Touring tyres...bit of a quandary
Discussion
Ok, 420r shod with Avon ZZS's, 13" x 6" front 13" x 8" rear (Apollos).
Hoping to get to Europe this year for a few weeks so the possibility of needing new tyres over there is a reality and finding them, probably no chance.
As I see it the options are: buy some 14" x 6" wheels all round shod with Yokohama A539s or Uniroyal Rainexperts or Sports or, replace the two rear 13" x 8" Apollos with two more 13" x 6" with Yokohama A539s.
I've had the A539s on a 165bhp Caterham I had some years ago with no problems, but the bigger bhp on my 420 might be?
Will 185 width all round would be ok for touring?
Real question is, what profile?
50, 55 or 60?
Hoping to get to Europe this year for a few weeks so the possibility of needing new tyres over there is a reality and finding them, probably no chance.
As I see it the options are: buy some 14" x 6" wheels all round shod with Yokohama A539s or Uniroyal Rainexperts or Sports or, replace the two rear 13" x 8" Apollos with two more 13" x 6" with Yokohama A539s.
I've had the A539s on a 165bhp Caterham I had some years ago with no problems, but the bigger bhp on my 420 might be?
Will 185 width all round would be ok for touring?
Real question is, what profile?
50, 55 or 60?
Depends where in Europe you are going.
In Germany, for example, getting all the tyres you might possibly want should be no problem. I live in Germany (near Heidelberg), and about 10minutes from me is a race/classic car tyre specialist that has basically every Avon product available in stock. I've bought from them many times and can recommend them. They also stock other brands. Avon pricelist: https://bit.ly/2H6LNyt
PM me for details if you like.
BTW - the roads around here are amazing. Look up 'Odenwald' in google maps (between Bensheim and Heidelberg towards the East). South of here is the Black Forrest, then on to the Alps. You could drive for days without a straight road.
In Germany, for example, getting all the tyres you might possibly want should be no problem. I live in Germany (near Heidelberg), and about 10minutes from me is a race/classic car tyre specialist that has basically every Avon product available in stock. I've bought from them many times and can recommend them. They also stock other brands. Avon pricelist: https://bit.ly/2H6LNyt
PM me for details if you like.
BTW - the roads around here are amazing. Look up 'Odenwald' in google maps (between Bensheim and Heidelberg towards the East). South of here is the Black Forrest, then on to the Alps. You could drive for days without a straight road.
Thanks for that 'rotorwings' but I've done the Black forest a couple of times on the bike, nice roads! I'll mainly be doing France and the Alps, Switzerland, Italy, and basically anywhere I fancy for about a month so the miles are going to rack up, more than a set of new ZZs's can handle; hence a set of touring tyres.
slime bomb said:
Thanks for that 'rotorwings' but I've done the Black forest a couple of times on the bike, nice roads! I'll mainly be doing France and the Alps, Switzerland, Italy, and basically anywhere I fancy for about a month so the miles are going to rack up, more than a set of new ZZs's can handle; hence a set of touring tyres.
Really? I've got about 4 trackdays out of my current ZZS set and there's probably still one left.Even with a few thousand miles I'd be surprised if you get anywhere near that amount of wear on the road, even with a 420r.
I would probably go with A539s. I've had those and Rainsports and while the Rainsports are definitely better in the damp/rain the blocks felt soft and took some feeling out of the car, plus the extra power of yours (mine was 135bhp) would probably wear them pretty quickly too.
If you're gearing is short, I'd go for the tallest profile you can fit too, just to reduce the revs on the motorways a bit. Basically, everything's going to be a bit of a compromise unless you want to razz it everywhere.
If you're gearing is short, I'd go for the tallest profile you can fit too, just to reduce the revs on the motorways a bit. Basically, everything's going to be a bit of a compromise unless you want to razz it everywhere.
V7SLR said:
How many miles are you realistically considering doing ... why not just fit a new ZZS set before you go? It'll probably be the most cost effective option.
This. How many miles are you going to cover in a month? Can’t see you burning through a set in less than 4,000 miles on the road. How far have you gone on your current set?
slime bomb said:
Don't really want to go as big as 15" but thanks anyway. I'm on second set in a year without any track days. I do tend to hoon it everywhere...can't help it. "Compromise" that's the problem.
I’d get your geometry checked. Doesn’t sound right. I’ve a set of ZZRs that have done 4/5 TDs and several hundred road miles and they’re still quite legal.
If it all comes off I'll be covering about 6-7,000 miles.
I'm getting about 5,000mls out of a set running at 19psi rear and 21psi front as recommended by Avon, Two people plus camping gear and luggage. 18psi all round when not touring.
I've been in touch with Avon who said they have one dealer in Switzerland, Italy and France but didn't say if they were a drive in/out service.
I know it would be a compromise, but has anyone with around 200bhp used the Yokohama A539 on 13 x 6" wheels? (perhaps a separate thread)
I'm getting about 5,000mls out of a set running at 19psi rear and 21psi front as recommended by Avon, Two people plus camping gear and luggage. 18psi all round when not touring.
I've been in touch with Avon who said they have one dealer in Switzerland, Italy and France but didn't say if they were a drive in/out service.
I know it would be a compromise, but has anyone with around 200bhp used the Yokohama A539 on 13 x 6" wheels? (perhaps a separate thread)
You’re going to do 300 miles a day, every day, for three weeks?
a539s are tintop tyres. There’s really no comparison between something like the Avon and these. I really think it’s a compromise too far. Having the much harder and less grippy tyre at the rear only seems like a particularly bad idea.
P.S. how evenly are your tyres wearing? 19psi at the rear could be too low if you have extra touring weight in the car
a539s are tintop tyres. There’s really no comparison between something like the Avon and these. I really think it’s a compromise too far. Having the much harder and less grippy tyre at the rear only seems like a particularly bad idea.
P.S. how evenly are your tyres wearing? 19psi at the rear could be too low if you have extra touring weight in the car
Edited by HustleRussell on Sunday 10th March 10:22
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