Tyre choice - 99 R6

[Noggin]

Hi guys...

I need a new front tyre for my MOT and from looking at the back I figured that I'd go for a whole new pair. My questions are as follows:

1. I have a Dunlop D207RR 120/65 on the front at the moment, should I stick with this tyre size or go for a 60 or 70, as these seem to be the more popular sizes?

2. What tyres would be best to put on?

I don't ride too fast but I would like something thats capable of doing some track days and also stand up ok in the wet as I ride
most of the year. I'm thinking of pirelli diablos or something similar. I just need a hand choosing as they all seem to be around the same prices.

Reviews of tyres on R6s would be nice!

Thanks in advance guys



Craig G(Noggin)
____________________
Current bike: kawasaki zx12r 2002
Track bike: yamaha r6 1998
Old Bike: honda NSR 125 1998

[Rookie]

On a Thundercat, I'm going for Michelin Pilot Power 2CTs. They seem to be the tyre of the moment; I haven't heard a bad word against them.

They've got a hard compound in the middle so you've got plenty of miles in them for the motorway, but then there's a softer compound towards the edges, so you've got a load of sticky grip when you need it.

If you're not doing a lot of touring miles, but like the sound of them, consider just going for the Pilot Powers, they've got fantastic reviews.

[AcIdBuRnZ]

I vote for the Powers too

Cannot say anything bad against them.
____________________
Past: Honda NSR125R >> Kawasaki ER-5a2 >> Kawasaki ZZR-600e1 >> Suzuki GSXR-750Y >> Honda VTR 1000 Firestorm
"Chickity China the Chinese Chicken..."

[Noggin]

I have seen the reviews on them and had quite honestly forgot about them!

I think the whole idea of dual compound tyres is a great idea and I'm seriously going to consider them as I do some major trips to dorset on the motorway a fair bit. Now the only problem I have is what size to get. The R6 has got 120/65zr's on the front at the moment and I can't find this size. What size should I go for?


Craig G(Noggin)
____________________
Current bike: kawasaki zx12r 2002
Track bike: yamaha r6 1998
Old Bike: honda NSR 125 1998

[Rookie]

Unless they went down 5mm in 1999, the front tyre should be 120/60. The rear should be 180/55.

[Noggin]

Some people reccomend putting the 70s on the rims. The one on there is a 65, so I'm assuming they put the 65 on there as a balance between the 60 and 70?

I need G or kickstart, lol!!


Craig G(Noggin)
____________________
Current bike: kawasaki zx12r 2002
Track bike: yamaha r6 1998
Old Bike: honda NSR 125 1998

[Noggin]

I've just checked the michelin website and it looks like they're not producing a 120/60 tyre. Only a 120/70, which means I'd have to go for the 70. That's on the 2CT ones.


Who thinks this would be ok?


Craig G(Noggin)
____________________
Current bike: kawasaki zx12r 2002
Track bike: yamaha r6 1998
Old Bike: honda NSR 125 1998

[Wooly R6]

i am upping mine to a 70 profile when i can be bothered to sort them out - fed up with the shit dunlops and the shit front end grip
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R6 has been sold - 2004 Honda VFR VTEC now sold too - no bike at the moment

[Andy99]

Going to a 70 will make a difference and is well worth doing, I run a 120/70 and wouln't dream of going back to a 120/60, but there's a couple of things to watch out for. A 120/70 runs very close to the fender and at speed some will catch the fender, i run a BT014 and haven't had this problem but some guys running other tyres have. As the tyre is a bit taller you will have to drop the forks through the yokes a little to compensate, i dropped mine about 8mm but 6mm would have been fine.

Andy
____________________
Nothing gets the point across quite like a raised middle digit.

Just call me General Crazypaws.

[G]

As Andy said.
70 profile will speed up handling a bit, however this will be cancelled out by it raising the front end a bit, so best to drop it slightly to compensate. Around 5mm will be fine.
If you don't drop the forks, it can be slightly more likely to wheelie, possibly tank slapper, etc.

Note that 'dual compound' tyres aren't that new; the 020 definitely claimed to be so; with 010 compound on the sides and longer wearing on the centre.

You can do trackdays on a harder wearing compound, but for me I'd want something I can trust to brake as hard as possible on in good conditions; which I wouldn't be 100% sure of on touring orientated ones.
I would go for ones with around an expected 4000 mile life at worst. However, if you want more life you can often put a harder rear with a softer front.
At the moment, I'm liking my combinations of Supercorsa (race) front along with an 010 rear.

[Andy C]

i had Diablos on the SV and really liked them but i think pilot power if you do commuting, some duel carrage ways as i sqaure off my rear from that and defernetly need a 2CT tyre when i ride again
____________________
99 RS125 --> 02 SV650s --> 03 Speed Four --> 92 RXS100 --> 93 CB400sf --> 01 CB600f Hornet

[stewboy]

Ive got 2001 R6 and run the Batalax 014s Great sticky tires but dont expect to get many miles out of them
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I'm sorry its dodgey clutch i dont even know how to wheelie ;o)

[Wooly R6]

also - pirelli and metzler tyres are supposed to be slight smaller in profile and are less likely to rub on the mudguard

i will be trying the new M3 sportec hopefully in the next few weeks
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R6 has been sold - 2004 Honda VFR VTEC now sold too - no bike at the moment

[Noggin]

So I need to drop the forks through the yokes then if I get a 120/70? How would I go about that?

I'm thinking about the pilot powers and also pirelli diablos, metzeler M3s, I hadn't thought about Bridgestones... whats the equivalent in that brand?


Craig G(Noggin)
____________________
Current bike: kawasaki zx12r 2002
Track bike: yamaha r6 1998
Old Bike: honda NSR 125 1998

[Wooly R6]

rather than drop the forks i am gonna put a 3mm spacer (well, a washer or couple of washers) on the top of the shock mounting to keep the ride height the same
____________________
R6 has been sold - 2004 Honda VFR VTEC now sold too - no bike at the moment

[Davo]

At the risk of sounding like a parrot, I'd recommend Pirelli Diablo's. I've got a set on my 99 R6 and to date they've endured, 5000 miles, 9 trackdays and various fast rideouts they've still got a fair bit of life left on them.

[Wooly R6]

have a read on the R6 forums - and make a decision for yourself

https://www.r6messagenet.com/forums/showthread.php?t=86412&highlight=rear+shock

https://www.r6messagenet.com/forums/showthread.php?t=82686&highlight=rear+shock

https://www.r6messagenet.com/forums/showthread.php?t=82403&highlight=shim

and this is what the tyres look like 60 vs 70
https://www.tranceforum.com/R6MN/60vs70-2.jpg

here is a guide of how to shim the rear too

https://www.r6messagenet.com/forums/showthread.php?t=32747
that should be enought to tempt you into a 70 and to shim the rear (but it does say in the guide that there isnt enough threads on the 99-02 models to shim the rear)
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R6 has been sold - 2004 Honda VFR VTEC now sold too - no bike at the moment

[John C]

continental Road attacks

Cheap
Long lasting
Sticky
Deep tread
Excellent in the wet
Even better in the dry
Confidence inspiring one you get used to the different profile

OR Sport Attacks if you want to go mental

[distortion]

If it was a 98 model - you could put any tyre you wanted on

[JonB]

[Noggin]

Hi guys, I've ordered the tyres. Have gone for the Michelin Pilot Powers 2CTs. I got a good price on them too... I think! I got them for £216.50 including fitting, balancing and VAT, but I have to take the wheels off the bike, which is no big deal. Well, actually it is as I can't seem to find a wheel tool for the front. P&H don't have one, so I'm going to try Alf's in Worthing tomorrow.

Its the whole dropping the forks thing that I'm having the thoughts about though... If I can't shim the rear due to the lack of thread, how do I compensate at the fron by dropping the forks? Do I literally undo some bolts and lower the forks through slightly? Problem I face is supporting the bike whilst doing this as I only have front and rear paddock stands.

Any one have some tips? Or near enough that I can ride over to them so they can give me a hand... or vice versa!?


Cheers


Craig G(Noggin)
____________________
Current bike: kawasaki zx12r 2002
Track bike: yamaha r6 1998
Old Bike: honda NSR 125 1998

[Noggin]

Hang on, do I drop the yokes, further down the forks, or drop the forks further down the yokes?

I'm assuming I'd be dropping the yokes down the forks as this would lower the ride height.

This is sounding difficult! I may need a hand!


Craig G(Noggin)
____________________
Current bike: kawasaki zx12r 2002
Track bike: yamaha r6 1998
Old Bike: honda NSR 125 1998

[G]

You are making it so there is more fork showing above the yoke/clip ons. Quite easy to do - loosen one side, top and bottom of the yoke and slowly work the stanchion up the desried amount. Do up and repeat on the other side.

Get to Croix in france next weekend and I can lend a hand .

[Noggin]

I have a bad feeling that being under 21 means I can't ride on the continent...

Meh, well you've answered my question G, so I'll give it a go with my dad. If I get stuck though, I'm going to be raiding the forum members for help!

Have you noticed a problem with the front mud guard by the way?

Craig G(Noggin)
____________________
Current bike: kawasaki zx12r 2002
Track bike: yamaha r6 1998
Old Bike: honda NSR 125 1998

[JonB]

If you have a full licence and insurance to ride abroad then you can do it at any age! 18 I think!
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Be careful whose advice you buy, but, be patient with those who supply it. Advice is a form of nostalgia, dispensing it is a way of fishing the past from the disposal, wiping it off, painting over the ugly parts and recycling it for more than it?s worth.