HELP on Information on tyres.

[jackerydoo]

Hi guys I’m new to the forum so I’m kind still trying to work out if I’m at the correct place to post this so apologies if I’m not. 
 

I’m looking to be getting new tyres for my bike, I’m keen to get the Michelin road 5.

my bikes wheels are 110/70/17 front & 130/70/17 rear. 

My problem is that the rear on the road 5 is only 140/70/17, would this be okay to put on if the original is 130? 
I know it’s not exactly the correct tyre but would there be a massive risk with putting the 140 in the rear, like safety etc will it actually be a massive difference or will it just be a case of getting used to a diffract response of the bike? 
 

if it truly is a big NO NO m, what tyres would you guys recommend instead? 
 

I live in Scotland and use my bike as a commuter and leisure, it’s also a zontes zt125cc U1 

 

i don’t have a budget on tyres just really looking for the best quality. 
 

thanks in advance guys  

[gogs01]

Stick with the original sizes, front and rear.  Bigger tyres will fit, but tend to be worse rather than better.

If you like the make of your front tyre, look for a rear from the same manufacturer, the latest “sport touring” tyre if you’re not worried about budget.

If you really want a Michelin, fit a matched pair - probably Pilot Street ?

[dynax]

You can use a guide like this to be able to compare brands and sizes https://www.tyreprice.uk/search/?veicolo=Moto&larghezza=&spalla=&diametro=&velocita=&carico=&modello=

[husoi]

Not to mention the "legal" side of it. Your insurer will discard any claims on the base that your bike is not fitted with recommended tyres.

Michelin are great tyres and they perform very well in the Scottish wet weather.

[Stu]

21 minutes ago, husoi said:

Not to mention the "legal" side of it. Your insurer will discard any claims on the base that your bike is not fitted with recommended tyres.

 

 

Not true! 

 

Its recommended! not the law they would first have to prove that any accident was caused by the tyres plus there is a % tolerance on sizing when they make tyres so a 130 tyre could be up to 10% bigger or smaller how would manufacturers get around that? 

 

Michelin actually go to the higher tolerance of sizing and are slightly bigger than other tyres their 180 section tyres usually measure 190 I know this as I have clearance issues with a chain on my TL1000s and contacted them regarding it. 

 

Knowing whether you can use the size of tyre the OP wants boils down to rim sizes certain size tyres fit on certain size rims 

 

6 inch rim is for 190> 

5.5 inch rim is for around 160 up to 180

 

The rest I don't know as I never looked in to them as I only had 160 - 190 size tyres 

[bonio]

I've a size larger on the rear of my drz - 150 instead of 140 irc. Been meaning to change the front to match so at least the profiles are the same,  but it rides just fine as it is.

But I read up first in drz forums to find out what others had done and got to work. Suggest you do the same for hhe zontes.

[Stu]

Tyre sizing vs rim size 

 

Tire Size               Rim (inch)

120/90-17            2.50 - 3.00

130/90-17            2.50 - 3.50

140/70-17            3.50 - 4.50

140/80-17            2.75 - 4.00

150/60-17            4.00 - 4.75

150/70-17            4.25 -4.50

160/60-17            4.25 - 5.50

160/70-17            3.75 - 5.00

170/60-17            4.25 - 5.50

180/55-17            5.50 - 6.00

180/60-17            4.50 - 5.5

190/50-17            6.00 - 6.50

190/55-17            6.00 - 6.50

190/60-17            5.00 - 6.00

200/50-17            6.00 - 6.50

200/55-17            6.00 - 6.50

210/50-17            6.00 - 7.00

300/35-17            10.0 - 11.0

330/30-17            11.0 - 12.5

[jackerydoo]

1 hour ago, bonio said:

I've a size larger on the rear of my drz - 150 instead of 140 irc. Been meaning to change the front to match so at least the profiles are the same,  but it rides just fine as it is.

But I read up first in drz forums to find out what others had done and got to work. Suggest you do the same for hhe zontes.

So would you rekon it would be okay to do the 140? 

 

would it be better to do a 120 and a 140 

instead of 110 140 

 

 

 

[Bender]

It's one thing having a tyre bigger than it says manufactured like that, its another to have a size bigger and marked than the manufacturer recommended, only thing to do to make sure is declare it, if its not an issue the insurance won't go up ( it will though as they are robbing.....)  

 

 

 

 

[Mississippi Bullfrog]

11 hours ago, jackerydoo said:

So would you rekon it would be okay to do the 140? 

 

would it be better to do a 120 and a 140 

instead of 110 140 

 

 

 

Larger tyres doesn't mean more grip. It can mean less due to the decrease pounds per square inch contact area. So it depends what you're trying to achieve by changing sizes.

[jackerydoo]

2 hours ago, Mississippi Bullfrog said:

Larger tyres doesn't mean more grip. It can mean less due to the decrease pounds per square inch contact area. So it depends what you're trying to achieve by changing sizes.

I’m just really wanting the Michelin road 5 due to the longevity and the overall performance it offers in dry and wet, but the rear only comes in a 140 and I’m wondering is it best to up size both tyres or just rear 

[gogs01]

I have Michelin Road5 tyres on my bike.  I like them.  My previous bike had Michelin PR4 tyres and they were excellent too.  When PR3 tyres came out, I had a couple of sets of them and, not only were they grippy wet or dry, they lasted longer than any other tyre I had used.

 

If I could get PR3s I would go for them, or PR4 or Road5, but if I couldn’t get them in the original sizes I would get a pair of tyres recommended by the tyre manufacturer for my bike.  Of course it’s your bike so, if you want to try a pair of oversize tyres, please do so and please let us know how it works out.  Good luck.