Tyre Sizes

I've managed to aquire a pair of Dunlop Sportmax Qualifiers for very cheap. The problem is my SV tyres are:

Front:120/60ZR17 M/C (55W) Rear:160/60ZR17 M/C (69W)


And the Dunlops I've got are:

Front:120/70ZR17 M/C (73W) Rear:180/55ZR17 M/C (58W)


Can someone tell me what it all means, if I can use 'em and if it will bugger up handling if I do?

Cheers,

Mart

[fizzwheel]

the first number is the width of the tyre, the 2nd number is the height of the sidewall. The letters are the speed rating, the last number is the rim size.

So a 120/60ZR17 tyre is 120mm wide, it has a sidewall height of 60mm I think Z rated tyres are the highest speed rating ( but I'm not sure, have a google for it ) and its 17 inches ( I think ) in diameter...

The tyres you've found are not the standard size fitment for your bike. I think though that you should be OK with the 70 profile front tyre, but it will alter the way your bike tips into corners, I think it'll make it tip in and turn faster to. Also it may make your speedo a little more accurate to. But you might end up with clearance issues with your front mudguard. The rear tyre you've found wont fit a standard size SV rim. Its to wide. You want a 160 width tyre not a 180. If you put the 180 tyre on a standard SV rear rim, I believe it pinches / stretches the tyre and it wont sit on the rim properly not something I'd want on my bike. It will also slow the steering down.

Personally if it were me I would and have stuck to standard size tyres. Your bikes designed with those in mind.

Hope thats useful.

As fizz said the front will be ok the are a few members running a 70 profile frot tyre. The rear will not fit on the standard rim and will be dangerous! You will need a 5.5in rim to fit the 180 section tyre and some spacers and slight modifing to fit the wider rim! But it can be done!!



It's a 1200 Bandit rear wheel fitted into a 1999 curvey.

Thanks for your help guys, I've got a Daytona 675 which is what the spare wheels and tyres are for. I'll save them for that, or possibly flog them on ebay!

Cheers,

Mart

Originally Posted by fizzwheel

the first number is the width of the tyre, the 2nd number is the height of the sidewall. The letters are the speed rating, the last number is the rim size.

So a 120/60ZR17 tyre is 120mm wide, it has a sidewall height of 60mm I think Z rated tyres are the highest speed rating ( but I'm not sure, have a google for it ) and its 17 inches ( I think ) in diameter...

Bit of a correction, the second figure is the sidewall height as a % of the tyre width. Therefore a 120/60 is 120mm wide but (120 x .6) 72mm high, 120/70 is 84mm high. That's a guide as there are subtle differences between tyres. Front no probs with fitment, just need to bring forks through the triple clamps a few mm, as has been said back, no go.