Tyre recommendations for an XJ600N Diversion.

[krebsy]

The MOT is due up soon and the tyres on my Divvy will need changing. They were relatively new on 6k miles ago (wear wise) but had sat for a while (12 months) without any use and are now showing signs of wear.

Can anyone recommend a tyre service (and tyres) in the Buckinghamsire area? I need front and rear, and want to pay £150-200 quid all in for new rubber and fitting. I'm not too fussed about "Sports" tyres, just ones that give good grip and will last for around 7.5k miles.

Ta,

K.
____________________
What's my New Year's resolution?

1280 x 1024.

[Radnor]

I've always used Bridgestone BT45's on mine and I think I paid around £140 for a pair fitted last time.

They've always done me fine but are not the most sporty tyres available. For commuting I find them spot on

[iCraig]

Your options for the Diversion are rather limited these days with the tyre sizes being firmly stuck in cross ply technology.
Though there are a few decent options to choose from:

Bridgestone BT45's, will cost around £180 a set fitted, they offer the best grip in the dry and wet but wear quicker than most, but very highly recommended by everyone.
I've even done a trackday on a set, and they performed admirably and never lost grip. My last set on a GS500 lasted around 8k for a rear and 10k for the front.

Dunlop Arrowmaxes, cheaper than the BT45's and have OK dry grip but they are appalling in the wet sliding everywhere at any lean angle. A tyre to steer clear from. I have never owned a bike with these tyres on though I rode an XJ600N courtesy bike for a few days with them on.

Avon HKM AM51/52's, a decent compromise between cost and grip. OK in the dry and wet and fairly cheap costing about £130 for a pair. My current set on my CB450 are still running strong having done about 3k on them and there is no sign of wear yet.

Metzeler Lasertecs, quite a new tyre taking over from the M330/550 tyres, I have not had any experience of this model of tyres.
From all accounts they are just as good as their predecessor which I have had experience on. They should be OK wearing and offer the best compromise between value, wear and grip.

[krebsy]

Cheers for the info.

Currently the bike has got;

Front:
Bridgestone Battlax BT-45f
110/80-17-57H

Rear:
Bridgestone Battlax BT-45r
130/70-18 63H

--------

I'm assuming a few things here so please correct me.

57H=pattern
17=17 inch rim
110/80=?

Anyone got a quick guide as to what the tyre markings mean?

Looking at a set of BT45's for around £125 quid. Fitting I'm assuming is around 20 quid a wheel?

The tyres have lasted well but there is a lot of wear on the front from cornering and the rear doesn't feel that sticky in the wet. I've had it slide about a bit in the dry as well, but I think it's mainly me being heavy on the brakes . A front end slide on hot dry tarmac is not a pleasant feeling... .

K.
____________________
What's my New Year's resolution?

1280 x 1024.

[Redd]

I can only agree with the people that said BT45s. I fitted them to my XJ600N to replace the existing BT45s that were old, squared off, and short on tread. Once scrubbed in, it was like having a new bike (well, not exactly, there's nothing like getting a new bike). Sadly I've sold the XJ now so can't really comment on how they last. I must have put about 800 miles on them and they were still going strong, in the wet and the dry

110/80 = 110mm diameter (width), 80mm depth (between the rim and the surface)
____________________
Professional Uberslacker
2006 Kawasaki Z1000 - Black at the front, airbrushed fade to red at the back.
1998 Kawasaki KDX 200 Enduro project bike

[krebsy]

So,

What would happen if I fitted a slightly bigger size tyre on? i.e. 120/80?

Would this adversely affect the handling or knacker something up? I've heard that a slightly wider rear would improve handling....

K.
____________________
What's my New Year's resolution?

1280 x 1024.

[_Will_]

i just recently changed from bt-45s to lasertecs, i dont know about lasertec wear but the bridgestones lasted a round trip of europe and 6 months of riding i dont think the prev owner changed them and he picked the bike up at 15k my bikes now at 23k, perfomance wise the mezelers are slightly better and they are also cheaper cost me £143 fitted for both. i rate them both, for mileage go for bt-45s but if u want a bit more fun go for the lasertecs.

[_Will_]

oh and i had a 1 size too wide with the bt-45s, i think it improves the amount of wobble as i have noticed its more noticeable with the thiner tyre.

[Redd]

[bish777]

I find BTs go very nasty when worn, the dueal compound leads toa noticable step in the side tread which can be offputting.

Good when they are new but frightening when they start to wear.

Id probably go for michelin macadams myself for the divvy (i used to have an XJ600S). I ad BTs and a mate had macs and they seemed far more stable. Wore out far more slowly too.

ME33/550s are very good.
____________________
GSXR1100J

[Redd]

[krebsy]

I've been quoted £165 all in for a pair of BT45's and £172 for the Lasertecs. Sounds about right to me, will pick up the BT45's unless I can find them cheaper locally.

K.
____________________
What's my New Year's resolution?

1280 x 1024.