SFC1000 Tyre size

ngiles

ngiles

Senior member
Location
Sydney, Australia
Hi

My SFC1000 has a rear Metzeler Roadtec sized: 160/60 ZR 18; on the front a Metzeler 110/80 ZR 18.  Most guidance on sizing is for 130/80 rear and 100/90 front. 

I'm probably going to replace with Pilot Activs sized 130/80 and 100/90, but have thought about keeping the wider sizes with Metzeler Roadtec Z8s.

Before I commit I wondered if there was any views on the currently fitted wider sizes - benefits, or any caution?

Cheers, Nick
 
If that's in std sized rims its crazy, putting a 160 on a 2.5 or 3.0 rim would have the tyre misshapen horribly. You can squeeze a slightly wider tyre on and I do, as that's the smallest rear radial you can get and that's a 140 on a 3.0. Modern really wide tyres need wide rims, that's why some do that Suzuki wheel swop. A 160 needs at least a 4.0 rim or bigger.
 
Even my 4.25 x 17 inch rear with a 160/60 looks a tad overtyred to me - ie the sidewalls are too steep. I'd need lean angles of around 70deg to use the tread limit! Not ideal. I asked for a 150/70 but the guy at Pablos said they are best suited to smaller-engined, lower-powered, lighter bikes. i'll see how it feels when I finally get to ride the bloody thing. Specials ... they just take friggin long to build!  >:( >:( >:(
 
You did not state if cast or wire wheels... cast is 3.00" rear, wire 3.50".  Front is 2.50" in both cases.

The 3.00" is best with a 130/80, the 3.50" will accept a 140/70 nicely.  Anything larger is simply a waste of money.  You'll end up with completely wrong tyre contours and 1" wide chicken strips.  The narrower tyres offer far larger contact patches and allow you to use all the tread.  You pay for it, why waste it? :D

100/90 at the front, keeps things nimble .  110/90 makes the front ponderous and vague.

I use a 130/80 on the 3.50" GSXR rim in my RGS.  The "narrow" tyre is pulled out to the sides slightly, resulting in a nice, even tread profile, about as perfect as it can get. :D

piet
 
I put a pair of Continental Road Attack 3 on a cast wheel SFC1000 recently - rear 130/80 front 100/90. It's one of the nicest handling Laverdas I've ridden. Radial construction if you're bothered about that sort of detail.  Secure and planted with a neutral feel into corners. Nice!  8)
 
sfcpiet said:
You did not state if cast or wire wheels... cast is 3.00" rear, wire 3.50".  Front is 2.50" in both cases.
Click to expand...

Cast wheels - I will go with a 130/80, 100/90 combo I think.  As to brand I'll have a think about it.

Thanks as always for all your advice!

Cheers, Nick
 
For original rims, that is for sure the best combination.

If you'd ever decide to change to GSX-R-Rims, 150/70-18 with a 110/80-18 is a very good combination, too. With the shape of the BT012SS rear tire, the bike feels very safe while handiing is much improved (also related to the several kilos lighter combination of rims, brake-discs and other parts). You would need to change to a 525 offset chain kit though to allow for the 150 rear tire. Look is very close to the original 6-spoke alloy rims.
 
I use BT016 tyres on my GSXR wheels, and need a 520 chain to clear the 150/70 rear tyre.
 
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