Tire combos

Been searching for some new rubbers for next season. Have found a couple good sets that I really like the tread patterns on and I've had good experiences with Avon's and heard some good things about Metzeler's.

Here are the two I have been lookin at.

Avon Venom
www.jpcycles.com/product/210-035?source=...ys&green=14498019848
www.jpcycles.com/product/210-023?N=28003...tt=100/90-19&Ntk=All

Metzeler
www.jpcycles.com/product/217-189?N=0&Ntt=140/90-16&Ntk=All
www.jpcycles.com/product/216-037?N=0&Ntt=100/90-19&Ntk=All

What do you guys think about the H rating on these? Would V's be better? I just haven't found any V-rated that I have liked so far. Suggestions?

Also is a 140/90-16 as wide as you can go with stock swing arm in the rear? I found a 150/80-16 that I liked but I figured it wouldn't fit...

The "V" rated tires would be better I'm sure but do you really need them? Remember that the ratings are for that particular tire to be run at that speed for a certain period of time. So if it was rated for 168mph, that tire would be safe for an occasional spurt up to and past that point and even for a sustained time but not for an extended period of time. Have no idea how long that time period is but you can use a tire for a speed past what it is rated at if you don't hold it there for long. Probably not a recommended thing to do though. I would just buy a tire rated at the speed you plan on using it and pay the extra cost if needed but I have used a lower rated tire on my bikes before. I think an H rated tire is good for 130 mph and most of these bikes won't hit that so I don't think that rating would be a concern anyway. How many times are you going to hit 130 mph and hold it for a few miles at a time without backing off? Proabably only a couple times a week so it wouldn't be much of a concern for most. I wouldn't worry about the H rating. I do believe a 140 on a 16" rim will fit...barely but it will go in there. A 150 is doubrful although with some sork it might fit.

140 on a 18 will fit. Not sure about a 16. Sorry.

I always heard the other way around but I have never done it personally...I know my 130/18 is very close. I know you can get a 140/18 in there if needed with a little work though. I was always told a 140/16 would fit fine.

likes2gofast2009 wrote:
I just haven't found any V-rated that I have liked so far. Suggestions?

I have these in "V" rating on my bike and I like them much:

Pirelli Sport Demon

Oops sorry. I forgot that the 140 this guy did in the stock arm was on a 4.25 inch wide rim. I guess it would still work on a stock 18 but I'm sure you would be much better off with a 130. Here's a pic.

Actually, you are right as that would widen the tire a tad on the 4.25 rim so obviously it can be done. It can be done but it's usually very close. It would be easier to use the 130 tire obviously. I know one guy who has a 140 on a 4.25 rim but he lengthened his arm near the shock mount 2" which put the tire back into the wider part of the arm. They used to use the 140 on a WM6 rim which is 3.50" wide and had clearance problems usually. What they did was put bike in gear and hold a file against the edge of the tire that was rubbing against the arm or chain till it cleared. Didn't hurt the tire as you were just taking some rubber off the peak edge of the tire. Would be better to get it to fit without resorting to this but it just shows it can be done where there's a will to get it in there.

All I know is that Avon makes a road rider that is a great tire.
I have a 120 70 18 rear avon road rider
100 90 19 venom that you have in the pic
great in the rain
good for the 120 my 700 will do
also good tread life for a bill a piece

dont have any thing to say about meltzer

and thats not bad ! just havent ran anything but a battle axe bridge stone and it sucked def a track tire to soft for the road

avon venom's are good tires.
i have them on the v max.
good grip in almost all weather.
there just sticky enough to make me think i can keep up with my brothers r6 with a 600+ lb bike in the twisties.

Lots of opinions for sure. I have always used Metzelers and they were great tires. Recently started using Avons because couldn't find a Metzeler the right size. They seem to be ok also. Last Bridgestone I used was like a rock but that was many, many moons ago so I am sure they have improved over the years. That Road Rider is a good looking tire...may have to try those as my current rear tire is in dire need of replacement. Don't think there are more then a few passes at the strip left on it! My rear tires only last a few hundred miles though. Leave most of them at the track! lol They do ride good and seem to be fine on the street also.

I have run nothing but Avon since 1979 when I used to road race. They have the best grip and the longest life combination for about the best price. ANY of the Avon tires are good. The Venom is their mid range tire and is better than most tires on the market. I used to run the Road Runner (am20/21) which was the step below the Venom and is now all but discontinued. It is still available in some sizes. The The AM26 Road rider is what replaces the Road Runner now. The compound on the Road runner, Roadrider, and Venom is the same and can be mixed and matched.

www.avon-tyres.co.uk/motorcycle/