Tyres - SV650.org

garynortheast · 27-08-25, 10:53 PM

I need new tyres and a 120/60/17 is getting harder to find and more expensive, particularly as part of a pair deal. The cost of a 120/60/17 and 160/60/17 pair can be the best part of £100 more than a pair deal with a 120/70/17. Also the range of available tyre brands that do a 120/60/17 is getting more limited.

I've just read this by tyre dealers Two Tyres and I think I'm going to go for a pair of Pirelli Angel GT tyres with the 120/70/17 front. I may need to raise the front mudguard by a few millimetres and possibly drop the forks by a few mm as well in order to preserve the steering geometry.

I'm just fed up with trying to find a pair of tyres I like at a sensible price.

glang · 28-08-25, 06:28 AM

I ran a 70 profile for a while and actually preferred it. Difficult to quantify because it was a different make but it seemed to turn easier into bends and should in theory give slightly more front end grip when leant over...

garynortheast · 28-08-25, 08:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by glang

I ran a 70 profile for a while and actually preferred it. Difficult to quantify because it was a different make but it seemed to turn easier into bends and should in theory give slightly more front end grip when leant over...

Thanks for that glang, it's good to hear someone else's experience of this. How was the clearance with the front mudguard with the taller profile tyre?

glang · 28-08-25, 12:52 PM

Yes in theory 12mm difference but I never even considered it and certainly never had any problem...

garynortheast · 28-08-25, 01:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by glang

Yes in theory 12mm difference but I never even considered it and certainly never had any problem...

Ah, that's good. It'll save me having to modify the mudguard mounting. Did you drop the forks at all to preserve the steering geometry?

garynortheast · 28-08-25, 02:11 PM

Just got these at a reasonable price (by todays standards!)

Gone back to the Angel ST as I'm not convinced I got any more mileage out of the GT than out of the STs I was running previously.

glang · 28-08-25, 03:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by garynortheast

Did you drop the forks at all to preserve the steering geometry?

As I actually found the steering faster I didnt feel the need to lower the front at all...

garynortheast · 28-08-25, 04:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by glang

As I actually found the steering faster I didnt feel the need to lower the front at all...

Excellent, saves a lot of faffing about.

Sir Trev · 28-08-25, 05:13 PM

I'd vote for try it first Gary - you can always tweak the forks after a few hundred miles if you really feel the difference warrants it.

garynortheast · 28-08-25, 05:36 PM

I'll go with that Trevor. I'll see how it feels before I think about changing the setup.

27-08-25, 10:53 PM	#1
garynortheast Member Mega Poster Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Mid Wales Posts: 2,748	Tyres I need new tyres and a 120/60/17 is getting harder to find and more expensive, particularly as part of a pair deal. The cost of a 120/60/17 and 160/60/17 pair can be the best part of £100 more than a pair deal with a 120/70/17. Also the range of available tyre brands that do a 120/60/17 is getting more limited. I've just read this by tyre dealers Two Tyres and I think I'm going to go for a pair of Pirelli Angel GT tyres with the 120/70/17 front. I may need to raise the front mudguard by a few millimetres and possibly drop the forks by a few mm as well in order to preserve the steering geometry. I'm just fed up with trying to find a pair of tyres I like at a sensible price. __________________ https://teulu.bandcamp.com/releases Blue Curvy S with over 112,000 miles and still going strong.

28-08-25, 06:28 AM	#2
glang Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 611	Re: Tyres I ran a 70 profile for a while and actually preferred it. Difficult to quantify because it was a different make but it seemed to turn easier into bends and should in theory give slightly more front end grip when leant over...

28-08-25, 12:52 PM	#4
glang Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 611	Re: Tyres Yes in theory 12mm difference but I never even considered it and certainly never had any problem...

28-08-25, 02:11 PM	#6
garynortheast Member Mega Poster Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Mid Wales Posts: 2,748	Re: Tyres Just got these at a reasonable price (by todays standards!) Gone back to the Angel ST as I'm not convinced I got any more mileage out of the GT than out of the STs I was running previously. __________________ https://teulu.bandcamp.com/releases Blue Curvy S with over 112,000 miles and still going strong.

28-08-25, 05:13 PM	#9
Sir Trev Member Mega Poster Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: High Wycombe, where the chair factories used to be Posts: 1,492	Re: Tyres I'd vote for try it first Gary - you can always tweak the forks after a few hundred miles if you really feel the difference warrants it. __________________ We are the Goon Squad and we're coming to town, BEEP BEEP!

28-08-25, 05:36 PM	#10
garynortheast Member Mega Poster Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Mid Wales Posts: 2,748	Re: Tyres I'll go with that Trevor. I'll see how it feels before I think about changing the setup. __________________ https://teulu.bandcamp.com/releases Blue Curvy S with over 112,000 miles and still going strong.

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