Bandit Alley

MODEL SPECIFIC => SUZUKI BANDIT 250 & 400 => Topic started by: 97af on November 10, 2008, 12:53:20 AM

Title: Metzeler M3 or Z6 for the B4
Post by: 97af on November 10, 2008, 12:53:20 AM
Ok,I'm strictly a Metzeler bike tire guy so recomending anything else is just ...well you know.... Anyway,I nearly just pushed the confirm order button for a set of M3's but the 150-60 vs the 150-70 thing is really bothering me.There isnt a 70 series M3,just a 60 but the higher mileage Z6 does have the correct 70 series tire available. I have a set of the M3's on my Speed Triple and am absolutely in love with the performance of them,I can only imagine how nice they'd be on the 400.
Bottom line is the 10% difference in sidewall heighth that big of a deal on the 400 or not?
Thanks for the replies.....
Title: Re: Metzeler M3 or Z6 for the B4
Post by: interfuse on November 10, 2008, 08:36:56 AM
LOL. I was a strictly metzeler kinda guy, until I tried pilot powers and then never looked back.
Title: Re: Metzeler M3 or Z6 for the B4
Post by: gsxr400 racer on November 10, 2008, 11:30:57 AM
got pilot powers on my zx7r man do they smoke good :clap: :thumb: got Mich slicks on race bike indestructible also pirelli slick in the garage. I love the feel of dunlop 206-208's and dunlop slick most confidence inspiring tires on the market feel from beginning to end. Just my 2 pennies
Title: Re: Metzeler M3 or Z6 for the B4
Post by: Herr Tod on November 10, 2008, 03:52:48 PM
Bridgestone's BT-016 is an even better tire than the Pilot Power 2CT. The rear tire gives drive out of corners, when the PP would start sliding sideways. It even lasts longer than a PP. Handling is a little slower for the BT-016, they steer like an old set of PP.

On my GSX-R I use used race tires. I kind of refuse to pay a lot of money for new tires when I can get 3 or 4 sets of used race tires for the same price.

My rule of thumb, only use tires from manufacturers that are suppliers for the higher up race classes like WSBK, MotoGP and the lot. That still includes Michelin for me :roll:
Title: Re: Metzeler M3 or Z6 for the B4
Post by: 97af on November 10, 2008, 04:27:13 PM
Well I guess everyone has given me their opinion on what tires to run.Which I really wasnt asking for..and you know what they say about opinions........... :thanks: So maybe I should put it this way.If the almighty Michelin came in 2 different models,only one of which is a 150-70 (which is whats called for) and the other a 150-60,what would you do?
Title: Re: Metzeler M3 or Z6 for the B4
Post by: gsxr400 racer on November 10, 2008, 05:00:29 PM
go for the smaller profile :thumb:
Title: Re: Metzeler M3 or Z6 for the B4
Post by: nos on December 12, 2008, 09:52:16 AM
what is the diffrence between the profiles?
Title: Re: Metzeler M3 or Z6 for the B4
Post by: tomacGTi on December 12, 2008, 10:36:24 AM
About 10mm in sidewall height.

Most performance tires are only available in the 60 sidewall, more sport-touring oriented tires are available in 70 series.

Title: Re: Metzeler M3 or Z6 for the B4
Post by: Chris H on December 12, 2008, 08:48:38 PM
The 160's should turn a bit quicker and the shorter wall stiffens the tire so the bike will move around less, im on 160's the bike runs ok but grounded out so i upped the ride hight with different tie rods.
Title: Re: Metzeler M3 or Z6 for the B4
Post by: 97af on December 12, 2008, 10:22:39 PM
I ended up going with the M3's. 150-60-17 in the rear,120-60-17 in the front with the GSXr's front end setup. Probably going to be a few months before it gets put through its paces. 14 below zero this morning didnt make me very happy........ :banghead:
Title: Re: Metzeler M3 or Z6 for the B4
Post by: Herr Tod on December 17, 2008, 02:26:03 PM
Next time get a 120-70 front. 120-60 is awful :banghead:
Title: Re: Metzeler M3 or Z6 for the B4
Post by: 97af on December 17, 2008, 04:22:53 PM
Next time get a 120-70 front. 120-60 is awful :banghead:

I do have a new 120-70 M3 that I have for another bike. I figured 110-70   /  120-60 was a close match for outside diameter. Whats up with the 120-60?
Title: Re: Metzeler M3 or Z6 for the B4
Post by: gsxr400 racer on December 18, 2008, 11:37:29 AM
i think the 120/70 will give you more tire leaned over but i like which ever turns quicker