[Vignesh_N/A]

Originally Posted by ashwinprakas

Hey guys please suggest the stickiest tires available for the following sizes;

•Front – 2.75 * 17
•Rear – 3.00 * 17

I wouldn't mind a small up-size for the sake of better grip, tire life is not a concern, only grip matters.

Thanks in advance.

For Pulsar 135LS 2.75 X 17, I used Zapper FY1. Stock front tyre for R15 V2.0. Phenomenal grip for low powered bikes. Also check for Masseter FX 80/90-17. Do note Masseter FX is only available from 2016 November batch. Post which I guess they discontinued. Here is one.

[kozhissery]

My tire of RE TB500 is almost 5 years old. Though it has life left out (as it has run only about 15000 kilometres as of today - did not drive for more than 2 years due to personal commitment and a freak accident), I feel there is no grip on road. Last weekend got a chance to drive around 1000 kilometres and felt that there is no grip.
I would like to change the tires to a slick one. What are the best tires available for Thunderbird 500 which are very grippy (both wet and dry)?

[GTO]

Thanks to Prasenjeet Das for sending these images in. Heartfelt gratitude for sharing it with other enthusiasts via this Team-BHP page!

Apollo Tyres have launched new radial tyres for motorcycles upto 400 CC which go by the name "Apollo Alpha H1". The tyre comes with W-rated speed rating. The sizes available are 150/60 R17 and 110/70 R17. The tyres have reached dealerships and are available with some launch discounts.

[IshaanIan]

Saw these tyres on the service manager's bike at the KTM service center where I give my bike to. He was testing them at the time apparently these tyres had been exclusively tested on the KTM RC390. He said that they lasted more track sessions than the sportec m5s or the diablo rosso 2s, but they definitely felt stickier. It's a shame that I just bought new Pirellis for my bike last month.

[Urban_Nomad]

@15K a pair (MRP mentioned on the packaging), why would I bother with these when I have the tried and tested Metz, Diablo Rosso and Michelin Street available at ~10k per set?

At least for me to consider these, they have to be priced much lower than the ones I mentioned below; speed rating notwithstanding

[IshaanIan]

Originally Posted by Urban_Nomad

@15K a pair (MRP mentioned on the packaging), why would I bother with these when I have the tried and tested Metz, Diablo Rosso and Michelin Street available at ~10k per set?

At least for me to consider these, they have to be priced much lower than the ones I mentioned below; speed rating notwithstanding

They are expensive but then they do come with a higher W speed rating (which isn't really relevant for sub 600cc bikes) and also definitely feel far more grippy than the Sportecs or the Diablo Rossos.

[pjbiju]

Originally Posted by sagarpadaki

Hi Biju,

There are limited options in 18 inch rim size. You have to make do with whatever is available.

For front, go for the Zapper FS
For Rear, go for Ceat vertigo/Zapper C.

I finally got my tyres changed. I had to do it as a sort of emergency since I had a puncture in the rear tyre and the tyre already had some side cracks. So looked around for available options and what I got at first was the Michelin Sirac Street tyres at one of the shops. However, the reviews mentioned these as very hard and I felt the block pattern was more suited for rough roads.

Finally found a couple of Ceat tyres at one shop. Got Ceat Secura Zoom F 2.75 x 18 for the front and Ceat Zoom XL 100/90 x 18 for the rear. The rear one was the tubeless version which I added along with a tube. The cost was Rs. 3500 for both the tyres together along with fitting charges etc. Did not hunt around to see if I could get any better deal.

As you rightly said, not a lot of choice for 18" tube type tyres or even tubeless ones.


Front Tyre


Rear tyre


My 16.5 years old Pulsar 180 with the new tyres. Will post a better picture later.

[scorpian]

Good Morning everyone.
So i am going to get back to touring on my karizma after a long gap of nearly 6 years post the unfortunate accident i suffered due to someone ramming in to my leg with his bike.Prior to my accident i had been frequently travelling to my bike from goa to pune/mumbai/banglore. Now i slowly want to do some short 150 kms trip and build on from there.

i need suggestions for tyre for the front and am looking at a good grippy tyre that i could use for touring as well city use. Currently the bike has ceat secura tyre which has done not even 200 kilometers but has some very minor cracks and i don't feel safe with it. Its a 2013 make tyre and i guess it has gone past its prime life.
For the rear i recently procure apollo actigrip 100/90/18, i find it decent enough and does its job nicely, its tubeless so that's a added plus.

I would appreciate what make should i go for the front, size is 2.75x18, i would prefer tubeless or do you guys think a tube type is ok for the front.

Thanks in advance,
Manoj.

[sukiwa]

Originally Posted by scorpian

I would appreciate what make should i go for the front, size is 2.75x18, i would prefer tubeless or do you guys think a tube type is ok for the front.

Try Michelin Sirac or City Pro for the front tyre. I have been using Michelin city pro for last 15,000 kms and it serves very well for my usage on City & Highway roads.

[LipDog43]

Originally Posted by IshaanIan

They are expensive but then they do come with a higher W speed rating (which isn't really relevant for sub 600cc bikes) and also definitely feel far more grippy than the Sportecs or the Diablo Rossos.

Hey, i am looking at replacing the Metzelers on my Duke. Agree that the speed rating doesn't matter. But do the Apollo tires really have more grip than the Metz? Also, any idea of the tire life - Apollo vs Metz?

[sagarpadaki]

Originally Posted by pjbiju

I finally got my tyres changed.

Finally found a couple of Ceat tyres at one shop. Got Ceat Secura Zoom F 2.75 x 18 for the front and Ceat Zoom XL 100/90 x 18 for the rear. The rear one was the tubeless version which I added along with a tube. The cost was Rs. 3500 for both the tyres together along with fitting charges etc. Did not hunt around to see if I could get any better deal.

As you rightly said, not a lot of choice for 18" tube type tyres or even tubeless ones.

My 16.5 years old Pulsar 180 with the new tyres. Will post a better picture later.

Your bike looks fab @ 16 years plus. My Pulsar 180 UG3 will turn 11 years soon!

Those are good tyres and should keep you happy with the grip. Ride safe

[IshaanIan]

Originally Posted by LipDog43

Hey, i am looking at replacing the Metzelers on my Duke. Agree that the speed rating doesn't matter. But do the Apollo tires really have more grip than the Metz? Also, any idea of the tire life - Apollo vs Metz?

Tyre life is much better on the Apollo Alphas the only thing that the Metzeller does better is warm up faster. Do give the Alphas a try I'm sure you wont be disappointed.

[neil.jericho]

Originally Posted by LipDog43

Hey, i am looking at replacing the Metzelers on my Duke. Agree that the speed rating doesn't matter. But do the Apollo tires really have more grip than the Metz? Also, any idea of the tire life - Apollo vs Metz?

Here is another option, the Ceat Zoom Rad X1. Evo India had a very favourable review of the same - https://evoindia.com/ceat-zoom-rad-x1/

[IshaanIan]

Originally Posted by neil.jericho

Here is another option, the Ceat Zoom Rad X1. Evo India had a very favourable review of the same - https://evoindia.com/ceat-zoom-rad-x1/

The Ceats are nice but I would recommend them as an upgrade from the MRFs for KTM 200 riders or as an alternative to KTM 390 owners that use the Michelin Pilot Streets. They don't compare to the Apollos, Metzellers or Pirellis in terms of grip. I am speaking from personal experience having extensively tested the M5s (both H and W rated), Diablo Rosso 2s (H rated), Alpha H1 (W rated), Zoom Rad X1 and RevZ tyres on the KTM RC390 and Duke 200.

[LipDog43]

Originally Posted by IshaanIan

Tyre life is much better on the Apollo Alphas the only thing that the Metzeller does better is warm up faster. Do give the Alphas a try I'm sure you wont be disappointed.

Got it. I can work around the warm up aspect you mentioned by taking it easy for a bit longer, not an issue. Only question is - will the grip levels be similar to the Metz's?

Originally Posted by neil.jericho

Here is another option, the Ceat Zoom Rad X1. Evo India had a very favourable review of the same - https://evoindia.com/ceat-zoom-rad-x1/

Thanks. Reviews seem positive, only issue is shops near my place don't seem to stock these.