Tires

[Louis]

I'll have to change my tires VERY soon... The OEM ones on my SV650S are Dunlop D220.

I like them, and would go again with those but wanted some opinions.

I ride rain or shine, so I need something that handles the wet road properly. I also ride early and late in the season so they have to handle colder temp properly as well.

[New_rider417]

I put some Pirelli Diable Stradas on mine about a month ago. I had some Metzlers on her before and these are so much better IMO. A little over 1000 miles on them and so you can't tell any signs of wear. Only had them in the rain twice so far, but both times they felt very steady and secure. It hasn't been cold so I can't comment about that. From what I've seen I highly recommend them.

[inspiron]

Louis, asking people for opinions on tires is almost like asking them which oil they prefer.

My experience - the bike came with Bridgestones. They were terrible. When they were *finally* worn down, I mounted a set of Continental RoadAttacks. These were excellent. When the RoadAttacks were worn, I mounted a set of Metzeler Roadtec Z6's. These were just as good as the Continentals. When the Z6's were worn, I replaced them with a new set of Z6's.

Dunlops aren't particularly popular around these parts, so I've never though about trying them...and Pirelli doesn't make their Diablo in the right size for my bike (although Pirelli now owns Metzeler, so they are both made in the same factory).

[Louis]

Thanks.

Originally Posted by inspiron

Louis, asking people for opinions on tires is almost like asking them which oil they prefer.

So which oil do you prefer?

[Louis]

... man it's gonna cost me more than I thought.

$150 CAD for the front
$225 CAD for the rear
+
$50 for installation .. per tire

total = $475 + taxes = $540 CAD or about $515 USD at today's rate.

[wookie]

I'd try Pilot Road. They lasted twice as long as the stock D220.

If you're going to do track, I'd recommend Pilot Power.

[intimid8er]

Have you thought of Pirelli Scorpion Synchs?

[inspiron]

Originally Posted by Louis

So which oil do you prefer?

Extra Virgin Olive Oil.

[Clint]

Diablo Stradas or Pilot Roads.

[palanon]

Now that you've got the new shed, look into getting your own balancer and tire tools. at a hundred bucks a change, after two sets, you will have paid for the equipment.

[Warputer]

Originally Posted by Louis

... man it's gonna cost me more than I thought.

$150 CAD for the front
$225 CAD for the rear
+
$50 for installation .. per tire

total = $475 + taxes = $540 CAD or about $515 USD at today's rate.

Those prices are crazy !!

[inspiron]

My last set of tires cost me ...

Metzeler Roadtek Z6s
120/70ZR17 - CHF 266.90 (- 10% discount) = CHF 240.21
190/50ZR17 - CHF 368.00 (- 10% discount) = CHF 331.20
+ 1 hour labor at CHF 115.00
+ other fees CHF 5.75

TOTAL: CHF 692.15 (US$ 563.17)

Granted, my bike needs bigger tires than the SV650, and all I did was ride the bike in to the shop in the morning and pick it up in the evening.

If I had the tools and the nerves, I could have saved some money.

Here's the on-line offer for my bike today:

Suzuki GSX 1400 Typ WVBN
Metzeler ROADTEC Z6 Front 120/70 ZR 17 58W TL 172,40 CHF
Metzeler ROADTEC Z6 190/50 ZR 17 73W TL 236,80 CHF

So I could have saved about US$ 120 on the rubber.

And a friend from the Swiss motorcycle forum has a shop, so I could have had them mounted on the rims for about $30 to $40 (instead of $100 that I would normally pay).

But this would have been more effort on my part. I was able to ride the bike to the shop, walk down the street to my office, work all day (earning $$$), then walk back and pick up the bike in the evening.

Let's just say, time is more important to money sometimes.

[Nexus242]

Metzeler Z6 are the same tire as the Pirelli Stradas, as they roll off the same production line, in the same german factory. I've had 2 sets of Z6s and they do well on the dry, wet and even pushed them pretty hard on the Dragon and surrouding road of NC last year.

8-10k miles out of the rears and 14-17k miles out of a front.

Those with the stradas echo similar mileage. Pilot Roads would yield similar mileage. Conti Road Attacks have a strong following on SVR and those with them love them but haven't tried them yet. However my tire of choice is still the Z6!!!


Metzeler Roadtec Z6

[omegajim]

Now I don't feel quite so bad. I take the tire off of the bike, and the local shop charges me $12 to remove the old tire, mount the new tire and balance it.

[inspiron]

Nexus?!?! Dude, when did they let you out?

Welcome back!

[Nexus242]

Originally Posted by omegajim

Now I don't feel quite so bad. I take the tire off of the bike, and the local shop charges me $12 to remove the old tire, mount the new tire and balance it.

I'm hoping $50 (ca) was per tire on the bike unless that's in that funny canananadian monetary system they've got going on up there. Cause if that's off the bike I'm hoping he can keep the tube of KY when they are done with him and the bike. $20 (us) off the bike, $50 (us) on the bike seems to be the going rate down here with a high speed balancer too.

Originally Posted by inspiron

Nexus?!?! Dude, when did they let you out?

Welcome back!

I'm on parole for good behavior, so I've got to keep it clean or I'm back in for another 9month.

[Louis]

I'll have a look at Metzeler or Stradas. I'll try to find a place with better prices.

[Nexus242]

Originally Posted by Louis

... man it's gonna cost me more than I thought.

$150 CAD for the front
$225 CAD for the rear
+
$50 for installation .. per tire

total = $475 + taxes = $540 CAD or about $515 USD at today's rate.

For those prices I'd make a run for the US border, by passing Taco Bell, and set up a PO box to have things shipped their so as to avoid higher shipping fees and taxes into your country.

Cycle Gear sells them for $120 front and $145 rear, which is pretty high IMHO. $109/$130 has been what I've been paying.

And Ron Ayers ships to Cananadanadda by ground UPS. $104/$127 is now more like what I'm talking aboot even in your funny money conversion rates.

==> [Ron Ayers Motorsports - Motorcycle, ATV, Jet Ski and Generators Parts and Accessories

[chrisan]

I have a set of Michelin pilot power with 2000 miles on them do you wnat them /cheap/
they will be good for another 2000 miles, easy, on your SV maybe more. No need for break in, they come nicely scrubbed.

[Barbarian]

Originally Posted by Nexus242

And Ron Ayers ships to Cananadanadda by ground UPS. $104/$127 is now more like what I'm talking aboot even in your funny money conversion rates.

Never, NEVER get UPS to ship anything across the border. They'll rape you over hot coals with hidden brokerage fees, then threaten to dump your credit rating because they can't keep track of your payment...

Those tires will cost you an extra $100-200 if you go through UPS, and they will NEVER tell you about the COD charges until they're at your door.

Put Brown out of business.