Exactly what I'm surprised about! But then I heard that at about 4 shops... so I was even more surprised.

And finally, after much waiting, thinking, pondering, I finally got the front tyre! Could not find Michellin or Zapper FV anywhere, in spite of trying several shops. Got fed up of hunting and got a ribbed Dunlop. It has 4 grooves. Haven't used it much as I just rode from the shop to home... but as a preliminary comment, the grip seems to be fair enough. My Shogun feels MUCH more stable now... esp. as the original front tyre was in real bad shape. Its been running on the OEM tyre and tube till now.

I got to look at some MRF tyres in the process. I noticed that MRFs seem to be more heavily built... they have more rubber on them and deeper grooves. The MRF Nylogrip Plus seems to have an identical pattern to the Dunlop Challenger (pic posted earlier) which is doing duty on my rear wheel. But the Dunlop seems to have less rubber and shallower grooves. The MRF definitely looks more impressive, and the rubber seems a softer than other MRFs I'v seen. The Zapper FS also seems more visually more impressive than the Dunlop Zebra (both have similar tread pattern). The MRFs with their more impressive build seem to be less prone to punctures too. More rubber should translate to better tyre life too. But can't how puncture resistant they are in real life or their grip as I haven't actually used them.

Lastly, I'd add a note on the tyre dealer for the benifit of people from Pune. After my unpleasent experience with small time auto shop (mentioned earlier), I decided to go to a proper tyre shop, despite the higher quote. The guys and the set up seemed as much or less professional than a roadside puncture-walla. Its appaling that even biger tyre shops with employess in uniform and other frills, cant even train them for such a basic job. The same kind of extremely crude work and similar kind of inappropriate tools (no tyre irons, etc) were employed. Not even a proper working space or enough light! Had to repramand the guy several times... else would have come away with several more scratches on my bike. The shop/dealer in question is Darshan Tyres on Fergussion College Road ( FC road), opposite the Police Ground. Would not recommend this place to anybody.

On the other hand, had a pretty good experience with Lokmanya Tyres (near Karve Road), when I got my car tyres changed, etc.

And yes, once again I was told that they cannot use the tyre changing machine for my bikes rims.

^^ so when are you changing your front tyre again as you did for the rear
LOL!! kidding man

good to see ur dilemna ended.The cause of ur confusion was due to the overesearch that u were doin on tyres
One thing i have noticed between the mrf and dunlop is (what i have observed) dunlops tend to develop cracks sooner as compared to mrf.Moreover mrfs are a tad heavier than dunlop.Tyre installation generally should only be done using a tyre changer as it ensures uniform seating of the tyre in the rim.Improper installation would result in tyre wobbling.

Guys i have a Unicorn which came with 3.00-18 and i have put OEM alloys.
Now want to change the tyres.


I do ride in kacha roads a lot so i don't prefer very soft compound
I have shortlisted
> Dunlop Monster
> MRF Meteor
Both 100/90-18

Which would u recommend.

If not these 2 then which else. Plz reply asap.

I have a MRF Zapper 130 size rear-tyre fitted on my Karizma.The Fibre above the Tyre(i.e under the seat) has gone not all thought only a little.now the everything is running is fine.No Problem has occured but is the tyre advisable for long tours cause i am more into touring and stuff.Is it advisable to keep the tyre running or change to a small tyre i.e 120?
Here is a pic-

guys...cud someone tell me what do the sizes 2.75x18 / 3.00x18 indicate....i know that a 100/80 means 100 width and 80% height...but what's the 2.75 or 3.00 mean??

2.75 and 3.00 indicate the width in Inches


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After the non availablility of a good tube less tyre in 18 size. i have planed to move to the 17 inch rear size for my yamaha would be going in for a Pulsar Wheel would any one be able to sugest what tyres are in the market with the max of 100 width and max 90 profile and some thing less in profile would do aswell. one i can think of is the R15 rear foot.

please help me by posting the price and place where i can buy one in delhi

Don't even mention that... grrrrrrrrrr!

Have heard Dunlops last less than MRFs... if they develop cracks also faster, then that really sux...

And what to do if all the tyre shops say they can't change motorcycle tyres in their tyre changers?

Have certainly not tried enough tyres to advice you, but one of the tyres you could consider is the Dunlop Challenger 101. Have written about it and posted a pic in couple of my earlier posts in this thread. Its heavily built with deep groves, but seems relatively lighter. Pattern is similar to TVS Dragon.

i have been using the GEO CRUISER on my passion the passion has been sold off the tyre was bought and put on to the wheel back in 2002 and still going strong no cracks or deformation of the tyre at all.

Well, Dunlops generally seem to have a softer compound than most MRFs. So actually they should be less prone to cracks... but of course thats just a conjecture. There might be many other things that cause cracking...

Desideep, are you sure there were no HAIRLINE cracks either on your Dunlop Geocruiser?

I have changed the rear twice....both the times with Dunlop challenger( i absolutly love this tyre).

For the front its apna desi MRF....and its a splendor.

....i once a very senior member back in the days when we had shoutbox thought i really had a CBR and started askin tons of questions on it.....tht was awesome fun...

Yes i am, where as the front one that was a MRF RIB pattern did get some of the cracks

yes! thts the tyre on my cbr too

Yes that the fav tyre of all of the manufacturers in the old days. but the tyre is good i think i had the same one on the Royal enfield. i used to love the way it used to lean it never gave up on me though there is not much that you can do when it comes to bullets and leaning.

So your front ribbed MRF has developed hairline cracks too?? How old is it?