Cycle News - Archive Issues - 2000's

Metzeler was kind enough to hook us up with their excellent Rennsport RS DOT race-compound tires. The company has reaJJy come up with a fantastic Supersport tire. The most amazing thing about these tires is the durability. We spent the entire day at Willow Springs International Raceway, which happens to be one of the hardest tracks in the country on tires, and 55 gallons of fuel and about 100 laps per bike later, all four bikes were still getting decent grip from the Metzelers. The only exception was the GSX-R I 000, which, for obvious reasons, trashed the rear tire completely. As a matter of fact, the three other bikes are still on the same tires serving street duty, and are still fine. These tires have incredible grip, and yet last as long as any soft-compound tire we've ever ridden on. We ran 180/55ZR17 rears and 120/70ZR 17 fronts for the track day, even though all four bikes come with 190/50ZR17 rears stock. The Rennsport RS (race-com· pound) rear tire is only available in a 180/55ZRI7, which is just fine, because it makes the bikes turn really quick. According to Metzeler, the advantage that the Rennsports have over other manufacturers offerings is the construction. The Rennsports run a O-degree steel belt, instead of cross belts, which reduces heat in the tire and allows softer compounds to be used. It 125 100 25 10 11 12 125 125 100 also helps reduce centrifugal growth, which helps maintain a larger contact patch. We were really happy with all aspects of the RS tires. They had incredible grip, offered excellent stability and durability, and were completely predictable. For more information. contact: Metzeler Tire North America. 300 N. Pottstown Pike, Suite #280, Exton, PA ]9341. Phone 610542-2190 100 > '" ----- .. _-- 75 IT> c} .a c ~ . SO SO '1' " ~ 25 0 3 5 4 6 7 8 9 RPM (Xlooo) 10 11 12 13 125 100", > IT> c} 75 C(\&W&®&C(\O ~fi~lm®OO UST PRICE DISPLACEMENT ENGINE TYPE 25 0 [}[]@~& ~ ~ ~ §G]1lIfulm .g ~ ~ ~ SO- $9999-$10,999 929cc Uquid-cooled, in-line four-cylinder BORE x STROKE 74 x 54mm COMPRESSION RATIO ] 1.3: I CARBUREllON PGM-FI with automatic choke IGNITION .•......Digital w/ 3-D map TRANSMISSION Six-speed STARTING SYSTEM Electric FUEL CAPACITY .4.9 gal. WHEELBASE 54.9 in. RAKEITRAIL 23.8/97mm SEAT HEIGHT 32.3 in. FRONT TIRE ] 20/70-] 7 REAR TIRE 190/50-17 FRONT WHEEL 3.5 x ] 7 in. FRONT·WHEEL TRAVEL .4.7 in. REAR WHEEL 6.0 x ]7 in. REAR-WHEEL TRAVEL 5.3 in. FRONT BRAKE Dual disc REAR BRAKE Disc FINAL DRIVE Chain CLAIMED DRY WEIGHT 379 Ibs. USTPRICE $]0,199 DISPLACEMENT 899cc ENGINE TYPE liqUid-cooled, 16-valve, DOHC in-line four-cylinder four-stroke BORE x STROKE 75 x 50.9mm COMPRESSION RATIO ] 1.5:] CARBQRETlON (4) 40mm Keihin IGNITION Digital with Kawasaki Throttle· Responsive IGNITION Control TRANSMISSION Six-speed STARTING SYSTEM Electric FUEL CAPACITY ......•....5.0 gal. WHEELBASE 55.7 in. RAKEITRAIL , •••.....24/96.5 SEAT HEIGHT 31.9 in. FRONT TIRE 120/70- 17 REAR TIRE ...•......... 190/50- I 7 FRONT·WHEEL TRAVEL .4.7 in. REAR·WHEEL TRAVEL .5.3 in. FRONT BRAKE Dual disc REAR BRAKE Disc FINAL DRIVE Chain CLAIMEIO DRY WEIGHT .403.5 Ibs. ®lliJ~lliJc(\O W&tiY.iJ&[}[]& 25 '----'-------'-----'--~---'------'-----''---'O 12 13 100 . -----r-----r-----f--. . , , , , .:- . , ---f---- , , ~---r-----r- , + ·-f ----;-- 25 , L-_-'--_---'-_--'-_ _'---_-'--_-'--_--'-_-'_ _-'-----' 0 10 11 12 13 ~..ffiljJ/~ ~ !MIlIl

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