Pirelli Phantom Sportcomp Tyres On Thruxton 900

Hi Rob

 

Hi Rob

I can't speak to your fitment questions but I would ask are you sure you want Pirelli Phantom Sport comps? They're standard fit to a lot of the later "modern classics" (including my Street Cup) and if you ferret around on this site you'll find quite a few who are unimpressed with them.

They look right and they're reasonably grippy but like many I've found the factory Triumph fitted version of the Sport Comps have shallow new tread depth (but that may be different for tyre dealer versions); poor feed back from the road; poor grip in the wet and they "white line" quite happily. Continental Road Attack 3 seem to get much better praise, or Avons.

Sorry to put a downer on your plans, others may have better suggestions.

Cheers Paul

 

This comes with a big caveat because I'm no expert. I've looked up Triumph's table for recommended fitments and your bike needs a 130/80R17 rear tyre. As I'm sure you know the 130 refers to the tyre width = 130mm. But what also matters is the profile that's the second number, which refers to the height of the tyre from the rim as a ratio of the width. So your tyre's height is 130x0.8 = 104mm.

My Street Cup uses 150/70R17: So my tyre's height is 150x0.7 = 105mm. almost nothing in it. Why does this matter well you can get a wider tyre that will have the same rolling radius as your stock tyre without affecting speed acceleration or the calibration of your Speedometer.

The big question is will it fit the rim? And will it fit in the swing arm? The second question you can work out by looking at the bike, the tyre will fill the gap to the swing arm by (and any other bits on the chassis) by 10mm on each side. I'd say you'd probably need about 20mm each side of your stock tyre.

The second question you'll have to check, there are charts that state what tyre widths work with what width rims but I don't have one.

The other thing to consider is if your present tyre is tubeless, will the new tyre work with inner tubes? I have cast wheels and use tubeless. Again you'll have to research the markings on the tyre. Triumph's website has advice on tyres and most tyre manufacturers have such info as well.

Good luck
Paul

 

As far as I am aware, 130 and 140 are both recommended sizes by tyre manufacturers for the thruxton rim width.. I have been told only Dunlop have a 150 that is recommended on our rim width. Having said that quite a few folk say continental and Avon 150's work fine on the rear of a 900 thruxton.

 

If thats the same Pirelli fitted as OE on my T120 then they are pretty naff;
Do not inspire confidence wet or dry, move all over the place on white lines and tar bands. The word fidgety comes to mind and did I mention they are shi*e in the wet.

 

Yeah replied without reading all posts, saw you had bought the Bridgestones after my rant.
I fitted Michelin Pilot Activ's to my T120 pretty happy with them.

 

Let us know how you get on long term with the new rubber. Any info helps us all.