radial/crossply tyre - I am confused???? :(

[02GF74]

Z1000 A1.

I have Metrzler front tyre I want to replcae.

Rear is Pirelli Match MT08 that is as good as new and ideally I want to match that tyre - seems a good idea.

sadly the MT08 is no longer made and Pirelli have no recommendation about replacement.

peeps on here recommending BT45 but that is crossply.

does that matter? i.e. what difference will it make if rear is corrsply or radial and I fit the BT45?

I have no idea what construciton the rear is; and would prefer not to replace that.

TA.

[m1ks]

Heres an excerpt from a useful site called FWR.co.uk, have a look through their FAQ.

Can I mix tyres?
Usually yes. On the road it's illegal to put a crossply on the back with a radial on the front, but not the other way round. The speed rating should also be enough for the bike's maximum speed, not the speed you normally ride it at. Other than that the law has nothing to say on the subject.
However your bike has been developed with specific tyres. Some bikes are more sensitive to different tyres than others, the ST1300 being a case in point. The main problem with mixing brands of tyre is that you're on your own. The manufacturers obviously can't test every combination of tyre on every bike, so you are the test rider. Your bike will definitely handle best with a new set of matched tyres approved for that bike. In the real world this isn't always practical, and nothing terrible is going to happen if you fit for example a Michelin rear with a Dunlop front. However if you have a newish sportsbike, you've spent a lot of money on a great handling bike, why blunt it by ftting worn mismatched tyres? This goes double for fitting racer's castoffs, most bikes feel terrible with these fitted.These days tyres are designed to wear out in pairs, the fronts generally having much softer rubber than the rears, so the old trick of fitting a sports front and a sporttouring rear isn't really necessary anymore.

Finally, remember that modern tyres are fantastic things, with more grip than you think, whatever type you have fitted. If you're in a corner too hot and you think you won't make it, don't stand the bike up and run into something solid Just lean it over some more, your tyres will grip and you'll almost certainly get round OK.

[m1ks]

I think the MT08 is a bias ply BTW. (cross ply)

http://www.etyres.co.uk/consumer-information/motorcycle-tyres-tips.htm

Useful about page.

[bigmac103]

What about the age of the tyre? I bought a Z1 last year, I didn't know the history but the tyres looked good, by this I meant lots of tread. After about 10 months of low usage I checked the tyres and found that the rear had started to come apart. Still lots of tread but the rubber was separating from the ply. Could this be put down to age? The tyre was an Avon Roadrunner, obviously I replaced both immediately but didn't realise tyres could fall apart like this! I suppose the tyres could of been on the bike for 20 years or more after all the ol' girl is 35 years old.

[Pigford]

There is a way of checking the codes on them for the age.

All tyres will degrade with age - especially in sunlight (no so relevant in the UK)..... and go hard

In the scheme of things, a £100 odd for a new set is not a great deal to keep the bike upright and enjoy

[applesz1]

I agree with Pigford When in doubt put on new tyres.

You only have one life. Good tyres and a good helmet are cheap insurance.

If you have a $2 head fit cheap tyres and buy one of those cheap crap helmets Harley Riders wear. My head is rough but very valuable to me.

Buy 2 new tyres. Beside the piece of mind you get there is no better feeling than pushing your bike through a good set of twisties with new tyres. (Of course that is after you have put a few k's on them to get rid of the slippery rubber preservative)

[bigmac103]

My point wasn´t about penny pinching! It was about old tyres. And I certainly wouldn´t ride arround with a potty stuck on me bonce!!! When I bought this bike I thought it had descent tyres! I was also told these tyre were good. But you know what it´s like, people will say anything to get you to buy something!!!

Pigford actually has a good point about the sun. This bike was out in the sun quite a bit last year and it was very hot, 5 months uninterupted sunshine. This also echos what the Spanish tyre man was saying about Metzeler´s were good for this climate. Or was he guilty of saying anything just sell tyres

[Big Fluff]

Z1000 A1.

I have Metrzler front tyre I want to replcae.

Rear is Pirelli Match MT08 that is as good as new and ideally I want to match that tyre - seems a good idea.

sadly the MT08 is no longer made and Pirelli have no recommendation about replacement.

peeps on here recommending BT45 but that is crossply.

does that matter? i.e. what difference will it make if rear is corrsply or radial and I fit the BT45?

I have no idea what construciton the rear is; and would prefer not to replace that.

TA.

Try the Pirelli Demon Sport 100/90/19. This should compliment your Pirelli MT08 fine as they are BOTH cross ply structure.

Alternatively, fit a pair of Pirelli Demon Sport tyres.
They are very affordable and give excellent grip and wear rates.
I use these on my Saxon and that's kicking out some real grunt.!

[02GF74]

..... thanks for replies so far.

been to ye olde m/c shoppe and sport demons is what the man said for pirelli, but then it was only pirelli in 120/90V19 size, hmmm.

cost, inc fitting is about £ 105 - ouch!!

oh well......