120/70 on the front?
 

Hey all,

I've decided i'm going to try the BT021's. My dealer recommends BT020's, which are being replaces by the BT021's, so i'll go with them.

The guy putting the tires on tho (not the dealer) is going to put a 120/70 (I believe) rather than the 120/60 as per the manual. He say's that it flexes more so less chance denting a rim..

Has anyone heard of this before?

Re: 120/70 on the front?
 

Translated

"I'm useless at my job, so I will put easier to fit, but not quite the right tyres on"

I dont know the actual consequences of changing the tyre spec, but I am sure someone who does will be along in a minute

Re: 120/70 on the front?
 

It won't be any harder to fit, he probably just has a pile of 70s!! ;)

I like the theory that you won't dent your rim ... but I can't believe that is the real reason ;)

As for what it means to you.

Your bike will be keener to 'tip in'. At low speed this is really irritating as you end up having to keep trying to pick/force the bike back up!! :(

Will it physically fit - yes
Would I want one over a 60 on MY road bike - no!

If it were me I ask him to stop talking out of his behind and request he fit a 60 or you will go somewhere else ;)

Re: 120/70 on the front?
 

What a lame statement. Ask for the recommended tyre.

Re: 120/70 on the front?
 

I think i am right in saying this, but i think race bikes do this to liven the steering up abit so it turns in quicker.

Re: 120/70 on the front?
 

What he's trying to say is "I get a really good discount on 120/70-17 front tyres because they're a more popular fitment, but I pay normal trade for 120/60s, so you're getting a 120/70 and I'm charging you full whack...like it or lump it".

Re: 120/70 on the front?
 

Thanks for the replies.... I don't think he gets a special rate on the 120/70's and he comes highly recommended from a friend. Its a small independent shop, so he doesn't carry stock, orders everything in. He provided me with a link to a catalog and told me whatever I ordered, he'll give me 30% off their price.

Compared to the dealers around here i'm saving around 80$ bucks, so I believe i'm getting a good deal.

I called my insurance and they said that as long as it isn't for performance reasons, it won't affect my coverage. I told them what he told me, there's more flex in the tire and it will lessen the chances of denting the rim.

I'm just looking to see if this is a big no-no on the SV.....

Re: 120/70 on the front?
 

Mine has a 120/70, but then it's not got an SV front. I've never found the dramatic difference between 60 and 70 that Blue mentions, personally I wouldn't worry at all having a 70 on a standard SV, though I'd lower the front to compensate. But I'd still choose 120/60 unless there's a good reason not to. And that reason he's given you is total, total rubbish. If you dent a rim fitting a tyre, it's not because of the stiffness of the tyre, it's because of the incompetence or carelessness (usually the latter) of the fitter. Even I can fit a 120/60 without risking my wheels, and I'm rubbish at it.

So... I don't have any big issues with fitting a 120/70, but I do have big issues with dealers that either a) lie to their customers or b) charge money for fitting while being worse than I am at it. It's not good...

Re: 120/70 on the front?
 

First off why does everyone think they are getting screwed?? If you think your dealer/local shop is screwing you then stop going to them for help with **** you can't fix or don't know yourself. For every ones info I have made the switch from a 120/60 to a 120/70 and i did it intentionaly. i did this for more then one reason. Reason number one all sv650 have a speedo error! It reads higher then your going! Don't beleave me get out a gps and see for yourself. the 120/70 is an all around more performance orianted tire just look at other high powerd bikes and see what size tire they are running. End of the day the 120/70 helps fix the speedo error, to an extent as its still out slightly with the bigger tire. And the amount it will effect the steering angle is so small that no one here will even come close to driving the bike that hard to even begin to understand what it does to handling. At the end of the day I could drag my knee with the 120/60 just as good as the 120/70. but at least with the 120/70 my speedo isn't off.

Re: 120/70 on the front?
 

Regardless of what is or is not fact. The story 'stone' was given as a reason for fitting a tyre against the listed specification for that motorcycle is complete poo. If he had been told you'll have better turn in, your speedo will run closer to the truth blah blah, then that is one thing, to be told it's being fitted because it flexes more and so less chance of damaging the rim. WTF.