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I’’ve nearly driven myself crazy trying to work out what tyres (that’s Australian for tires) to put on my bike. I’ve got two must-haves: (1) maximum dry grip, and; (2) best possible handling. What I consider to be best handling is a tyre that gives excellent balance between front and rear as well as great feedback that inspires confidence at the limit. That is, when you start losing traction the tyre doesn’t just let go but rather you can feel the slide first. I don’t ride in the wet and I don’t do a lot of distance per year so wet performance and wear life are not that important to me. And I’m not concerned about the cost as the cost of one slide down the road will far outweigh the extra cost for the tyre.
So with all that in mind, I’ve found a latest design, sticky, radial tyre set that’s as wide as possible right? Well, that’s a big NO and I’ll explain why shortly. I have to admit that I set out thinking I must have radial tyres as they’re the modern design. But I was never wanting wide tyres; just tyres that suit the bike.
My first source of info was this forum. But I was surprised to see there’s not much up to date information and very little old info that provides any sort of reasoning other than “I like (insert rider’s favourite brand of tyre here)”. So I did a lot of google research and spoke to as many experienced people as I could over the last 6 months. And here’s what I found.
To cut to the chase, I’ve only found one reasoned argument as to what tyres I should use that makes sense to me. I’ve found plenty of cases where tyre and bike manufacturers tell me to stick to what’s recommended. But they generally don’t back it up with much information that helps me understand the reasons. I mean, how could it possibly be right to use tyres with construction design over 30 years old when there are much newer designs, materials and compounds available? So here’s the link to the reasoning as to why I’ve just purchased a set of bias ply tyres for my bike.
https://www.bennetts.co.uk/bikesocia...-classic-tyres
At its very basic level, the reasoning is that the suspension on my 1989 GSX 750F was designed for bias ply tyres and those tyres have a MUCH softer carcass construction than today’s radials. It’s generally a bad idea to fit very stiff construction tyre to suspension that isn’t designed to deal with that stiffness.
So, I’ve ordered a set of Michelin Road Classics. I’m not massively keen on the tread pattern but you don’t see that whilst riding. They’re a bias ply tyre, as was the OEM Metzeler ME33 Laser and ME55A Metronic. So my suspension is designed to work well with them. They’re available in exactly the right sizes i.e. 110/80-17 and 150/70-17 and that means the tyre cross section profiles are far more likely to suit the steering and suspension geometry of my bike. Theoretically, that means better handling. Further it’s a modern silica compound released in early 2020 and my 100 horsepower bike is more likely to bring it up to temperature quicker than a wider radial whose compound has been designed for 150HP plus. There are other classic tyres such as the Pirelli Sport Demon, but they have a H speed rating so they’re no good - the GSXF needs a V speed rating. The same is true for the Bridgestone Battlax BT-45; H speed rating - and I believe the front is going out of production.
Anyway, that’s the theory behind my decision. In a week or two I’ll find out whether it’s just a theory or whether it actually works in practice. I just want maximum fun factor in the bendy bits with predictable high levels of grip, so fingers crossed! Hopefully the fact they’re a modern silica compound with some pretty aggressive grooves, I’m thinking wear rate could be okay and wet weather performance should be really good when I’m surprised by a summer storm.
So with all that in mind, I’ve found a latest design, sticky, radial tyre set that’s as wide as possible right? Well, that’s a big NO and I’ll explain why shortly. I have to admit that I set out thinking I must have radial tyres as they’re the modern design. But I was never wanting wide tyres; just tyres that suit the bike.
My first source of info was this forum. But I was surprised to see there’s not much up to date information and very little old info that provides any sort of reasoning other than “I like (insert rider’s favourite brand of tyre here)”. So I did a lot of google research and spoke to as many experienced people as I could over the last 6 months. And here’s what I found.
- Most tyre manufacturer tyre selection programs seems to avoid radials or provide them as an option for my bike
- Metzeler Australia sent me an email saying they do not have a tyre suitable for my bike!
- I found out that the suspension on a bike is specifically designed for the type of tyre construction
To cut to the chase, I’ve only found one reasoned argument as to what tyres I should use that makes sense to me. I’ve found plenty of cases where tyre and bike manufacturers tell me to stick to what’s recommended. But they generally don’t back it up with much information that helps me understand the reasons. I mean, how could it possibly be right to use tyres with construction design over 30 years old when there are much newer designs, materials and compounds available? So here’s the link to the reasoning as to why I’ve just purchased a set of bias ply tyres for my bike.
https://www.bennetts.co.uk/bikesocia...-classic-tyres
At its very basic level, the reasoning is that the suspension on my 1989 GSX 750F was designed for bias ply tyres and those tyres have a MUCH softer carcass construction than today’s radials. It’s generally a bad idea to fit very stiff construction tyre to suspension that isn’t designed to deal with that stiffness.
So, I’ve ordered a set of Michelin Road Classics. I’m not massively keen on the tread pattern but you don’t see that whilst riding. They’re a bias ply tyre, as was the OEM Metzeler ME33 Laser and ME55A Metronic. So my suspension is designed to work well with them. They’re available in exactly the right sizes i.e. 110/80-17 and 150/70-17 and that means the tyre cross section profiles are far more likely to suit the steering and suspension geometry of my bike. Theoretically, that means better handling. Further it’s a modern silica compound released in early 2020 and my 100 horsepower bike is more likely to bring it up to temperature quicker than a wider radial whose compound has been designed for 150HP plus. There are other classic tyres such as the Pirelli Sport Demon, but they have a H speed rating so they’re no good - the GSXF needs a V speed rating. The same is true for the Bridgestone Battlax BT-45; H speed rating - and I believe the front is going out of production.
Anyway, that’s the theory behind my decision. In a week or two I’ll find out whether it’s just a theory or whether it actually works in practice. I just want maximum fun factor in the bendy bits with predictable high levels of grip, so fingers crossed! Hopefully the fact they’re a modern silica compound with some pretty aggressive grooves, I’m thinking wear rate could be okay and wet weather performance should be really good when I’m surprised by a summer storm.
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