Yamaha Seca II

a.k.a. XJ600N/S, Diversion 600

(updated September 99)

Rim Stock Size
Front 2.50 x 17 110/80H17
Rear 3.50 x 18 130/70H18

Manufacturers' Recommendations

Manufacturer Front size Rear size
Avon AV27 110/80ZR17 AV281 130/70H-18
AV35 Azaro 110/80ZR17 AV281 130/70H-18
Bridgestone BT35 110/80H-17 BT35 130/70H-18
BT45 110/80H-17 BT45 130/70H-18
Dunlop K591 Elite SP V-Rated 110/80-17 K591 Elite SP V-Rated 140/70B18
Metzeler ME-33 Laser CompK 110/80V-17 ME-1 CompK 140/70VB18
Michelin Macadam 50 110/80H17 Macadam 50 130/70H18
Pirelli MT 09 110/80V-17 MT 08 140/70VB18

Martyn's Opinion

General Comments

Unfortunately Yamaha decided to fit an 18" rear on this bike.  It's wide enough for all the modern tyres, but those modern tyres just aren't available in an 18" diameter.  Shame on you, Yamaha!  That basically eliminates most possibilities of putting this very nice bike on radials -- which it what it deserves, really.  A set of Metzeler ME-Z1/ME-Z2's, or Avon AV27/ST23, would work so well...

The Best Compromise

Brand Model Size MAW
Front Bridgestone BT45 Sports Mileage 110/80H-17 $81
Rear Bridgestone BT45 Sports Mileage 130/70H-18 $92

Of those that are available, the new BT45's from Bridgestone are definitely the best.  A successor to the well-known BT35's, they incorporate a bunch of improvements, most notably a tread compound formulated for better wet traction.  They're dual compound, with a harder-wearing centre tread, and so should are well suited for all sorts of riding.  The BT45's are intended for small- to mid-size motorcycles, and the Seca II is very much in that category.  They're even one of the cheapest selections!

The only drawback is that the front has a tendency to uneven wear and cupping.  Compared with all the other selections, however, they're still the best combination out there for all sorts of riding from commuting to full-out sport riding.

Touring, The Radial Option

Brand Model Size MAW
Front Avon AV27 110/80ZR17 $129
Rear Avon AV281 130/70-R18

There is just one radial combination available for this bike.  While the AV27 is a very good tyre indeed, the AV281 is designed as a general-purpose sort of tyre, not really what I'd put on a Seca.  While a good choice for touring, most riders would probably do better with one of the bias-ply sets.

For touring riders, however, the comfort benefits of radials, combined with the superb stability of the AV27 front, would tip the balance in favour of this pair.

Assuming, of course, that you can find an AV281, which seems to be hard to get in the USA...

Martyn's Choice

Brand Model Size MAW
Front Bridgestone BT45 Sports Mileage 110/80H-17 $81
Rear Bridgestone BT45 Sports Mileage 130/70H-18 $92

The Seca II is a good all-around bike, and I'd put all-around tyres on it.  The BT45's are excellent all-around tyres, and Bridgestone's "sports mileage" tyres have a very nice profile which contributes to good steering characteristics.

If a better radial rear becomes available, I might change my choice.  Until then, the BT45's are the way to go.


The Full List

(from MAW and manufacturer web pages)

Well-sized matched pairs

This table lists matched pairs with an exact front.


Brand Front size MAW Rear size MAW match
Avon AV27 110/80ZR17 $129 AV281 130/70-R18 exact
Bridgestone BT35 Sports Mileage 110/80H-17 BT35 Sports Mileage 130/70H-18 exact
BT45 Sports Mileage 110/80H-17 $81 BT45 Sports Mileage 130/70H-18 $92 exact
Dunlop K591 Sport Touring 110/80V-17 K591 Sport Touring 140/70VB18 wide
IRC Carapace RS-320 110/80H-17 $75 Carapace RS-320 130/70H-18 $80 exact
Metzeler ME-33 Laser 110/80H-17 ME-99A Perfect 120/80H-18 soft
ME-33 Laser 110/80V-17 $86 ME-99A Perfect 140/70VB18 wide
Michelin Macadam 50 110/80H-17 $88 Macadam 50 130/70H-18 $107 exact
Pirelli MT75 110/80H-17 MT75 130/70H-18 exact
Match MT09 110/80V-17 $90 Match MT08 140/70VB18 $124 wide

Listing by Manufacturer

Avon

Front size MAW match Rear size MAW match
AV27 110/80ZR17 $129 exact AV281 130/70-R18 exact
Azaro AV35 110/80ZR17 $124 exact
Super Venom AM18 140/70V-18 $129 wide

Bridgestone

Front size MAW match Rear size MAW match
BT17 Sports Mileage 140/70V-18 wide
BT35 Sports Mileage 110/80H-17 exact BT35 Sports Mileage 130/70H-18 exact
BT45 Sports Mileage 110/80H-17 $81 exact BT45 Sports Mileage 130/70H-18 $92 exact
BT50 Sports Perform. 110/70ZR17 short BT50 Sports Perform. 140/60ZR18 wide
BT56SS Extreme Sp/Perf 110/70ZR17 $109 short
BT57 Sports Perform. 110/70ZR17 short
BT92 Sports Mileage 110/70HR17 short BT92 Sports Mileage 140/60HR18 wide

Continental

Front size MAW match Rear size MAW match
Sport 2000 110/80V-17 $72 exact

Dunlop

Front size MAW match Rear size MAW match
D205 Sport/Touring 110/80ZR17 $88 exact
K455 Radial 140/60HR18 wide
K505 110/80V-17 $92 exact
K510 110/70HR17 $85 short K510 140/60HR18 $101 wide
K591 Sport Touring 110/80V-17 exact K591 Sport Touring 140/70VB18 wide

IRC

Front size MAW match Rear size MAW match
Carapace RS-320 110/80H-17 $75 exact Carapace RS-320 130/70H-18 $80 exact
Durotour RS-310 110/70H-17 short

Metzeler

Front size MAW match Rear size MAW match
ME-1 110/70H-17 short ME-1 130/70H-18 exact
ME-33 Laser 110/80H-17 exact
ME-33 Laser 110/80V-17 $86 exact ME-99A Perfect 140/70VB18 wide
ME-Z1 110/80ZR17 $95 exact
ME-Z2 110/80ZR17 $107 exact
ME-Z3 110/70ZR17 $110 short

Michelin

Front size MAW match Rear size MAW match
Hi-Sport TX15 110/70ZR17 $145 short
Macadam 50 110/80H-17 $88 exact Macadam 50 130/70H-18 $107 exact
Macadam 50 110/80V-17 $100 exact
Macadam 90X 110/80ZR17 exact

Pirelli

Front size MAW match Rear size MAW match
Dragon GT MTR03 110/80ZR17 $98 exact
Dragon MTR01 110/70ZR17 $108 short
MT75 110/80H-17 exact MT75 130/70H-18 exact
Match MT09 110/80V-17 $90 exact Match MT08 140/70VB18 $124 wide

Key:

Exact Precisely matches original spec
Excellent Precisely matches a recommended alternate
Good An exact or alternate in a different sizing system
Short Exact or excellent width, lower profile.  Consider these both ends to lower the bike
Soft Similar diameter by using a taller profile and narrower width; used on the rear only
Tall Taller profile, stock width; similar in effect to "soft", but for the front only
Wide Same profile, wider tyre.  This MAY NOT FIT your rim.  BE CAREFUL!!!