Tire Question(not a tire thread)

[ltljohn]

I need a new front tire. I found a couple of places on line with good prices and free shipping. My question is this.

The tire size is 120/70/ZR17 but there are four choices with suffixes of C, G, U and K there is also another with no suffix that is $20 less. What do the suffixes indicate?

[StuGotz]

Not a tire expert, but your suffix's may be brand specific and motorcycle manufacturer specific..,

 

If it were me , I'd contact the manufacturer for explanation.

 

I've got tires on my RT with the designation B, which means BMW. You wouldn't want to use these tires on a Honda.

 

I've used spec tires in the past with no suffix, but I'd never use one with a suffix I didn't know on my bikes.

 

I have a set for use above 300mph and tested to 550 mph...these have an "X" on them... ( experimental)

 

MB>

[StuGotz]

Update, look at this from another thread:

 

http://www.largiader.com/shop/tires.pdf

 

MB>

[ltljohn]

The tires are Metzler Z6, I could not find anything on the Metzler site.

[philbytx]

I wouldn't worry. The tyre is the correct size with the correct Z rating....go for it!

 

[Dan M]

It is brand specific specification. Ask on Metzeler's site they will probably respond quickly.

 

I've used the plain ones without issue from Metzeler, Continental & Pirelli.

[GordonB]

Some mfgr's provide a 'B' fitment; the tire is designed with stiffer/sturdier sidewalls to handle the loads of a fully loaded two up touring bike.

[philbytx]

 

 

Here you go : The important stuff is that the tire should show both a Speed rating and a Load rating. Certain manufacturers may show a particular tyre size but for a particular manufacturer.

 

 

Motorcycle Speed Ratings

 

Speed Symbol Max Speed Speed Symbol Max Speed Speed Symbol Max Speed

J 62 mph K 68 mph L 75 mph

M 81 mph N 87 mph P 93 mph

Q 99 mph R 106 mph S 112 mph

T 118 mph U 124 mph H 130 mph

V 149 mph W 168 mph Y 186 mph

Z 149 mph

 

 

Load Indexes (L.I.)

 

L.I. lbs. L.I. lbs. L.I. lbs.

33 254 49 408 65 639

34 260 50 419 66 661

36 276 52 441 68 694

37 282 53 454 69 716

38 291 54 467 70 739

39 300 55 481 71 761

40 309 56 494 72 783

41 320 57 507 73 805

42 331 58 520 74 827

43 342 59 536 75 853

44 353 60 551 76 882

45 364 61 567 77 908

46 375 62 584 78 937

47 386 63 600 79 963

48 397 64 617 80 992

81 1018 82 1047 83 1074

84 1102 85 1135 86 1168

87 1201 88 1234 89 1278

90 1323 91 1356 92 1389

93 1433 94 1477 95 1521

96 1565 97 1609 98 1653

99 1708 100 1764 101 1819