Fitting bias ply tires on a bike with OEM radials?

espro

espro

Well-known member
So I need to change out my first set of tires for this bike, the OEM tires are radial (Dunlop 208SM), but I've been looking at bias ply sport touring type tires since I do a lot of highway riding, and I've heard about tires like the BT016 and Pilot Powers squaring off pretty quickly. Are there issues with doing this? I'll be switching both the front and rear, and won't be mixing or matching.
 
what size are they? front/back.....if you can get a set of pilot road 2's, they will last and are extremely predictable tires.....and offer pretty decent grip
 
Why would anyone want to go back to old sloppy handling bias ply tires that wear out faster and grip less than their radial counterparts?


You have a ton of options in radials, from race compound slicks to hypersport tires , to sport touring tires, to really long mileage radials, to semi-knobbie dualsport radials.
Why bias?
 
omnivore said:
Why would anyone want to go back to old sloppy handling bias ply tires that wear out faster and grip less than their radial counterparts?


You have a ton of options in radials, from race compound slicks to hypersport tires , to sport touring tires, to really long mileage radials, to semi-knobbie dualsport radials.
Why bias?
Click to expand...

Problem is I can't find radial sport touring tires in the size I need (rear 140/70/17 or 150/60/17), heard about issues with available sport tires (BT016, PP[2CT], Conti Force SM) and straight highway commuting, so was looking for other options. Never had to deal with tires, but I'd seen some info about issues with bias ply, which is why I was asking, looks like my hunch was correct so I'll stick to radials. Just not sure which yet
 
Just browse the Parts Canada catalogue, you will find every tire available in Canada from 6 or 7 leading manufacturers.
Avoid track-day tires which will square-off quickly in straight highway commuting.
Something like a Metzeler Z8 Interact would be perfect...
Most dealers do not stock tires anymore, except for a handful of predictable sizes like 180/55-ZR17.
But they can order anything you find in the Parts Canada book, and receive them in a coupla business days.
http://www.partscanada.com/app/webroot/catalogue/2011/mcv2/en/
 
There you go, they have Metzeler M-5 Interact in 150/60-ZR17 size for you.
(The longer-wearing Z8 Roadtec Interact offers only 150/70-ZR17 size.)
The M-5 will heat up quickly, work well in the cold/wet, last forever and still handle any twisty roads you encounter.
But don't expect cheapo no-name pricing though, heheh...
 
Conti Road ATtack is available for you.....150/70/16 will work fine, and may even help to quicken steering a little....the Bridgestone 023 is available as well.......and both are a fantastic tire.
 
Last edited:
150/70/16 will work fine
Click to expand...
I believe he has a 17" wheel omnivore, heheh...
But it's true, 150/60 will have smaller rolling radius than the (stock) 140/70 size.
With the 150/60 your seat will actually be ~4mm closer to the ground.
150/70 getting pretty big though, would have to check for clearance issues...
 
Gryphon said:
I believe he has a 17" wheel omnivore, heheh...
But it's true, 150/60 will have smaller rolling radius than the (stock) 140/70 size.
With the 150/60 your seat will actually be ~4mm closer to the ground.
150/70 getting pretty big though, would have to check for clearance issues...
Click to expand...

the 150 will fit fine with the OEM 4.5in rim

I've used a 5in rim with a 170/60 rear tire on that bike.

If the rim is offset correctly, you can get away with the 170 series tire.
 
I have the BT016s, 150 and 110, on my Ninja 250. I've had them for about 12,000+ kms, with probably another 1-2k left in them. That's including a big run down to Deal's Gap along the BRP, and back.

They do square off with highway commuting, no doubt about it. But they were fine going down the BRP, and riding on the roads in Tennessee. Once I finished the BRP, the rear tire was rounded again. But the 1300km of interstate riding back home squared them off again.

Awesome tire though, definitely recommend it.
 
reciprocity said:
the 150 will fit fine with the OEM 4.5in rim
I've used a 5in rim with a 170/60 rear tire on that bike.
If the rim is offset correctly, you can get away with the 170 series tire.
Click to expand...
Sure the rim is wide enough - that's not what I'm talking about.
Going from a (stock) 140/70-17 to 150/70-17, the rolling radius is ~4mm larger.
Including growth at high speed, clearance within the swingarm would need to be confirmed.
It probably will, but make sure a larger diameter tire will fit.
 
Gryphon said:
I believe he has a 17" wheel omnivore, heheh...
But it's true, 150/60 will have smaller rolling radius than the (stock) 140/70 size.
With the 150/60 your seat will actually be ~4mm closer to the ground.
150/70 getting pretty big though, would have to check for clearance issues...
Click to expand...

OOPS Typo-meant to say 150/70/17
 
Gryphon said:
Sure the rim is wide enough - that's not what I'm talking about.
Going from a (stock) 140/70-17 to 150/70-17, the rolling radius is ~4mm larger.
Including growth at high speed, clearance within the swingarm would need to be confirmed.
It probably will, but make sure a larger diameter tire will fit.
Click to expand...

And I've confirmed it, as has the rest of the DRZ owner community.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Back
Top Bottom