New Tyre on Paso

[duckboy]

For the grand total of $5.18 and a can of bourbon and coke, (plus the cost of the tyre), modified the bike, and fitted brand spanking new rubber today, a Dunlop elite, 180/60-16
It will be interesting to see how it handles. Can't be any worse than that ten year old block of bald nylon it replaced.

[vee2duc]

What about the front tyre?

[duckboy]

what about it?
It's pretty good, picked it up about 6 months ago, and have done less than 2000 k's

[vee2duc]

What type of tyre have you got in the front. In germany its realy difficult to get a fitting pair of tyres in use...

[duckboy]

I was able to get (one of the last) standard tyre for the front. Michelin 130/60.16
I usually only replace my tyres as they wear out, not as a set.

[vee2duc]

As i wrote in an other post my tyres are from 1998. For that i hope to try some new size...

Avon Azaro-ST 130/70-16 > http://www.avon-tyres.co.uk/motorcycle/ ... pecs&id=18
Avon Venom-R 180/60-16 > http://www.avon-tyres.co.uk/motorcycle/ ... specs&id=2

In germany you mustn´t drive tyres of 2 different marks. Thats a real problem...

[duckboy]

you will have to offset your chain to fit the rear, and raise your front guard to fit the front.
I bought the Dunlop rather than the Avon because it was cheaper, and as this is a bit of an experiment, I didn't want to invest more than I had to.

[duckboy]

As i wrote in an other post my tyres are from 1998. For that i hope to try some new size...

Avon Azaro-ST 130/70-16 > http://www.avon-tyres.co.uk/motorcycle/ ... pecs&id=18
Avon Venom-R 180/60-16 > http://www.avon-tyres.co.uk/motorcycle/ ... specs&id=2

In germany you mustn´t drive tyres of 2 different marks. Thats a real problem...

A few things to be aware of with the fitment of these tyres...

The bigger tyres are somewhat taller, the sidestand will become very short. the centerstand will no longer touch the ground.

If your rear axle (adjustment) is not past the 6 o'clock position the chain will not be long enough to fit the new tyre in the swingarm.

An old sprocket center (as a spacer) will offset your sprocket by 8mm. You will need five "low head socket cap screws M8x40" (for the heads to clear the swingarm).

Turning your drive sprocket over will offset it by 10mm, so use a second faceplate as a (2mm) spacer... (grind the spline tines out of the center of the one you are using as a spacer) to bring the offset back to 8mm.

To raise the front guard, put (6mm?) spacers between the brace plate and the mounting lugs on the forks.

[Finnpaso]

Very usefull info !!!

Thanks.

[vee2duc]

Yes really. Thanks for the information.

I have controlled the point tyre to swingarm.
There is about 2cm free place and the now 160-tyre is about 1,5cm away from the chain.
Is it possible, that it fits without any modifiction?

[duckboy]

I just measured that on my bike.
without the chain and sprocket offset, the chain would rub against the back tyre.
I'm not sure if the Dunlop is wider than the avon, I'd suggest fitting it and see how it goes, if there is a problem, atleast you will have a remedy.

[duckboy]

I went for a ride today. It was the first real opportunity I have had to do a good spirited and proper appraisal of the tyre.
I checked my chain last night and found the sprocket bolts had came loose, despite the fact I had used Nylock nuts on them, after only 250 k’s. This could have been caused by a number of factors, but I put it down to not being able to supply enough torque through a 5 mm Allen key to tighten the sprocket correctly. So last night, I ditched the spacer setup, and went with the normal chain and sprocket layout. This left a 2mm (chain/ tyre) overlap.
This morning I gently cut in the tyre (it took about 60 k’s to cut a decent groove). Then headed for the hills.
The weather a warm 29 degrees, the roads were in excellent condition, clean and grippy.
The tyre Dunlop Elite 180.60/16 (rear)
I was impressed with the level of traction the tyre offered most of the time, it felt surefooted under acceleration (I couldn’t get it to break traction). Could only be described as confidence inspiring mid corner, it was as steady as a rock, and handled everything I threw at it, even with a bit of dampness on the apexes around the top of the hills. And the bike now has more mid corner ground clearance.
However, this tyre was designed for a much heavier bike, and under brakes was a different story. The tyre offered very little grip under braking. Once the weight was offloaded, it would lock quite easily and skid, (I think it’s called perimeter traction). The back end can come around quite quickly in an emergency braking procedure. And getting ambitious on the down change, into bumpy corners does tend to unsettle it a bit. It’s not anything too horrifying, but it is something to be aware of.
Although I have just noticed a clunk in my rear suspension, I’m not sure how much of a contributing factor to the handling of the tyre/ bike that is.

[Tiger]

Good evening fellow 906 PASO owners. I finally need to replace my very worn front Michelin A59X (130/60 ZR16). I managed to score what must've been one of the few remaining M59X rears a few years ago and it has 75% tread remaining. I've been recommended Michelin Pilot and Dunlop in 130/70 16 sizes. Has anyone tried these? How sinister is size mismatch?

[duckboy]

Hi Tiger
the front tyre will fit a (front) Honda Fireblade tyre, it has a higher profile, but fits the rim. The tyre is effectivly 13 mm taller, so you will have to raise your front guard, and your sidestand will become shorter. I believe there are a range of compounds available in this size (130/70-16).

[Tiger]

Thanks for the feedback Duckboy. Dissapointing that Michelin no longer support the required size. I'll start experimenting again with new rubber.