| Author | Message | ||
     1324 |
I just picked up the Uly a few weeks ago and she needs tires. I am a big Michelin fan for my sport and sport touring rubber, so that is my back up. However, as good as the Pilot Road 3's are, they aren't suitable for dirt roads. I'm not looking to take this bike into the WOODS or doing any 500 mile days on dirt roads, but I'd like something a little more capable on dirt or gravel roads. I've run the Scorpion Sync's on my XB9 and found them to be a pretty decent tire on the road. Never took them on off the road, though. Been reading on the Scorpion Trail, and they sound promising (though pricey). So for fear of rehashing an old topic, does anyone have any recommendations? | ||
| Crusty |
Buy Dunlops. Froggy is very enthusiastic about them. | ||
| Tootal |
Loving my Trails. They seem to do it all and last longer too! | ||
| Cyclonedon |
Dunlop D616 | ||
| Ratbuell |
Buy Dunlops. Froggy is very enthusiastic about them.  Froggy's loss there...I've only had D616's on my '06, and have seen zero reason to change. Great handling on pavement - run HIGH tire pressures, I run 38/40 commuting, 40/42 loaded for a trip, front/rear - excellent off-pavement, nice thick carcass...and not expensive. | ||
| Portero72 |
I vote for the 616 as a gravel/dirt road tire. Not my favorite road tire, but the most stable in the dirt on my bikes. | ||
| 1324 |
Interesting that you guys like the Dunlop. Although I've never run a 616, I've yet to be impressed with their tires. What are you guys comparing them to? | ||
| Portero72 |
I have had the syncs, 616, and RP2s on the bike. 616s were the best, by far, on dirt. Syncs may have been the best all rounder, but the RP2s are on there now as a long wearing sport touring tire that sticks and is great in the rain. | ||
| Ferrisanyoneseenferris |
I bought TKC80's and love them, but will try 616's next time just to judge them against the TKC's and save a little money at the same time. The TKC's look great, but you hear and feel them all the time, which for the riding I do, isn't bad. Wet grass putting it up the ramp into my truck was a breeze, the old Scorps were sliding everywhere... | ||
| Ratbuell |
I've only had the 616 on my Uly, but have had a slew of other brands/tires on all my other bikes. PR2, PR3, Sync, old-school Dunlops (402/408 family), ContiMotion. Actually, that's a lie - I ran out of tread coming home from Buelltoberfest a few years ago, and put a ContiMotion on the rear as an emergency "what do you have in stock" replacement to get home. On-road comparison is what I can offer most, and the 616 doesn't have any detriments that I've found, other than wishing they did a dual-compound version for tread life. My Uly is chicken-strip-free within 100 miles of new tires. They're predictable, nice transitions, good profile, and I don't hear or feel them. Off road, I've done gravel, fire roads, hiking trails (not a lot, but have done), mud, wet grass, and occasional trailblazing through fields. Haven't had to push it home yet  The others...I get scared on wet grass, might as well be ice. The 616 has good bite, but not at the expense of on-road capability. I guess I'm of the thought that "if it ain't broke...". I'll keep using the 616 on my Uly. | ||
| 1324 |
How many miles are you guys getting out of a set of 616's? I'd like to get 6-7k. This will get me through the rest of winter and my trip to TX in April. | ||
| Etennuly |
My '06 came with the D616 tires. I liked them overall. The rear one wore a bit cupped on the tread mid way to the outer edge. It was done at around 6000 miles. The front wore the center and sides to where the edges were like a berm at about 9000 still with tread on them. It went to almost 14000. I switched to Syncs. They were great in the rain and dry pavement. When they had to bump up production the carcass' became different and they wore unevenly belted on two sets. I never got more than 6000 on a rear and 9000 on a front. Then I went to Michelin Pilot Road II's. Awesome tire. Rears did 11000 and front about 14000 miles. Thicker carcass than either of the other tires. Handling was easier and better which surprised me. I did not think it would or could be better with changing brands of street tires from what I had. One of my riding buddies went to them and he picked up 5 miles per hour on the same corners without knowing he was going faster than his previous comfort level. IMHO they are worth the extra money. | ||
| 1324 |
I'm a huge believer in the Pilot Road 2 and 3's. I've run numerous sets on my various bikes and absolutely love them in all conditions...except dirt and sand. I bought the Uly as an experiment for two up riding and touring. I'd like the Pilot Road 3's, but I'd like to get a little more grip on fire roads. The PR3's are just too street oriented for any dirt. I normally get about 6-7k out of a PR2 or PR3 rear. Front is usually good for 10k. | ||
| Ratbuell |
I'm usually in the 6k range for a rear, not gentle riding, lots of engine braking and downshifting. I've gotten 12-15k out of a front. Again - HIGH pressures, 38psi minimum for me, no cupping. | ||
| Pontlee77 |
if you plan on doing only roads i'd go for michelin pilot power 2ct, i've had the dunlops 616 and the sportmax qualifier 2, the continental road attack, the metzeler m3 and now the michelin, so my personal opinion if you inly plan to ride on roads is either metzeler, or michelin, they are what best performance i got from. | ||
| Hdxbones |
What kind of mileage are folks getting out of the Scorpion Trails? The 616 looks like a nice tire, but 6K on the rear seems to be a pretty common useful life for them. | ||
| Ratbuell |
What sort of riding will you be doing? The Trail has a MUCH thinner carcass...more susceptible to rocks. Also, dollar-per-mile, the 616 still stacks up well. | ||
| Hdxbones |
I bought the Uly to start exploring roads that I don't care to take my street bike down. Gravel/dirt, fire roads, forest access roads, etc. A few muddy spots, a few rocky/rough spots, a few loose/sandy spots. I'm not expecting any involved single track riding. It takes me quite a few miles to reach the fun stuff from my home, so I'm probably looking at 75/25 on/off pavement. | ||
| 1324 |
I do about the same. My Speed Triple is my bike of choice, but isn't good for two up or off-pavement. I've put about 25k on the Speed since May 2011, so it works great for most of my use. However, if the Uly works out, that could see more touring miles (my MotoGP trip to Texas in April would be nice with hard luggage and leg room). So basically, I'd like the option of exploring some places I shouldn't take my Triumph while not severely limiting my on road traction. I've been known to feather my tires to the edges on the right roads. | ||
| Etennuly |
You mean riding like this?  I did this with another Uly rider and a Duc Monster rider, I believe all of us had Scorpion Syncs at the time. This was about a twelve miles and a three creek crossing adventure ride. We were mostly able to avoid mud and ruts. If I were to do much of this riding I would fore-go the Pilot Road II's and run the D616 because of it's more off road tread and it has a thicker carcass than the Scorpion Sync. And, as Ratbuell has said, they do handle very well, and will get you 6000 miles. | ||
| Uly_man |
Yes the Scorpion Sync does have a thin-ish carcass and once the tread gets low they are more likely to get a flat. I know. Mine are coming up to 7k and the rear is close the the wear bar. It "went off" at 6.5k and has "squared off" but is still good in the dry. The front is fine and should be good for 9k. Its a very good tire but I will change to PR2s as they are just amazing on this bike for road work. For me anyway. Off road is another ball game. Dry stuff should be fine with the right skills. Mud, grass, sand etc needs the right rubber and MORE skill. The problem with rubber is you need to try it to see what works for you. The age old problem. | ||
| Arry |
"The Trail has a MUCH thinner carcass..." ? I hope they're stouter than the Scorpion Sync's, I had punctures on the stock Sync's, and was thought these would be more resistant. | ||
| Tootal |
The Scorpion Trails have a much thicker carcass than the Sync's. I think Ratbuell was confusing the two. I've had sync's, Metzeler R6, Michelin PR2's and now the Trails. IMO the Metzeler is the best handling tire by far but lasted the least. If street riding the PR2's and 3's would be my choice. For dirt the 616 has the best traction. For all around riding I really like the Scorpion Trails. They seem to be wearing really well and I've had no problem off road and they handle well on pavement also. | ||
| Busykat |
I use Pirelli Diablos, or whatever sport bike tire is on sale at the time. https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.15778434 4286159.38501.100001637848898&type=1&l=d9451ce167 Sorry, I tried to upload a picture, but couldn't figure out a way to make it small enough to take. (Message edited by Busykat on December 29, 2012) | ||
| Froggy |
No, Ratbuell is starting to believe his own Dunlop propaganda. | ||
| Ratbuell |
Figured Froggy would chime in sometime...  The trail IS thinner than the 616, though...unless there's a spec that I'm not aware of. | ||
| Zac4mac |
I'm firmly decided on TKC 80s for the Uly's next pair of shoes. Too bad Pirelli obsoleted the Syncs, I was thinking of trying them on Loretta. The Uly has virtually no C. strips while Loretta has a full 1/4" Z | ||
| Luftkoph |
I myself like the 616,especially in the rain,I rode 400 miles in a tropical depression a few years ago,and those 616"s are amazing,in deep water at highway speeds they sing to you,with a hissing sound.I must say I wish I got more miles out of them tho,3500 on the rear and it was done,but that was 2 up hot weather | ||
| Hdxbones |
From the online pricing I've found, it looks like the Scorpion Trail is only a few bucks more than the 616. If 3500-6000 miles is all I'd get out of a 616, I think I'll be leaning towards the Trails when I buy new rubber this spring. | ||
| Tootal |
This last August I rode up to Northern Iowa before heading West. During that ride I rode for over an hour in heavy downpours. It was one nasty storm but I was able to maintain 75 mph with complete confidence with the Trails. Never slipped once and I was very impressed. Once in Colorado I rode quite a bit of back roads in gravel and dirt and once again they were excellent. I never hit any mud or sand mind you! I've been through mud holes with them and they went right through it but that was more from momentum than traction. On the pavement they handled awesome. I went through some down hill sweepers at 85 mph with the bike fully loaded with camping gear etc. It felt so good! For an all around tire that last longer than the 616 I would say the Trails are the way to go. If you're riding more back road than pavement then the 616 would be my choice. | ||
| Henshao |
Interesting thread. I have a Cyclone which has oodles of ground clearance and always wondered what tires would be good for taking advantage of it.... | ||
| Mnrider |
Just ordered a new 616 front from Chapparal for 121.88 and free shipping,they had them at Motosport for 155.00. | ||
| Davidhd |
In my Ducati Multistrada 1200 S Touring, wearing the Scorpion Trail and all the bikes I've had, none has given me more security and feeling in any type of road tires. I think my bike is not going to go to Dakar ever, so I do not need anything extreme, my choice would 100% is Pirelli Scorpion Trail. If Ducati have done in their fetish model, I think that's something. |
