what tyres to get (i know sorry)

hi guys, sorry i know this has been done before, i looked up all the other threads involving tyres and my head is scrambled.
thought id explain what i need and see if you could give me an idiot proof guide
mot guy said ma back tyre was borderline so......

do i need to change both tyres or can i just change the back?
whats best for an 03 sv650s?
what would give me i bit more confidence?
i cant afford the most expensive but dont want cheap crap
how much should i expect to pay?
and would that include fitting?
thinking about going to saltire suzuki edinburgh are they good?
sorry to ask same questions that have probably been asked 100 times but i honestly havent a clue and im not the most confident person when it comes to technical stuff.
cheers

You want a matching pr of tyres. If the front is not the original & has lots of tread, a new rear to match it will work ok.

If it still has the original, then you probably will want to replace both, & if you get decent tyres the bike will be so much better to ride.

The Edinburgh guys are probably best to advise on a local supplier. If not, Strathearn Tyres in Crieff are popular ride-in, ride-out suppliers.

must be matching pair. bridgestone 020 s are popular but will be about £250 a pair fitted i think. been a year since i had them fitted. i use them and get about 9500 miles out of a pair but i ride like the old woman i am.

dont worry about asking questions we have all been there i still ask stupid questions yet

[dirtydog]

I fitted conti road attacks to my sv, not even scrubbed them off properly yet

but so far they feel pretty good and they were cheaper than the 020's

and i have no idea how long they'll last.



i know that's not particularly constructive but just thought I'd say anyway



FWIW i normally fit 020's

[carelesschucca]

I always find round tyres are the best to fit.

I get 020's from Strathearn tyres!!!

[northwind]

Personally, I've never worried about matching my tyres... I'm not advising that you should do it, just saying that I've covered probably 10,000 miles with mismatches- Roadtec, 020 and Avon Azaro rears, and Sportec and Roadtec fronts, in practically every combination. Just put the matched pair of roadtecs back together for the first time in ages. Never felt the slightest downside from it. The bike tracks right, corners right... Did not too badly at the last trackday with a mismatch too.

There's a school of thought that you can put stickier tyres on the front than the back, but that you should never put a stickier tyre on the back than the front- the reason being, if you slide from the rear in a corner you can save it, if you slide from the front you usually can't. Logical on the surface, but ask yourself, do you thrash around thinking "As soon as the rear slides I'll back off, that's my warning sign?". I don't... It takes the same amount to slide the front regardless of what's on the back, whether it's a bald Mac 100 or a racing slick.

Anyway. I don't know it all, this is just my approach, but I personally don't think twice about mismatched tyres, as long as they're in good shape and suitable for the job. However, if you still have standard tyres, I'd definately consider changing both- it could really transform your riding, and as you say give you more confidence. For an extra £80 or so it'll make a big difference. Consider it a performance mod

As for which tyre? Roadtec, IMO, all the way. Great tyre. Strada is much the same tyre. I've never tried a Road Attack but they seem to be in the same mold- sticky enough to thrash, hard enough to last. Cheap, too. Very few road riders need more. In fact, in many conditions they're better than super-sticky tyres.

Saltire's a new shop, but the staff are all ex-Alvins... I'd recommend them personally, though I'd be cautious as to what you're paying, Alvins had a wee tendancy to overcharge for labour.

[mattSV]

Northy wrote:-

As for which tyre? Roadtec

Seconded - a great all round tyre. Plenty of grip, even in the wet.

I would just suggest going out and putting a pair of tyres on, it gives you so much confidence to have new tyres on after the initial 20 / 50 miles. I agree that Metzeler Z6 Roadtechs are brilliant for an SV, although I never tried Continental Road Attacks which are equally good apparently.

Honestly new tyres will give you a huge confidence boost

Originally Posted by wheelnut

I agree that Metzeler Z6 Roadtechs are brilliant for an SV,

So do I. Had them for 400miles now & they stick to the road like chewing gum. Great it the wet too.

Scary in thunder & lightening yesterday, nothing to do wi the tyres though!!!!!

[Viney]

It all depends on how bad the fornt is. If over half way gone, then whack on a pair. If not half way done, then bung on a rear, and get a new pair next time round.

Originally Posted by wheelnut

I would just suggest going out and putting a pair of tyres on, it gives you so much confidence to have new tyres on after the initial 20 / 50 miles. I agree that Metzeler Z6 Roadtechs are brilliant for an SV, although I never tried Continental Road Attacks which are equally good apparently.
Honestly new tyres will give you a huge confidence boost

I'll disagree there, but thats been done before so i wont carry on.