Metzeler ME-880 on SV650?

Looking through the Metzeler catalogue I see a match for the rear but not the front. The closest match for the front is a 120/70.
To further complicate things I have long had a preference to bias ply tyres at high pressures for long distance riding which would mean 160/70 plus 120/70 combination.

Has anyone here been down this road with the SV and if so, what were the experiences?

Cheers

If the manufacturer states a radial tyre then I tend to stick with a radial tyre. Mucking about with things like this can only screw up a bike's handling

In this country at least, you'd be a fool to fit a Metzeler ME880 Marathon to any bike unless it was solely used on motorways. I once rode an early BMW K series with them fitted and the grip was appalling, I dread to think what the wet weather (in)capabilities were like.

There are far better sport/touring tyres on the market, like the Metzeler Z6, Michelin Pilot Road2 2CT or the Avon Storm - all of which give great grip and high mileage.

MEZ6 - i had almost 9000 miles from a rear before a screw killed it off

I didn't mention how or where I ride.

Most of my riding is droning along at 70-80mph on very long and straight roads which don't get particularly slippery even when wet. Usually the temperature is over 30C when it rains and if the road temps drop a lot there is usually so much water around that there is flooding - I live in the tropics. The roads get hot enough to blister some tyres if they are not looked after right and an average winters day here is about the best summers day in the UK (I have spent a bit of time there) so operating conditions are entirely different.

I am also an old fart who still enjoys mid capacity sports bikes, but tends to take it fairly easy. In most company, I am at the back of the bunch - call me a 7/10ths rider who stays within the limits (where ever that limit may be) of tyres and suspension at all times.

From experience with other bikes, the 880 works quite well in the grip department with the higher temperatures. HST, previous bikes have been very forgiving of tyre construction and tread profile.

Also, due to the likelihood that the stock suspension setup is going to be utter crap for my weight (200lbs + gear) and needs, it is my intention to install cartridges (G2-R or AK-20?) and a decent shock (so many choices) from the start. That puts me into the realm of a test pilot with whatever tyre I choose and in that area I am leaving my options open.

What I am looking for is quirks with the SV that may make such changes impractical or dangerous. It is a question that I always ask prior to such changes.


Cheers

Matt

I'd work on the front, crank the preload up on the rear shock to start- I have a GSXR750 front end on my bike and a standard shock and I do need a stiffer rear shock (about 250 lb with gear). You aren't in danger of seriously messing up the bike by altering the shock or springs - if you start swapping front ends you can alter the geometry- still, the SV handles this very well. I'd still fancy a slightly shorter swingarm on the bike to make it even nimbler.

With regards to tyres, I can recommend the Z6, it's a great tyre. I changed mine for a Pilot Road 2 which is also great. The Z6 goes off very quick (±100 miles) which is one of the reasons I thought I'd go for a PR2.

Anyways, best of luck and this site will definitely help you out with any changes you make to the bike!

[yorkie_chris]

Fine with a 120-70 front, however the higher profile may get a little close to the mudguard.

SV geometry is lax, so you should be able to get away with some level of silliness without it biting you

I've fitted a 120/70 into the front of a pointy without it fouling the mdguard, but I didn't like the way it went into corners.

My ex has a 120/70 in the front of her K3 naked and she thinks it handles better than with a 120/60 - both of us are fairly hard road riders with a similar riding style... horses for courses.

Originally Posted by MattCo

I didn't mention how or where I ride.

Most of my riding is droning along at 70-80mph on very long and straight roads which don't get particularly slippery even when wet. Usually the temperature is over 30C when it rains and if the road temps drop a lot there is usually so much water around that there is flooding - I live in the tropics. The roads get hot enough to blister some tyres if they are not looked after right and an average winters day here is about the best summers day in the UK (I have spent a bit of time there) so operating conditions are entirely different.

I guessed you were in Oz but thought the road surfaces there on highways didn't suit wetter conditions. Are you sure that running higher pressures is a good thing with higher ambient temps. I'd have thought that dropping the pressures down would counter a raise in tyre pressure due to the extra heat build up.

I'd say if you've used the ME-880s before and liked them, then carry on.