Yes sai_ace... its 2.75x18 MRF Zapper FS... if their is even a slightest sand and when braked its skids... I even had a fall due to this...I have a MRF Zapper Q Series (size is the same as original TVS tyre had, don't know the exact size...) and even that skids on sand... I have lost confidence on MRF... does any shop exchange bike tyres?

Ramki, you should have got the same TVS stock tyre for the front. My F2's front tyre still looks good after almost 48K kms. I changed the rear tyre at exactly 20K kms. though. It was completely bald like your front tyre. I put in the Classic CBZ's Dunlop City Geo-Cruiser tyre&trust me, it still has grip almost like new. The spec is 100/90/18". It might be tough to find that now, but you can still go for 100/90/18" for your rear tyre. It will not affect anything&no mod also needed.
For the front, I would always say, stick to stock!

Gosh, more conflicting opinions on the same tyre!

Nirvan, I have the Zapper FS on my CBZ-X... and while it seems better than the awful rear Zapper Y, I seriously don't think its the best choice. Like Ramki mentioned - I too have become sceptical about MRF tyres (when it comes to grip). The compound on the Zapper FS/Y also feels pretty hard... just compare it with a Dunlop and see!

As for my previous post, nobody knows if the Zapper FS/Dunlop Zebra pattern can be used on bikes with no disc brakes (like Shogun)?

Still trying to find Zapper FV... no success yet. And Zapper Q I'm told does not come in 3.00 x 18 size.

Wat difference would it make?

Anyways i have seen FS stryggling to grip under hardbraking just like the TVS tyre. But it was def better than the TVS.

I have seen Dunlop zebra being used in passions as an OEM tyre. so i think u can go for it without second thoughts. Whats its price? i have to replace my CBR's front tyre as well....it has done 97k kms on stock front tyre and its can still last another 5-10k kms

^^^What difference would it make is exactly the question I posed!! I just can't imagine what problem it can create over the normal ribbed pattern. But the guys at the tyre shop were quite clear - avoid the Dunlop Zebra if bike is without disc brake! No convincing explaination offered... other than that it would "slip".

The rubber on the Zebra does however feel a bit more hard compared to other Dunlops. And that made me think twice.

Hero Honda Passion comes with no disc brakes and has a Zebra fitted as OEM?? I guess the tyre guys theory is bunk then!

The price depends on where you buy from. One dealer quoted Rs. 600 without tube (Nana Peth). Another quoted Rs. 850 with tube (Darshan Tyres). And yet another (N Mehta) quoted Rs. 900 with tube. Other tyres at these dealers had the same price. Size - 2.75 x 18.

hmmm...it seems quite weird. and here guys are going on replacing stock rtr tyres with mrf rubber - Zapper Q and Y. But if you are really worried about the rear esp on sand - go for the Geo Cruiser. 100/90 18 is easily available now as Dunlop is back in production. its got great manners in the wet, sand, gravel and pretty decent to lean too. Fornt - check your wheel and suspension. And do you have a front disk?

I am not sure that you should be still sticking to your 48k Km old tyre. Hope the tube atleast is newer. Regardless of the grip available, the rubber will still be detiorating. For your safety atleast i suggest you change your front tyre and tube.

Had just given for service last saturday. I did not have any problem with front suspension till now. And yes mine has front disk.

The thing about these MRF tyres i feel is, the front tyre seems too small for my bike and when on sand it skids. And the rear which is Zapper Q also skids on sand. The reason i'm so upset is the fact that i see many bikes cruising on these sand roads while i have to slow down even though mine's is relatively new one.

Can u provide some pics please
I have to change both my tyres p150.is it direct a fit???
It will lower the bike rite ?? so its good rite ??


Cheers W

Guys, you have got to try to be reasonable.

Any tyre would skid on sand, for pete's sake. Including a truck tyre.

There may be a better tyre than the Zapper FS or FV, but what is it? Tell me if you find it and I'll buy it too. From what I've experienced and read, the Zappers lose their edge after they've done around 15k km - or if they get old and the compound becomes hard. For bikes, especially bikes that are ridden hard, I'd wholeheartedly recommend a tyre change every 15k km or two years or even earlier.

IRC is perhaps an alternative, but then it isn't readily available. I'm not too gung-ho about the Zebra. Ceat is lackluster. We all know what TVS tyres are like. That leaves the Pirellis and the Michelins, but they aren't available for the front afaik. Duro is a brand I've heard good things about too. I once saw what looked like OE Bridgestones on a Pulsar, but never saw them again. There may be other brands, not sure at this point.

The Zapper FS on my 21 month/14k km old Karizma has performed admirably, in the dry and in the wet. They have a lot of tread left on them but have developed hairline cracks all over the sidewall. I'm probably going to buy them again, but I would like to try something different. I don't like the FV because I dont like that corny whitewall. I'd like to try a 3.00x18 tyre made for the front as well.

You have a CBR?

Front tyres last very long-look at what Satish is saying here. I don't intend to use it for that long, but going by the present state, it hardly looks deteriorated, though the rubber must have surely become hard!

its a honda cd 100

hmm....if that tyre can perform with a disc then why cant it perform well on a drum? and Zapper FS is also an OEM tyre for Passion

If it is costing ~900 rs then i better put a few hundreds more and get a M45 for my CBR

Yes i do have a CBR

It is still running on the same tyre and tube which it had when it came out of the showroom......its almost 7 yrs and 97k kms old now. i do see few hairline cracks in it though!

Trattior....its a HH CBR 100RR a.k.a hero Honda Splendor

Well, the M45 is substantially pricier. Remember the ~900 includes tube. The M45 (for front, 2.75 x 18) is somewhere around 1,250 (approx.) without tube! Whats more I'v been unable to find it anywhere... no stocks!

Your front tyre is in use for 97 k and 7 years, and still looking ok, and in service? Thats amazing... which brand is this? And which bike... Splendour?

i had used the zebra in my p-150 ug1.I found the grip satisfactory.Morover i think it should have been the inverse as disc brakes provide greater stopping power hence more grip required in the front

oh boy and i thought u had a cbr that has done 97000km and thought u were using it for ur daily commute