| Author | Message | ||
     Jraice |
What do you all think? I am running Pilot Road 2's right now and like them but want to try something sportier for a change. Was thinking about doing a Pilot Power front with the PR2 rear to get more front grip and a faster turn in but I want to try sport tire all around. The other tires I am looking into are the Corsa III's which seem to have plenty of grip (used in some leagues of racing over the pond)... Also though I am looking into the Rosso's which are single compound but have the threadless edge which would work well for me as I rarely ride in the rain and never do so at a spirited pace. Anybody used either? How do they compare in terms of grip and wear? I ride mostly twisties but I flat spotted my OEM tires in one day (LONG ride home on Highway 5) and also hated how the OEM Pirelli's turned in. They seemed to fight leaning after the bike got to a certain point. Are all Pirelli's like this? I want a tire with more grip then the PR2's but that wont flat spot from the occasional highway ride (like I said I am usually in the hills) and also that turns in similar to the PR2's, or better. | ||
| Metalstorm |
I'm currently running Rosso's and I hate them. First day with them got me not one but two sheriffs after me. Apparently they grip so much better than my old Syncs (former favorite) that I was going a wee bit (ok, a lot) faster through my usual bumpy/twisty road than usual and I never realized. There was no pucker factor to indicate my increased pace. No tire slippage, no front tucks. Just grip, grip, grip. I havn't been super aggressive with them. I still have about a 1/4" strip along the edges of the rear (I no likey going to the full limit on public roads) but they definitely give me confidence, more so than my former fave, the Scorpion Syncs. Like all the Pirelli tires I've tried, These don't absorb bumps as well as other brands (I think that's to do with the zero degree belt design) but they don't suck at it either. I won't know what wet road performance is like until Nov or Dec when it's flood season again. I doubt that they'll be as good as the Syncs in the wet but I'm hoping they'll be good enough. Mine are still too new to give any idea of what the lifespan is but I recommend trying them out. I think I'll be sticking with the Rosso's for a couple more seasons. (Message edited by Metalstorm on August 17, 2009) | ||
| Paint_shaker |
I have had excellent luck with Corsa IIIs on the street and on the track. | ||
| Jraice |
Thanks... Hows the turn in? Like I said, I hated how much effort it took to get the OEM Pirelli's to lean, I love the Michelins I am now running they just fall over and they are not even the most aggressive profile. I hope these turn in pretty well and are happy to lean. Anybody else run the Rosso's? Anybody tried both (Rosso and Corsa III)? | ||
| Brumbear |
I have PCIII's and they are a fantastic tire you can stick em to a wall they just grab and don't let go I had dunFlops and I was sliding in every friggen turn the only thing I don't like about the pirelli's is I am gonna go broke buying em as they don't last that long ifin your usem propper  | ||
| Jraice |
Im sure Ill be going broke as well but its all worth it for a good sticky tire! So no word on how the turn is with them? And nobody has used both the Rosso's and the Corsa III's? I really cant figure out the difference, both are similar tires probably similar life. One gets extra grip on sides from a slick like threadless edge, the other has a softer side compound. Wonder if there is a difference in profile, that could help me decide. | ||
| Jraice |
http://motorcycles.about.com/od/gearreviews/a/dunl op_sportmax_Q2_motorcycle_tire_review.htm Just heard about this tire... Wont need new rubber for a few more weeks/months so it should be out by the time I need new tires. Sounds like the way to go. Similar grip to the Corsa III's (one rider said even more) and less noticeable wear after a session on the track. Dual compound so less chance of a flat spot and from the sounds of it a fairly aggressive profile. Only thing I couldnt figure out was whether it was just a rear dual compound or if the front was as well. | ||
| Brumbear |
Don't do it The dunlop tires I have used are good for the first 1/4 life of the tire then the drop off is signifcant. The Rosso's outlast the III's they do a little better on highway riding. If you are looking to pirelli alternative tires try looking at the battleaxe series or even conti attack I believe they are. I would stay away from dunlo[ps from personal exp. they just are not great tires IMHO. | ||
| Srwitt |
+1 for the Rossos I've been running them since I wore out the factory Diablo T's, they damn near fall into corners, and have never had problems with grip. On the 1st Rosso rear I got about 5k miles, sitting at 3k on my current rear, still looks good, I'm at 8k on the front, needs replaced ASAP. | ||
| Jeffroj |
I got around 4500 out of my Rosso rear. Loved those tires, just a lot of $$ for how long they last. If and when my stradas ever wear out (might be a while, they seem to last really, really long!) I am going back to the Rossos. | ||
| Jraice |
Ill do more research on the dunlops. If I do go Pirelli it sounds like Rosso is the way to go. | ||
| Jraice |
http://www.motorcycledaily.com/18december07_pirell i_diablo_rosso.htm Sounds like it may be the way to go... Also how does the Rosso compare to a Pilot Power? I get the impression its designed to last a bit longer but I cant tell. Anyways thanks again guys and Ill be sure and do a write up for whatever tire I do get! | ||
| Metalstorm |
I've tried the Cora IIIs but they were on my buddy's 1125R and my bike is an XB12Scg so I can't fairly compare them. Different handling machines. Different ergos. I do remember not liking the Corsa IIIs on grooved roads. They were slightly squirmy where as the Syncs on my bike at that time were solid. The Rosso's I have now feel better on the grooved roads than the Corsa IIIs did. My friend with the 1125R's only major complaint about the Corsa was the rear didn't last over 3K miles. Since then he's tried the Avon storms, then the Scorpion Syncs (which he liked better than the Corsas) and now I think he's planning on trying the Rosso's. Oh, turn in is great with the Rosso's. My bike tips in & out of corners at the speed of thought. What impressed me more was the corner stability. My bike feels solid as a rock even when I'm leaned way over with the pegs just barely above deck (feelers removed). | ||
| Metalstorm |
One other thing of interest. On all my syncs, I would have maybe a 1/8" chicken strip along the edges. You had to look close to see it. With the Rosso's, I have a 1/4" chicken strip. I don't know if it's because the tire has a different profile or maybe my riding technique has changed (hanging off more  ) but I'm kinda liking it. If ever I'm in an emergency situation, I know there's a 1/4" of good rubber on the edge so I can lean my arse off during evasive maneuvers  | ||
| Boltrider |
I'm in need of tires and you guys just sold me on the Rossos. I'll be getting both front and rear.  | ||
| Jraice |
I think I am close to sold on the Rosso's as well. How is the feel? I like the grip of the Pilot Road 2's (want to see how I like more grip though) but they are just very numb feeling, hard to tell whats going on down there. And I'd love to hear how your friend likes the Rosso's... I am guessing 3K miles on the 1125R is more like 4-5K though on the Buell, especially if he rides hard in the twisties. HP and a fast rider equals short tire change intervals  . I think I need to learn how to remove my own wheels (rather, get the right tools to do so)... Would save $100's a tire change and if I keep getting sportier rubber I am going to need that savings! | ||
| Metalstorm |
I am guessing 3K miles on the 1125R is more like 4-5K though on the Buell, especially if he rides hard in the twisties. HP and a fast rider equals short tire change intervals Bingo! I've told him the same. Not sure if it's sunk in yet. He got almost 4K out of the Sync where I got almost 5K on my bike. He's a few months away from needing new tires so you'll have yours before he has his I'm not sure how to describe the 'feel' other than to say that while riding I always have a pretty good gist of what the front & rear tire are doing. Some times when I hammer it hard out of a corner I overload the rear suspension and cause the rear tire to spin a little. I can clearly feel this. I can also feel that it's not sliding, only spinning for just the briefest of nano seconds. This weirded me out the first few times because I've never had that kind of input before. Now I love it. My rear tire is now like a feeler gauge for my throttle hand  Edit: a different damping setting would probably eliminate any spin but I run a little on the soft side because my daily road is a craptacular mismash of alligatered/potholed asphalt and broken slabs of concrete with uneven joints caused by tree roots pushing through. Then add into the mix the cg suspension. Well.. it ain't easy finding a good compromise wrt suspension But the point is that I can feel wheel what is happening at both ends which makes me push harder with out the fear factor kicking in. (Message edited by Metalstorm on August 18, 2009) | ||
| Gschuette |
I love my Rossos and am on my second set (about to be third). I always forget to write down the mileage at the change which is weird because I have otherwise kept immaculate records for the bike. I believe I am getting about 4000 miles out of a set with both wearing out about the same time. The Rossos have way more grip than the stock dunlops or the syncs which i tried for one set. My good friend has Corsa III on his xb12 and he loves them. Im sure they both have similiar profiles, the Rossos just look cooler with the naked edge on the rear tire. It just looks like you mean business with that nice inch of solid rubber all the way around the edge. | ||
| Ripdog28 |
I have Rosso's and i love them. Even when cold hitting a corner hard, you feel it slip then it hits the strip and yo hook. I have no edge on the tires as i have turned it into corners hard. I have been scraping my boots and pegs so much more since getting them and it is comfortable doing it. IMO, Rosso are some excellent street tires. I am sure the duel compounds are a bit better but the Rosso's do the job better then you can imagine. | ||
| Jraice |
Settled Rosso's it is... Then Ill look into the Q2 Dunlops after they are more well reviewed (pending release) but I really like everything about the Rosso's. Good input, good grip, decent mileage and great dry grip from the back tires threadless section (I dont ride in the rain much and never in the twisties). | ||
| Rpm4x4 |
Sounds like rossos are a good grip tire but 4-5K does not sound exceptable to me. The pilot power 2cts double that mileage in my experience. As far as cornering I am constantly amazed how excellent they are right to the very end. Pilot powers don't get lumpy toward the end of there life like a lot of tires do. Something worth considering if you haven't dropped the cash yet. | ||
| Jraice |
Haha if you are getting 8-10K miles out of pilot power 2cts then you must be riding a pace that doesnt warrant 2ct's... Unless you mean the Pilot Road 2(ct)'s, but even then that kind of mileage is not going to be seen with aggressive cornering. PP 2ct's are generally getting well under 4-5K. I even know some real fast riders that cant even get them to 2000 miles. 4-5K is pretty good for a sport tire IMHO. A lot of them (with hard riding or high HP bikes) are in the 2-3K range... | ||
| Rpm4x4 |
Haha if you are getting 8-10K miles out of pilot power 2cts then you must be riding a pace that doesnt warrant 2ct's... I beg to differ. I'm not talking 8-10K worth of track days. If your wearing the edges of your tires bald before the middle on the street then you are quite unique. Either that or you have far better roads than I. One thing I do not do is bullshit. If you don't believe me, I could care less. I'm just trying to be helpful. | ||
| Jraice |
Lets just be sure though that we are talking about the same tires... You are talking about Pilot POWER 2ct's? If you are truly getting 10,000 miles out of that rear tire then more power to you! Thats pretty awesome, what type of riding do you do? Wonder what kind of mileage you could get out of a Pilot ROAD 2... But I am still thinking there is a slim chance you are indeed riding on the Road tire... I have never heard of a power getting mileage like that. It would have to be ridden with minimal cornering and very low acceleration I would think... Oh and its fairly common for the faster guys (I wear my center and edge dead even, maybe the edge a TINY bit faster, on the road 2's...) to wear the sides to the point of no longer having tread while still leaving a lot of meat down the middle... Atleast over here in California | ||
| Rpm4x4 |
You are talking about Pilot POWER 2ct's? Yes. You are aware that they are a dual compound right? what type of riding do you do? I run a mix. I commute to work 32 miles a day( several roundabouts and clover leaf exits), run sprited rides through the twisties and I often run some long road trips. Ive put 17K on my Buell in 1 1/2 years. My first 2ct rear I pulled off at 82XX miles. It was probably 90% spent. I replaced it because my wife was going to be riding with me to Homecoming. I didn't want to risk a hydroplane with her on it. My front I ran to 9800K. That also could have gone further but I had the cash so I dropped it. It was probably 90% at that point. IMHO curves are freebie miles. Road trips are the killer for my tires but I love to tour. My first set of 2cts I took on my trip from Murfreesburo TN to the Florida Keys and back. That squared off my back tire pretty bad. Florida is pretty damn flat. I don't remember the exact mileage but it was just shy of 3K in 9 days. I just got back from a trip around lake superior. That was close to 1600 miles. I can see the damage to the rear tire from that trip. It now has a flat spot coming in too. I have almost 4K on my current rear. I wear my center and edge dead even, maybe the edge a TINY bit faster, on the road 2's Please post a pic of your rear tire. I have got to see this. | ||
| Ironheadsporty |
i have 2500 miles of street riding on my Power 2CT's and there ready to be replaced... wore pretty even though... | ||
| Rpm4x4 |
please post pics. | ||
| Rpm4x4 |
Since Im asking for pics seems only fair that I will post as well. I am wondering if we have different ideas/opinions of when a tire is due for replacement. I personally replace mine when my tread pattern is becoming a memory. I stated before this tire has almost 4K on it but I was wrong. I just checked the odo and its actually 3300miles.  I run an currently running 195-50-17 so the very edge is near impossible to clean off. My first set was a 185-55-17 and the edges were gone in 100 miles.  I think I will start taking pics of the odo and tires every 1000 miles. It might be kinda neat to document as it goes. | ||
| Jraice |
Yes I am fully aware they are dual compound, are you aware that that means they will wear FASTER then a regular Pilot Power? The center of the PP2ct's is the same as the Pilot Power, the sides are EVEN softer. 9,800 is an unheard of figure, thats quite impressive, must be the road surfaces where you live or something. Many people would be shocked to hear of 6,000 miles out of 2cts... They are commonly gone after 2500-3000. | ||
| Jraice |
And Ill check out my tires when I get the bike back from the shop and take some pictures. |
