When to replace
 

Just shy of 6k now on my original D220s, and am around 1mm from the wear indicators. Obviously there is a bit of life left as the tyres are still legal, but how far do people let there tyres wear before replacing them? It's my first bike, so I've nothing to compare against!

Keep a very close eye on them - that last 1mm will go much quicker than you expect (probably within a few hundred miles if you are lucky!).

That's what I was thinking. Really helpfully, the cage broke down on Saturday, so I am now having to use the bike for 150 miles worth of commuting this week and then am doing the ACU National Road Rally at the weekend which will be another 300ish miles. Think I need to get phoning round for prices for some RoadAttacks or Z6s!

My Z6s had about 1.7 mm of tread above the wear indicator when I left for the Norf/Sarf run. This is what they looked like 900 miles later (total mileage about 5300) :shock: :shock: :shock:

http://upload4.postimage.org/433204/IMG_1283.jpg

http://upload4.postimage.org/433233/IMG_1284.jpg

I would definitely recommend getting them done before the weekend. I had to back off quite a bit later on the Saturday to try to save my tyres, and really wished I changed them before I went - still, it was a great way to finish them off - apart from getting a puncture :evil:

You should be able to get a pair of Z6s fitted for around £170-£180

When you are down to the rim ;)

I replace when im on the wear bars, however, my current tyres dont have any so just going on what i think is worn!!

Gazza, I would do them as soon as possible. The original tyres aren't great so I would get rid of them sooner rather than later. You'll be amazed how much better proper tyres are.

I've heard that the grip gets better again once the white starts showing through :wink:

Keep them pumped up!

My bike has still got its original MEtzler Z4s on. And the back one has recently started to become noticeably squared off. Milage is only 5300 despite the bike being a 2000 model.

The bike is not handling very well at the moment, when I straighten up and put on the power the back sometimes gives a little squirm at the back.

My local dealer says that he would put a new Z4 on this time and get a pair of something different next time, because he feels that the front should last that long, but after reading that the Z4s don't suit SV650 very well by other posters, I am wondering wether to get a new rear Z4 to match or to go the whole hog and get a new pair of Z6s or other better tyres.

Can someone say what the improvement in handling will be if I move on to Z6s, would it be worth it. I have never been all that sure of the bike when cornering and I am begginning to think that some better tyres would improve the feel.

Thanks in anticipation. :?