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V7 Cafe Classic - 130 90 17 Rear Tire Ok?
Walter:
I recently purchased a 2010 V7 Cafe Classic and love the bike, but the front tire or spoke wheel is looking a bit wonky as I go down the road, and I am looking into replacing both tires when I check the front
wheel. The current tires are Metzler Lasertec 2020 vintage. The bike has 4,200 miles on it, so I assume the OEM Lasertec's just aged out.
My tire sources are showing the Lasertecs as backordered, and I want to keep costs fairly reasonable, as this is just a backroads pleasure bike. I am looking at Dunlop d404 tires now, but on the rear Dunlop only have available 130 90 17 versus the current (and factory spec) 130 80 17.
Is anyone running a 130 90 17 on their V7, and if so are they having any problems?
Thanks
Dirk_S:
I’ve had 2 different Shinko tires, both 130/90-17 on my V7 bikes (not a Cafe, but all the V7 before 2020 used the same swingarm).
Walter:
Dirk, thank you for your reply! Did you notice any operational differences, and how are the Shinkos?
Dirk_S:
My response will be fairly disappointing—I’m not the most observant when comparing tires that much. The one set with the 130/90-17 rear were street tires, the other dual-sport. I didn’t keep the street tires long—I only bought them for the track, and ended up installing them onto the V7 II that I sold last year. In addition to the taller rear, I had raised the forks on the triple tree for the new buyer, as she wanted a tighter turning bike. She was pleased, but it certainly took both modifications to get that result. So, unfortunately the best I can do is confirm the 130/90-17 will fit.
faffi:
I am curious what you mean about wonky? Does the front wheel appear to weave when you look at it? Of so, the wire wheel is likely out of true. You can true it yourself, or have a specialist do it. If you decide to have a specialist do the truing, I would expect it to have less than 0.5 mm runout longitudinally and laterally, although the limit is 2 mm IIRC.
The 404s is a tire made for long life and not ideal for spirited riding IMO. If you plan to ride sensibly and for long distances, they will work fine. If you like spirited riding, you will probably find them wanting in grip. Also, they ride quite stiffly - Michelins generally offer softer constructions if you want to stay with a high end brand. Personally, I have great experience with Mitas MC50s, if you are happy getting 4-6000 miles out of them. Good grip, nice comfort and very predictable. My son recently fitted a set to his 2010 V7 Classic, in the stock sizes, and are very happy with them. He had Metzlers before, 6 years old now and with more than 50% life left, but he never got comfortable with them; difficult to understand where the limit was ("numb"), and on chilly days they would slip prematurely. I have heard a lot of good things about Shinko's but they are too costly in Europe for me to consider (priced along with premium brands).
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