Rear Tire

[RNandKT]

I just want to check in and see what tires everyone is running (size and brand). I am just about due on my bandit and am deciding what to replace them with. I am thinking or trying to squeeze a 10 mm wider tire than stock in the rear anyone have some input on tires I'd like to hear it.

Guess I should clarify that I ride almost everyday, except winter, and although I like to have fun, I am a fairly mild rider. However, I'd like to switch to something that I can dig deeper into the corners on the canyon roads here in UT, at least more than the tires on it have allowed so far.

[Clint]

Welcome to M-J. It would be helpful to know which Bandit you ride. There are three common engine sizes, and they use different wheel sizes.

Are you saying you're running to the edge of the tire? Do you have good body position? All the Bandit riders I know hit hard parts before running out of tire. Something doesn't sound right.

Very few people recommend putting a larger tire on a rim. The only reason for doing it most of the time is looks. It actually slows handling, and doesn't really add grip.

I run the stock 180/55 and have had good luck with Avon, Pirelli, and now Continental.

[Davecm203]

It is not usually a good idea to do that. It can really throw off the handling. It will change the profile of the tire and therefore change how it turns in and how it holds a line while leaned over. It won't add any grip because the tire will not be any wider. The rim will pull it in so that it will be the same width of the stock tire. The tire will wear at a different rate also. If you want to go with a wider tire, you will need to go with a wider rim also. Maybe you could find a good used GSXR rim or something. But, as mentioned by Clint, you may want to take a look at your ridding style and body position.

[RNandKT]

Well thats good info to know. And for refernce I ride a 96 Bandit 600cc. Also I do drag the pegs before really running out of tire, but I have been toying with the idea of relocating them up and back a bit.

The stock tire size in the rear is 150/70 on a 17 inch rim of course, so the tire sizes I was thinking about were 160/60 or a 170/60. At bare min I have to replace my rear tire at the end of this season (I would like to replace the front as well), and I thought if I picked one slightly wider, if I did relocate the pegs later I wouldn't regret not going a little wider. Plus I won't lie and say that I don't like the looks of the wider tire.

Also anyone had any experience with the Shinko tires? My Bike budget is kept to a minimum, but a lot of shops around here have this brand as a look alikes to some of the more expensive tires (like the metzeler and bridgestones) but I am not sure how good they actually are.

Oh and the front tire is a 110/80 on a 17 in rim. When I checked with a shop they said that it there are three tire sizes that they list for the front of my bike 110/80 110/70 or 120/70. It there any advantage to any size difference on the front? And did the factory send out bikes with different tires or ??? Why is there 3 different sizes? Thanks again.

[Clint]

Any wheel is capable of wearing several tire sizes. Your shop should be looking at a Suzuki manual, not a general rim size guide.

Stock sizes:

Front Tire Size - 120/60 ZR17, 33psi cold
Rear Tire Size - 160/60 ZR17, 36psi cold

As you can see, both your tires are undersized. Go back to stock and you'll probably be happier.

[RNandKT]

Aren't those tire sizes the specs for the 2000+ bandits not the 96-99 bandits?

GSX-R400 1990> 120/60-ZR17 160/60-ZR17

GSF 600 Bandit 2000> 120/60-ZR17 160/60-ZR17

GSF 600 Bandit 1995-99 110/70-17 150/70-17

GSX600F 1988-99 110/80-ZR17 140/80-ZR17

GSX-R600 1998-2000 120/70-ZR17 180/55-ZR17

[Clint]

Hmm. Could be. What size are the rims?

[RNandKT]

Don't know, I will have to check?

[Clint]

Mine are stamped right on the center part of the rim: 17 x 5.5, for example.

[RNandKT]

I checked my rim is a 17x4.5.

[Clint]

Yeah, then I suppose a 150 is stock. I'd maybe go to a 160, but no bigger.

[RNandKT]

Sweet, thanks for the info, I think I will go with these tires:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...254133812&rd=1

I have been reading a lot about them and these Shinko Ravens seem to make a great tire for the money.

[Davecm203]

Let us know what you think of the Shinkos. I have talked to a couple of people who have tried them and they liked them ok. Some say they have a round profile and so they slow the handling down a little but good tires for the money. I almost tired them when I got new tires a couple of months ago.

I wonder if you found a rim off a GSXR or a newer Bandit, if it would leave enough room on your Bandit. I was poking around on line but could not find the answer or enough information to make a guess.

[BillyBandit]

On my B12 I just replaced my mich pilot roads with the same type... had 13000kms on them and probably had a couple of k left on them.... I have had them on the bike for the third season(mayish-sept) Have had awesome wear and the reason for change is a trip into the states in a few days... twisties! what good rubber.

[Davecm203]

The Pilot Roads are awesome tires. This time I am trying the Pilot Powers 2CT. They seem to be wearing amazingly well for a softer tire. I only have about 2,000 miles. Usually on those softer tires, I am lucky to get 3,000 miles out of them. We will see if I go back to the Pilot Roads.

Did you get the new Pilot Roads 2CT, or the regular ones?