Understanding Unicorn Tyre and changes

[Dimitrz]

Originally Posted by gauravlal80

Hi,

I look after the 2W tyre business in Michelin and came across your query. These rates are for 12.5% VAT and anywhere else where the tax is slightly different, it may differ slightly.

The difference between 80/80 18 and 100/80 18 is 20mm ( or 0.8 inches ) in terms of tyre width.

Thanks gauravlal80 wow so I can get a discount

Is 3.00 X 18 really 80/80 18 ? I just put 80/80 18 as an approx indicative figure to show what I require


Also can you break up what this stands for 100/80/ 18

Now is 100 the thickness 80 the circumference and 18 the rim base ------ how do we understand this spec ( one thing that I know is that this is measured in "MM" )

[vagabond321]

thanks gauravlal80...i will replace with a new sets..even though, just use them for 2 months, haha!!

[pulsurge]

First of all I'm curious to know why do you need thicker tyres. Wish you had mags so that you could have gone tubeless. Anyways instead of an M45- I would suggest you go for the 100/90-18 Michelin Sirac which would aid both on tarmac and off-road. Its tubeless, but you can run it with tube. As for the front- am not sure how big of a difference the M45 will make in the front against the stock zapper tyres which are good enough. Though I would bet on the grip of the M45, the only drawback is that it has a very uneven wearout pattern compared to a rear M45.

So take your call.

[darkside_of_d_sun]

I have been riding a Unicorn since 2005 and have run her for more than 61K kms now, my inputs are in bold below:

Originally Posted by Dimitrz

Hi BCMTians

Am a bit confused about my Unicorn (2006) tires

Somehow I cant seem to understand the specification language.

My current tyre specs are these (Factory fitted)


Front : 2.75 - 18 42p
Rear : 3.00 - 18 52p


I am planning to put a better or thicker tyre than the present one ideally before my Sikkim trip or sooner.

After having gone through various threads in different forums I know that Michelin M45 is good but what I don't understand is

a) How much bigger is M45 tyre compared to the present stock tyres ?

Available in various sizes, go for the 3.5 *18 for the rear tire.

b) Do I need to put M45 at both front and back ?

DO NOT use M45 at the front, it is notorious for uneven wear outs

c) What the size difference between 100/80/18 & 120/80/18 tyres and compared to these what is my present tyre size ?

100/80 or 100/90 would be a logical upgrade (I use Dunlop Monster 100/90 now and have used Dunlop Geo Cruiser 100/90 before). 120/80 would require removal of chain guard and would be too heavy and isnt recommended for the Unicorn

d) Do I need to change my bike's Rim for M45 tyre?

Not required but if you want upgrade to Pulsar 180 DTSi V1's rims

e) Is M45 trye good for touring ?

Yes

f) Finally how long do these kinds of tyre last ?

10K to 12K kms.

[gauravlal80]

Originally Posted by Dimitrz

Thanks gauravlal80 wow so I can get a discount

Is 3.00 X 18 really 80/80 18 ? I just put 80/80 18 as an approx indicative figure to show what I require


Also can you break up what this stands for 100/80/ 18

Now is 100 the thickness 80 the circumference and 18 the rim base ------ how do we understand this spec ( one thing that I know is that this is measured in "MM" )

No Discount, but you need to pay me for my professional opinion

You will get a 3.00 18 in many brands so you don't really need to convert to 80/80 18 , but the conversion is correct.

100 is the tyre width in mm. 80 is Aspect Ratio which is 80 percent of tyre width ( 80 mm in this case ).

Tire code - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

After seeing the some of the comments on tyre wear of M45, I would like to share my views.

It is very easy to say that M45 is notorious for tyre wear, but uneven tyre wear is not a defect until it causes instability, which it does not. The tyre pattern is designed in a way that the centre will contact the road and tear away first. I would request all members who have any other brand of tyre to hve a close inspection of their tyre and see that it is also present in their tyre.

[Yogesh Sarkar]

Doesn't the new Unicorn comes with 100/90 tyre as stock these days?

[Dimitrz]

Originally Posted by Yogesh Sarkar

Doesn't the new Unicorn comes with 100/90 tyre as stock these days?

My bike is an early 2006 model

I have 4 more queries

1) so what is better M45 3.5 x18 or 100/90-18 Michelin Sirac or M60 ( someone mentioned M60)

2) Will having a thicker tyre at back and a normal tyre in front create any wheel balancing / performance or stability issue?

3) The current stock tyres have run close to 19000km and before my Sikkim trip I would definetly add a min of 2000km to it and a max of say 5000km .

Keeping that in mind should I also think about changing the front tyre too ?

4) what about 110/80/ 18 tyre or is that too thick and heavy to really worth considering.

[Yogesh Sarkar]

Originally Posted by Dimitrz

1) so what is better M45 3.5 x18 or 100/90-18 Michelin Sirac or M60 ( someone mentioned M60)

I don’t think that M60 is available, M45 would be better if majority of your riding would be on the road, while SIRAC would have slightly better off road performance.

Originally Posted by Dimitrz

2) Will having a thicker tyre at back and a normal tyre in front create any wheel balancing / performance or stability issue?

Not really, unless you go craze with upsizing and get a really heavy and large rear tyre.

Originally Posted by Dimitrz

3) The current stock tyres have run close to 19000km and before my Sikkim trip I would definetly add a min of 2000km to it and a max of say 5000km .

Keeping that in mind should I also think about changing the front tyre too ?

Normally the stock tyres run fine for around 25-30k, so you might want to check out their state, before the trip and then decide accordingly.

Originally Posted by Dimitrz

4) what about 110/80/ 18 tyre or is that too thick and heavy to really worth considering.

If your motorcycle has 3.00x18” tyre, then it would be quite big as you would be switching to 4.33inch one.

[Dimitrz]

Thanks to gauravlal80 , pulsurge, darkside_of_d_sun for previous answers ( did I miss anyone? )

Yogesh bhai I am planning to use these trye on a 14 days Sikkim and if possible Bhutan trip ( off roading here would be limited to visiting the prominent places with bad or no roads ) as not much time to deviate .

Howevr I plan to use the same tyres for a 1 month lahual Spiti - Ladhak trip , which I would do when I leave this job this time lot off roading would be involved as I would go towards Padum and Musko valley - but up to a limit since I dont want to be stranded by ripping my tyre or tube

Now advise me which trye is better M45 3.5 x18 or 100/90-18 Michelin Sirac ?

again if the rate of Michelin Sirac is way high then its a no go

[vagabond321]

all the experts, just state the best tyres and sizes(unicorn) for the spiti and ladhak journey...so i can just replace them once i get my bike, thanks.