Cornering like a dream - mismatched tyres.

[Kalessin]

I always felt it was a struggle to get the SV to lean; I seemed to have to fight against what I assumed was the gyroscopic forces of the engine keeping the bike upright.

It's my first bike, so I have nothing to compare it with. I assumed I would find it easier as my experience increased.

Turns out, the bike had mismatched tyres. It was either soft on the front and hard on the back, or the other way around, I forget. Had them both replaced with some Michelin Pilot Road 2s and the change is awesome. The SV flows into corners now, nice and smooth. It's like having a new bike.

Thanks to Bikers' World, Daventry for their advice and expertise. One more reason why I won't go back to Midlands Superbikes, no matter how many times they're mentioned in RiDE!

Its amazing the difference tyres can make on both bikes and cars!

even having your tyre pressures a bit off makes a difference! completely transformed my confidence in my bike just by a few psi being added

[TheRamJam]

Originally Posted by Milky Bar Kid

Its amazing the difference tyres can make on both bikes and cars!

+1 my new Angel STs are sub 500 miles old and the difference is night and day. Turn in is a lot quicker and the performance in the wet is impressive

its the pilot road 2's, i have one on the front and i lean in confident on the front but the rear is different make and not very good as soon as i get some money i will replace the rear as well but cant til i get a job.

You sure the tyre hadnt squared off a bit, this will make cornering feel weird.

[yorkie_chris]

You can mismatch them all day, depends on specific profile. Same with compounds, soft/hard makes no difference except in grip and heat.

But, square rear tyre off and cup front and see how crap it feels!

Originally Posted by Kalessin

I always felt it was a struggle to get the SV to lean; I seemed to have to fight against what I assumed was the gyroscopic forces of the engine keeping the bike upright.

Perhaps the thought of having new tyres gave you some extra confidence which translates to quicker corners and higher lean angles. I know my bikes leans easier every time I get a confidence boost

[Kalessin]

Originally Posted by specialone

You sure the tyre hadnt squared off a bit, this will make cornering feel weird.

I don't think it was particularly square... it's fairly twisty on my way to work, although there was about an inch of chicken strip each side.

Originally Posted by maxinc

Perhaps the thought of having new tyres gave you some extra confidence which translates to quicker corners and higher lean angles. I know my bikes leans easier every time I get a confidence boost

I actually felt less confident if anything, knowing that they're not scrubbed yet.

Originally Posted by Kalessin

I always felt it was a struggle to get the SV to lean; I seemed to have to fight against what I assumed was the gyroscopic forces of the engine keeping the bike upright.

It's my first bike, so I have nothing to compare it with. I assumed I would find it easier as my experience increased.

Turns out, the bike had mismatched tyres. It was either soft on the front and hard on the back, or the other way around, I forget. Had them both replaced with some Michelin Pilot Road 2s and the change is awesome. The SV flows into corners now, nice and smooth. It's like having a new bike.

Thanks to Bikers' World, Daventry for their advice and expertise. One more reason why I won't go back to Midlands Superbikes, no matter how many times they're mentioned in RiDE!

i know what you mean m8, i have just had a new pair of tyres and noticed a hell of a differnce!