It's Time for the Dreadful Tire Choice

Murat · Post by **Murat** » Wed Jul 11, 2012 10:39 pm

I have a 90 EXUP and my tires are on their last legs. I'm currently running Michelin Power Race PR3 120/70/17 and 180/55/17 that were on from the PO. Right now i'm leaning toward the Shinko 006 Podium not because of price but because they are the only ones that make the 130/60/17 front. I'm going with a 180/55/17 rear.

http://www.revzilla.com/product/shinko- ... front-tire
http://www.revzilla.com/product/shinko- ... -rear-tire

My second choice is Michelin Pilot Power 2CT with the current sizes that are on the bike. Does a 120/60/17 fit in the front? I'm feeling like the the 120/70 is not gripping as good as it's supposed to due to it being a bit stretched on the wheel. Would the proper size Shinko work better than the wrong size but better Michelin?

I would appreciate any input.

Post by **ragedigital** » Fri Jul 13, 2012 9:22 pm

Using the proper sized tire is always the best choice along with using the same vendor, same product line and a profile matched set.

I'm not a 1000 expert, but are you sure the front is supposed to be a 130?

I ran a set of the Michelin Power Race on my GSXR600 and loved them. What a great tire for track days. I would certainly chose the Pilot Power CTs over the Shinkos if you can find the correct size.

darrin

Stig · Post by **Stig** » Sat Jul 14, 2012 3:13 am

The front is a 130 as standard but most owners opt for the 120...myself included. The 120 fits great and also helps the bike tip into corners easier which is one of its issues being an older heavier bike than the current line ups. 10mm less in width doesn't make the tyre stretch to fit the rim at all plus it gives you a far better choice in tyre options
FWIW I run Pirellis and have all the confidence in them that I've got a spare set lined up for when these are knackered

hope this helps

paulbddl · Post by **paulbddl** » Sat Jul 14, 2012 9:39 am

just in my openion shinco isnt the best choice im running mezlers on mine they handle good and they take alot of abuse

_Will_ · Post by **_Will_** » Sat Jul 14, 2012 11:02 am

The bt016 is a good around town tire choice with multi compounds but I'd avoid them if you do a lot of corners. I use to love them but have found they get slippery after around a hundred miles of corners now that I live near the mountains. Sweepers have a habit of cooking them

Post by **ragedigital** » Sat Jul 14, 2012 11:24 am

_Will_ wrote:I use to love them but have found they get slippery after around a hundred miles of corners now that I live near the mountains.

That may not necessarily be the tires' fault. The road surface, the surface temperature and your body position also have a lot to contribute. Hot days can make roads really greasy and you have to prepare for that, especially with the heat we've been having this year.

Also, if you take corners a lot... you need to look at changing out your tires more often. I usually put 300-500 miles on my tires and they were done - at least in my mind. They were generally a softer tire that would guarantee better grip, but shorter life. I sold them off and made back almost half of what I originally spent.

You hear it a lot in the paddock - "[new] tires are cheap insurance".

darrin

_Will_ · Post by **_Will_** » Sat Jul 14, 2012 3:17 pm

ragedigital wrote:
_Will_ wrote:I use to love them but have found they get slippery after around a hundred miles of corners now that I live near the mountains.
That may not necessarily be the tires' fault. The road surface, the surface temperature and your body position also have a lot to contribute. Hot days can make roads really greasy and you have to prepare for that, especially with the heat we've been having this year.

Also, if you take corners a lot... you need to look at changing out your tires more often. I usually put 300-500 miles on my tires and they were done - at least in my mind. They were generally a softer tire that would guarantee better grip, but shorter life. I sold them off and made back almost half of what I originally spent.

You hear it a lot in the paddock - "[new] tires are cheap insurance".

darrin

All true, the hot road doesn't help, particularly when dealing with some sweepers so you're on the side for a while. Road surface is funny, on blood mountain I get less wear on the trailing edge while at deals gap I get perfectly smooth wear. Blood mountain does that to a lot of people, it's just a weird but grippy and awesome road. I've seen it cause tire wear problems on my bike, an 06 zx10, a 2010 R1, and a zrx1200 and three different tires between them (bt016, 2ct x2, and sportmax respectively). Dave Moss from on the throttle has some great tire reading videos

Murat · Post by **Murat** » Sat Jul 14, 2012 3:24 pm

Stig wrote:The front is a 130 as standard but most owners opt for the 120...myself included. The 120 fits great and also helps the bike tip into corners easier which is one of its issues being an older heavier bike than the current line ups. 10mm less in width doesn't make the tyre stretch to fit the rim at all plus it gives you a far better choice in tyre options
FWIW I run Pirellis and have all the confidence in them that I've got a spare set lined up for when these are knackered

hope this helps

I'm leaning on the Shinko since its proper size and I have an FZR400/600 for hard corner carving. My 1000 is mainly a commuter bike. Also if I go with the Michelins, do I go with 120/60 or 120/70? I would think that the 60 profile would be better.

Does any one else make a 130/60/17 front?

dan83590 · Post by **dan83590** » Sun Jul 15, 2012 3:40 am

Front - 120/70-17

Rear - 180/55-17

Loads of choice.

Read various forums and you will see that everyone uses the 120's with no problem at all.

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