| Author | Message | ||
     Not_purple_s2 |
Ok, well I've been putting this off for far too long. I need to get new tires for my bike. I've got an S2 with standard wheels (not PM) But I don't know much about motorcycle tires. I'm not a really aggressive rider, past bikes were not sportbikes so I'm still kinda learning. I'd like to get something that would give me more confidence in the corners so I can start leaning her over more. But I don't want to lose milage since I want to really put some miles on the old girl. Any suggestions?? Also, would mounting a 180 in the rear be a bad idea? | ||
| Whodom |
There are lots of good sport-touring tires that would suit your bike well. They'll stick very well, but maybe not quite as well as the most aggressive sport tires but they'll last decently too. I'm currently running a set of Michelin Pilot Roads on my S3 and will soon be due for replacement after about ~9,000 miles. I've been very happy with them. Several XB riders have had great things to say about the Continental Road Attack tires. They're ~$30 cheaper a set than the Michelins, and they're supposed to wear as well as the Pilot Roads but stick even better. I'm gonna try a set of those for my next change. There have been several recent tire threads on BadWeb; check the XB forum and the Big, Bad & Dirty forum for more info. I think pretty much anything that's good for a new Buell is good for our tubers too. The manufacturers recommend that you run no larger than a 170 on your rear wheel which is 5" wide. The PM rear wheel is 5.5" and will accommodate a 180. The 180 will fit on your wheel without a problem, but the profile won't be quite right and it will slow the steering down. Better to stick with the 170 if you want the bike to steer like it was designed to. | ||
| Not_purple_s2 |
Thanks. I've read a bit about the Conti's on here and I'd really like to try them, but I don't think they make a 170 for the rear. They only show 160's and 180's. (Message edited by Not_Purple_S2 on September 26, 2006) | ||
| Naustin |
I was researching tires in the archive just yesterday and read about the BT020 for my S3. It is purportedly the longest wearing tire and therefore probably not the stickiest. That's what I'll be going with on my next tire change... I have a dunlop D207 on the rear right now which is supposed to be a very sticky race compound. I don't ride the bike hard enough to tell the difference, but I do lean it over pretty good from time to time. IMHO, any tire that will fit on your bike will be sticky enough to safely ride out to the outer edges - so long as the roads are dry and the tire is warmed up; you don't need to go for a race compound just to get your lean on at moderate speeds. The stickier tires do become increasingly important for high speed aggressive cornering, however. Full lean at 45mph is a lot different than full lean at 110 mph. | ||
| Sleez |
dunlop 220s work pretty good, confident enough for fairly hard riding but take plenty of miles! (Message edited by sleez on September 26, 2006) | ||
| Buffalobolt |
I have ran several sets of Continental "Road Attack's" on my XB and absolutely love them! I ride somewhat aggressively (about 1/32" of chickenstrip left, good enough for me on the street), and usually get 10-11K miles per pair. To me, they stick at least as well as the stock Dunlops on the XB, with like double(or better!) the mileage. This spring I picked up an S2T and when it needed new tires to go to homecoming I tried to get a set for it also. Notpurple S2.... I was able to get 170/60 x 17 Road Attacks. I had to check several places online. I'm wondering if it just isn't a big seller in that size so alot of places don't stock it. When I got the tires they had "Drag Specialties" stickers on them. I haven't looked online yet, but I wonder if it is possible to purchase the tires thhrough them at an even better price? You might want to check with them.... There has been a couple of good write-ups in magazines on these tires. I have heard good things about other tires also, but as long as they continue to make these, I'm SOLD! | ||
| Not_purple_s2 |
Thanks Mike, I really wanted to get a response from someone who was running Road Attacks on an S2. I've found a couple of listings for 170's online now. There's a bike shop not too far from where I live that was recommended to me. I'm going to check with them and see if they can order a set for me. A girl I work with said that they'll match any price you find online (my best so far is $242 w/shipping). It may just mean they'll order from the same online store to save you the trouble and keep your business. I really want to get some new tires on my bike soon. They look good until you really inspect them or ride the bike. They're low mileage but they're old (The bike is a 96 and it only has 9000 miles on it, 2000 of those are mine.) The tires were on it when I bought it, so I'm not sure exactly how old they are. (Message edited by Not_Purple_S2 on September 26, 2006) | ||
| Henrik |
I used to run Metzeler MeZ4s on the S3, did track days and lots of twisty roads with no traction issues and good wear. Now that the MeZ6s are out I put them on the S2 for my recent trip. Plenty of grip in both dry and wet conditions. Nice handling and easy roll-in and -out. Of course if you hit the center line in wet conditions, all bets are off ... don't ask  I did about 2300 miles on this trip. about 1400 of those on highway. The rear tire at first looked a bit flat in the center, but I now think it's just the "rounder" profile of those tires. Front tire looks like new. So so far so good. Henrik | ||
| Naustin |
FYI: I did a little more looking on the BT020s and found out something strange. I started a new thread about it in the KV... http://www.badweatherbikers.com/cgibin/discus/show.cgi?tpc=3842&post=748760#POST 748760 | ||
| Erik2 |
Earlier this year I put the Avon AV45 & AV46 combo on my S2 and absolutely love them. What a huge difference between them and the Metzler MEZ3 or 4s on it, installed by the previous owner. A real transformation of the bike. Turn in is greatly improved and the grip is much better too. With the Metzlers I had a couple of occasions with the front end starting to wash. Haven't had anything like that with the new rubber. Very confidence inspiring. The local Triumph dealer that installed them mounts a lot of these on Speed Triples and Daytonas. He projects mileage in the 8-10K range. | ||
| Jersey_thunder |
AVONS....they work great on my S2 JT | ||
| Josh_ |
I've got Metzeler Z6s on my RS and they work quite well. |
