BMW R1200R R1150R/T F800 K1200R R1100R/T R1250R RnineT Message Board

I need a bit of independent perspective. I bought a set of Michelin Pilot tires for my R1150R and I mistakenly ordered a 120/60 front instead of the 120/70. Can anyone say whether I will have a problem running this tire? Since I haven't mounted it I can return it at some time and expense but I couldn't see any reason why I shouldn't just give it a try. Insight appreciated. - Lee

G'day beemerphile...I just got back from having my new Diablo's fited...I asked them your question and here's what they said...

Putting on a 120/60 instead of the recommended 120/70 on the front will make for a harsher ride (lower profile)...quicken up the steering (maybe)...and make your speedo read wrong...maybe lower.

They recommend the 120/70......hope this helps.

DJ

dear DJ
I was keen to to try a Diablo on the front
What mileage did you get out of the diablos?
Did you find that the front wore badly to each side, while leaving tread in the centre of the tyre?
Did you fit them at pablo's?
I have not got better than abpout 12000km out of my fronts for sport tyres.

Thanks

DT in Melbourne

DT...how-zit goin'...I got more than 20,000 kilometers out of my last set of Diablo's...... ...yeah that's right 20K.

I ride every day but mostly around town...maybe I'm a smooth rider...gees I duno..I only expected about 1/2 that...tops.

I did a quick check around before ringing Moto One...and they were no more expensive..maybe even a bit cheaper..I didn't try pablo's for a price.

They did it straight away...and while I waited...an hour later it was done..they are used to working with expensive bikes and they're very careful.

My last Diablo front was very evenly worn and had no cupping at all.

Here's a few pics...as you can see..I got every kilometer out of it.. ...btw..that's not canvis...it's s/s wire threads.



This morning after geting my new rubber I tryed to cut though the old one to see how much meat was left...gees I sawed for 10 minutes and couldn't cut though it.



Here's my bike back home with all new rubber....

DJ
Thanks for the reply.
I have the z6s on front and back , and have just changed the rear after 10,000k. The front z6 has plenty of life yet, but is cupping and now howls a bit once leaned more thatn 2 degrees. No problem.

Having looked at the diablos they would have less of a cupping problem with their tread design, and given that pirelli owns metzeler and pablos tell me that the metz and pirelli carcass is the same construcition i reckon i can mix the brands ok.

I had the z6 on for a BMW club track day at Broadford and they were fine, although it was possible to lock the front on one of the downhillbits when practicing hard braking.

Also the z6 is the best tyre I hve tried for wet riding, including the Avon ST.

Amazed about the mileage you got though, hope i can get near that.


Cheers

DT

DJ ...

how much did you pay for the Diablos?

You sure got your money's worth out of the old rear -- think I'd have a few reservations about riding on a tyre that worn!

Captain K.

how much did you pay for the Diablos?

It was about $186 and $268 plus tax...so about $500 all up (about US$350)....I know they're not the cheapest tires going..but I like 'em..

DJ

120/60 is less stable & lowers the front end a bit - you may not like the change, but it really depends upon how agressively you enter/exit turns. You may want to soften up the rear sus. while running this 120/60 to compensate for any geometry change you've made. 99% of all road bikes run 120/70-17s, and there's a reason for this.

Just in case, if you mount the 120/60 tire, the speedometer will read a little bit higher. The 120/60 has a smaller diameter than the 120/70, so the wheel has to turn a few more times to cover a mile. By the numbers the speedometer will read about 4% higher and show 4% more miles than actually covered.

Hey I once put the 120/60 on by mistake . I actually liked the handling better in the tight stuff. It was a Z6 . It will screw up your odometer reading somewhat. I Think I got over 10,000 miles out of it However I went back to the correct size on the next tire change .

Thanks for the input. As usual, it looks like the right thing to do and the easiest thing to do are not aligned. I shall return it. - Lee