TYRES |
. |
|
17/12/01 An update on
tyre wear from Stuart Allan stuart.allan@uk.ibm.com
In addition to my email dated 09/08/01 re BT010 tyres I have now replaced the rear tyre for the winter. I managed to get 3500 miles out of it before it finally squared off totally in the middle. |
|
05/10/01 - Kev dropped me this email with a
tyre question. Stubedoo1@aol.com
Hi John, after fitting ohlins fork springs 50% improvement has anyone tried changing front tyre size ie:120/65/17 or 120/70/17? Thanks Kev I've not checked through the Archive. Has anyone tried this? |
|
12/09/01
- From Simone Cooke - simonerulz@pei.sympatico.ca
On a personal note;
I've just fitted a second Azaro 36a to my SV at 9546Mls. The first
Azaro lasted some 4300 miles compared to the 5200 miles from the Metz...
John
I just thought I'd drop a note on my experience with tires for my SV. My original MEZ4 rear lasted 10,000kms and the front stayed on for 18,000kms. I replaced the rear with a Bridgestone BT57 which now needs replacement after 11,000kms but really should have been replaced earlier because the belt is showing in one spot (I know it was stupid to push it that long!). I will be fitting a BT020 rear this week to match the front BT020 I installed at 18,000kms. It took me 2 weeks to get the new rear BT020 and it was the last one the supplier had. I'm glad I found it because the next available 020 wouldn't arrive until December! I'll let you know how I like the new tire and how long it lasts. Thanks John for continuing the work Kevin started. |
09/09/01
- An opinion on Metz from Wee Geordie Gmbiker600@aol.com I think it's
whatever you feel comfortable with. Why is it that some
GP and Superbike riders can't switch between tyre brands?
Bad news on the ban, hope it doesn't last too long, I
guess the winter is the best time to cop a ban :( JohnT. Hi Kev I don't know what's all the fuss about tyres. I have put 13,000 miles on my sv and 4 new metz4's rear and 2 front and don't seem to have the problems every one else is having, I am due to get banned for speeding on the 20th of this month and I dont hang about on it either. I have been to most north of Scotland rallies and across to the Isle of Bute rally the Metz seem fine to me? AM i Missing something?
|
17/08/01 - Price of Azaro's - cheers Dean deandesforges@hotmail.com for the email....
Firstly ive got to say what a great web site! thanks... I was told about your site from a friend who bought his sv650s, only after visiting your great work. He said that seeing news from all these people all over the world that it must be a great bike, so he bought one and loves it.I've owned mine for just over a year and was thinking of part exchanging it for a gsxr600, but no not anymore,im changing the dodgy metz mez4 tyres that i have on it for new ones. This week i bought a pair of Azaro 2 tyres (seem best according to feedback) and will have them fitted Friday. I got a great deal, i paid £68 for front, £89 for the rear, total £157.So if you want tyres give these people a call CENTRAL WHEEL COMPONENTS on 01675 462264, Free next day delivery on orders over £150. I couldn't find them cheaper! I'll let you now what i think of the tyres in a couple of weeks as i average 250 miles per week. Bye bye all over the place metz, hello happiness! |
09/08/01 - Comments on BT010 - Stuart stuart.allan@uk.ibm.com is pleased with
his... just a quick
note to advise that I have just purchased a set of BT010s
at the weekend for £208 fitted for my 2000 svs. Out on a
jaunt on Monday with a few bigger bikes (CBR600s, VFR800s
and a speed triple) and they were well impressed at the
speed and grip of the svs on the tight twisty roads in
the Scottish borders and the lake district as I managed
to keep up most of the time. |
29/06/01
- Comment on Bridgestone BT57 & 020 tyres -
thanks to Stuart Stuart.Thomson@nestle.com I have a blue sv and to date have
completed 12200 km I am on my third set of tyres, stock
tyres 6000 km worn out front and back - hated them
horrible in the wet and not very good in the dry and a
hard ride 2nd set BT57 about 5300km with centre tread
left on the front but worn to the bars at the sides back
tyre down to the bars in the centre bike handled well and
predictable |
21/06/01
- BT020's in use - thanks to Pete PFord@ramar.co.uk for posting The primary use of my bike is for commuting. I have done 17,000miles on my SV650SY, consuming 1 off Metz Front and 2 off Rear. However, I like to enjoy my bike on a weekend on the highways and byways of North Yorkshire (A65 and Devils Bridge) and I've never felt over confident with the Metzellers. who does? I swapped the Metzellers at 16,000 for some BT020's and found a huge Handling improvement, which has increased my confidence .....Knee down time to come !! I'm running a BT020 front and BT57 rear (replaced now by the BT020) and like them very much - confidence inspiring as you say... I'll advise how they wear in a few weeks as I do approx 500 miles per week. thanks Pete |
30/05/01
- More on Azaro's - thanks to Ash rutlea@hotmail.com I am having a reasonable run from my AV36 rear, 2500KMs (2000 miles) and it is about 1/3 worn. This is about the same as the original Metzler, I had a touring Pirelli Dragon GTS between them when I went on holidays last year for 2 weeks riding. I think the reason a lot of people wear
AVONs out fast is they have the rear suspension too stiff
for a tyre with such a high inflation pressure. Nothing
wears the centre of my rear faster than riding on a
concrete freeway but the next worst thing is having the
preload too hard making the tyre bounce and spin over
every little bump/pothole. Putting 40 PSI in the rear
means it will not soak up the little bumps as well as a
tyre designed to run at 36PSI. That's my theory and wear
rate anyway. |
30/05/01
- Even more on Azaro's - thanks to Dave jo.turner@cableinet.co.uk
Towards the end of summer
I had Azaro Supersport AV39/40s fitted, see postings last
Aug/Sept. |
26/05/01
- Avon Azaro AV36 wear rate / customer service -
Much thanks to Gerry gerry.mcgarrity@dundeecity.gov.uk for this info....
I've got Avon AV34 /AV36, and the rear has gone off very quickly. Avon Azaro AV36 terrible
wear rate I noticed a couple of e-mails re poor wear rate
on the AV40, with Avon replacing the tyre. I have had a
similar problem with a new AV36. I put a set of AV35 /
AV63 on the bike at the 4500 mile mark, and found them a
revelation, grippy, especially when cold, predictable and
fun. What's more the rear lasted me another 5000 miles
and the front was down to ~3.5mm (plenty!) Essential as I
did 9000 miles last year. All the best Kevin, your efforts are very much appreciated! thanks very much! |
24/04/01
- Avon Rear Tyre Update - Rich hot_ras@hotmail.com is getting
some joy from Avon...let us know what happens please...
Reference my earlier email
about bad rear tyre wear (Azaro II Sport AV40) I have now
got 0.5mm tread left after just..........738 miles!! I
have contacted Avon and they are sending me a new one
FOC, I just need to pay for the fitting. They are going
to analyse the old one to see what was wrong with it. |
18/03/01
- Avon tyre
appalling wear rate! - Rich hot_ras@hotmail.com burns
rubber... Whats
going wrong? |
18/03/01
- Avon tyre warranty
info - Thanks David davidpotts50@hotmail.com With regards to the confusion about Avon tyres and their warranty :- I fitted a set of Azaro's to my 1200 Bandit (I now have a black SV!) and the deal is this... if, after fitment, you sustain a puncture within 1mm of the new tyre's tread depth i.e. the 1st 1mm, you can have a new tyre fitted from Avon via your supplier. You must fill in a registration form when buying the tyres to qualify, but that's no problem considering the money saving potential! Plus the Azaro's are mega-light in comparison to other tyres thus reducing the unsprung weight (handy with (only) 70 HP available. Hope this helps! |
18/03/01
- The Ultimate
Tyres? - Rory rorymcc@lineone.net kindly donates
Pirelli Dragon Corsa info... I put Scorpion race can on my SV. Less
exciting power delivery as the hole at 5,000rpm is filled
out (to the tune of 10bhp at the wheel-I have the dyno
chart for the bike). I was also dynojetted by a race bike
builder- Irish road racing nutcase (aren't they all
mad!!!) John Donan. |
27/02/01
- Avon Azaro reply - Thanks Stuart STOOSHMAN@carrotmail.com . In response to a recent request
regarding Avon Tyres guarantees, I have noticed in
"The Big Bike Book" from Carnell quote
"FREE replacement tyre if your Azaro is accidentally
punctured or damaged. See Avon road hazard warranty terms
and conditions". |
05/02/01
- Avon Azaro II Tyres Info - Thanks to Gareth garethsylvester@hotmail.com for this
information.... Having read the wondeful reviews on the Avon Azaro II Tyres both on your site and from MCN, I set about purchasing me a pair. After ringing several companies I struck gold and, so I thought I would share it with the other users. The company is called FWR
- it can be found in the MCN bikemart section, sorry I
haven't got the No to hand - anyway I bought a AV36A an a
AV35 for £150 including next day delivery - well I say a
next day more like hours, I ordered them about 4pm on the
wednesday and they arrived at 8:50 the next morning. The
guy on the phone was very helpful, and it was quick and
simple. |
22/01/01
- Avon Azaros...some feedback - Thanks Michael michaelsawyers@onetel.net.uk ... I have fitted Avon Azaros and the
difference is huge. No more understeer and it goes just
where you want it to. good... Sadly it was just after I threw it
down the track at Lydden when the front went.... ah...not so good... |
27/11/00
- BRIDGESTONE SPORT TYRE LINEUP - A.Tam antam@excite.com sends in this
information from the States According to Bridgestone's advertisements
and information from the magazines on this side of the
pond, the Bridgestone tire lineup is as follows: |
31/10/00
- BT010, K&N FILTER AND CHEAP FRONT BRAKE LEVEL
- thanks to Bart sv_biker@hotmail.com for the info ...
I'm Back With some news
from the BT010, K&N filter and very useful cheaper
front brake lever. If you are interested and the readers to we could gather information on parts from other brands or bikes that are cheaper. Yep, if I get enough I'll post a list... |
28/10/00
- CONFUSION OVER BRIDGESTONE TYRES? - No name here
(guzhill123@netzero.net) but he/she makes
a point... I was wondering why people were still under the assumption that BT-010's were somehow superior in performance to the 56's. Has anyone been paying attention? I can pick up any American bike publication and find a Bridgestone advertisement that will tell you that the 010's are a sport touring tire. I just don't want to see anyone get hurt. I thought the 020 was sport/touring and the 010 sport..if the advertising didn't mean to give this message out then they got it wrong..am i alone on this or do others think the 010 was a sports tyre? |
28/10/00
- FEEDBACK ON PIRELLI TYRES - Thanks to Olivier (ocaylus@voila.fr) for this...
Bonjour ! After 9000km of
relatively satisfying service, my stock mez4 rear tyre
was too worn to enter the Parisian rainy season (about 8
months...). I wanted to change for a D207 but was warned
about the bad combination between a hard front mez4 and a
soft rear dunlop. So I bought their recommandation and a
Pirelli Dragon GTS MTR 24 rear I just learn a few critics on this tyre on wet conditions, but I also read that it was a good compromise between wear and grip. Has anyone experienced this tyre and can give us more information about it ? |
25/10/00
- NOT HAPPY WITH METZ - Yet another rider explains
why...this time it's Grant (GBaker@madison.co.nz) turn... Having just come out of the
Southern hemisphere winter (ok, ok, so we're heading into crap
weather and freezing cold!! lol) I noticed that pumping a few extra pounds
above the recommended levels helped the metz4's behave a
bit better in the cold/wet. They had no show of getting
any heat in them during winter. Anyone care to explain if
it's just me or this makes sense...? I've been ridding now for over 14 years and I have never know a tyre to behave as strangely as the Metz4's do. They seem to go through stages of being slippery, gripping well then sliding when hot. Often though to myself "Did I just drive through some diesel..?".... they are gone, but the extra pressure seemed to help. many have found this and my first change from Metz to Bridgestone was a great improvement... |
25/10/00
- AZARO SUPERSPORT WEAR - Dave (dave_turner@cableinet.co.uk) reports back...
Ref your entry on the SV web site 18/8/00 concerning Azaro Supersport wear I had the rear changed this week at 1273 miles, this includes a track day, so the estimate of 1500 was not far out. Got an Azaro Sport this time...might see 2500? Only 1273!! They must grip like hell for that little milage! |
26/09/00
- BT020 FEEDBACK - Ian (ian@luty68.freeserve.co.uk) sends us this
feedback on his Bridgestone BT020's...thank you...
If anyone is doing high
mileage , commuting or touring ,I can strongly recommed
BT 020 front and rear. I had the rear fitted at 12779
miles and currently has 17855 miles on and it has only
used just under 3mm of tread. It still has just under 4mm
left yet!! |
01/09/00
- FURTHER UPDATE ON AVON AZARO'S - thanks for the
ongoing commentary Dave (dave_turner@cableinet.co.uk)... For those of you that have seen my
previous stuff about the Avon Azaro2 SuperSport and their
life expectancy....I'm afraid we will never know...unless
someone else tries it out....... |
25/08/00
- FEEDBACK ON BRIDGESTONE BT020 REAR - Phil (Phil.Davis@international.mclaren.co.uk) sends in good
feedback...thanks... Just popped back to offer a bit more advice. Incidentally, going from a worn-squared off metz to a new tyre changed the feel of the bike dramatically in itself, so i'm trying to be objective. I found this too, it actually made more difference to me than the change of compound. Also, in my experience, as the tyre gets older and the tread is thinner it gets more flex in it. I find that increasing the pressure to a max of about 50psi (yes really) makes a big difference. Only do this when the tread is below 3mm though. and the recommended pressure is 36psi...that's a big difference, I'd be wary of this personally but if it works for you then great..! |
18/08/00 - REPLY TO
TYE WEAR COMMENTS - Dave (David.Lear@cwcom.co.uk) says... Dave estimates his tyre wear to be
1500 based upon the first 1mm mileage. I read somewhere
that tyres wear much faster for the first 2mm than they
do for the rest and hence this would be an inaccurate
method of estimating tyre life. |
18/08/00
- WHEN TO REPLACE? - Andrew (andrew_hunt@madasafish.com) asks... This is a very simple question, but I hope it's not too trivial to answer briefly. I bought a second-hand SV650S through a dealer recently, and love it. However, I'm relatively new to biking and I'm aware that I don't know enough about what I'm sitting on! What I'd like to know right now is how to decide when tyres need changing - I'm a bit wary of asking dealers etc. as I'm sure I'll be told that they need changing anyway, but at the same time the rear in particular looks less than fresh. How many miles can tyres typically be expected to do (I still have the Metzelers), and is there a minimum tread depth at which they should be replaced? Help on this simple matter would be much appreciated. There will be a tread wear indicator (TWI) on the tyres, it shows as several 'lumps' of rubber within the tread groves...spin the wheel slowly to spot them. When the actual tread depth reaches the TWI (i.e. it level with it/them) then the tyre is at the minimum recommended and should be changed. I'm not sure if the TWI is actually the legal minimum tread depth as well...anyone confirm this? You may find however that the tyres square off and you'll feel the diffrence as you tip into corners. Where before it was even and smooth the squaring will feel like not much lean then a lot, it's not so smooth. Different tyres/compounds square and wear at different rates. Read through the archives and below for more info. |
16/08/00
- ANOTHER UPDATE ON AVON AZAROS FROM DAVE - Thanks Dave (dave_turner@cableinet.co.uk) ... Further to my last update of 7/8/00
I now have the rear replacement fitted due to the
appearance of a crack on the original. |
07/08/00
- UPDATE ON AVON AZARO'S - Dave (dave_turner@cableinet.co.uk) sends us this
update on his new tyres.... Update...see thread 430 (in the Forum) and Tyre section. At 380 miles
cracks have appeared in the rear tyre. The dealer is
ordering a replacement. Annoying and a bit |
04/08/00
- MORE ON THE MCN TYRE REPORT RECENTLY - A For Sale in
the Tyre section? Dave (dave_turner@cableinet.co.uk) explains....
Did you read the Motor Cycle News report on tyres, 19th July? The tests used two riders one 10st (140lb) the other 15st (210lb). The tests were: |
25/07/00
- AVON TYRE INFO - Thanks Tony (TonyStorer@grassmere99.freeserve.co.uk)... Have done 6000m on my Mez4 rear and need a replacement, i'm fitting an Avon AV36A. Saw the article in MCN (19-7-00) where various tyres were tested on SV650S. Winner was Avon Azaro 2. Spoke to Avon who recommend (for road use) the AV36A on the rear and AV35 front or AV27 front if you do a lot of wet weather riding (UK!). Also look at this site http://pixie.simplenet.com/motorcycles/Tyres a very good site which seems to confirm the above. Hope this is of interest to those considering a change from the Mez4. |
20/07/00
- MCN TYRE TEST USING THE SV - Thanks to both Gareth (Gareth.Sylvester@compaq.com) and Dave (dave_turner@cableinet.co.uk) for sending the
following information in to me... Having just bought the new MCN, I
would like to draw every SV owners attention to the tyre
tests they have recently performed. The reason why is
that they have used the SV as a test model. |
12/07/00
- XPEDIA TYRES WEBSITE - Steve (steve.james@vten.co.uk) says... Xpedia Tyres are the official supplier of Bridgestone motorcycle racing tyres in the UK. I look after the website for Xpedia (http://www.xpediatyre.co.uk) and I would be happy if we could exchange links. And I'm happy to do just that....it's been added to the links section today. |
22/06/00
- BRIDGESTONE BT010 PROBLEMS - Richard (richard@eglington.freeserve.co.uk) is having
problems with his BT010's... I don't know how many people have had these
fitted, but I got a pair about a month ago, and apart
from nearly ending up in the middle of a roundabout the
day I got 'em (the old Metz's had done nearly 5000 miles,
and were practically worn flat) I've been having a slight
problem with grip. |
05/06/00
- MORE INFO ON BRIDGESTONE TYRES - Thanks Pat (des105@webhart.net) for the
clarification.. Good
info provided however from what I got from Bridgestone
the BT56SS is not being replaced by anything. I said the BT56 was
being replaced by the BT010, looks like I should have
said the BT56R and not included the ultra sticky BT56SS
as well.. The BT56 SS is our highest
performance tire, for the supersport type rider, draging
knees in the canyons backroads etc. The BT010 is the new
sport radial and is replacing the BT57. Several magazine
editors have commented that they think the BT010 is as
high performance as the BT56 SS. The BT010 has improved
handling and grip level at the same time. |
02/06/00
- BT010's DO REPLACE BT56's & BT57's - Thanks for the
good info Daz (Darren.Lough@rbs.co.uk)... I was speaking to the technical
team at Bridgestone about problems with my BT56 not
lasting very long (2,500 miles as opposed to 8,000 from
the last one). The BT010 does replace both the BT56 and
the BT57. The BT020 is their Sports Touring tyre. I just
fitted a pair of 010's to my bike yesterday, and I can
highly recommend them. They heat up very quick, but offer
about 90% of their grip from cold. Plenty of grip, plenty
of feedback = lots of confidence. |
23/05/00
- REPLY TO TYRE EDGE WEAR QUESTION - Hello Jock (jock.addison@dial.pipex.com ), good to hear
from you again... I saw the question from Amir and thought I would pass on my thoughts. There are a couple of reasons that it is difficult to get the tyres on the SV scrubbed to the edge: firstly the profile of the tyres is very rounded compared to some bikes and this means you would have to lean over a very long way to get the edge scrubbed. If you compare the angle you are leaning to scrub your tyres to the point they are at, with the angle required on some of the larger bikes to scrub the whole width of the tyre, you may find there is not much difference. The second problem is with the tyres, unless you can get them very hot (not an activity that is aided by British weather!) they don't offer the grip (or at least that is the way they felt to me) needed to get the pegs down on an SVS (the unfaired bike has lower pegs that you can supposedly deck out on the stock tyres). I have changed my tyres to Pirelli Dragon EVOs that I feel suit the bike well, but I still have not managed to get them to the edge ( <1cm) and sadly not dragged the pegs (the front slides when they are about 1/2 inch from the ground). Anybody managed to scrape the pegs on an SVS and if so what tyres are you on? |
21/05/00
- BRIDGESTONE BT57 TYRE - Chad (tia@nb.aibn.com) says... I see you've made some changes to your site. It should make it easier for people to find what they're looking for but I will continue to read everything I can about the SV. I recently installed a Bridgestone Battalax BT57 rear tire and am happy with its performance. Turn in was much improved compared with the squared off MEZ4. I spend 90% of my time commuting so I gave up the extra grip from the BT56 for the higher mileage of the BT57. My Metzler was severely squared off and down to the wear bars at 10,500 kms. Does that seem like average mileage? I'd say so.. Some people told me to
mount the same rear tire to match the front but it would
have cost $230 for the MEZ4 compared with $135 Canadian
which I paid for the BT57. They are now replaced with the
BT010 so that helped with the lower price. For anyone
looking for a good performing, well priced tyre with
excellent wet weather traction, I recommend the BT57 or
newer BT010. For those of you seeking ultimate grip in
the corners with less mileage, I'm told the BT56SS, which
my friend mounted on his CBR600F4, is hard to beat. The BT56 rear on my
SVS is now at the tread wear indicators after 4500 miles
with no burnouts and hardly any rear wheel
spinning/sliding. My next tyre will be the BT010 I think.
I loved the feel of the BT56 when new but as it squared
off it felt just like the METZ when tipping into corners
i.e. nothing then, as it reaches the squared of edge,
fell in quickly. The usual trade off between grip and
wear... |