Tire Question

Discussion in '5th Generation 1998-2001' started by Joel Brown, Nov 28, 2018.

  1. Joel Brown

    Joel Brown New Member

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    I feel like a Freshman, at a Senior party (like you guys are cool as s*** and I don't want it to be known just yet that I'm an idiot!) It's probably best for me to shut up and observe - and I did search but, couldn't understand this 100%.

    Long story short, are these the right sized tires for my 98 800 5G? I'm looking to to put like a 90/10 tire, for a little dual-sport look. Just aesthetics... nothing more. I ride in the rain a lot (daily driver/commuter) and think this 90/10 ish, will still keep me in control. I'm not set in stone on these if someone has a recommendation? But, I think this is my tire, if it's fits:

    Continental TKC 70 Tires
    SKU: 1215474
    Wheel Location: Front
    Tire Size: 120/70ZR17 58W TL
    $144.07


    Continental TKC 70 Tires
    SKU: 1215473
    Wheel Location: Rear
    Tire Size: 180/55ZR17 73W TL
    $203.41


    Supposedly this is the factory sized tire...
    Front
    120/70-Z17
    Rear 180/55-V17

    But, I don't know what the 58W TL and 73W TL "means". I know there is room for different tire sizes but, I don't understand those thresholds.

    Hope this isn't too wordy. I honestly a bit nervous! Thanks for ANY direction/insight.

    Joel
     
  2. stubbs

    stubbs New Member

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    Yep, those are the correct sizes. The last numbers and letter you’re asking about are the load and speed ratings respectively, so they don’t affect the size.

    https://www.revzilla.com/common-tread/motorcycle-tires-101-guide

    Post pics after you put them on and a review after a few hundred miles!


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  3. Diving Pete

    Diving Pete Member

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    The last tire thread I commented on was about another member wanting to put SQUARE (car tires) on his bike..
    This I feel is going to go the same way.
    I'd politely mention this is a sports tourer not an adventure bike.
    If you want adventure tires then get 1 of that style of bikes, it will work a whole lot better.
    These tires will should NOT EVER be recommended as a fit on this model.
     
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  4. stubbs

    stubbs New Member

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    Eh, ignore the naysayers. I won’t get into arguments, but as long as they’re the factory size (or even similar), you’ll be fine. Just don’t exceed the speed rating, but I don’t expect you’re planning to hit 145mph on those TKCs during your commute!

    Nobody at Mazda likely envisioned people doing rally events with the Miata, but that doesn’t mean you can’t put knobbies on it and have fun.


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  5. Joel Brown

    Joel Brown New Member

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    Thanks Stubbs and Diving Pete! Really appreciate the responses. Night guys.
     
  6. NorcalBoy

    NorcalBoy Member

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    Mr. Pete, always remember, "no good deed goes unpunished". Not sure what it is about the VFR and VFRW, but they certainly attract some interesting, hmmm, ah, errr, "characters". You missed out on the lawn mower trailer dude....you would have lost your mind.
     
  7. Gator

    Gator Insider

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    Just because you can does not mean you should.
     
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  8. NorcalBoy

    NorcalBoy Member

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    The beauty is in the simplicity of the statement. Kudos.
     
  9. Diving Pete

    Diving Pete Member

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    Dammit so I missed one...
    They are like boomerangs, they keep coming back....
     
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  10. NorcalBoy

    NorcalBoy Member

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    Like taxes and a bad cold :elf:
     
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  11. Joel Brown

    Joel Brown New Member

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    Shy of Stubbs, are you guys jealous of my tire-choice or am I mis-reading the trailing responses to my thread! I do things you don't do. Help with a question, contribute something original (unless everything you do is "stock") or at the very least, don't be rude. Never seen a bike sight without some form of culture/manners.
     
  12. Diving Pete

    Diving Pete Member

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    That actually wasn't aimed at you.

    However on topic, the whole point of adventure bikes is different than sport/tourer bikes. Now you can happily say that it's a round tyre on a rim - yep. But to that I say:
    Why would you happily want to make your bike handle worse?
    Why would you want your bike to stop in a longer distance?
    For the purposes you described then the tyre you mentioned isn't fit for purpose.
    It's your bike put whatever you like on it.. you did ask us for opinions!
     
  13. bk94si

    bk94si Member

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    I just ordered a Pilot Road 4 for myself. I would recommend this tire, esp. since you said you ride in the rain a lot.
     
  14. comradeQuestion

    comradeQuestion New Member

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    Well, if you do mount them on your viffer, I think we can all agree that we expect to see pics posted!
     
  15. Joel Brown

    Joel Brown New Member

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    Thanks for the replies and for not throwing crap at me! Pete, for me it's mostly a looks thing. I love the look of the beefier tires and I also ordered a raised, white letter kit a moment ago. I KNOW it's a gamble and that it could look horrible on a fairing'd bike and could perform even worse; but I was always terrified of taking a bike apart. Afraid I'd screw something up. All the while taking a bike down to bolts and putting it back together again, is what I wanted to do. So lately, I've been doing what you guys would think were small things (oil, radiator flush, changed bad bulbs, added a battery and tender, new seat, etc...) and it's exactly what I want! So, I'm trying these these tires and the lettering kit together because I want it and to see if I like one or the other (or both). Then next time, I'll know!

    Doing a fender elimination next. Then, I want injectors and exhaust. I know the info's here on the site and I'll study (and that I'll owe you guys beers for the knowledge share!) And, I absolutely just cannot wait. I'll post pics even if I'm horribly wrong for you guys to have a "don't do this" link!

    Not to beat it to death but, thanks again. REALLY appreciate the help/insight.

    Joel
     
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  16. Cycleman1

    Cycleman1 New Member

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    The tire sizes you mentioned might be the right size but there is differences in the actual width of the tire, when you are comparing one type of tire to another. Not sure if that will cause you clearance issues. Actual tire specs are often different when it comes to width and diameter, even though they carry the same size designation.
     
    Last edited: Dec 5, 2018
  17. stubbs

    stubbs New Member

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    Just go look at some of the craziness Icon has built out of sport bikes. Your tires will be fine!

    As long as they have clearance (won’t be an issue with the mild TKC 70s) and are an actual motorcycle tire, you can’t actually do too much harm. Will it change the steering feel a bit? Probably. Will it cause you to crash and die? Nope.




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  18. Handkphil

    Handkphil New Member

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  19. Joel Brown

    Joel Brown New Member

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    Okay, got the tires and RWL kit! Just gotta mount them now. It’s gonna look gooood!

    Thanks for the input, everyone!

    366E04EE-80A7-438D-AFFF-995FEA9A2C52.jpeg
     
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