The 120/70 is going to be a taller-than-stock tire.  I seem to remember that someone used that size without problems, but there's something in the back of my mind saying "Check the clearance! Check the clearance!"

Something about the nuts/bolts that protrude between the fender and the tire....

It might also mess with the speedo.

Well thanks for all the good info guys here's what I just ordered from parts411.com.

Front--MEZ4 110/70ZR17 Front --76bones
Rear--MEZ2 Radial 140/80ZR17--105bones
Shipping----------------------------28bones


I couldn't help going with the 140 on the back.  I debated over and over after reading the posts.  

My mouse just found the 140/80 automatically.

thanks again

jake

I think you'll like the looks of the 140/80.  It does put a little beef on the bike from the profile and kind of fills up the rear end...but dang that's a lot of tire!  You should be able to use most of it in the corners, without having to order "fries with your chicken strips".... :lol:

Quote from: Arpee"fries with your chicken strips".... :lol:

Call me noob.. but what are chicken strips?

by the way the dunlops i have on now are k591's and they don't even make em anymore..isnt' that swell.

oh well it was a good enough argument for my wife.

I'm ordering the exact same tires as we speak, and a 15 tooth front 40 tooth rear sprocket, EK SRX chain, and stainless steel bar ends. My chain has been going downhill FAST lately.

I thought I might just be adjusting it wrong because of the new shock but I checked the play at every position and the chain is just plain toast. I need to adjust it again and I've adjusted it 2 time already in the last 1100 miles.

And now when I rotate the wheel I get a lot of noise from the front sprocket. Not a good sign. Also I can move the chain sided to side a lot more than I'm comfortable with. So, new chain. I figured while I was ording stuff on the revolving debt card (credit card is kind of a misnomer) I got the tires since the rear contour looks like a car tire now and the front is the wrong size.

"Chicken strips" are the unused areas around the edges of tires drom not leaning "all the way over" in turns.  With some wider tires, because of the cross section of the tire, it is impossible to get the edge of the tread pattern to contact the road before pegs, centerstand, and exhaust scrape first.  

Some "riders" like to make fun of people with chicken strips as they seem to think that if you aren't using the edges of your tires, you must not be riding agressively enough.

Bad news from Parts411.com . . . . The MEZ rear has been discontinued and is no longer available    :x  :guns:

Looks like bias for me. When my rear is finally shot I'm going to get the Perelli Sport Demons and give them a try. They're available in the correct sizes and the tread and compound look really good from what I've heard.

Still rather have radials

Quote from: Black SnowmanBad news from Parts411.com . . . . The MEZ rear has been discontinued and is no longer available    :x  :guns:

Looks like bias for me. When my rear is finally shot I'm going to get the Perelli Sport Demons and give them a try. They're available in the correct sizes and the tread and compound look really good from what I've heard.

Still rather have radials

really?
I just ordered mine the other night and they didn't say anything to me at all.

jakek

Quote from: jake42

Quote from: Arpee"fries with your chicken strips".... :lol:

Call me noob.. but what are chicken strips?

by the way the dunlops i have on now are k591's and they don't even make em anymore..isnt' that swell.

oh well it was a good enough argument for my wife.

Dunlop has replaced the ageing K591's with their new GT501's and considers them to be interchangeable and can mix with each other.  They are even better than the K591's.  An excellent bias ply tire, but a bit pricey.  Can get radials for same or less.

Quote from: Black SnowmanBad news from Parts411.com . . . . The MEZ rear has been discontinued and is no longer available    :x  :guns:

Looks like bias for me. When my rear is finally shot I'm going to get the Perelli Sport Demons and give them a try. They're available in the correct sizes and the tread and compound look really good from what I've heard.

Still rather have radials

The MEZ4's replace the MEZ2's, but Metz has continued the Z2's in our 130/80 and 140/80 sizes.  I prefer the 130/80 for the GS.

Got my Z2 from Discount last year and they dropped them after stock was gone.  Got my new Z2 from Southwest this year.

When my new Z2 was destroyed, I replaced with a locally available Avon AV36 in 140/80. I like it very much after Smoky Mtn trip.  Won't wear as long as the Z2 though.  Think I might go with the newer Avon AV45/46 tires next year.  Better tire life with same handling.  New improved tread compounds make a difference.

http://www.discountmotorcycletire.com/

http://www.swmototires.com/

[quote="glenn9171Some "riders" like to make fun of people with chicken strips as they seem to think that if you aren't using the edges of your tires, you must not be riding agressively enough.[/quote]
You will also almost invariably find that those who will give you a hard time for having chicken strips on your tires will have fallen off at least once from riding too aggressively.   Don't let them get to you- buy good tires, ride within your limits, and think of all the repairs you have avoided by not riding right to the edge of your tires or your limits.

Thanks for the words of encouragement Michael, but they don't bother me.  I was just using that as an example of how the term chicken strips got it's name.  

By the way, I only have about a quarter of an inch left on the edge of my 130/70 BT45.  And I have not "tried" to get to the edge.

gotta tell you, a lot or tire shops, wont mount tires purchased elsewhere., they say something about liability. ive got the bt45's on mine, even got the complimentary flat spot in the middle. doesnt affect ride, so im not gonna worry 'bout it yet. ive also heard, that some on the internet, carry discontinued tires, i.e. last years batch. gets you great price, but, like i said, there may be shops that wont touch them. some will. just gotta find. that is unless you intend on,  installing yourself?

no probs there.
i can get mytires mounted and balanced by a local shop for about 13 bucks apiece.  well worth it to me.

jake

QuoteSome "riders"  like to make fun of people with chicken strips as they seem to think that if you aren't using the edges of your tires, you must not be riding agressively enough.

My point is, of course not that people will tell you you're a "wimp" for not pushing the bike to the edge; the point is that a "squared-off" tire is also dangerous...handles pretty bad when you do eventually get to the edge.  The tendency is for the bike to then feel like it's pitching into a corner which can further sap your cornering confidence...no poking fun intended...

Quote from: jake42no probs there.
i can get mytires mounted and balanced by a local shop for about 13 bucks apiece.  well worth it to me.

jake

I hate you. $45 dollars a tire here.  :nana:

$45!!  where's that at so I can make sure I don't go there?

ouch snowman, $45 each, maybe time to find different shop?, some auto shops will do cycle tires also. equipments pretty much the same.

Argh!!!

Got a call from parts411 today. The MEZ2 is out.

now i gotta decide

avon 45/46's?
bridgestone battleaxes?
pirelli sport demons?

i just wanna ride my bike :x