What tires will fit on a 02 kat 600?

[IaAaron]

I have done a search but found the results to be less than helpful, I need new tires, my front is cupped and is getting low on tread. I want to go with the Dunlop Qualifiers they have the front size. 120/70 but do not have the rear 150/70?? my question is will a 160/60 fit on my rear without making to much of a difference? Thanks in advance

Sorry NEWB ?

Aaron

[Anonymous]

short answer yes it will you have a 98+ model it have a 4.5 inch rear rim 160 size tire

[IaAaron]

sounds good man, Yes i have an 02 600

Thanks

[paradoxmd]

long answer...

http://www.katriders.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=7909

read the post by cyberpoet. extremely helpful.

[IaAaron]

again thanks.

With these tires i should be able to go alot quicker around the twisties!!

[katcurvincorners]

If you're looking to go quicker through the twisties, I'd try a 150/60ZR17 . The 150/60 basically has a shorter sidewall than the 150/70 which gives the tire a higher crown. ..... Higher Crown=more room to lean... now, this will make the handling a bit quicker... your bike will want to lean a bit easier than normal... and, it may be a good idea to go up another click on the rear suspension.... just to be sure you don't drag anything going around the twisties.

[The CyberPoet]

If you're looking to go quicker through the twisties, I'd try a 150/60ZR17 . The 150/60 basically has a shorter sidewall than the 150/70 which gives the tire a higher crown. ..... Higher Crown=more room to lean... now, this will make the handling a bit quicker... your bike will want to lean a bit easier than normal... and, it may be a good idea to go up another click on the rear suspension.... just to be sure you don't drag anything going around the twisties.

I feel I need to correct you:

Sidewall height differences within a specific brand & tire type does not change crown angle when used with rims intended for that tire width. In other words, a 150/70 is not any less crowned (nor any more crowned) than a 150/60 when you are comparing tire X to tire X. The only difference is that the sidewall height is shorter (in this case by 10%, or 15mm), which means the tires will suck up less of the bumps before the suspension gets involved (good for a flat clean surface like a track, but generally negatively beneficial on most public roads). In theory, a shorter sidewall will also add a bit more lateral stability, but with modern Z-rated radials from the major players, this isn't a serious concern.

Personally, I don't like the Dunlops on the Kats, but that's just me and my experiences with the 205's and 207's... let us know what you think of the Qualifiers (which I haven't run before).

Cheers,
=-= The CyberPoet

[katcurvincorners]

Cyberpoet - I agree with your point, and I know how the aspect ratio of a tire works, however, with tire manufacturers, not all companies or even models of tires conform to the same size standards. Take for example, the Dunlop 402 (The 130/90-16 made for HD) measured width of this tire is 4.2 inches. Now, move to the Dunlop 404, another 130/90-16 this tire's measured width is 5.1 inches. Same sizes written on the sidewall, but a completely different tire in all catagories. We must also remember to take load rating and such things into effect. However the point I should have made in my first post, is that we are talking about replacing a tire on a bike with another sized tire that is not the OE sized tire. My point being, with a 150/60ZR17 your sidewall won't be hanging way off of the side of the rim comparitively to a 160. Since the tire won't be hanging off the rim, the sidewall will have a bit more stiffness to it, and will hold back the tread surface from flexing under pressure.

[The CyberPoet]

Comparing a Dunlop 402 to a 404 is not comparing tire X to tire X, but tire X to tire Y. When I said tire X to tire X, I mean comparing same-brand and -make tire (i.e. - a Dunlop 407 to a Dunlop 407, Metzeler Z6 to a Metzeler Z6, etc).

Meanwhile, the smallest rear size the Qualifiers he wants are available in are a 160/60ZR17, so your suggestion is moot either way.

EDIT: I explained in extreme details to KatCurvinCorners in PM's why his 150/60 recommendation was flawed. I'll repost the critical part I failed to list here previously: a 150/60 will lose 15mm of tire height compared to a 150/70, meaning the bike will touch down much earlier and lose a lot of ground clearance.

PS - having read the marketing material, I'll expect the Qualifers to last all of about 2500 miles on a Kat at the most before they "go off" (scallop, wear away, etc).

Cheers,
=-= The CyberPoet

[stb000013]

Michelin Pilot Powers are awesome tires too. I am surprised they weren't mentioned yet. 160/60 fits very well. I am very pleased with mine.

[IaAaron]

I want something that will last but i need something better then the Crap-a-dam i have now!

[stb000013]

They say with only some spirited driving and mostly commuting you can get 6k miles - 8k miles out of the rear and 3k - 5k out of the front. Obviously if you are tearing up the twistys this will decrease, but the grip is amazing. Only being on 2 wheels I'm willing to sacrifice a couple thousand miles of wear for grip. That's just my opinion though.

CyberPoet recommends the Metzler MEZ6's on his upgrade page. Those will give you a little more use. But you'll give up some stickiness. Do yourself a favor if you haven't already and read through this.

http://www.motorcycleanchor.com/katana/upgr/KatanaUpgrades.html

I'm sure I speak for all of us when I say thanks again CyberPoet for contributing all your knowledge and experience. It does not go unappreciated.

[WildKat]

Michelin Pilot Powers are awesome tires too. I am surprised they weren't mentioned yet. 160/60 fits very well. I am very pleased with mine.

the pilots are great tires and from what I have seen first hand, and others who have them and from research they wear quite well too.