Tire Questions

[Kat-600]

I was hoping a few people on the site could give me some advice on tire sizes. I have a 93 Katana 600 and I am running Battleax's in the following sizes :

Front ~ 110/70-17 (stock size is 110/80-17)
Rear ~ 150/70-17 (stock size is 140/80-17)

I like the rear as is, but was wondering if I should go to a 120 in the front? Would this affect handling by making it better/worse? I was told that when I originally dropped it to a 70 profile, that it would affect turn-in. I was hoping going to a 120 would compensate for this. Metzeler's website recomends a 110 on the front.

Also, I want to switch to a different tire as I have been running battleax's for years on all my bikes. Metzeler's have been recommended by a few people for my bike. Does anyone have any comments on the difference bewteen Roadtec and Lasertec? Metzeler's site doesn't have much a difference between the two, but they have distinctly different tread patterns. I would like a roadtec in the front and a lasertec in the rear if the profiles are the same.

Thanks in advance for your help and sorry for the novel!!

[Court93kat]

Since this is your first post, I will help you out before you get bombarded with "Use the Search". It IS quite helpful though.

Here is a link to a LOT of tire information. More than you may care to read.

http://www.katriders.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=5551

Four forum sections down from Mechanics 101 is the section your question should actually be. Called "Tire Talk" it is FULL of tire questions and answers.

http://www.katriders.com/forums/viewforum.php?f=52

Oh.. go back up and be sure to post up in the "Introductions" section and tell us all a little about yourself.

[Kat-600]

I thought about search about 2 hours after I posted. I figured I'd be a little flamed this morning. Thanks for the thread links, I will check them out.

[Court93kat]

No problem man. If you keep doing burn outs like that.... you and the tire man will be CLOSE friends...

By the way... your bike looks EXACTLY like my first Kat I bought brand new in 93. Nice choice!!

[The CyberPoet]

Re: Tire Questions

Does anyone have any comments on the difference bewteen Roadtec and Lasertec?

Yes.

LaserTecs are generally for light weight, low total-HP very flickable bikes (think Ninja 500) with top speeds under 120... They are also Bias-based tires if I recall correctly...

RoadTecs are for heavier sports-touring bikes with more power, higher speeds and their weight limits reflect this fact. They are also radials (far greater safety in case of a blow-out, and better heat-handling characteristics in general).

Cheers,
=-= The CyberPoet