wheel with the 160 rear.

[DryRob]

Cheers for the offer but what I've got on at the moment will probably be grippier than a set of super corsas in this weather 

Interesting that your Fazer has both tyres non-standard but wider, what's the rest of the codes?

[markbubble]

il look tommorw rob,the guy i got bike off got a cracking deal on the pair of tyres (think he said around £235 +fitting) and he wanted the wide rear for looks! then never rode bike again! super corsa tyres aint bad in bit of rain but not realy wets but noting grips in tis weather with leaves,ice oil etc! iv had too many offs in wet over years to not ride much this time of year!

Cheers for the offer but what I've got on at the moment will probably be grippier than a set of super corsas in this weather 

Interesting that y
our Fazer has both tyres non-standard but wider, what's the rest of the codes?

[Motorbreath]

il look tommorw rob,the guy i got bike off got a cracking deal on the pair of tyres (think he said around £235 +fitting) and he wanted the wide rear for looks! then never rode bike again! super corsa tyres aint bad in bit of rain but not realy wets but noting grips in tis weather with leaves,ice oil etc! iv had too many offs in wet over years to not ride much this time of year!

Cheers for the offer but what I've got on at the moment will probably be grippier than a set of super corsas in this weather 

Interesting that y
our Fazer has both tyres non-standard but wider, what's the rest of the codes?

The rest are a standard
http://www.bridgestone.com/products/motorcycle_tires/products/battlax/bt023.html

[DryRob]

170 fits rear no problem, it is stock for other bikes of same rear rim size. I do not know how it works combined with 110 front, I put a front TRX850 wheel to allow for 120/70 too. But I did not like mixing the new front wheel with the 160 rear.

Does that mean that a 120 tyre will not fit the standard Fazer wheel?

Was the link meant to tell me that 120/70ZR17 and 180/55ZR17 are the sizes Bridgestone recommend to fit for touring type bikes/riding?

[Motorbreath]

I was answering which the rest of the codes were (these marked with stars mean they are special versions for very heavy bikes).

Most makers and models have similar figures, althought I see now that there is something weird in this Bridgestone chart: the diameter of the 160/60 is too much. Michelin has great charts, they even tell how much the tyre grows at high speed.

If you want to change tyre sizes you have to look at the rim diameter (17"), and width (3" front, 5" rear). Then compare it with the chart to see which sizes are ok for them. (Also take care of clearance -chainguard, swingarm, etc .). As I wanted a 120 front I needed a rim 3.5" width, the TRX 850 is a straight fit.

There is people who are happy fitting oversized tyres ignoring makers charts, anyway.

[DryRob]

Just found this,

http://foc-u.co.uk/index.php?topic=3450.0

It answers my questions regarding handling, looks like I'll have to stop being tight and stick with the original spec

[Lumpy]

Does that mean that a 120 tyre will not fit the standard Fazer wheel?

yes it will and quite happily and safely so and is far better than a 110. You can get to the edge of the rear tyre and still have plenty of rubber on the road on the front. Been using this setup for years on the commuter Fazer.