A question about tire ratings...

[307T]

If the metric measurements are the same and just the tire rating is different, can you please tell me the difference between 170/60VB18 and 170/60ZR18? Also, has anyone done business with an on-line vendor by the name of the BIKE BANDIT.COM? Thanks in advance for your assistance.

[VermilionX]

If the metric measurements are the same and just the tire rating is different, can you please tell me the difference between 170/60VB18 and 170/60ZR18? Also, has anyone done business with an on-line vendor by the name of the BIKE BANDIT.COM? Thanks in advance for your assistance.

the letters are speed ratings.

ZR tires are capable of speeds above 150mph.

i dunno what VB means though. which one is more expensive on the store you're lookin at?

[ZooTech]

Yes, BikeBandit is the shizznit!

As for the ratings, the ZR is a Z-rated radial and probably belongs to a sportbike in need of a sticky tire with a high-speed rating. The other may be the same tread pattern but with a stronger construction and lower speed rating for a touring bike. For example, there are two Dunlop SportMax D220's in the 170/60-17 size, one H-rated (OEM for the Mean Streak) and one Z-rated for sportbikes.

[307T]

Well, my bike is hardly a 150 MPH motorcycle but they (Dunlop) no longer make the VB rating. If the dimensions are the same I will go for it. Referencing cost, I replaced the rear (the 170) about two months ago with slightly taller Metzler at a higher cost than the Dunlop from Bike Bandits. It caused a problem with clearance to the lower part of my license plate which I have since corrected. I bought an Avon (again, more expensive) for the front but have not mounted it due to concerns about clearances between that and the fender. I think I'll just end up eating the cost of the newer tires and go for the Dunlops again. By the way, I suspect that VB may stand for "virtual brick."

[9000white]

vb--v rated tire with belted construction.

[sharpmagna]

I found bikebandit to be more expensive when I was shopping around for OEM Honda parts. Not sure how they compare with tires.