Get a Grip, well I need some !!

sulli

sulli

Active Member
Joined
Nov 27, 2010
Messages
39
Reaction score
0
Location
Chickasha Ok
Hey there ZL'ers ! I have a question about tires on my 85 zl900. I have some old weather cracked dunlop elites on it now, but they don't grip good on acceleration and cornering. I'm not a racer but more of a mountain road rider. I've been looking at various new tires, like Shinko 230's ( little softer rubber ). Thoughts on Shinkos 230's? I'm on a budget too so any suggestions on what's best for grip?? What do yall run? Thanks! Sulli OHH can I run 170/80v-15 on the rear??
 
Got a Shinko on the back of the 'Max. Really grippy. Probably just what you're looking for. Cheap too.

Surely you're not expecting to get a 230 on the back of a ZL?

:wassat:

Far as I know, a 170 is as far as you can go with the stock swingarm.
 
Thanks Mad Maxer! Yeah 230 series, don't worry I do it a lot lol. Shinko sounds like the best deal for the money that holds the road! 170's is widest and looks n performs too !! Thanks!!
 
For the money the shinko is hard to beat.
I have a set on my 85 and have no complaints
 
What is the largest width tire that can be successfully run on a ZL having OEM rims front and rear..??

I'm currently tussling with that decision myself. :confused:

SO CAL ZL
 
Shinko makes a 180/70 that will fit but it's H-rated and a different compund that does not stick like the V-rated
 
Thanks Mark and Paul for input. I'm gonna go with the 170/80v Shinko 230 tour master's on the rear and 110/90v on the front. Just need that oh mighty comfort grip on the curves! Thanks!
 
Thanks guys! I needed this info too. Are you ordering online? From whom? I called 3 dealers here and they only offered Bridgestone, Avon or Metezler. They said these 3 are the only brands that carry "oddball" sizes and I could NOT get a matched set! Comments?
 
Kawgirl said:
Thanks guys! I needed this info too. Are you ordering online? From whom? I called 3 dealers here and they only offered Bridgestone, Avon or Metezler. They said these 3 are the only brands that carry "oddball" sizes and I could NOT get a matched set! Comments?
Click to expand...

Get them online from Motorcycle superstore. If you click and buy on the small ad on the left side of the homepage I will earn a small commission on the sale too which goes towards supporting this site. They have good prices and fast free shipping on orders over $100
 
so a 180/70 h shinko will fit and is bigger? sorry i am not sure which number is the width...i have dunlop 170/80h onthere now.....so is the shinko wider but smaller in diameter? tx....I may need to buy ....the rubber aint to bad but mass will measure the tread....so we shall see
 
baresrepeating said:
so a 180/70 h shinko will fit and is bigger? sorry i am not sure which number is the width...i have dunlop 170/80h onthere now.....so is the shinko wider but smaller in diameter? tx....I may need to buy ....the rubber aint to bad but mass will measure the tread....so we shall see
Click to expand...
The first number is the width, the second is the sidewall aspect ratio in percent of width. A 170/80 tire will have a section width (not tread width) of of 170mm and the sidewall will be 80% of 170, or 136mm. But, you can have two identical size tires from different manufacturers and they will be vastly different.The Shinko 180 might have a similar look width to your Dunlop 170.
 
zlMark said:
Get them online from Motorcycle superstore. If you click and buy on the small ad on the left side of the homepage I will earn a small commission on the sale too which goes towards supporting this site. They have good prices and fast free shipping on orders over $100
Click to expand...

Mark......Thanks for the sizing info. When the purchase occurs, I'll make sure to remember to access Superstore from the ZL-OA.

SO CAL ZL
 
Ok so which is wider, Dunlop 160/80v or Shinko 170/80v ? I don't want to loose that wideness look as I have with the dunlop 160/80v now!
 
sulli said:
Ok so which is wider, Dunlop 160/80v or Shinko 170/80v ? I don't want to loose that wideness look as I have with the dunlop 160/80v now!
Click to expand...
Technically the Shinko is wider and taller, but the width might look similar when shinko is mounted. There have to be some pics of the shinko mounted up on this site.
 
The shinko rear
 

Attachments

  • 000_0626.jpg
    000_0626.jpg
    42.1 KB · Views: 13
  • 000_0635.jpg
    000_0635.jpg
    52.9 KB · Views: 13
Still totally unclear to me as to what the WIDEST rear tire might be that would mount-up and fit within the dimensions of a stock ZL swingarm...?? :?: :confused2:

SO CAL ZL
 
I have Metzeler ME880 200/70-15. Bought it for Usd 225 from Ridersdirect on ebay. Needs to be installed without air and then pumped up after installation. I cant imagine fitting any wider than that....
 
helgi33 said:
I have Metzeler ME880 200/70-15.
Click to expand...


Metzeler's allowable rim width for this tire is 5.5 to 6.5". The ZL rim is 4". If you have a stock rim, the tire is probably really pinched in, and not at it's true width.

I believe someone said with the Mean Streak wheel fitted, a 180 or 190 was max without rubbing the swingarm. But yeah, depends on tire brand too.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top