| Author | Message | ||
     Djsalltrac |
I was just wondering what aftermarket tires people are running with and how they like them in everyday use(wet and dry uses). | ||
| Jcbikes |
Just changed over to the continental road attacks recommended from other on badweatherbikers. A sport-touring tire for more miles. after about 300 miles, I really like them. stick just as good as the stock tires on my xb12s if not more of a solid feel. i heard they do really well in the rain too. | ||
| Chadhargis |
I like Pirelli Diablos. For longer life try the Diablo Strada. Both excellent tires that I've had good luck with. | ||
| M1combat |
Metzeler Sportec M1's here... I get about 3K from a rear and about 6K from a front. | ||
| Indy_bueller |
M1 how many miles did you get out of the Dunlop? I got 5200 out of mine. Just switched to M-1's, I heard they have a better lifespan. | ||
| M1combat |
5200 holy cow... I think I swapped at about 2200... The front was still useable but the rear was pretty munched up. I actually ran a Bridge BT014 on the rear for a while until I swapped both for M1's. Haven't used anything since and probably won't until I throw on a set or rennsports for a track day. | ||
| Indy_bueller |
I've seen posts where guys say they get 10K miles out of a Sporttec M-1. They must be really easy on them. | ||
| Dstrat1 |
I changed to sportecs at 200 miles, a world of a difference,simply a different bike, last week i changed again to michelin pilot powers, even better...you can lay it over to the edge of the tire plus and just feel comfortable, no stand up on braking , and it feels solid...best performance mod by far you can do for your buell.......d | ||
| Coolice |
I've had the Sportec's on now for over a year,(2) trackdays-this tire is not designed for that, and a couple days of rain riding-handle well,no complaints, lots of interstate and two lane roads- good tires, and at least 3 good burnouts. I'm recommending them if your looking for a replacement tire that will last and handle good. And they still look good, try em! | ||
| M1combat |
They do handle wet very well. I can pull the front end up in the rain just as easily as in the dry. | ||
| Rr_eater |
Running BT014's matched set, and you guys have always been right, new tires TRANSFORMED the bike. I only have about 250 miles or so on them, but love them so far. Grippy warm, can get away from you when really cold (could be the release agent, but was fun anyway!! LOL) We will see how well they hold up this year, especially after Octoberfast annihilates them! Though I will defend my rubber yet again this year, to the end!!  Bruce | ||
| Buelltroll |
I agree with Dstrat,I ran Sport Tecs for 4500ish miles n switched to Pilot Powers. Even though the Metzelers were alot better than the stockers the Pilots just make you feel more in control on the very edge of your tire. | ||
| Lovematt |
I run the Pilot Roads and they work for me...stock size in the front and 170 in the back...the smaller back makes it more fun trying to get to the edge! Overall though the mileage is very good...9000-10000 out of a front and 7500-9000 out of a rear. Basically the tread is fairly sticky but there is A LOT of tread...like at least 1/4" grooves! | ||
| Reepicheep |
Matt, I was thinking about trying a 170 on the back. Did the handling change much? Did it transition quicker? Any stability issues? | ||
| Dungood |
Stock D207s lasted 6000km/3750miles. Now driving on new Dunlop GP Racer tires - big difference in plus! (Message edited by Dungood on September 15, 2005) | ||
| Fdl3 |
You asked for it!  My bike: 2003 XB9R 31K miles Rear tires used: D207, BT010, BT020, Z6 Front tires used: D207, BT010, Z6 Rear Tires: 1. The stock rear D207 lasted 5000 miles. 2. I replaced the stock rear tire with a Bridgestone BT010, which was very grippy wet and dry. It lasted 8500 miles. 3. I replaced the rear BT010 with a BT020. Also very grippy both wet and dry. The BT010, being a softer tire, had better grip than the BT020; but with my riding style, I did not notice too much of a difference between the BT010/BT020 (except for mileage). The BT020 needed longer warm-up time in the cold. It lasted 12,500 miles. 4. I replaced the rear BT020 with a Metzler Z6. This is my current rear tire. So far, I have put 5000 miles on this tire. It has good dry grip, but I have found the wet grip to be subpar to the BT010 or BT020 rear tire. I don't have issue with the wet grip when there is standing water on the road, just when the roads are a damp and wet. The Z6 tends to slide around more and is not very confidence-inspiring. I will not be using the Z6 again; instead, I will replace with another BT020 or some other brand. Front Tires: 1. The stock front D207 lasted 6300 miles. 2. I replaced the stock front tire with a Bridgestone BT010. The front BT010 lasted 10,000 miles. Like the rear BT010, I found the front BT010 to be grippy both dry and wet. Plus the BT010 really allowed the bike to "fall" into corners, which was disconcerting at first, but quite a thrill once adjusted. The only downside I experienced with this tire is a tendency for "cupping". 3. I replaced the front BT010 with a Metzler Z6. I find the Z6 to be no better than the BT010, except for mileage. I opted for the Z6 because my previous BT010 exhibited "cupping". I had also heard this was even more a problem with a front BT020, so I avoided using the BT020 on the front altogether (don't know about the BT014). Here lately, turn-ins require quite a bit of effort for the front Z6, but I just realized that I now have 15,000 miles on them!  Misc. Observations: 1. Because I mostly commute, mileage is my number one concern in a tire. Hence my use of more "sport-touring" tires (e.g. BT020, Z6) rather than "sport" tires (e.g. D207, BT010). 2. Only currently with the Z6s do I have exactly matching tires on the the front and rear. However, I think I have so many miles on the front Z6 that I do not notice any appreciable benefit to having matching sets. People suggest having matching sets, but I never had a problem running these combos: F-D207/R-BT010, F-BT010/R-BT010, F-BT010/R-BT020, F-Z6/R-BT020, F-Z6/R-Z6. Edits: 1. Rear Tires Point 4 - Changed wording from "It has good dry grip, but I have found the wet grip to be subpar with either the BT010/BT020." to read "It has good dry grip, but I have found the wet grip to be subpar to the BT010/BT020 tire.". 2. Misc. Observations Point 2 - Corrected list of combos I have run from "F-D207/R-BT010, F-BT010/R-BT020, F-BT010/R-Z6." to "F-D207/R-BT010, F-BT010/R-BT010, F-BT010/R-BT020, F-Z6/R-BT020, F-Z6/R-Z6". (Message edited by fdl3 on September 15, 2005) (Message edited by fdl3 on September 15, 2005) (Message edited by fdl3 on September 15, 2005) | ||
| Lovematt |
Straight line stability is just fine...I noticed no real difference except slightly more wandering on side winds...not fast wandering just requiring more balance is all. As for turning I think it improved the bike as I prefer to not fight the bike to tip over or adjust...the rounder profile makes the bike want to lean over easier. In terms of transitions...this also improved for me...because it doesn't resist as much to tip over (or return to upright) it is more "free" when trying to change the lean angle. Plus at the shop where I get my tires the Roads are about 140 out the door...not bad for the mileage I get. | ||
| Buell_less |
Fdl3 said: People suggest having matching sets, but I never had a problem running these combos: F-D207/R-BT010, F-BT010/R-BT020, F-BT010/R-Z6. The BT-010/020 combo was pretty common, largely because of the 020 front's tendency to cup badly and quickly, but also because the two tires wore at the same rate and were ready for replacement at the same time, which is kinda nice. I used that combo on my '01 Triumph Trophy and ran it satisfactorily for about 7k miles. Re the 010/Z6 combo: Metzeler says the Z6 rear shouldn't be used with any other front in the rain, and looking at it I can see why. The center section has no channels to move water out of the way, which could be why you have trouble with damp/wet pavement. With standing water you get farther up the tread pattern and then it works. The Z6 front is supposedly designed to compensate for this. FWIW, I just put a set of Z6s on the Trophy and was impressed with how they coped with wet roads, so obviously my mileage varied from yours! | ||
| Fdl3 |
I have clarified and corrected my post above. 1. My comments regarding the wet traction of the rear Z6 were ambiguous. I did not mean to imply that the Z6 exhibited poor wet traction in combination with some other front tire; rather, I meant that in comparison to a rear BT010 or BT020 tire, I feel the rear Z6 offers less wet traction (even with a front Z6). 2. To further clarify, I corrected the tire combinations I have run thus far. Specifically, listing a F-BT010/R-Z6 combo was a mistake. I have never run this combo (mainly in light of the strong recommendation by Metzler to only run a Z6 rear in combination with a Z6 front). As Buell_less pointed out, the tread designs on the Z6 clearly demonstrate the necessity of running the Z6 as a set. | ||
| Krassh |
I have an Avon Azaro on the rear and the last one fetched me 8,500 miles. The Avon on the front did not inspire confidence in the corners so I switched to a Michelin Road Pilot on the front. The Avon front had about 10,000 miles on it before I replaced it. Still have the Avon on the rear and when it wears out I will switch it to the Michelin. I normally do not mix tires, but I have had no adverse problems with handling. Since the switch to the Michelin front I have been taking the corners going home to Crestline on the Hwy 18 mountain roads at about 70 to 100 mph. Of course with this new found stability in the corners came a speeding ticket from the CHP were I was clocked at 84 mph. Lucky I had slowed down before the radar locked on as I know I was 95+ at the time. | ||
| Reepicheep |
FWIW... I had a MeZ4 front and a MeZ6 rear on the Cyclone, and road through water all the time with no issue, once even hitting a "puddle" at about 10mph that ended up being about 12 inches deep. It was a long story, I was in the right hand lane in traffic on a two lane road with bad visibility. I had a car to my left that was slowing up and down with me, not letting me get over. I don't think they were being malicious, just clueless. I had another car behind me, and I was not confident that they would see me stop, or could stop themselves if they did, given the torrential rain that was falling at the moment. The road did not lend itself to pulling onto the shoulder yet, I worried that if I did the car behind would just follow the tail lights and run over me when I stopped. So anyway, I just saw the big puddle, slowed down as much as I could without getting run over, and gritted my teeth and hit it at speed. It nearly yanked me off the bike, but there was not a hint of hydroplane. You know you just hit a big puddle when water is shooting up through the bottom of your helmet and knocking open your face shield as it shoots out... Yikes. | ||
| Fdl3 |
Reepicheep:  | ||
| Dr_greg |
Sportec M-1s here also. But 10K miles? You gotta be kidding. Last set lasted 5.5K and should have been replaced earlier (I'm a tightwad). I think I'll adopt the 4K mile point as a mandatory threshold for replacement. Good tires are cheap life insurance! | ||
| M1combat |
With M1's I try to go 3K with the rear and 6K with the front. Sometimes the front gets cupped though (mostly in the summer) and I do both at about 4K... I replace the rear just as it's about to hit the wear bars or a LITTLE bit into them. | ||
| Fdl3 |
Ride 'em 'til they're BALD!      | ||
| Dr_greg |
I know you're joking, but riding tires past their "effective" life just about cost me MY life a few weeks ago. | ||
| Truk |
I have a Metzler M1 on the front and the Z6 on the rear. Ride this combination on both my R1 and XB9R, rain or shine. No problems for me. I get about 5,000 on the rear and twice that on the front. I enjoy spirited riding.. | ||
| Dagwood |
Has anyone hit the wear marks on the Scorpions? These tires seem to last forever... | ||
| Rpmchris |
Michelin Pilot Roads, stock size front and rear. Very good sport tire - probably wouldn't want to do a trackday on them, but for commuting (high mileage), sport riding (everything below 8/10's), and bad weather (caught in a downpour, not a hint of hydroplane), they are excellent. Paid $220/pair shipped from TireExpress.com . | ||
| Crashm1 |
!10K on a rear sportec!!!! I'm lucky if I get 3500 before it's corded. Due to being absolutely and completely broke this spring I ended up with a set of Dunlop D205's they are lasting well but they aren't anywhere near as confident a they Sportecs. They don't seem greasy or slidey just don't give much in the way of feedback. I think I'll try the Pirelli Diablos next time (assuming I can ever kill these Dunlops). |
