Newbie Tyre Question
 

I'm looking to get a new set of tyres for my 2001 sv 650s, just wondering what would be the best set of tyres to get?

I mainly use the bike to commuting to and from college and work.

Also what PSI should my tyres be inflated to.
I've been told 36 PSI at the front and 42 PSI at the rear but I'm not sure how accurate that is.

Thanks,
-Jeff

Re: Newbie Tyre Question
 

The pressures should be 33psi front and 36psi rear for most tyres on the SV. Always best to check with the tyre manufacturer - in my experience they have always emailed me the correct pressures when I have asked. What tyre is very subjective, but as it's for commuting I'd probably go for Dunlop Roadsmart, Continental Road Attack or Avon Storm (a lot of people on the forum swear by Avon Storms).

Re: Newbie Tyre Question
 

There's no such thing as the 'best' tyres, whatever suits your use and pocket is what you should buy. As you're using the bike mainly for commuting then a set of touring biased tyres will suit you, as Ned rightly says.

Confining ourselves solely to the most popular brands, add these to the suggestions Ned has made:

Pirelli Strada
Metzeler Z6

Pressures: A contentious subject. Suzuki recommend 33 psi front and 36 psi rear for the SV on the standard tyres it left the factory with whether Metzeler or Dunlop, almost every tyre manufacturer will blanket recommend 36 front, 42 rear for their tyres, but may have a different number if questioned on an individual bike.
The SV is a light bike, and thus you may well feel that something closer to 33/36, is better than 36/42, and a number of people would agree with you. From this you may gather that despite what some may suggest there is no 'right' pressure, between 33 and 36 at the front, and between 36 and 42 at the rear dependant on load, tyre brand, and use is 'right'.

Re: Newbie Tyre Question
 

All sorts of opinions will come your way.

I favour Maxxis at the moment as they're spot on for the SV and very good for the money IMO. Other's dislike them and percieve them as a 'cheap' tyre, but there are also loads of people that rate them. I've tried the sports and sport touring, both good IMO.

Pressures: 36F & 42R (I like a firm ride), but as stated, Suzuki recommend 33F, 36R - so something between that range should be fine.

Dunlop sport smarts are my recommendation. They are pricey though. There dual compound, hard in the middle, soft on the edge. I've found them really grippy at the standard sv pressures.

Re: Newbie Tyre Question
 

Pilot road 2's good all rounder and good milage return.

Re: Newbie Tyre Question
 

Another vote for Maxxis from me. never have any bother with mine. love them.

Re: Newbie Tyre Question
 

Thanks for all the help guys, I've never bought tyres before and I've only recently just passed my A2 so I literally know nothing about bikes.

Right this may seem like a stupid question but what size is my tyre supposed to be? (width, ratio, rim size?)
I figured it will probably be cheaper to buy tyres online and just get them fitted.

Re: Newbie Tyre Question
 

I've just had a pair of Michelin Road Pilots fitted and compared to the Bridgestone 020's they are much, much better, but that might be down to the tread being pretty low on the Bridgestones?

Re: Newbie Tyre Question
 

I'm using Avon Storm 2 Ultra at the moment on 36front 42rear. Ride is a bit firm but running at these pressures keeps it on the harder rubber in the middle.
Absolute pig in the wet thought these tyres!

Re: Newbie Tyre Question
 

I've just put maxxis on my sv to try, i've found them better in the dry, but wasn't so happy as the bridgestone 21's in the wet

Re: Newbie Tyre Question
 

try the oem pressures. 33-36. thats what i run mine at and they have never ever put a foot wrong even in the wet.

Re: Newbie Tyre Question
 

I have BT-021's on mine, on checking the Bridgestone website, it said the rear should be 2.9 bar, the BT-016 it had before should be 2.7 bar.

Everybody has their own preferences on tyre pressures, it's a case of experimenting until you find your own sweet spot.

I have Pirelli Stradas on my CBR1000F and they are very very good too.

Re: Newbie Tyre Question
 

They always quote 42psi on rear to cover all eventualitys. You could be 7 stone tootling about with 3inch chicken strips or You and your other half of the 'go lightlys' at 20 stone each plus luggage hammering across the alps for a fondu! lol. 42psi makes contact patch smaller if you don't weigh much and don't carry a passenger, I would use 36psi on road.

Re: Newbie Tyre Question
 

I was going to post a new one but it sort of fits in here. Handbook says 33psi front / 36 psi rear but the rating sticker on the bike itself says 36psi for both. Anyone with any ideas why the two Suzuki recommendations don't match? Incidentally, I've got a Pirelli Diablo on the front and a Michi Pilot Sport on the rear - any thoughts?

Re: Newbie Tyre Question
 

Bibio.. what kind of Maxxis have ye,.,, as i need a front tyre, an am hearing that these are decent tyres

Re: Newbie Tyre Question
 

My tuppence worth,
Storm Ultra excellent road and odd trackday, confidence in dry and wet warm up quick,can wear to threads, running these now!!
Briddies 023 Good tyre ok wet and dry, ok for odd trackday, sensation of going hard at 2.5mm tread depth and then feel unstable, 016 similar but better if doing lots of corners etc as stickier, does take longer to warm up and do wear quicker,
Roadsmarts, ok dry, caution in wet, ok for trackday, storms better, once squared off wear becomes more rapid and when down to 2mill seems to track imperfections in the road a lot more.
I'm 17 stone and run 32psi front and 36 rear, if you are lighter ie,12 stone type, you could drop maybe 2 psi front/rear, for trackday drop to 30 front and 28 rear or there abouts.

Re: Newbie Tyre Question
 

ermmm i don't lol. tiz fenjer who runs maxis. by all accounts they are ok for the money. so i can't comment on the newer ones but my bro had some on his duke and they seemed ok a little skittish in the wet but grippy otherwise if i remember they were the sportmax. he changed them for a set of mez sporttec which he had lying around and they to me the sportec worse. tyres are an individual thing but when a large number of people say that a specific type are good on a given bike then its usually the case. forums are great for reviews of such things as its real world tests and feedback.

just to add i personally use the Avon storms and to date have never found any reason to change.

Re: Newbie Tyre Question
 

Am running Pirelli Angel ST's on the GSXR at 36psi front and 42psi rear. Excellant tyres and brilliant in the wet :-)

Re: Newbie Tyre Question
 

I keep hearin about Maxxis supermax... was at ma local bike shop the day.. the guy said, the Maxxix are remoulds ????and are chinese ****e.... a think a lot o people on here are runnin Maxxis... wit ye think ?

Re: Newbie Tyre Question
 

you local bike shop hasn't a feckin clue then. case of i'm not a maxxis stockiest but i'll sell you these and i'll put down any other brand that i dont stock.

yes they are made i china but aint everything these days.

no they are not remoulds as far as i'm aware.

Re: Newbie Tyre Question
 

The tyres that are on the bike the now are Metzler Mez4... do ye know of any reviews on these.... im wantin tae change because ma front is pointy, wi an edge on it, ad rather it be round.. a pal said taer me thats just Metzlers usual ???is this ok, or has it been run too hard, can ye see it in the picture what am talkin about.?

Re: Newbie Tyre Question
 

Sorry That was the REAR tyre,,, wrong Picture.. here it is

Re: Newbie Tyre Question
 

For however long you can get them for, Pilot road 2's are stopping production.

I've been recomended to get a softer tyre on the front and harder on the rear
I'm running a Avon Viper on the front and a Bridgestone BT021 on the rear and even on a 40mile old tyre with the slightly wet roads this morning i am feeling the difference with the bike not trying to slide out on me like it was on the matched set of bridgestones.
definately keep the ST rear and the Sport front setup for myself.

Re: Newbie Tyre Question
 

I done a search on the MEZ4....an everyone is sayin their S**e. so a think a definatley need to change... BUt ma rear tyre is practicaly new...??

Re: Newbie Tyre Question
 

Any one tried the maxxis Diamonds with the dual compound and the dual tyre pattern ? What they like ?

Re: Newbie Tyre Question
 

ave heard the Diamonds are not commin out this year fae Maxxis...a could be wrong,, but no doubt some other Tyre Buff will be along jist shortly...

Re: Newbie Tyre Question
 

I emailed Maxxis not long ago about the Supermaxx Diamonds. They are available this year, just not in a 120/60 - 160/60 size. They only do 120/70 - 180/55 this year as far as i'm aware.