| Author | Message | ||
     California69gs |
I know this is a fairly frequent question but I wasn't sure if any new brands are out that people are liking. I drive 90% of the time on city streets on my XB12scg I know previously a lot of people were going with pilot's. I finally found myself a set of cherry rims and I want to get tires to mount on em. Thanks! | ||
| Syonyk |
What's the other 10% of the time? Twisty roads at a sane pace, or a track? If it's twisty roads at a sane pace, I can't say enough good things about the Pilot Road 2CTs. I got 12k miles including 2 track days out of them on my 1125R, with a mix of commuting & twisty roads. ... and a lowside. They're NOT good track tires, but they're not designed for that. If you're not tracking the bike, and don't feel that twisty roads are a place to get your knee down, they're great tires that will last a long time. I moved to Q2s on both bikes, but that's because they both see track days. I expect half the tire life or less out of them. | ||
| California69gs |
lol I don't have the nerves for track days! 5% on the "interstate" and 5% when I'm trying to keep up with crazy friends doing "twisty". They usually wait at the stop signs for me to catch up. | ||
| Syonyk |
Ah, ok. In that case, Road 2CTs (or 3CTs, or whatever they're at now) would be a great tire. They're a "commute touring" type tire with softer edges so you *can* canyon a bit with them, but they're definitely not suited to knee down riding. Since it doesn't sound like you're doing that (and I've personally pushed a set rather hard several times, including track days), I'd fully recommend them! | ||
| Sifo |
I've been very happy with my Pilot Road 2CTs. I got about 12K out of my last set. Could have gotten more out of them, but wanted to change them out before heading out for about 3,500 miles of vacation riding in the mountains. I agree that they probably aren't a knee dragger tire, but spirited rides in the twisties are no problem at all. They've also been predictable in the rain. Best of all they don't wear out the center to fast, even here in Illinois. | ||
| Froggy |
Do a track say, seriously, you will love it. I just did my first this weekend, even though I was the slow guy, I had a great time and learned a ton. Back on subject, I'd suggest a sport touring tire like Pirelli Angel, last forever and will do great for your use. | ||
| California69gs |
where do you guy's buy your tires? Since the cherry-bombs are powder coated I'm guessing I can just bring in the tires to Hal's Harley and have them put the tires on and mount them. They have to be "re-packed" I'm guessing? | ||
| California69gs |
My "crazy" buddies tell me I don't have chicken strips but full on "new york steaks" on my tires. I'll be the first to admit I'm pretty tame with my bike. I'd love to do wheele's and knee drag'n but I don't want to end up on the pavement let alone afford the bill coming from a downed bike. I'm sure the bike can do more than I will ever be ready to handle. I think about other bikes but every time I open my garage door I fall back in love! | ||
| Sifo |
I just get them from my local Triumph/Ducati/KTM dealer and have them mount 'em. They try to keep the PR 2CTs in stock during the summer and go through a bunch of them so I know I'm not getting a "deal" on something that's gotten old in a warehouse. I take the wheels off so they don't have to learn to wrench on a Buell though.  They usually call to let me know they are done in a couple of hours even though I always tell them there's no rush. They have always give me great service so I don't worry if I'm paying $10 more for a tire. I don't know how Hal's is, but some dealers will charge a premium for mounting rubber purchased elsewhere, even for rubber they won't sell. Call and find out the details BEFORE committing to having them do any work. | ||
| Syonyk |
... some Harley dealers won't mount rubber purchased elsewhere, period. | ||
| California69gs |
good to know, Hal's has always been good to me but I'll call to find out for sure. | ||
| Froggy |
Wheelies are dangerous on the street, and will get you kicked out of a trackday. If you are worried about crashing, don't crash. I didn't, and neither did 98% of the other guys that were riding at the track this weekend. A few people went way above their limits and paid the price, but if you keep it at 70% you can learn a ton and not be in any danger of crashing. You are safer on a track than on the street. | ||
| Foximus |
I personally LOVE my Shinko Apex tires. They are the carcass mold that they bought from Yokohama and are a really great tire (perhaps the best tire) for the money. They are a single intermediate compound, so you dont get a massive amount of life on them, but not a short life either. Incredibly predictable, and a great deep wall. i paid $76 shipped for the front and I believe $132 for the rear ( a massive 190/55/17) I've had 2 sets, and since I have a notoriously bad habbit of catching a nail in my rear tire every 2000 miles, they pay off. | ||
| Jbolt |
I've been running these Avon's. http://www.avon-tyres.co.uk/motorcycle/vp2-supersp ort Got a little over 9000 miles. 70% straight line hwy, 30% mountain twisties, one track day, and a couple trips to the local drag strip. But this time around, I was thinking about trying the 2CT's. I've heard really good things about them. | ||
| Andymnelson |
Michelin Pilot Roads are my tire of choice. GREAT life, good stick, excellent feel. If you do as much stright driving as you say, the PR2 or even PR3 might be better as they as multi compound tires....harder, longer wearing rubber in the center where you ride so much, softerrubber on the sides. | ||
| Syonyk |
My "crazy" buddies tell me I don't have chicken strips but full on "new york steaks" on my tires. I'll be the first to admit I'm pretty tame with my bike. Absolutely nothing wrong with that. Tame & safe beats "out to the edge but off the road." I'm of the personal opinion that dragging knee on public roads means you're going *way* too fast. Track days are the place for that, not public roads. There's just too much that can go wrong - sand, oil, RVs, etc. I'll certainly run a spirited pace, but maybe 5-6/10ths and no harder. Jbolt: Be aware, there are MULTIPLE 2CTs! There's the Power 2CTs, which *are* usable on the track, and the Road 2CTs, which I wouldn't suggest for the track. Trackable, but not a great option. *mutters something about learning the difference after lowsiding* Either way, it sounds like the Pilot Roads would be a great tire for the OP's riding. | ||
| Teeps |
I got almost 10k from Shinko Raven 009's on my Ulysses. The cornering contact patch was gone way before the center tread. Photos of the Ravens are here: http://www.badweatherbikers.com/buell/messages/142 838/557632.html |
