Tyre query

[appollo1]

Ok i know there are numerous threads to do with tyres and what ones different people recommend.

I have a SV650S on a W reg year 2000. When I bought the bike the seller fitted a new rear which still has lots of miles worth of tread left and the front is still in good condition as well.

After reading through some threads about not mixing different tyres I thought I'd check that the tyres on my bike were the same.

On looking I have found that they are both Bridgestones Battlax but the front is a BT010 and the rear is a BT020.

I sent a message to Bridgestone asking if they were suitable and highlighted my concerns. The reply they sent was:

Hi Ricky

Below is the fitment guide for you bike. You can always find the latest fitments and info on our products at www.bridgestonebikersclub.co.uk.

SUZUKI
SV 650 / SV 650S
AV Ausf. A,B

2

78305
120/60
ZR
17
(55W)
tl
BT 014 F
78308
160/60
ZR
17
(69W)
tl
BT 014 R
2,5/2,9

SUZUKI
SV 650 / SV 650S
AV Ausf. A,B

2

2023
120/60
ZR
17
(55W)
tl
BT 016 F
2011
160/60
ZR
17
(69W)
tl
BT 016 R
2,5/2,7

SUZUKI
SV 650 / SV 650S
AV Ausf. A,B

2

76312
120/60
ZR
17
(55W)
tl
BT 020 F
76926
160/60
ZR
17
(69W)
tl
BT 020 R U
2,5/2,5

SUZUKI
SV 650 / SV 650S
AV Ausf. A,B

2

1189
120/60
ZR
17
(55W)
tl
BT 021 F
1194
160/60
ZR
17
(69W)
tl
BT 021 R
2,5/2,9

SUZUKI
SV 650 / SV 650S
WVBY

1

76312
120/60
ZR
17
(55W)
tl
BT 020 F
76926
160/60
ZR
17
(69W)
tl
BT 020 R U
2,5/2,5

SUZUKI
SV 650 / SV 650S
WVBY

2

78305
120/60
ZR
17
(55W)
tl
BT 014 F
78308
160/60
ZR
17
(69W)
tl
BT 014 R
2,5/2,5

SUZUKI
SV 650 / SV 650S
WVBY

2

2023
120/60
ZR
17
(55W)
tl
BT 016 F
2011
160/60
ZR
17
(69W)
tl
BT 016 R
2,5/2,7

SUZUKI
SV 650 / SV 650S
WVBY

2

1189
120/60
ZR
17
(55W)
tl
BT 021 F
1194
160/60
ZR
17
(69W)
tl
BT 021 R
2,5/2,9



As you can see why don’t recommend the BT-010 on the front wheel of this bike. This is not to say that it would not be suitable but we have not tested this combination and therefore cannot recommend it. It is up to your discretion on which tyres you choose to fit to the bike. The pressure are listed above for each tyre mix we recommend in the table, in Bar, in the last column.

I hope this helps and please don’t hesitate to get back in touch if we can help you.

Now reading their reply they say that they have not tested this combination and therefore do not recommend it.

I am now worried about the combination that i have and can't afford to replace one of the tyres at the moment.

What are you constructive thoughts please?

[fizzwheel]

I ran an 010 front with an 020 rear. I never had any bother and TBH the bike felt really planted on them.

If you're getting on OK with it like that, leave it be and replace when the tyres have reached the end of their natural life

IMHO.

[ophic]

I'm pretty sure the 010 and 020 combination was quite popular a few moons ago. The 010 is stickier and the 020 has better life, so evening out the front/rear tyre change intervals.

i think its a case of they 'cannot' recommend it, as they haven't tested it, as opposed to 'do not' recommend it due to safety etc.

[Luckypants]

The BT-010 front and BT-020 rear combo was very popular with many owners, not just on the SV. A stickier front tyre meant that handling was better without the high wear rate of a soft rear.

One of the issues about mixing tyre brands (and sometimes same brand but different models) is the shapes of the tyre may not match, making handling 'interesting'. This is not an issue with BT-010 / BT-020 as the tyre carcass technology was pretty much the same, which meant the shape was very similar if not the same.

You should be ok with that combo.

[yorkie_chris]

He's right you know.

Other thing to beware is some tyres rely more on the front tyre to clear a path for the rear.

But that said, you're the one riding the bike, if it feels alright, chances are it is.

Ye don't get paranoid... mine are mixed B'stones and they feel fine. They aren't your combo but i've got a 16 on the front and a 21 on the back.

Don't get paranoid if it feels fine, it is.

[johnnyrod]

Some people wil tell you that mixing tyres will result in death, third world hunger, apocalypse etc. but it's cobblers. I'm sure a matched pair work better but an odd pair work just fine.

don't worry about it

having seen you riding on the afore mentioned combination I dont see it as a problem mate, forget about it. You can spend your life over analysing things on the bike, tyres / pressures / suspension / brakes / etc, unless you are some kind of biking god (which i'm definately not) then its worry for worry sake as i'll never outride my tyres etc

I had rampant paranoia for a couple of weeks about my pressures, checking them 2 or 3 times a day, nutter, did nearly 400 miles on wednesday and entirely forgot about them.