Front tyre profile

Hi

Need to change my front tyre on my K4 and I'm thinking of changing the profile from the standard 160/70 to 160/60. This SHOULD theoretically make the steering slightly heavier but make my bike turn in slightly quicker. Is my assumption correct and has anybody had any experience with this?

Cheers
Deon

This is confusing. Unless the specs for SVs are radically different in SA the front tyre will be a 120/60, with a 160/60 on the rear .

Changing the the front to a 120/70 might make the front a little slower and more stable but after hearing what others have said, the difference it will make is very minimal and you're unlikely to notice it. Could also possibly affect your insurance as it would make the bike different from the original spec and they can be funny about these things.


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Originally Posted by jonboy

This is confusing. Unless the specs for SVs are radically different in SA the front tyre will be a 120/60, with a 160/60 on the rear .

Stop any saffer in the street and ask him how big the potholes get down here...

But you are correct, I meant to say from 120/70 (That's what it came out with here) to 120/60... As for original spec... I've got a custom built xhorst that would get you UK guys in a whole lot of trouble noise wise, a fender eliminator that left absolutely no chance of ever fitting a close to legal numberplate, led indicators rear and the Roca blank off plug whatcamallits where the original stalks came out the fairing bit with the parking lights now being the front indicators... Oh, and red go faster stripes on the wheels... Fortunately we don't get nailed for things like that too often, our cops are trying to be as efficient as yours when it comes to revenue earning, so everything goes as long as you just don't speed (where they can see you).

I've had a 120/70 fitted to my SV. I didn't even notice the difference and only realised when I had a new tyre fitted.

Originally Posted by BigApe

I've had a 120/70 fitted to my SV. I didn't even notice the difference and only realised when I had a new tyre fitted.

ditto.... I knew it was a 120/70 but very little diff

[northwind]

A 120/70'll affect your speedo- IIRC it'll make it closer to accurate! It'll also raise the front slightly and so could slow turn-in. (in theory, it'll raise it by 12mm, in practice I don't think it's that clear-cut) You could compensate for that by dropping the forks through the yokes, if it bothers you. IIRC Bridgestone 120/70s won't fit with a fender extender, but that might be Dunlops.

I'm running a 120/70 Roadtec just now but since I changed the whole front at the same time I can't say what's down to the tyre and what's down to the front. In theory 120/70s have a larger contact patch when leaned over than a 120/60 of the same profile, which is Good, but again in practice that could easily vary from manfacturer to manufacturer as carcass construction might vary.

Hi All,

Just picked up a 120/60, now for the joys of fitting... Thanks for the replies.

Cheers
Deon