What do you think Michelin M1's or Conti road attack's?

I have read reviews abotu the Conti's and liek how they are a durable, but sticky road tire.  I am not sure if the 150-70-17 will fit on a 4.5 rim.  And I am unsure how I feel about a 150 on a 3.5 rim.  Per Run Silent it was ok by Conti and fit.

What do you guys think?

Turd Furgeson has the M1s on his Kat wheel. 160 rear tire size, 110 front.

I have a 150/60 pilot power on my Kat wheel, 110 front. It fits fine.

If the manufacturer says that their 150 on a 3.5" rim is okay, then it should be okay. Most manufacturers don't approve that wide of a tire for a 3.5" rim however.

Sport touring radials that are currently approved by their makers for fitment of the 150/70/17 on the 3.5" rim include the Bridgestone BT020, Metzeler Z6, Conti Road Attack, Contiforce, and Pirelli Diablo Strada.  None of these makers currently approve the fitment in this country of the 150/60/17 sport/supersport radial tires on 3.5" rims. 

Most approve the fitment of their bias ply sport touring tires in the 150/70/17 size on the 3.5" rim including the Dunlop GT501, the not released yet Avon Roadrider, BT45 H but not V, Lasertecs, and Sport Demons.

<I am not sure if the 150-70-17 will fit on a 4.5 rim>

The 4.0" rim is the preferred size for the 150/70 tire and all the tire makers I can think of approve of their fitment on the 4.5" rims, both radial and bias including the Road Attacks.

<What do you think Michelin M1's>

Think you must mean the Metzeler M-1 Sportec, it's fast becoming obsolete although there are quite a few left overs around if you really want them.  They have been replaced by the new M-3 Sportec for which Metz claims improved dry grip, improved wet grip, and longer life than the M-1.  Way to go I think if you want Sportecs unless you find a really good deal on left over M-1's.

Remember the 150/60 is the size Pablo had the falling in feeling with when worn, a Pilot Sport as I recall.  I had no problem with the 150/70 Lasertec I just removed with 10k miles on it and no problems at all with the excellent gripping Road Attack I now have about 1k on and am running with the left over Lasertec front.  Best I've had yet, but I only do sport touring tires on the OE rim and don't try the shorter lived supersports.

Yup, take anything gsJack says as bible.  I'm not joking here.

I've got a 160/60 ZR17 M-1 on my bike, and yes, they are pretty much becoming obsolete.  They are old technology.  Try the Sportec M-3...it supposed to be a superb tire.



-Turd.

What's a good online source for tires?  I'm watching for deals and plan on changing tires over the winter, the front Metz on my GS is old and starting to crack up on the sidewalls, the rear is a "Chen Shing" or some such brand from Taiwan I've never heard of.  Both have alright tread amounts but they don't instill a lot of confidence.

Quote from: pres589 on September 07, 2006, 07:57:56 PM
What's a good online source for tires?  I'm watching for deals and plan on changing tires over the winter, the front Metz on my GS is old and starting to crack up on the sidewalls, the rear is a "Chen Shing" or some such brand from Taiwan I've never heard of.  Both have alright tread amounts but they don't instill a lot of confidence.

I've got all my tires (1 Sport Demon front, 2 Sport Demon rear, and a set of Pilot Powers) from www.motorcycle-superstore.com

They were the cheapest of any online retailer every single time.

Quote from: AlphaFire X5 on September 07, 2006, 08:10:52 PM

Quote from: pres589 on September 07, 2006, 07:57:56 PM
What's a good online source for tires?  I'm watching for deals and plan on changing tires over the winter, the front Metz on my GS is old and starting to crack up on the sidewalls, the rear is a "Chen Shing" or some such brand from Taiwan I've never heard of.  Both have alright tread amounts but they don't instill a lot of confidence.

I've got all my tires (1 Sport Demon front, 2 Sport Demon rear, and a set of Pilot Powers) from www.motorcycle-superstore.com

They were the cheapest of any online retailer every single time.

+1

They've been the cheapest every time I've looked at tires.  I don't even bother looking elsewhere any more.

-Turd.

I'd ideally like to use the conti road attack 160-60-17 on the 4.5 rim that I have.  I'm am worried that because of the larger rim it will not fit (after modification to the break line).  I believe Turd Furguson is the only one I know using the 160-60 but I think it fits because he is using the 4.0 rim, which resutls in a smaller diameter?

HAs anyone been able to sqeeze a 160 on a 4.5 rim?

Quote from: Whatever6060 on September 08, 2006, 07:20:41 AM
I'd ideally like to use the conti road attack 160-60-17 on the 4.5 rim that I have.  I'm am worried that because of the larger rim it will not fit (after modification to the break line).  I believe Turd Furguson is the only one I know using the 160-60 but I think it fits because he is using the 4.0 rim, which resutls in a smaller diameter?

HAs anyone been able to sqeeze a 160 on a 4.5 rim?

He is actually using a '98+ Katana rear rim, which is 4.5" in diameter. His 160 fit, but when I tried fitting a 160 size Dunlop D208 ZR on my 4.5" wheel there was still interference with the swingarm, chain, and brake torque arm. Even with spacing (as outlined in the Katana Rear Wheel Swap How To) it still rubbed all those parts. He got very lucky using the M1, I was not. Stick with a 150 on the 4.5" rim to avoid anything like that happening.

The preferred rim width for the 160/60/17 Road Attack is a 4.5" rim, no problem, no squeeze fitting the tire to the rim.  Tire should be about 161 mm wide on the 4.5" rim.  Any problems would be in fitting the tire/rim to the bike with adequate clearance and lining up the chain drive sprockets.

The same tire on a 4.0" rim would be about 5 mm narrower.  There is no significant difference in the tire dia with these rim width changes.

Just noted Alpha's post, I agree, best stick with the 150/70 an approved fitment on the 4.5" rim.

I concur.  I seemed to have gotten lucky, as it looks like many other 160's are wider than the Sportec M-1.  I would deffinately reccomend a 150 on the 4.5" rim.

-Turd.

Metzeler agrees and concurs too!     Their fitment guide calls for a 150/70/17 Z6 on the 98-05 Katana 4.5" rims.   

turd, how is the handleing of the bike with that wide tire?

i am track preping the gs now and the wider rear is on my list, plus a 120/60-17 or 120/70-17 not sure which yet a little help