My tyres are nearly due to be replaced, i have a brand new Dunlop Sportsmax D220ST 160/70/17 sitting in my shed but the recomended fitment for the F800GS is 150/70/17. Does anyone who knows anything about tyres see any harm in this. I only do road riding and would need a decent grippy front tyre to go with it but Dunlop dont do a 90/90/21 Sportsmax. Any ideas?
Let's see... tyre thread...
Let's dive in!
Not that I "know anything about tyres".
First, the
Sportmax is a Sport Touring tyre. So, the reason they don't make it in a 21" is because 21" wheels are exclusively used on off-road and adventure bikes.
However, I do think there's space in the swing arm for a 160 width tyre, as I checked yesterday evening when I fitted a 140/80-17" on my bike. However, the rim will be a bit too narrow, and I don't know what width these rims are, so best is to check with Dunlop to see what rim width is recommended for the 160 width tyre. If it's "within tolerances, then it'll technically fit.
Then you've got the thing that the SportMax is most likely designed as a tubeless tyre and the F800GS's spoked wheels require a tube. Fitting a tube in a tubeless tyre can be done, but it can have adverse effects - ask Dunlop for the official answer on this question.
Then about mixing tyres between front and rear; It can be done and it has been done successfully, but you really need to know what you're doing. Most likely you're going to end up with a lesser result than a better result.
In "My World"(tm), I'd sell the (higher value) SportsMax on eBay or somewhere, and then buy a set of (fairly cheap) Tourances or other adventure spec tyres. I remember getting a set of them fitted for £150 ride-in-ride-out.
Hope that's of any use to you.
