| Author | Message | |||
     Xb9r49er |
I've been looking towards Pilot Sports. Anybody have experience with different makers. | |||
| Darthane |
I ran Dunlop D208s when I rode the NE Tour last summer, and was very impressed with them. I will probably be trying Metzeler Sportecs for the Running the Ridge this September. XB9 liked them. I think tires are, much like oil, largely a matter of personal preference unless you do serious track days. | |||
| Fireboltgeo |
I've gone through 3 sets of Sportec M1s on my XB9R and like them a lot better than the stock Dunlops. A little longer wearing, equal handling, but much better when you encounter a little gravel on the road. | |||
| Frankenstein |
The Metzler Sportec M1s are the way to go. It will make the XB feel like different bike. No more standup under trail braking. Faster turn in and very stable when you lean deep and hit some bumps. Great tires! | |||
| Fdl3 |
I am running a Bridgestone BT010 on the rear, currently with the stock front Dunlop. The BT010 has been good so far. Dry grip is excellent, and as of last night, wet grip seems to be excellent, too. The Bridgestone also seems to work quite well with the stock front Dunlop; but the Dunlop is now in need of replacement. I plan on replacing it with a Bridgestone BT010, as well. | |||
| Buellgator |
I am running the BT010s on front and rear. I love these things. The wear characteristics seem to be better than the stock 207s and I think the grip better. I have a question as well on tires. Since I put these BTs on I know I'm going through turns faster but I seem to be using less tire to do it. Why is this? | |||
| Moboy516 |
I just put on a D208. I am extremely happy with the way it makes the xb handle. I previously had the Sportec M1 and never liked the feel that it gave me in the corners. The 208 makes me feel a lot more confident leaning in. | |||
| M1combat |
I am also runnig an 010 on the rear and D207 on the front. The bike seems to lean in more smoothly and there's just something a little more confidence inspiring about the bike. I won't be pushing it though as the rear should have more grip than the front and that's a bad thing (AFAIK). | |||
| Chainsaw |
WOW! I thought I was the only one runnin' mismatched tires. Dunlop 208 front Pirelli Diablo Rear I've run Dunlops for 10k. Good grip when dry. A bit too slick for me when it rains. As soon as we get some non-frozen precipitation around here, I'll know how the Diablo performs wet. | |||
| Kaese |
I've got a set of Pirelli Corsa's on mine, have no complaints after 3K miles. Got the "Buy the rear get the front free" deal. Got a set of Diablo's also for the same deal. I do an 80 mile commute, so in about 3 months about 5K miles are racked up. The Dunlops only lasted abut 6500 miles for me. I've had a couple of sets of Dunlops and the front always seem to develop cupping with lots of tread left. Usually, 6500 miles was the magic number when the cupping occurred on the Dunlops. If I can get a set of tires for $150, I am one happy camper. | |||
| Fdl3 |
Here's another WOW! I ordered a matching front Bridgestone BT010 from Southwest Moto Tires (http://www.swmototires.com/) on Thursday before 2pm MST. On their website, they say they will ship the same day if you order before the 2pm MST deadline. Sure enough, they did. I just received the tire this morning (Friday) - and I only used GROUND shipping! WOW! I am impressed with the quickness of the delivery and just had to share it with you all. | |||
| M1combat |
You got 6500 out of the Dunlops???? I only got about 3000. Only one burnout and only for about one second and pretty low rpm's... Just enough to make a LITTLE bit of smoke. | |||
| Xb9er |
xb..er If you are looking for a good deal on tires, you still have until the end of March to buy a Pirelli Diablo rear tire and send in a coupon for the free front tire. They are very similar to the sportec M1's. | |||
| Darthane |
I was really impressed with the D208's wet weather handling. I did somoe pretty heavy leaning on wet pavement with those and it never slipped a bit. As for the Pirellis - is that on all their tires or only the Corsas, and do I have to order from the Pirelli site or any old retailer? I wouldn't mind having a set of Diablos for the RtR adventure... | |||
| Kevinfromwebb |
Darthane, the Pirelli coupon is for the standard Diablo. Buy from any old retailer and send in the receipt and the coupon and they'll send in ya a front Diablo... They'll charge ya $20 shipping... I sent mine in about a week ago, don't know how long it takes... The coupon is at the Pirelli.com site. Kevin | |||
| Tucsonxb9s |
Yup...The Diablo rear I ordered is sitting patiently in my garage waiting for it's mate to come in directly from Pirelli. It's been over two weeks and no tire...  I really wanted to get them done at the same time but I may have to run mismatched tires for a bit cuz my stock 207 is done! Barely 3500 miles on it. | |||
| Xb9er |
The free front tire offer is only on the Diablo's not Diablo Corsa's. The coupon is attached.
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| Kaese |
In NorCal, there was a deal that each dealer was allowed two sets of Corsa's (buy the rear get the front free). I was lucky enough to get the Corsa and a set of the Diablo's. Lucky me! Now I hear the deal is gone due to exausted stock. Now the manufacturers know how to clear their inventory of tires! | |||
| Wyckedflesh |
That was the deal I got down here in AZ, Kease. I managed to pick up two sets at once. | |||
| Stoobr2 |
I currently have Michelin "pilot" Sports on my 9s,and to be honest,I can't wait to get rid of them!!! OK it is the end of winter,begining of spring here in the UK,but the tyres don't inspire any confidence what so ever.They take ages to warm-up (OK the weather ain't helping) and untill they get warm,they make the bike feel like an ice-skater on LSD! Perviously I had Bridgestone 010's and could'nt fault them,even from cold. | |||
| Easyflier |
I've noticed that I like my Diablos a little under inflated in cool conditions (30-40s F) and I'm sure that my caution is kicking in long before the tire would let go. | |||
| Bigj |
Hey, you guys know what happens when you run "mismatched" tires? Nothing.  | |||
| M1combat |
Understood BigJ... Being very careful... |
Pirelli Diablo Coupon