I am looking at new tires


cbzdel

cbzdel

New Member
Anyone have any input for me?

My criteria:
-My bike is my only form of personal transportation (wife has a car, I dont) meaning I am a year round all weather rider (even was out in snow/ice)
-My majority of riding is on the freeway
-In the nice spring/summer/fall I head to the twistys maybe once a month for a group ride.
-All in all my riding is mostly straight

What do you have for me?? I also want to get the most life possible out of the tires, not something that is gone in a 6 months such as these stocker tires haha!

Also what are you thought on a wider rear? It will provide more contact area, so does that mean it will wear out slower, OR does that mean a larger area will wear out just as fast??

Thanks!
 
9

99vengeur

Administrator
Staff member
I don't have any actual specific tires to recommend as far as brand, that will be up to you to decide. However, what I will tell you is to get the dual-compound tires. They are made from two different density rubbers. Stiffer more durable rubber in the center of the tire for mostly straight riding/commuting. Softer rubber on the outsides of the tire for better grip in the twisties. This type of tire should give you the best of both worlds: traction for the occasional twisty mayhem and long tire life for commuting.

Now you just have to pick a brand and give us a review. :thumbup:
 
J

joloy133

New Member
I researched tires for future purposes and the "michelin pilot road 2" were unanimously picked as outstanding tires. ( Using google and following threads, just getting info.) Both the Dunlop roadsmart and Bridgestones that came stock with our bikes were also rated well, except for the track. The newer Dunlop Q2 is something I'm considering as I rarely go out on wet days. FWIW
 
F

FZ1inNH

Super Moderator
Hearing a lot of good about the new Pilot Road 2's. It's a dual compound which is great for slabbing with a harder rubber in the center that will last miles and miles, then a softer compound on the sides that grip for sport riding.
 
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angelsneverlose

New Member
FZ1inNH said:
Hearing a lot of good about the new Pilot Road 2's. It's a dual compound which is great for slabbing with a harder rubber in the center that will last miles and miles, then a softer compound on the sides that grip for sport riding.
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this is actually better then my above recommendation since i just read you dont need tires for heavier sport riding...

the power pures are for heavier street riding and track use... not for getting 10K plus miles out of them...
 
B

Bigevildoer

New Member
I've read alot of good things about the Pirelli Diablo Rosso tires...
Most common thing between professional riders was that they stick like crazy, but tend to give a harsher ride, and that they show very minimal signs of wear even after hard use on-track testing.
 
S

Superzoom

New Member
Are our stock tires the Bridgestone BT 021's?

If so, they are a dual compound tire and they seem to get pretty good reviews. I guess we're always looking for the next "best" thing, but I think the BT 021's are good, all-purpose tires.
 
D

Diluted

Super *********
Elite Member
Some people got the Bridgestone BT021 tires stock. I got the Dunlop Roadsmart tires on mine.
 
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Diluted

Super *********
Elite Member
toofless said:
yeah, mine had the BT-021s... i have read some good reviews on them. The BT-023s are supposed to last longer and i guess replace the 021s? i got the set for $195 after taxes, so they were in my price range as well...
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I know you let Jon ride your bike, did you ride his? What did you think of his Pirelli tires if you got to take a longer ride on them?
 
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angelsneverlose

New Member
Get the Pilot road 2's rear OP w/ pilot power front!

i have this combo on my FZ6R now and its amazing! The rear is supposed to last 8K-10K miles, even on the highway everyday, but with softer sidewalls, you can still confidently attack the twisty's on the weekend ;). Ive dragged with these already and haven't had any problems at all... SO MUCH BETTER THEN STOCKERS!
 
J

JonKerr

Senior Member
Elite Member
I would not suggest the Diablo Rosso's for a commuting tire. They have a very high arch and more narrow contact patch in the center of the tire. Also, as little as I ride in a straight line, the centers are wearing just as fast as the sides. So someone who's on the centers 90% of the time will wear a flat spot into them quickly I think. They do stick very well though and they heat up quite quickly. From everything I've read, the Pilot Road 2 is the tire to go with if you're doing a mix of commuting and canyon carving. I even know guys who don't commute at all who are using the Road 2 just because they're cheaper and last longer. They're not quite as sticky as the Pilot Power 2ct sidewalls, but in all honesty, who NEEDS to be pushing that hard on the street anyways.
 
G

Grinch79

New Member
The dealer and tech/mechanic advised me that I could fit up to a 170 on the back if we wanted to go larger but that is where it needed to stop based on the space available.

I didn't really know much of the difference based on performance, this being my first and only bike I've ever owned I just figured the wider tire looked so much better.
 
H

Heineken

Senior Member
Elite Member
Where in IA? I'm riding to visit a friend in Dubuque on 22nd and 23rd of May, if your close by we can meet up to ride.
 
J

JonKerr

Senior Member
Elite Member
A 170 isn't going to change the handling that much. What you need to be careful about is the profile. Squeezing a 170 on a 5.5" wheel might crown the tire too much and make it look even more narrow than a 160. The Pirelli I have is a 160 and because of the profile it looks narrower than the stock 160. I am planning on putting a 170 Pilot Road or Pilot Power on the bike next time. So I'll be able to comment better then.
 
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angelsneverlose

New Member
i cant stress it enough! Get the pilot roads 2's, w/ a pilot power front. This combo is great and perfect for your needs! The rear i lasting 8K miles for some because of the dual compound w/ a hard center, but soft sides (that double the mileage of the others being recommended). The front never wears out first, so thats why you get a little stickier pilot power. The pilot Road 2's use softer sides which is the exact same compound as the pilot power front, which is why you can miss match... I mean they use pilot powers for the track, so they are obviously sticker, and its the same as this pilot road two, only the road 2 has a hard center. PS, i put the 170 size rear and love it, and it doesn't cause me any issues as all!

i just put 1K miles on mine and they are still great w/ no signs of wear. the turn in is amazing, and i love knowing they will last even after doing 60 miles of highway a day. Plus when you decide to have fun, the softer sides all you to lean as far as you want, even drag knee if you can get that far (i have and pushed them very hard w/o issues).
 
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99vengeur

Administrator
Staff member
I'm getting pretty close to the wear indicators, so I will be getting some new shoes in the next couple weeks.

I plan on going with the Metzeler Sportec M3 for both the front and rear tires. I have heard some really good reviews for them, and this generation tire is lasting longer than the previous M1 tires, and it boasts better traction in wet conditions without compromising the dry traction. When I felt the tires at the dealership the other day, it was like fly paper, it wouldn't let my hand go! :rolleyes:
 
J

JonKerr

Senior Member
Elite Member
From what I've been told, they're the same tires as Pirelli. Made in the same building to the same spec with a different name. I could be wrong but that's what I've heard from more than one person.
 

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