I just got myself a 748 project and the tyres are from the early noughties and nicely perished, so obviously need changing. The front is running the standard 120/60/17 size which is what the handbook states (it does show a 120/70/17 for the 916 version). I suspect that most 748 owners will have changed to 120/70 size by now so what adjustments did you make: 1. Nothing, I just slung a 120/70 in there and jobs a goodun. 2. I raised the rear ride height by c 5mm 3. I dropped the top yoke about 5mm to compensate. 4. I don't need to make adjustments because I run the standard 120/60 cos that's what the book says. I see that Rosso Corsa 4's are available in 120/60 but that's pretty much it in terms of decent-ish modern rubber. Cheers peeps.
Just switch them. Thee was was s always discussion about how it makes career slower with a 70 but road isn’t an issue ime
1 Obviously after doing “1”, reset/checked sag etc to make sure everything was still good. My logic was that there is no difference whatsoever between 9*6 and 748 geometry apart from the front tyre so the settings for 9*6 would apply - which coincidentally, are the same.
Core question, what do you want from your relationship with your 748 ? IME, the 748 hits the handling sweet spot, as it is. If you want quicker steering with a 120/60 or 120/70, raising the rear ride height is probably the simplest fix. Depending on what year your 748 is, it might have an adjustable headstock. Unless you are heading for a tight and twisty track, the steeper steering angle can make the front end flighty on normal roads. The bottom line IMO, just for road riding, going with the more commonly available 12/70 isn’t going to make a significant difference to your experience. Having played with 748 builds for the track over a number of years, I wouldn’t drop the forks. Have fun with whatever you choose to do. Andy
120/70 is fine and you really won’t notice the difference unless you are a seriously high level rider. Remember it’s not 10mm taller side wall etc, it’s percentage ratio of width, and actually different manufacturers have different shape tyres so the ultimate radius may still vary between them very very slightly.
1. I changed from a 60 to a 70 (via a 65 which was available then) on mine (748R) back in the day. I recall it changing from a bike that scared the shit out of me on track because you ran the tyre right to the edges to a sweet handling bike with tread to spare. No issue with ease of turning. No issue with mudguard clearance (Clarence).
Decent choice, i personally don’t get on with Bridgestones as I find the carcass super so if you are going from Pirelli 120/60 to Bridgestone 70’s, just be aware if it feels different a lot of that will be the tyre construction itself. Pirelli 70’s have a fair bit more squish
I like the S22’s and had them on 748r, gixer, 765 etc. I especially like that they were £271 for the pair delivered next day.
funny how a good price can always increase the feel of a tyre I’ve got Metzeler M9RR in my 899 for similar reasons but I hate them
Very true re price. I think the s22 and RC2’s feel very similar. Both in run out now so good prices but I couldn’t find RC2’s in the right size and have been very happy with the Bridgestone before. I’m pretty chuffed that I managed to resist the urge to go for the latest and greatest RC4’s or S23’s or, even worse (better?), Super Corsas. All overkill for this bike.
I run S22s on my 899, got through about 3 sets now and they’ve been great! I get about 2,500 ish miles out of a rear which is pretty good, also they do the rears in the correct 180/60 size ,..bonus
This is why tyres cost so much with peeps hoarding the supply, as bad as the toilet paper hoarders…..
I dunno, maybe too many years on Pirelli. They feel stiff, and where a Pirelli front tends to feel light when upright and tip in quick and then load up, these feel heavy to tip in and then don’t build grip and confidence. Maybe they are already gripping as much but the feeling isn’t encouraging
Strange. I think the front S22 is brilliant. Tons of grip right up to the edge and fast steering too. The rear can be made to step out under power but only on track. I ride like a real plodder on the road so it’s much more than I will ever need. I’d happily take it on track with these tyres on too. It only really starts to show its road bias once you get over middle inters pace in my experience.
At least you have attempted to explain the feedback you get Phil. In truth it's a holy Grail innit? and the arguments will go on forever because of the number of variables, far worse than a car and while I can't comment accurately on what you have said I'm sure it's not far off the mark "for you". I have to smile when I think of the conflicting explanations for Formula One tyre performance pre-race/qually given from drivers, being pressurised* to give similar over the years, For 90% of the time it's a wonder they got anything to stabilise and work well for a given track. This was for the most part 100% not their fault due to* and often a wise engineer would (try and) go with pre-race testing results, more likely if the tyres were even from the same batch. I am 30 years out of date, and the pre-race testing days of now might be all done by Roberts.
