You can't fix a bike tire right?

[CheapBike]

My roomie just advised me my rear tire was going low, sure enough, rim was on the pavement.

Tossed the thing on the center stand and that's a sizeable chunk of metal in the tire, probably 1/2" across, looks like someone took a think blade, inserted it and broke it off. Probably not what happened it's probably just road debris.

Anyway, paranoia would likely keep me from trying to repair it if it were possible it was a couple months away from being replaced due to treadwear.

Problem is I read a link here about the katana, and tires.

10 Basic Katana Upgrades @ MotorCycleAnchor.com

It recommends the Metzler z6. Would I be a fool to mismatch tires, the front has plenty of tread and I'm already into this thing more than I'd care to be. I know matching tires is important, but how important in your opinions

[Clint]

No one in his right mind would repair that. A clean puncture from a new nail, maybe, but not a tear.

I wouldn't mismatch tires on a sportbike. Their sharp handling is more likely to result in undesirable effects with tires of differing profiles. What's on the front?

[CheapBike]

The rear tire says it's a michelin radical 160/60 zr 17.

the front tire says supermax radical 120/70 zr 17 but states it's a maxxis, couldn't find michelin on the front.

The tires look similar but couldn't see michelin on the front tire. They may be mismatched already.

Front's probably only got 5 or 6k left on it, probably oughtta just match it and get the other tires when they need replaced.

[Warputer]

If U just putt around town, a mismatched set will not even be noticed. But if you're a canyon carver/knee dragger it will be very noticeable with the extreme lean angles.

[omegajim]

+1 with Rowdy, nail holes fine. 1/2 inch chunk, not a chance.

.........and that's with 90 k on two wheels and numerous flats experienced on all kinds of things.

[DR-Z125L]

Cheap bike that sucks man. On the new bike too. tssk tssk

[Clint]

Originally Posted by Warputer

If U just putt around town, a mismatched set will not even be noticed. But if you're a canyon carver/knee dragger it will be very noticeable with the extreme lean angles.

I disagree. The profiles of the tires affect the feel of the bike from right off center. A triangular front and a round rear is noticeable while leaning into a turn regardless of speed. The bike can feel heavy and unstable or twitchy because of this. It's not to be ignored just because a person's a commuter.

[palanon]

Plus, it's a Katana. Even if you use it to putt around town or commute, eventually the throttle is going to talk to you and strongly suggest a little corner carving and more aggressive " exercise ". When that happens, it's nice to have a good set of tires.

[Warputer]

Originally Posted by RowdyRed94

I disagree. The profiles of the tires affect the feel of the bike from right off center. A triangular front and a round rear is noticeable while leaning into a turn regardless of speed. The bike can feel heavy and unstable or twitchy because of this. It's not to be ignored just because a person's a commuter.

Good Lord ! Exactly what kind of tires are U talking about mixing ....trianglar & round profile tires, what's this non-sence ???? Are ya taking about cruiser and sport tire mixing ???? Of course there would be a noticeable difference then .....at any speed , I didn't fall off the turnip truck yesterday . For 21 years I've been riding and 15 years of those have been on Gixxers with mix and match tires from time to time . Some mix and matching a rider can get away with .........and some will not work .

[themeatmanlandry]

I ride with a Metzeler M1 on the front and a Z6 on the rear. I think the bike handles better like that than it does with M1s on front and rear.

Avoid Dunlops. Like the plague.

[palanon]

Different manufactures use different tread and profile designs. Tires are designed as a set. I just switched from the stock tires to Dunlop. The profile on the new tires is much taller and the handling of the bike changed considerably. To avoid problems I change both. My old rear tire is kicking around ( at Tab's ) just in case I need an emergency spare or if Tab wants to melt it at the drag strip. I wouldn't use it for much else even though it probably could have gone a few thousand miles more.

[CheapBike]

Well, regardless whether it's smart to use mismatched tires I decided to go with the matching tires. Nobody in town stocked the metzeler anyway.

I was looking around on other forums and apparently for sport bikes the rear tires get more life than the front tires?

That's weird, I always got double the life on any of the cruisers I owned on the front tire vs the rear.

Tire won't make it here till Friday.

It's ok though, I've gotta figure out the right way to take this off and replace the stock sprocket on this thing. The last guy put one on there that helped him do wheelies better and I'm getting incorrect mph on the speedometer as a result.

I'll look for a guide, my last bike didn't have a chain, I don't wanna mess this up. I heard if the front chain leaves where it connects it's a pain to get back on.

[Clint]

Originally Posted by Warputer

Some mix and matching a rider can get away with .........and some will not work .

Uhh, that's what I said, and I offered a credible reason. You must not have studied tires much in all those years. It's quite obvious that sportbike tires come in quite a range of shapes.

Cheap, the vast majority of sportbike riders get longer life on the front. Some get 2:1 front:rear, like you said. the Bandit is high-torque, so it's hard on rears, but the soggy front suspension tended to cause cupping, so I bought in pairs.

[Kodatech]

if your front tire is ok, just go with the rear. but DO match the make/model of tire.

[Nexus242]

Well I'll just say that if you're going to be doing allot of wet weather riding then you'd be better off with a matched set of Z6s then a mix. The Z6 rear doesn't have any center tread grooves and the front does which were designed to work best together in the wet to keep you from hydroplaning. And I will say the Z6 is awesome on wet roads I've got over 20k on them in Florida so I know wet roads. In dry conditions it's not a big deal to mix however most prefer to put a softer/sticker tire up front to aid in traction and cornering.

[cms58]

I got a no. 3 small rig shank nail in my rear tire of my Ninja. Can this be plugged, or patched or should I replace the tire. I have 2000 miles on this tire. I have been told I should replace the tire. If a new tire is safer, then I will replace it.

[themeatmanlandry]

2,000 miles? That tire's probably got another thousand miles on it most. Personally, I'd plug it and go, but I'm cheap.

A new tire will be safer than a plugged/patched tire. Your choice.

[Clint]

It's a Ninja 250. He'd probably get 10,000 miles out of that tire.

Chris, I'd have a shop dismount it and patch it from the inside. If the hole is clean and not near the sidewall, it will be just fine. Plugs are considered temporary.

[cms58]

Just what I was thinking about doing. I would save about $75. repairing the tire. GREAT THANK YOU!!!