Hi everyone!
I need help in taking the decision in changing my Karizma R's rear tyre.
My bike is 2.5 year old
has clocked just 14k. (it was hardly used in last 2 years as I was away for studies)

Concern: The stock MRF Zapper Y 100/90 18 tyre does not give me enough confidence on the curves and also, have had multiple bad experiences of the tyre slipping and locking up while braking in wet conditions. I want to upgrade my tyres to a bigger size, probably 110/90 18 or 120/80 18 (preferred as I've used TVS's jumbo 120/80 on my previous pulsar Dts-i and it was good). I know a larger sized tyre would not fit in directly in the small width swingarm so I am ready to remove the chain cover (and take more care of chain later) for a meatier look of my ZMA R.

My need: A soft or medium compound tyre which provides excellent grip and confidence on curves and in both dry and wet conditions. do not wish to compromise on wet conditions. Note: I would love to go for a Tubeless tyre.

Tyres Found available: I have been searching a lot for 120/80 18 tyres (or 110/90 18 as well) but could hardly find much options. some I found were -

1. TVS Jumbo Poly X 120/80 18 (already used and bored of the same tread pattern so dont feel like going for it)
2. MRF Zapper C - 120/80 18
3. MRF Zapper Q - 110/90 18 & 120/80 18
4. Dunlop (the tyre which used to come on old CBZ; seems to be a proven tyre running since long time but I'm not sure of its performance)
5. MRF Zapper Vyde - 100/90 18 (no 120/80 available in 18 but only in 17 inch rims )

Now I've been reading and reading about different bikers' experiences on xbhp with Zapper C and Vyde.
1. Zapper C: read & got mixed responses. and it seems to be a little better than stock Zapper Y in terms of its tread pattern. but some complained that its not so great in wet condition roads.
2. Zapper Q : looks good and is very WIDE , but does not seem to be a dual purpose tyre. So I am worried about its performance in gravels and sand situations (read: our typical Indian roads).
3. Zapper Vyde: seems a great buy. but I want a WIDE tyre! it is 100/90 18 and has a round curve shape so does not look wide at all.

Guidance Needed:

1. can you guys please suggest good rear performance tyres (also apart from above mentioned options) for ZMA based on your experiences??
and comment on the above available tyes??

2. If these are the only options I can have for ZMA, please help me chose.

3. Also, Which are the best tubeless tyres??? [ the MRF dealership owner and employees near Aundh-khadki regoin seemed idiots with no knowledge about soft medium and hard compounds, and blankly said, only stock tyre (Zapper Y) is available in tubeless. ]

4. and is the idea of removing the engine cowl (for change of looks) ok or should be kept for engine cooling performance (if at all it helps!) ??

Help!! urgently as my 2 short trips are pending coz of this stupid confusion! Sincere apologies for the never ending Long post!
Thank you!

Hi everyone!
I need help in taking the decision in changing my Karizma R's rear tyre.
My bike is 2.5 year old
has clocked just 14k. (it was hardly used in last 2 years as I was away for studies)

Concern: The stock MRF Zapper Y 100/90 18 tyre does not give me enough confidence on the curves and also, have had multiple bad experiences of the tyre slipping and locking up while braking in wet conditions. I want to upgrade my tyres to a bigger size, probably 110/90 18 or 120/80 18 (preferred as I've used TVS's jumbo 120/80 on my previous pulsar Dts-i and it was good). I know a larger sized tyre would not fit in directly in the small width swingarm so I am ready to remove the chain cover (and take more care of chain later) for a meatier look of my ZMA R.

My need: A soft or medium compound tyre which provides excellent grip and confidence on curves and in both dry and wet conditions. do not wish to compromise on wet conditions. Note: I would love to go for a Tubeless tyre.

Tyres Found available: I have been searching a lot for 120/80 18 tyres (or 110/90 18 as well) but could hardly find much options. some I found were -

1. TVS Jumbo Poly X 120/80 18 (already used and bored of the same tread pattern so dont feel like going for it)
2. MRF Zapper C - 120/80 18
3. MRF Zapper Q - 110/90 18 & 120/80 18
4. Dunlop (the tyre which used to come on old CBZ; seems to be a proven tyre running since long time but I'm not sure of its performance)
5. MRF Zapper Vyde - 100/90 18 (no 120/80 available in 18 but only in 17 inch rims )

Now I've been reading and reading about different bikers' experiences on xbhp with Zapper C and Vyde.
1. Zapper C: read & got mixed responses. and it seems to be a little better than stock Zapper Y in terms of its tread pattern. but some complained that its not so great in wet condition roads.
2. Zapper Q : looks good and is very WIDE , but does not seem to be a dual purpose tyre. So I am worried about its performance in gravels and sand situations (read: our typical Indian roads).
3. Zapper Vyde: seems a great buy. but I want a WIDE tyre! it is 100/90 18 and has a round curve shape so does not look wide at all.

Guidance Needed:

1. can you guys please suggest good rear performance tyres (also apart from above mentioned options) for ZMA based on your experiences??
and comment on the above available tyes??

2. If these are the only options I can have for ZMA, please help me chose.

3. Also, Which are the best tubeless tyres??? [ the MRF dealership owner and employees near Aundh-khadki regoin seemed idiots with no knowledge about soft medium and hard compounds, and blankly said, only stock tyre (Zapper Y) is available in tubeless. ]

4. and is the idea of removing the engine cowl (for change of looks) ok or should be kept for engine cooling performance (if at all it helps!) ??

Help!! urgently as my 2 short trips are pending coz of this stupid confusion! Sincere apologies for the never ending Long post!
Thank you!

Divyasharan, M45 is a medium compound. Soft compound that you see on track bikes will not lasts more than 4k kms on streets!

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Divyasharan, M45 is a medium compound. Soft compound that you see on track bikes will not lasts more than 4k kms on streets!

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My friend, Chennai xbhp has got few track bikes R1, CBR60RR and FZ1 running with soft compound and they lasted 3.5k kms on streets.

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1. Pirelli Sport Demon 110, Michelin M45 and MRF Zapper Q - in that order
All the 3 would not fit directly and would require modifications. (maybe M45 fits, not sure)

2. Answered above

3. PSD and M45 are arguably the better ones than competition. Both are medium compound though. Means, less mileage and puncture prone. But grip levels are too good.

4. Engine cowl DOESN'T aid in cooling! I think its primarily there for looks. How can a plastic piece cool the engine bro? Rather, it hinders the process. Get rid of it and put a nice leg guard on your ZMA. (Honda Stunner to the rescue)

pirelli can last up 15-18 k kms, michellin m45 can last more than that. thatsmy personal experience having used both the tyres

I'm in the 18000th km area with PSD myself! I guess I'll replace it after doing 20k with it.
M45 can do maybe 22-23k kms. BTW, stock Zappers do 35+

Hi everyone!
I need help in taking the decision in changing my Karizma R's rear tyre.
My bike is 2.5 year old
has clocked just 14k. (it was hardly used in last 2 years as I was away for studies)

Concern: The stock MRF Zapper Y 100/90 18 tyre does not give me enough confidence on the curves and also, have had multiple bad experiences of the tyre slipping and locking up while braking in wet conditions. I want to upgrade my tyres to a bigger size, probably 110/90 18 or 120/80 18 (preferred as I've used TVS's jumbo 120/80 on my previous pulsar Dts-i and it was good). I know a larger sized tyre would not fit in directly in the small width swingarm so I am ready to remove the chain cover (and take more care of chain later) for a meatier look of my ZMA R.

My need: A soft or medium compound tyre which provides excellent grip and confidence on curves and in both dry and wet conditions. do not wish to compromise on wet conditions. Note: I would love to go for a Tubeless tyre.

Tyres Found available: I have been searching a lot for 120/80 18 tyres (or 110/90 18 as well) but could hardly find much options. some I found were -

1. TVS Jumbo Poly X 120/80 18 (already used and bored of the same tread pattern so dont feel like going for it)
2. MRF Zapper C - 120/80 18
3. MRF Zapper Q - 110/90 18 & 120/80 18
4. Dunlop (the tyre which used to come on old CBZ; seems to be a proven tyre running since long time but I'm not sure of its performance)
5. MRF Zapper Vyde - 100/90 18 (no 120/80 available in 18 but only in 17 inch rims )

Now I've been reading and reading about different bikers' experiences on xbhp with Zapper C and Vyde.
1. Zapper C: read & got mixed responses. and it seems to be a little better than stock Zapper Y in terms of its tread pattern. but some complained that its not so great in wet condition roads.
2. Zapper Q : looks good and is very WIDE , but does not seem to be a dual purpose tyre. So I am worried about its performance in gravels and sand situations (read: our typical Indian roads).
3. Zapper Vyde: seems a great buy. but I want a WIDE tyre! it is 100/90 18 and has a round curve shape so does not look wide at all.

Guidance Needed:

1. can you guys please suggest good rear performance tyres (also apart from above mentioned options) for ZMA based on your experiences??
and comment on the above available tyes??

2. If these are the only options I can have for ZMA, please help me chose.

3. Also, Which are the best tubeless tyres??? [ the MRF dealership owner and employees near Aundh-khadki regoin seemed idiots with no knowledge about soft medium and hard compounds, and blankly said, only stock tyre (Zapper Y) is available in tubeless. ]

4. and is the idea of removing the engine cowl (for change of looks) ok or should be kept for engine cooling performance (if at all it helps!) ??

Help!! urgently as my 2 short trips are pending coz of this stupid confusion! Sincere apologies for the never ending Long post!
Thank you!

yes the stock zappers are expected to last the 2 year or 30000 km manufacturer warranty. thats what they are built for.

20k is max for Pirelli sport demon i guess