I previously mentioned that the Contiforce 150/70/17 radial was among those approved by their maker for fitment on our 3.5" rear wheels. Since their new RoadAttack sport touring radial has come out though, their fitment guide has shown the 4.0" rim to be the minimum on both the Contiforce and the RoadAttack. So I questioned Conti on this and just received their approving reply:
<<< Our head technician in Germany confirmed that you will be OK to run a 150/70ZR17 in either ContiForce or Road Attack on your 3.5" rim. I have attached some detailed information on the Road Attack for your review.
Safe Riding & Best Regards,
Greg Reich
Continental Tire North America, Inc.
Sales Manager/Motorcycle Tires
P.O. Box #105
39 E. Main St.
Suite #117
New Albany, OH 43054
Tel: 614-855-6960
Fax: 614-855-6961
E-Mail: greg.reich@conti-na.com >>>
Have been seeing very good reviews on this tire lately like this one from Canyon Chasers:
http://canyonchasers.net/reviews/
In my never ending quest to find the best sport touring tires available for the GS500, I will soon move on to the new Conti RoadAttacks! My 110/80 and 150/70 Lasertecs now have over 10k miles on them and I'll briefly report here that while they did perform nearly as good as the Z4/Z2 and AV45/46 radials, they don't last as long as I had anticipated.
I tried the Lasertec in the 150/70 size rather than in the slightly better fitting 140/80 size because they were the exact same dimensions as a number of the 150/70 sport touring radials and are among those that will fit the GS w/o alterations. Their 149 mm width is reduced to 144 mm on a 3.5" wheel, just enough clearance to the brake rod.
Among those that are 149 mm wide by 642 mm dia on a 4" wheel are the Contiforce, RoadAttack, Diablo Strada, and Pilot Road sport touring radials and the Lasertec sport touring bias tire.
As I continue this never ending quest to find the best combination of tire life with very good handling wet and dry for the GS, I will continue to leave the testing of the sport and supersport tires to the young hot shoes here. :laugh: :thumb:
I assume you will be running the 120-70-17 in the front?
Is there any handling effects of running the wider tire up front?
Also, is there any handling effect of running the 150 tire on a 3.5 rim?
I have a rim 4.5 GSX rim that I was planning on using in conjuction with a 150 tire, but if I can go without it-less work for me.
Quote from: Whatever6060 on August 16, 2006, 09:18:19 AM
I assume you will be running the 120-70-17 in the front?
Is there any handling effects of running the wider tire up front?
Also, is there any handling effect of running the 150 tire on a 3.5 rim?
I have a rim 4.5 GSX rim that I was planning on using in conjuction with a 150 tire, but if I can go without it-less work for me.
I like to try tire mixes as well as trying new tires that come out so I put my Lasertec front tire on about 800 miles after the rear to see how it would run with a AM51 front, I took the AM52 rear off before it was worn out because the handling was becoming annoying. The AM52 is a tire that is already squared off when new, gives a long life but becomes too square as the miles build up.
In over 115k miles on the GS's, I've never tried a 120 front. Only have used the 110/70 and 110/80 sizes so far. I intend to try the RoadAttack rear with the 110/80 Lasertec first. Metz recommends the Lasertec bias front with their Z2 rear as a fitment for the Triump new Bonnies. I'm going to try the front Lasertec with the Conti rear to see how it works since the Lasertecs and the old ME33 Lasers with the same tread patterns have been the most even wearing tires I've had on the GS's. Most fronts bevel and/or cup badly for me, my aggresive riding I suppose. There are many using the 120 fronts on both the GS and EX500's that are happy with them.
The 150/70 tires I mentioned have just enough clearance w/o alteration so I'm sure putting them on your 4.5" rim would require altering at least the brake torque rod. These tires are 149 mm wide on 4" rims and reduced to 144 mm on 3.5" rims so that would be about 154 mm wide on 4.5" rims. Almost a half inch wider on the 4.5 rim.
I had no handling ill effects with the 150/70 on the 3.5, am quite happy with it. Haven't heard of any others having a problem with the 150/70, it was a 150/60 Pilot Sport that Pablo had the falling in problem with after it became well worn. Of course you will probably never reach the edges with the more rounded profile of the 150/70 on the 3.5, but having some chicken strips left is no problem for an old man like me. I'm still riding faster than most of them expect! :laugh: :laugh:
Wow! Good deal on this info. You continue to surprise me every day. I guess we can add this to the list of sticky tires approved for our 3.5" rear rim. Brings the total up to what, 3 or 4 now?
Keep us updated on the new Contis on the stock rim size.
I just received my Pilot Powers today, and they'll be going on (albeit with a wheel swap) by next week.
I'm on the Attack now! Just got the wheel back on late so only put about 15 miles on it tonight. Feels great, new rear tires always feel good. :) Got rain showers forcast next couple days so hope I get a chance tomorrow to finish scrubbing it in on a dry road and pick up the pace and see how good the Lasertec and RoadAttack are really working together. If I don't post further, you'll know it didn't work out. :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: