Tyres.

[garynortheast]

For the last few years I've been using Pirelli Angel ST tyres on the SV, prior to that Pirelli Diablo Stradas.

I'm now just looking for a pair of Angel ST tyres as the rear is not far from the wear limit, and while I can find a rear 160/60/17 I can't find a front 120/60/17 anywhere. The only pairs I can find in the sizes I need are the Angel GT which are about £70 a pair more expensive. What I'm wondering is whether the GTs last longer enough than the STs to make it worthwhile stumping up for them.

I suspect in the absence of any of the correct sized front STs I may have no choice but to by the GTs.

Damn!

[admin]

Would you consider another brand?

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[garynortheast]

Only if I absolutely have to. I've tried lots of different tyres over the years and the Pirellis are perfect for the SV. I particularly like the handling characteristics of them. The Diablo Stradas and the Angel STs both have (had) a very quick response to steering inputs. I've never found anything else that responds like them. The closest I've come was with a pair of Metzler Road Techs, but even they weren't quite as responsive.

[admin]

I agree on the Metzeler Roadtec. They were the last tyres I had on the VFR and they were very impressive. Nice quick steering.

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[redtrummy]

My SV came fitted with Metzs (a long time ago granted). They were on about the same level as Michelin ZX s fitted to cars in the 70s, great on dry roads, lethal on anything else . Could not wait to get rid of them.
They must have pulled there socks up in the intervening years.

[admin]

My SV came fitted with Metzs (a long time ago granted). They were on about the same level as Michelin ZX s fitted to cars in the 70s, great on dry roads, lethal on anything else . Could not wait to get rid of them.
They must have pulled there socks up in the intervening years.Yes I remember them on my curvy. Lethal things.

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[BoltonSte]

Everyone has a different opinion, I have used GT's though.

My Superduke came with GT's. They were squared off when I got the bike at ~4k - I assume the previous owner did a lot of straight roads. Left them on as I got used to the bike.

Bit marmite with KTM riders: no grip, no confidence, wear out etc...They held up well for a couple of track days and another 3k or so. Wet/dry warm/cold I had no real issues with them. I think they'd have lasted forever on my curvy.
I had Metz Roadtec Z6 on a street triple which were great tyres warm/cold wet/dry, I'd buy again for an SV/ST. Mich Pilots which were OK didn't have the bike long enough to find out how long they'd last.
Now on Mich Road 6's (deal as they were just coming out) and I think they are on 2 track days (Fast inters) and about 5k holding up well and let me hoon about when I'm in the mood wet or dry.

Ste

Ste

[yokohama]

I have the GT2s on my yammy 900. The rear lasted about 8,300 before it was replaced but the bike has a lot of torque at the rear and can be heavy on the wear. So I'd expect more miles from the SV, especially if you are easy on the throttle. Front is still fine approaching 10,000.

[Craig380]

I swear by Avon Storm 3Ds. Really good grip, nimble handling and long-lasting, I get 14K from a rear and 17K from a front.

[garynortheast]

Just been looking for the Storm 3D and they appear to have been discontinued from the end of last year. The Spirit is the direct replacement but a pair in my sizes is heading for £300!
National Bike Tyres are advertising a pair of the Angel GTs for £222. Still a lot more than I'm used to paying for my tyres but I may have to go for them as it's the best and most affordable pair deal I can find.

[admin]

The price of tyres has jumped in the last year or so.

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[garynortheast]

It certainly has! I've not had to buy tyres for at least 18 months, as the last time I bought any I got two pairs at the same time.

[Seeker]

I liked Storm 3D X-M too but my main reason was because they were made in the UK. Now that they have closed the UK factory I will be looking elsewhere.
The XSR had Michelin Road 5 and I liked them so that's a possibility.

[NedSVS]

I have run Storm 3D-XM and they were great value and lasted over 10k. I am currently running Avon Spirit ST because I couldn't find a Storm 120/60 front. The Spirit ST rear has cupped/ledged badly at about half way around the profile, so, personally, I would not buy them again. Anyway, the price of Avons is no longer attractive and, if you shop around, you can but Michelin Road 5s for less.

[Craig380]

On my old K6 pointy, the front Avon Storm used to cup significantly, as you describe. I always thought that was because of the crap forks and the fact the pointy tended to push the front a little (well, mine did at least).

The front Storms on my Gen 3 never cupped, different steering geometry etc I suppose and also the Gen 3 runs a 120/70 profile.

[NedSVS]

Has anyone tried Mitas Touring Force tyres? Mitas, formerly Sava, made really good sticky tyres for lightweight motorcycles and I used them on my TZR125.

[garynortheast]

Just been looking at those Mitas tyres. Not heard of them before, but they seem to have had decent reviews in the last couple of years. They're a little bit cheaper than the Pirellis, but probably not by enough to persuade me to take a chance on them. I'd be interested to see if anyone else has any experience of them.

[NedSVS]

For those of us still running 120/60 front tyres, a good "pair deal" is more and more difficult to find and it is only going to get worse. Metzeler, for example, don't make 120/60 fronts in Roadtec 01 SE or Roadtec Z8 and tyre dealers know they aren't going to sell heaps of them, so hold little or no stock. I have run 120/70 on my Gen 1 SV650 but it is close enough to the mudguard to make an awful noise when the tyre picks up loose gravel. I may look into raising my mudguard slightly if I go down the 120/70 route. If you do run a 120/70 front, it is a must to up the pressure from 33 to 36psi, or it will wear badly and lose its shape quickly; I talk from experience!

[R1ffR4ff]

I'v used Maxxis Budget tyres for years but they are becoming scarce now. I've read good reviews of the Pirelli Angel St,

Good general prices here,

https://www.tyreprice.uk/motorcycle-tyre-size/160-60-r17

[garynortheast]

Just ordered a pair of Pirelli Angel GT tyres from National Bike Tyres. £233.00 with delivery. Ouch. Knew my winter fuel allowance and cost of living payment would come in useful.

I'll fit them both when they arrive, even though there is still quite a bit of life left in the front ST, as I'm not sure how a part worn front ST would feel with a brand new rear GT. The rear ST feels very squared off now, so it definitely needs changing.

[garynortheast]

Just had an email to say National Bike Tyres don't have a front tyre in the size I need and have given me a full refund. Grrr....

Just re-ordered a pair of tyres from Moto-Tyres who appear to have the right sizes. £250.00 the pair. They are the GTII tyres rather than the plain GTs, so more expensive. Sigh....

[R1ffR4ff]

One of the best moves I made was to fit 90 Deg Valves when I fitted my own tyres,

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/364106148552?hash=item54c66aeac8:g:7nMAAOSwesdjzBC a&amdata=enc%3AAQAIAAAA8FqOGxQ0q0gIeBd0WMhAz5cFbp7%2 FQvI6u8cvMEskJ4Ksls%2BlW%2F9VpFO0WvD%2FA6i8r%2Fck% 2BbCYe7GjrbDGnGAaYNok6Zmrg7BpCIzr1%2FdyY%2BDsobjCf XU%2FnMOeodEoABGoAiyIhkcsbFaDFc9M6y8sL%2FiLP4SoiOR vfELULwSK2eUvKvC3SP6mwZQStuiMmc%2FG7NX9uDiqmaPei%2 BI93Pc31qRNPivKasO430xz4IGUPzJi7m5BNaGrgeplVCOLmjy 6AN8ZieI%2FsrZI1O8hoFd7ev98%2B3xTniDhoCq%2F9bJ8SFW QzS1SvewLKzcXeZZh8xfbpg%3D%3D%7Ctkp%3ABFBM1Nv1i4Bj


https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/7nMAAOSwesdjzBCa/s-l500.jpg

Makes putting air in a doddle :)



Mine are Black anodized.

https://i.imgur.com/XPGfXx9.jpg

I used a bit of Blue thread-lock for extra security.

[garynortheast]

Taken your advice RR and ordered a pair of right angled valve stems. Not from your link though as the guy has only got a 95% feed back rating. Found someone else with a 100% rating.

[R1ffR4ff]

Taken your advice RR and ordered a pair of right angled valve stems. Not from your link though as the guy has only got a 95% feed back rating. Found someone else with a 100% rating.

I'm sure you'll find it great how such a little mod can make such a big difference :)

I'm right handed so I angled them to the best position for me to easily get my Foot-Pump on before tightening them.

[garynortheast]

New tyres arrived this morning. Just need to get out and fit them and the new right angled valves now.

https://i.imgur.com/9YMUaYx.jpg