| Author | Message | ||
     Hmartin |
I know there've been several other tire threads over the last several months, and I've read up on what some of you have had to say about Syncs vs. Stradas vs. PR2's, etc., but putting miles on different tires has a way of changing people's opinions about them, and your opinions are what I'm after. I've been running a mismatched set because I keep wearing out rear tires. The front Sync that I thought would be worn out by now still has plenty of life left, but the back tire is now into the wear bars, and I'm growing tired of replacing rear tires so often. I'm not too worried about the tread pattern on the back since, in my experience on unpaved roads, the front end starts washing out before the nearly bald back tire even notices. So here's my dilemma: Replace the rear with another Sync (or Strada or something) in hopes that they'll wear out at nearly the same time so I can replace the set? Or forget trying to wear them out at the same time and go with a higher mileage dual compound like the PR2 on the back? Or ??? | ||
| Electraglider_1997 |
Go dual compound on rear. I'm currently using a Sync on the front and a PR2 on the rear. I try to minimize the cost of operation. I have no idea how long the rear PR2 will last but the front tire will probably go at least 10,000 miles. So far so good with the PR2 but I'll probably try a dual compound Road Smart next time just as a comparison unless I read unfavorable reviews about them. If the PR2 last long enough to offset the cost then maybe I'll stick with it. I was favorably impressed that the PR2 was balance neutral, when it was mounted by a friend with a no-mar and fancy balance stand. It came without the normal painted balance dot and proved to be correct when placed on the balance stand. | ||
| Etennuly |
Electro, I am running the sync front and PR2 rear also. Almost 10,000 miles on that PR2. It probably should have been changed at 9,500, but stuff happens. The sync has about 12,000 and is still not to the wear bars. As far as handling goes it is the best combination I have had yet. Next up for me will be PR2's front and rear. Gotta give that a whirl. | ||
| Hmartin |
Thanks for the info so far. Please keep it coming. I'll probably keep the old one for another week or two before going Craig Jones on it, so I've got to make up my mind. Anybody care to offer a counter opinion, or does anyone have some information on the Roadsmart's? | ||
| Crusty |
How about another tire thread? No, No, No! They're not called threads, they're called cords!. There are layers of them. I mean who ever heard of wearing a tire down to the threads? You wear them down to the cords. The cords are made of threads, though... Hmmmmm... Anyway, I don't see where adding another thread to the cord would really be of much benefit. I'd just replace the tire before the cord starts showing. I think the rubber tread is better for traction than the cords are. (Please don't confuse the rubber tread with the thread that's used to make the cord) | ||
| Bienhoabob |
I just mounted my second set of Roadsmarts recently. I'd highly recommend them. I put about 11,000 miles on them, mainly highway. Front was starting to cup, rear had a normal wear pattern. Rain handling is excellent. Can't comment on dirt roads. I also liked the original Pilots Roads, but I kept getting Pilot Powers sent to me instead of what I ordered. (twice) I gave up and ordered something different. | ||
| Thetable |
I haven't put them on the Buell yet, but on my Suzuki I liked them well enough, although I didn't make it very far into them. I put about 1500 miles on them before I picked up my Uly, and now other than a few trips to the Buell shop to pick up parts, the Suzi hasn't been ridden much. In that time, they wore well, although the first few hundred miles they felt really vague, they did start to feel good after that. They have a fairly triangular profile especially for what is marketed as a sport touring tire. I wouldn't hesitate to run another set, but I am liking the PR2s enough that I think I can stop trying out tires now. Sorry I haven't run anything with the Sync, as I have an XT, and I always replace tires in pairs. I can usually sell used fronts for enough that I have no desire to run mismatched tires. | ||
| Hangetsu |
Well, this is just a rumor at this point, but my tire guy, who seems to have a pretty close relationship with manufacturers, says Metzler may be releasing the "Tourance" in 17" sizes for front and rear and widths up to 180 series. I have no idea how these tires wear, but for those who are screaming for a more off-road worthy tire, short of a full DOT knobby, the Tourance is about as good as it gets. Something worth keeping out eyes open for. | ||
| Anonymous |
Because of the delicate nature of this tire discussion, I have decided to post 'anonymously' I have a Sync front and Strada rear - the combo feels smoother than the Sync rear and turn-in feels the same to me. I am trying the Strada rear to see if I can squeeze more miles out of the rear. So yeah, I like it so far. John PS...I am NOT Johnboy777 posting 'anonymously' just for the hell of it. Although if i were he, I might try it. But I'm NOT! . | ||
| Johnboy777 |
""I have a Sync front and Strada rear - the combo feels smoother than the Sync rear and turn-in feels the same to me. I am trying the Strada rear to see if I can squeeze more miles out of the rear. "" +1 .. couldn't have said it better, myself. . | ||
| Ft_bstrd |
THAT would be awesome! The Tourances are a great dual sport tire. | ||
| Tootal |
Well UPS just dropped off some Metzeler ROADTEC Z6 INTERACTS. I read some good reports on them and I've been a Metzeler fan ever since I tried them on a BMW K100 RS back in 85. They transformed that bike and I use them on my Geezer Glide with great results. So we will see and I will post my findings here. I just checked Metzelers website and no mention of the tourance for us yet but I hope the rumor is true. I would definately throw a set on for my next off road tour! (Message edited by tootal on May 27, 2009) | ||
| Armymedic |
Tourances would rock on a Uly. I hope they are out before Alaska next summer! | ||
| Hangetsu |
I am also fitting Z6 Interacts on my Uly. I actually went down to Thunderbird Cycles today to get them fitted, but I got there too late. There were already 15 bikes in line ahead of me, so I'll be going back tomorrow. This shop specializes in tires and in the words of the owner, "I plan on taking the M/C tire business." He buys in such high volumes he gets the lowest prices I have ever seen; on the web or in any brick & mortar store. Since he's been seeing more ans more of these big cc "dual sport" bikes coming in, my visit prompted him to speak with Metzler's US distributor to find out what all the options are for these bikes. It was then that the rep mentioned Metzler's plans to expand the Tourance to "Adventure Sportbike" wheel sizes. However, this is just the word of the rep, so if it's true and how soon is yet to be seen. I will remain hopeful though. | ||
| Crempel |
I have an '06 orange (fast) Uly. Came stock, of course, with the Dunlops. Rear lasted 3k. I replaced it with the Scorpion Sync which went about 3.5k. I ran this with the Dunlop front and had no issues. Pretty aggressive twisty riding as well as daily commuting. At 7.5k the front had no tread on the sides, but 50% in the middle. I then replace both with the Dunlop RoadSmarts. Now have 5k on those and the front looks almost new with the rear showing only slight wear. I expect to get AT LEAST 10k out of these. The handling is very good, with the biggest improvement over the others being a reduction in the tendency to stand up under front brake application if leaned over at all. I would highly recommend the RSs to anyone not planning on offroading. | ||
| Hangetsu |
Well, I got the Metzler Z6 Interacts mounted today and so far, I'm pretty happy with them. The turn-in is quicker than the Syncs and they're as stable as can be at any angle, in corners or at 90 on the straights. I rode about 100 miles on Rocky Mountain back-roads and I was fortunate enough to get caught in a hefty thunder storm. Even on the wet pavement, the tires did their job. I was able to maintain a pretty brisk pace, even on the wet pavement. So far I give these tires the thumbs-up, but the real test will be mileage. I'f I can get 2 to 3K more miles out of these over what I got out of my Syncs, I will be very happy. | ||
| Hmartin |
The Metzeler's look like the Strada's, don't they? I think I'm leaning towards buying a Roadsmart for the rear. Think it would last as long as either the Metzeler or the Strada, if not the PR2? Oh, and thanks, Crusty. As I was clicking on "Start New Thread", I was thinking that you all might be tired of talking about tires. I didn't catch the similarity between tread and thread at the time, but I got a good chuckle out of it once I saw what you wrote. | ||
| Tootal |
Pirelli owns Metzeler so Pirelli borrows technology. A friend of mine works for Pirelli and use to travel with the Ferrari race team in F1. He asked me what tires I was running on my bikes and I cringed telling him Metzeler but he laughed and said, "that's ok, we own them." I guess if you can't beat them, buy them!! | ||
| Hangetsu |
I believe it's the other way around - Metzler owns Pirelli. Form what I heard, Pirelli has been in a bit of a mess for some time and it's Metzler that has a) bailed them out and b)passed a lot of its technology over to Pirelli. | ||
| Thetable |
Z6 and Strada are nearly identical in construction and compounds. The Interact is a higher silicone compound which should make for a grippier tire (particularly in the wet) than the Z6 it is replacing (eventually.) The belts of the new Interact are designed to let the tire operate much like the Avon Storms with a very stiff center to minimize flex and keep the tire running cooler on the slab, where the sides have a lower tension which is supposed to allow for higher temps on the sides resulting in more grip. At least that is how they were sold to me. There is an un-named source from Pirelli I heard from, who was absolutely blown away by the Interacts. The new Angels from Pirelli are supposed to be based on the same technology with a different tread pattern. Q4 was the last I heard on a US release date. As to who owns whom, dunno. What I do know is that the last set of Z6s I got were made by Pirelli. | ||
| Tootal |
Pirelli is a much larger company than Metzeler. They make automotive, motorcycle and racing tires, I doubt a small motorcycle tire manufacturer could afford a large corporate giant like Pirelli. Besides, I don't think my good friend is going to lie to me. This happened many years ago, like the early 90's, not something new. |
