Z-rated tyres on 125 bikes?

[pepperami]

Ok yet again I want to pick the mighty BCF`s brains

As you are all aware I have a Sachs xtc 125 sitting in the garage slowly being made into a reasonable bike???

The tyre on the back is a 150/60 ZR17 Pilot Sport, and a damm fine tyre it is too.
However it needs replacing as it has cracks in it from when it sat for years without moving.
So I`m thinking to myself, does a 125 really need a Z-rated tyre?
What are the alternatives?

I seek your wisdom mighty BCF
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I am the sum total of my own existence, what went before makes me who I am now!

[Fizzer Thou]

The extra expense of using a high performance radial tyre that is capable of over 130 mph is a bit lost on a 125.

How much do you want to spend on a replacement 'H' (up to 130 mph) rated tyre?

Pirelli make a 150/60H17 for £95 here https://www.fwr.co.uk/pirellit.htm
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Just talk bikes.What else is there?

Always have a 'Plan B'

[Kickstart]

Hi

No reason for it to be a Z rated tyre, but Aprilia and Cagiva have both also used Z rated radials on 125s.

I would say find a suitable tyre and just make sure the speed and load ratings are adequate for the performance / weight of the 125. If it is a Z rated tyre then so be it.

All the best

Keith
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Traxpics, track day and racing photographs - Bimota Forum - Bike performance / thrust graphs for choosing gearing

[tatters]

Higher speed rated tyres for larger bikes will also take far longer to warm up.
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[pepperami]

Thank you much !
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I am the sum total of my own existence, what went before makes me who I am now!

[Nexus Icon]

Small caveat here; If bikes are anything like cars then you need to match the speed rating on the tyre that the bike came with from the factory, regardless of how ridiculous it might seem. Insurance companies are well known for not paying out if the incorrect tyre has been fitted, even if the speed rating of the new tyre exceeds the maximum speed of the vehicle.

Google should help you find the standard fitment from new.
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Greetings from Shitsville!

[Kickstart]

Hi

In the UK I don't think that is true.

All the best

Keith
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Traxpics, track day and racing photographs - Bimota Forum - Bike performance / thrust graphs for choosing gearing

[Nexus Icon]

[pepperami]

Right I`ve just got the manual and according to the data the rear tyre should be a 150/60 17r 66WTL / 150/70-17 M/C 69 HTL

So what is that in real money?
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I am the sum total of my own existence, what went before makes me who I am now!

[Kickstart]

[Nexus Icon]

[Nexus Icon]

[Kickstart]

Hi

As far as I know in the UK there is no such legal requirement, or even for the tyres to match the supposed max speed of the vehicle. Although go tanking along at 130 on T rated tyres wouldn't be viewed well (if you survived)! Load ratings are possibly easier to exceed by mistake.

Might be worth confirming with someone with more legal knowledge (eg, TC).

All the best

Keith
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Traxpics, track day and racing photographs - Bimota Forum - Bike performance / thrust graphs for choosing gearing

[pepperami]

[Bezzer]

Think you'll find in UK law a tyre just has to match the weight rating of the vehicle and just a speed rating of 70mph, the legal maximum speed limit for cars/bikes etc. There are a few exceptions for vehicles with a lower maximum speed.
We should think ourselves lucky, in Germany you can only fit manufacturers approved tyres so you might have a choice of only 2 or 3 if you're lucky, also every vehicle must have snow tyres fitted from November to March buggering up the majority of bikes which don't have anything listed as OE replacement.
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I used to be indecisive but now I'm not quite so sure.

[pepperami]

Just got back from the fitters.
I ended up getting a "Dunlop Sportsmax Qualifier" ? 150/60 Zr

Allegedly they had nothing to match the profile that was`nt Z rated??

Anyway I took it and I cant feel any wiggles or squirms coming from the rear end so I can only assume all is ok ?
I paid a bit more than I intended, but it`s done now and it`s one less thing to worry about when riding this particilar little bike
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I am the sum total of my own existence, what went before makes me who I am now!

[tahrey]

Can't the German fitters get away with a lower speed tyre (particularly winter ones) so long as they put a sticker in a prominent place on the dash warning what the car's new maximum safe speed is? I'm sure I've seen them before...

(EG the German wording for "Do not exceed 190km/h!"... i.e. 118mph... chance'd be a fine thing, eh?)

Not really helpful here I know, I'd set a "no bump" switch if there was one, but if it contributes to the global sum of vague and unconfirmed knowledge...