Its a decent bike with a potent engine. Proven product. Only reason I went in for it.

Motorcycle Tyres : Compared!

Hello guys

While browsing came across a Tyre comparison thread from one of the team-BHP members. Not sure if this was already discussed, but the tread does discuss about the latest MRF Vyde Tyre. Please have a look.

Motorcycle Tyres : Compared! Mods: There is no tyre thread for motorcycle tyres.I felt if will be helpful for others who want to change the tyres on their bikes so that they can choose better ones available in the market.Kindly make this as a sticky.

We all know the importance of a good set of tyres for our vehicles.After all they are the only point of contact between you and the road.These tyres take even more prominence when it comes motorcycles because there is only one pair of tyres that hold you to the road and the odds are more against you if and when something goes wrong.So its very important to have a good set of shoes for your bike.

So here i will be penning down my observations through experience of some of the tyres that can be used in the most commonly sold motorcycles in India. I will not be including the scooter tyres(Like that of wego,dio etc) since there are not many options for them in India.Note that i have written about the tyres that i have used and have first hand experience with .If you have used other tyres then you can add your experience here,preferably in the format followed for all the tyres,so that it can be helpful for the members and guests alike

So here i start

MRF Zapper C

Application:Rear tyre
Commonly used sizes : 100/90-17 ,120/80-17
Costs approx 2500 in 120/80-17

This tyre is the mostly used in the Pulsar range of bikes. Its a decent tyre .With everything just decent about it. Its a typical hard compound tyre in the size 100/90-17.Just refuses to wear off! however in its 120/80-17 avatar its a medium compound ! Yea even i was surprised. But its true that the fatter rubber is softer than its sibling.This i think was made for the P220 as its marketed as having Soft compound tyres.

Pros:
Decent grip in wet and dry alike.
Very resistant to puncture

Cons:
Fishtails like crazy once its clocked few thousand kms.
Tramlines a lot.
Loses its line during cornering


MRF Zapper VYDE

Application:Rear tyre
Commonly used sizes: 120/80-17
Costs approx 2600 in 120/80-17


The vyde is a looker! No second thoughts about that. Its the best looking among the MRF tyres.Its also one of the best after market tyres of Indian make available easily at affordable prices.Its a soft-medium compound tyre with a very good tread depth.It has a 'roundier' profile than the Zapper C.
This tyre 120/80-17 fits all the pulsar bikes(old 150,180 too that have 100/90-17 as stock) without any modification,cutting of chain guard etc etc. Just plug and play. Even if it touches the chain guard ,any local mechanic and do some adjustment to the swing arm screws and set it right. Trust me this is the best upsize tyre you can blindly put your money on if you are not interested in 'searching' for imported tyres.You shall not be disappointed with its performance.Braking distance 100kmph-0kmph in a pulsar 180 using just the rear brake is 100 meters

Pros:
Excellent grip in dry,very good grip in wet.
Looks very good.
Excellent cornering ability.It just leans into corners without any effort and holds its line
Flickable in traffic
Cushioning ride

Cons:
Wears out fast.Typical life is 15-18K kms
More prone to punctures


Michelin Pilot Sporty

Application:Both Front and Rear( Direction of rotation differs)
Commonly available sizes: 100/90-17, 110/80-17
Cost: Since this tyre is not officially launched by Michelin,its available only as grey market imports.Price varies between 2000-3000 rupees.

The pilot sporty is a round profile tyre with a very good looking tread pattern .Due to its round profile even the 110/80-17 looks puny.Its also a soft-medium compound tyre like the vyde.The round profile helps a lot during cornering . Its dry grip is very good but its the wet grip where it really shines. Excellent would be an understatement.

Pros:
Excellent wet grip.Holds its line even when braking hard.
Good cornering ability.Holds its line during the turn.

Cons:
Very sensitive to punctures.
Bumpy ride due to a almost non existent and hard side wall


MRF ZAPPER FS

Application:Front tyre
Commonly Available sizes:90/90-17, 2.75-17
Costs: Approx 1650 rupees

The FS is the front tyre used in all pulsar series. Its a normal tire with a decent wet/dry grip. Nothing great to write home about. Does it job.Has a hard compound rubber.

Pros:
Nothing to explicitly write about.Can be called an all rounder

Cons:
The hard rubber develops cracks after a year of usage.
Not a great gripper of wet tarmac.
Squeals ,Locks up under medium-hard braking.


MRF ZAPPER FY

Application: Front tyre
Commonly available sizes: 80/90-17
Price: Approx 1600 rupees

The FY is the front tyre that comes as a stock in the R15 V1.According to Yamaha, MRF developed the front the rear tyres of R15 keeping grip and cornering as the highest priority.And boy it lives upto its expectations! Its truly an amazing tyre with incredible amount of grip! Handles wet and dry conditions with aplomb.After i changed my pulsar tyres with this one ,i was astonished by its grip.Not once has it squealed under hard braking,neither has it locked up! Lasts 15K to 20K kms.

Pros:
An excellent tyre at a very cheap price.
Superb dry and wet traction.(You can do stoppies on wet tarmac!)
Excellent assistance during corners.
Increase in braking ability.

Cons:
Nothing i can think about

Dada, are you sure? I mean, the website shows it as 120/90.

Congratulations Javed bhai.... Me too reaching the landmark soon...

DIY - Clutch cables (not the Splendor ones, the genuine Karizma cables), accelerator cables, allen keys (sizes 1 to 8), spanners (sizes 18 to 24).

For touring - Same as above + puncture repair kit + patience.

[FYI, spares are not that difficult to source now, but its better to be prepared and keep some stock ready.]

Awesome piece of info... Thanks a lot!

Thanks Divya

Here is the tyres thread - http://www.xbhp.com/talkies/universa...805-tyres.html
But your review here is very good ... enjoyed reading it . Thanks .

nice...if you pics please post...

Congrats!

Clutch plates, cables are easily available; but when it comes to body parts then it take time...but now body parts too are easily available as compared to earlier...

Very nice information....

MRF Tubeless Vyde in 100/90 X 18

Yes the piece of information is perfectly correct and authentic.
Since I went to one authorised MRF Dealer in Kolkata named J. B. Tyres near Chandni Chowk.
Just enquired for ZAP-Q Tubeless and he showed me the newly launched VYDE.
Yes have physically seen that but not taken Photograph, my fault.
Since I thought the TYRE Tread is well known to all.

Even the best part is fitting is complementary and they now have 2Wheeler Wheel Adjustment system.

They will only sell and fit Tubeless to Bikes directly as a condition.
Since they have to face warranty issues due to bad fitment.

Quoted a price of Rs 2300.00 inclusive of Taxes.
Even said that not available in WEBSITE now!!!

Have not fitted it but planning to do so and hence Reviews are solicited.....

Hi guys. Today I changed the stock headlight lamp with osram nightbreaker. While replacing I saw this rubber dampener not in place.





The other side



I used to get a "khat" sound whenever the bike goes over potholes. I think I found the culprit now. Was telling the servicing guys about the sound the whole time but those guys never found the problem or may be never opened the covering underneath the speedometer. Any idea how to fix it without those servicing guys taking one full day to replace the same

thx for the reply bro

Satyajit bhai, waiting for the VYDE report...

Have you bought the tire yet?

It has a lock system...you can get the same from SVC and change it yourself...

A friend is looking to replace stock rear tyre of his ZMR with 130/60. Please suggest some good rubber for my pal.

Check Previous Page...



However; 130 section shall not fit in ZMR...110 and 120 can be after chain cover removal/cut...

hi folkes,

which is best/good ASC for karizma zmr in Bangalore??

any inputs appreciated..

Hello Dimpy,

Finding a good service center for our baby in Bangalore is the biggest headache. I had a tough time getting my ZMR service. Tried all the big names - Prakash Motors, Millennium Motors, Sai Motors, but none were able to service my bike upto my satisfaction. One of the biggest issues all the service centers have is inexperienced technicians who have very less or no knowledge about ZMR. Moreover, they commit to service the numbers more than what they can actually handle. This way most of the time they just finish the service neglecting most of the highlighted issues at the time of service.

Two months back I had been to Sai motors to service my bike. Supervisor took a note of all the complaints. I asked him to check the circulation of the oil through the oil cooler and to my surprise he asked me if I want to change the coolant as well. This clearly explains how knowledgeable guys are. Well left my bike there for service at around 10 AM on Sat and promised a delivery the next day morning. Went back on Sunday to take the delivery, but none of them were able to find the job card. I was really angry and shocked that they misplaced the job card. Then, I thought of checking the bike to see if something is about the service. Had a tough time finding my baby. It was not there in the service center. Finally, found it parked in the outside garage where they usually keep additional bikes. To my surprise bike was only washed. Called the supervisor, cancelled the service, paid washing fee and took the bike back.

As most of the service centers have negative comments, I thought of trying Nidhi Motors once which is situated at Hosur Road. One of our fellow xBhp members had a good experience with these guys. So, thought of giving a try once.