MK1 RD125LC Tyres (Live & Learn)

[looey]

So,

At the end of the Summer I bought and fitted 2 brand spankers Metzeler ME22 tyres to me 125LC.

After reading and few posts etc., I opted for one oversize on the front and rear (3.00-18F & 3.25-18R................. mistake .

As soon as I fitted the front wheel I could see it looked too big and just didn't look right . Then when I rode it up the road, the first lean into the first corner confirmed my fears and could tell that the oversized front was making it noticeably more reluctant to turn/lean. Probably not so noticeable if you'd not just got off the bike with the correct size front but horrible after .

So no pain no gain, I just happened to be getting a bike on the road that needed a new rear tyre and that just happened to be the same size as the oversized front on the 125LC.

I bit the bullet, purchased another brand new ME22 2.75-18, and swapped the tyres around. What a difference, besides looking right, the bike now feels just right and turns without any reluctance and also very neutral ;D ;D

Also checked the Yamaha workshop manual and they quote ONLY a 2.75-18 for the front but either a 3.00 or 3.25-18 on the rear. Each to their own I suppose but to me another case of Mr Yamaha who spent millions on development knows best.

Anyways, food for thought if you're considering buying tyres for ya MK1 RD125LC.

Laters

[mellow]

i got a pair of black round rubber ones for mine m8

[looey]

;D

Yeah but for those of us who ride our bikes whilst others are washing their hair............ tyres sizes are clearly more important.... ;D ;D

[mellow]

lol.il be out soon enough............only another few months m8

[looey]

By the time you get yours on the road mine will be completely sh*gged and need a complete rebuild ;D ;D ;D

GET ON WITH IT !!!!! ;D ;D ;D

[mellow]

i spent hours polishin the front wheel yesterday....only one side to do

;D

[looey]

Sounds like you're have another bike too good to ride 364 days a year then ? lol

[mellow]

far from it m8.this WILL be a work hack n general run about

[looey]

Dec 29, 2010 13:04:06 GMT 1 mellow said:

far from it m8.this WILL be a work hack n general run about

And you spent hours polishing one side of one wheel yesterday ? lol

[looey]

Yeah mate, it does make quite a bit of difference, hence why I took the trouble to take the brand new 3.00 off and fit the correct 2.75. It's no biggie really as the 3.00 is good for the rear and is good as a front or rear, so will always get used on sommit .

Like you I have a 3.25 on the rear and happy with that.

As soon as I put it on it just looked too big anyway. Probably looked worse on mine having a white mudguard but even looking at yours it looks like the front tyre is as big as the rear, maybe partly because the front mudguard is close to the tyre and the rear end is open around the wheel.

Riding the bike with the oversize front feels a little like something is stopping the bike lean initially and you don't get the feeling with the correct size !.

Well it's food for thought anyway, especially for those buying tyres.

Laters gaters

[looey]

Can't really advise you what sizes as I've never had a Mk2 but with experience I'd say stick to a std size front and maybe next size up on rear.

This is where I've got all my recent tyres, seem cheaper than most other places and £4.99 max delivery.

www.mandp.co.uk/home.aspx?cmd=showFile&arg=AppList_Tyres_Road+tyres

And the ME22's are here

www.mandp.co.uk/productinfo.aspx?catref=505710&tier1url=Tyres&tier2url=Road-tyres&tier3url=Metzeler&tier4url=ME22

[simon998]

I have always got my motorbike tyres off ebay for a fraction of the price of most online shops. been buying them there for years and never had a problem

[looey]

Sure there are bargains to be found and had on ebay but the problem these days is it's all too easy to get sucked into buying everything off ebay when in reality you can often get stuff cheaper elsewhere !.

I quite often see expensive stuff for LC's listed as rare that are cheaper off the shelf from Norbo.

And don't forget that when you add up listing fees, final value fees and paypal fees, you can be relieved of upto 20% of the sale value, and who pays for that do you reckon ?.

Here's an example. Below are 2 links,

The first is the cheapest new 2.75-18 Metzeler ME22 I can find on ebay which is £46 + £6.95 post = £52.95

Second is exactly the same tyre from mandp and is £27.49 + £4.99 postage = £32.48

cgi.ebay.co.uk/2-75P18-Metzeler-ME22-Motorcycle-Tyre-Uni-2-75-275-18-/300438114833?pt=UK_Motorcycle_Parts&hash=item45f381d211

www.mandp.co.uk/productinfo.aspx?catref=505710&tier1url=Tyres&tier2url=Road-tyres&tier3url=Metzeler&tier4url=ME22

[simon998]

I've a list the length of my arm and Norbo's sites the cheapest for disks/pads and random odd's and ends. Surprised how cheap it is actually.

Anyone have any good links for good LC tuning parts? I'm after an old Micron and a few other parts...

[looey]

I bought me last pair of BT45's for me X7 off Norbs ;D

[justinglos]

i used the standerd tzr tyres which were IRC MARBELLAS found them great in the day and after a bit of snooping on google you can still get them if i can find again will post up a link
great in the wet and dry found the Metzeler used let go a bit in the wet

[justinglos]

www.gazbikes.co.uk/shop/irc-marbella-10090h18-nr28-road-tyre-p-1122.html?manufacturers_id=57&osCsid=fab8eb8fcb8bd1691b903c4f9fa9dd8d

found the rear one still looking for the front

[justinglos]

www.staniforths.co.uk/catalogue/Tyres.pdf


NF-23 FRONT 90-90-16
NR-28 REAR 100-90-18