Front tyre profile decision?

[BLOFLY 636]

Hi I am about to purchase a new set of Pirelli Diablo Tyres for my '04 ZX-6R but am not sure wether to get another 65 profile front tyre which is what is currently fitted, or go for the 70 profile front tyre. I would prefer to get the profile that would produce a more stable feel for a fairly novice rider like myself as I sometimes find myself feeling a bit up tight when pushing the bike when it is leaning over. Sometimes it feels like the bike is about to fall on top of me when I approach knee down lean angles at about 70kmph

[Barrabob]

I dont know much about the crown profile on a diabalo but i went to a 70 series pilot power and dropped the forks through the triple clamps 7mm to make up the diference...I would say go the 70 series and if it doesnt turn in quick enough drop it through the triple clamps.

[icebreaker]

i had a set of diablo's... i would recomend the piolt power over the diablo for rear grip, can't comment as i am still on the diablo front hopefully a pilot race in 2 weeks... But if you want a tyre to last longer than diablo..

The bike just loves to roll over on the Power, compared to the Dibalo, the i recal the diablo has a taller looking curve to it.


Dan

[aardvark]

I went from a 70 profile Bridgestone to a 65 on my '01, and jacked the back up 6 mm. Made a huge difference to the bikes handling. I'll never go back to a 70.

[Nanna10r]

A 65 will let it stay upright longer then a 70 if i have it right. So therefore more stable in most situations. Tyres are a black art so gets lots of advice from OLD BLOKES in the trade.
Cheers Brett

[Flakey]

One forum isn't enuf either huh Blofly 636?...

[Yankee]

i went from the kwak rec. 65 to a "old bloke who lives tyres" reccomendation of the 70 and it is great! but really, it is a subtle difference that is hard to pick once you just ride on it for a bit. it was hard to find the brand new (at the time) 014 in a 65, so i just believed the "old tyre man" and all is well..... 70's are A-Okay

[BLOFLY 636]

One forum isn't enuf either huh Blofly 636?...

definately not, when you are going to spend $500+, you want to be sure your getting the best characteristics that suit you when it comes to tyres there seems to be mixed opinions about the switch to a 70 profile and even if I do make the change I would have to drop the forks a bit, but wouldn't that put me back were I was with the 65 profile? I am thinking that I should stay with the 65 profile and see how I go rather than change to the 70 profile and start all over learning from scratch

[Barrabob]

Errr i wouldnt say fitting a 70 profile is quite that diferent to a 65 series tyre I actually find it easier to ride with the 70 on it and the forks in the stock position and its still ok with the forks dropped throught the clamps it had a little headshake but i added a bit of front compression and thats it all fixed.

The 70 series are easier to get and you want to have a go at knocking the prices around because i wouldnt pay more than $400 a set for powers anywhere on the planet.

[MadKaw]

I won't go into all again as I posted the info on here somewhere before. I think its in a thread about the pilot powers.
Generally a 70 profile front sports tyre will quicken the steering not slow it down as the profile is sharper. A 60 or 65 series is usually rounder and therefore more stable. Check the pilot power web site they explain it on there and show the different profile and shapes.
To be honest most ppl couldn't tell the difference between a 65 and 70 series profile in the same tyre make and type. I didn't think the manufactures even bothered making the exact same tyre in a 65 and 70 series....
The higher the profile the more side grip you get too....

[BLOFLY 636]

thanks madkaw that is some great news because I am having trouble finding a 65 profile tyre now I will settle for the 70

[Phil]

One forum isn't enuf either huh Blofly 636?...

getting the best characteristics that suit you when it comes to tyres /quote]

quite honestly, no-one else can make that decision.........its all yours.

[MadKaw]

Yep, find a tyre you like and worry about profiles later..
A new tyre will always feel better than an old one...

I am currently running a 75 profile dunlop slick on my zx9 and its about the best tyre I've used so far. Not much different to the 70 profile Dunlop but a damn site better than the 65 Bridgestone...
It was slower in the corners with the Bridgestone as its quite round compared the Dunlops more V shape...
Look at the shapes not so much the profile No's..

[Jonno]

You will get use to it soon enough, prolly wont even notice the difference.
I like the Michellin pilot tyres. I now have the pilot sport on the front and the pilot road on the back and it is great, not as good as the sports or power but far better mileage so far and I feel really confident on it.

[mrmina]

blofly, have a read of this it might help

http://www.sportrider.com/tech/146_0202_geek/