What a difference a tire makes!

[Joesmoe]

Well, be careful here -- unless you KNOW -- that wouldn't fly in the US -- he's in enchanted lands . . .

 

[Boony]

Ive just seen this, and I thought I would chase it up, so I rang this tyre place and the guy says I cant legally fit the 140/75r cause its a smaller tyre.Plus there would be insurance problems, if I had a accident the insurance wouldn't cover me RABBIT

I got the Bridgestones fitted at GC Motorcycles on Main North Road. I was happy with the job they did. Please ignore if you aren't near Adelaide!

 

[1olbull]

That's a crock o' sh!t brother

AMEN!!!

 

[1olbull]

Well, be careful here -- unless you KNOW -- that wouldn't fly in the US -- he's in enchanted lands . . .

OOPS!
I didn't notice that he be in OZ. With all their social restrictions that's likely true. Thanks for the heads up, Joe!

 

[barbagris]

LEGALLY - cant do it here either. But also can't change the pipes, ride fast .............

btw - I'm trying a 150/70R17 right now. Same rolling radius as a 140/75. Surprisingly a better fit to the rim than the 150/80 OEM and already showing wear right across the tread.
Feels a little more matched to the SILLY WIDE 240 than the Azaro though. Difficult to explain.
I can believe that those who've fitted a 160/60 are happy. Steering wont be as "sharp" but will be (or feel so anyway) more stable cranked over on tight bends.

I'm starting to think that a good part of the smaller tyre handling advantage is in fact the effect on geometry - lower axle - sharper angle - less trail than the width itself.

 

[zman8537]

LEGALLY - cant do it here either. But also can't change the pipes, ride fast .............

btw - I'm trying a 150/70R17 right now. Same rolling radius as a 140/75. Surprisingly a better fit to the rim than the 150/80 OEM and already showing wear right across the tread.
Feels a little more matched to the SILLY WIDE 240 than the Azaro though. Difficult to explain.
I can believe that those who've fitted a 160/60 are happy. Steering wont be as "sharp" but will be (or feel so anyway) more stable cranked over on tight bends.

I'm starting to think that a good part of the smaller tyre handling advantage is in fact the effect on geometry - lower axle - sharper angle - less trail than the width itself.

What tire are you going with in a 150/70R17? The only ones that I am seeing are all rear tires? Or did I open up that can of worms again???

 

[1olbull]

Ive just seen this, and I thought I would chase it up, so I rang this tyre place and the guy says I cant legally fit the 140/75r cause its a smaller tyre.Plus there would be insurance problems, if I had a accident the insurance wouldn't cover me RABBIT

On second thought (now knowing you hail from OZ) contact your powers that be or "tire place" regarding a size drop for your car; say from a 225/75R/15 down to a 215/70R/15. I'd bet there's no problema with that.

 

[1olbull]

LEGALLY - cant do it here either. But also can't change the pipes, ride fast .............

btw - I'm trying a 150/70R17 right now. Same rolling radius as a 140/75. Surprisingly a better fit to the rim than the 150/80 OEM and already showing wear right across the tread.
Feels a little more matched to the SILLY WIDE 240 than the Azaro though. Difficult to explain.
I can believe that those who've fitted a 160/60 are happy. Steering wont be as "sharp" but will be (or feel so anyway) more stable cranked over on tight bends.

I'm starting to think that a good part of the smaller tyre handling advantage is in fact the effect on geometry - lower axle - sharper angle - less trail than the width itself.

I take it that your 150/70R17 a rear tire? I liked the Azaro just fine, but feel the Avon front in 140 is the best.
I agree that dropping the front axle to rear axle relationship does reduce trail and sharpen handling.
I do not understand the reasoning behind an OEM design that places the front axle higher off the ground than the rear axle??????

 

[barbagris]

I do not understand the reasoning behind an OEM design that places the front axle higher off the ground than the rear axle??????

Honestly - I think it was an Aesthetics Choice. A lot of the R3 "design" is. A 240 rear is NOT necessary. A good Z rated 200 or 190 would have been fine - but would not look as "cool".

Yup the 150/70 is a rear - Bridgestone BT021. I did toy with the Metz 140/75 which is available Z rated. If I'd been able to get one quickly I might well have fitted one.
But this is Spain in August and the world pretty much stops. The BT021 was there in stock and the Metz they could not guarantee before Friday next week. And my plan was to leave for the UK on Thursday.

Here btw it is STRONGLY recommended to fit a cooler running tyre (higher speed rating) wherever possible. To the extent it is specifically written into law.
I boiled my first ME880 front blue in summer. It simply overheated - once that happens, they wear to nothing in a short ride. Took 1mm off in 140kms. We'll see how the E-Max fares.

Avon here seems to getting a bad rep'. It's odd. A couple of years ago it was quite the reverse and most tyre places recommended them esp on bikes.
Tyre places do not want to keep Avon Stock at all. I do not know if it's for technical or commercial reasons - but the "x miles guaranty" in the US suggests Avon are having to fight for market space.

Tyre size drops - here we can go +/- 3% with no prob's. So can (I think) all of the EU.

 

[Lemieuxfan]

ok apology in advance as i'm sure this is redundant- so when i got my bike back from dealership fixing the valve cover gasket leak mentioned i have about 1500 miles left on the rear tire. Going to finally divorce away from the Metz and drive the Bridgestone with the cobra up front. Question is rockymountain the cheapest? also- any issues with lifespan of this tire combination.

thanks in advance!