SV needs some new rubber!

[New_rider417]

Right now I have the stock size in a Metzeler Sportec M-1. If I get another 1000 miles out of my rear I'll be impressed...

I've done some searching, but I haven't found exactly what I was looking for even though I've read it here before. I must be searching wrong... I'm wanting to go to a larger (wider) rear tire if possible. Can someone tell me the pros/cons of this move. Also, what size would this be? Stock is 160x60x17

All my rider budies are running the new Pilot Powers and love them (they have 1000 sportbikes). Would that be a good commuting/hard riding in the twisties tire? I'd rather have grip in the corners over mileage etc.

ANY advice on this upcoming purchase would be great

[wookie]

I'd go with Pilot Power. I use it for both road and track (ok, I'm not going that fast on the track).

As for wider, I wouldn't do it. More experienced folks can give you better reasons. My reason is that I wouldn't try to squeeze a wide tire into a rim that's not designed for it. You can cause stress on the tire in the wrong kind of way.

[New_rider417]

Thanks for the advice. It seems like I read that a wider tire can decrease handling, which I don't personally understand...but I really know very little about motorcycles so thats why I'm asking.

Me and my buddy switched bikes the other day on our ride. I ended up on his gsx-r and he took the sv. It seemed to me that I had to fight/convince his bike more to get it leaned and turning, but once she got laid over the grip and handling were better than my sv. I don't know if this is because of a wider tire, the tire itself, or the fact that his is an 'R' bike and made more for that. Either way I preferred the way his bike felt more stable and stuck to the road giving me more confidence in the turn.

[Clint]

You're absolutely right. A wider tire has a flatter tread arc, and since it's actually the rear tire that steers a motorcycle, that leads to slower steering. Bikes that have 180s stock have front fork and steering characteristics to match.

Pilot Powers are great tires, but they're one of the more expensive models. Look to Pirelli, Dunlop, and Avon for great alternatives. I'm using the Diablo Strada from Pirelli with great results both touring and on the track. The Avon 45/46 combo (now replaced by the Storm) was also good.

If you can find a shop to mount them, I recommend Southwest Moto for great prices and free shipping on any pair.

Your friend's bike probably felt more controlled and confident because of the higher-quality suspension components and the fact that he probably has softer "sport" compound tires. Also, a tire that has a flat spot worn in the center can really affect cornering feel and "tip in". The width of the tire had little to do with it.

[New_rider417]

Thanks Rowdy! My buddy with the gsxr has some Dunlop Qualifiers (pretty sure) on his bike now with less than 1000 miles on them. He had the Diablo Stradas on there before and says he liked those better, especially in the rain. I'll look into some stradas now too, thanks for the link

My rear tire is starting to get a decent flat spot in the middle.The last 1000 or so miles I have put on have been almost all commuting back and forth on the highway. I hadn't really thought about that, but that makes sense to have it affect my cornering.
It really sucks that I've had to work and go to class so much lately. I had managed to get my chicken marks to about 1/2" from the edges when I was getting to do more of the riding I prefer in the twisties. I was pretty proud of that for being a new-b. We'll have to see how close I can get on this next set...


Also, would getting my suspension tuned for me make the handling and feel of the bike better?

[wookie]

Qualifiers are even more expensive than PP.

Getting your suspension tuned would in theory make the bike handle and feel better. However, it kinda depends on the rider. For example, I really cannot honestly tell the difference between different suspension settings on my SV. On the other hand, my buddy who rides an SV1000S constantly adjusts his suspension settings but is never happy with any.

I had Qualifiers at track school. They feel stable and sticky, so do the PP's. But then again, like I said, I am not good or fast enough to tell the differences.

What kind of ridings do you do anyway ? Track ? Twisties ? Mostly freeways ? How many miles have you got total ?

[New_rider417]

I probably do about 50/50 twisties/freeway. I took the last of my finals last week so hopefully I'll be able to get in more miles in the corners now that I don't have class all the time. I can take a 20 minute ride strait up the freeway to work, or a 35min ride thats mostly twisties and county roads. Unless I have the 6:00am shift I normally leave a little early and take the fun way up. I really dislike the highway, its so boring and speeding prone for me...
There aren't any tracks around here that I'm aware of, but that would be something I would like to do sometime...
I've only had the bike for a little more than a month, but I've managed almost 3000mi out of her so far. The guy I bought the bike from said the tires had roughly 1000 miles on them when I bought it.