| Author | Message | ||
     Timbo |
I'm about 130-135lbs and got just over 4000 miles out of mine. The guys I ride with are always trying to stuff me with donuts and anything else fattening because I seem to always win spontaneous roll-ons and drag races.  Timbo | ||
| Noface |
I'm 150-160lbs in full race gear. Never got more than 4k out of my tires on a Firebolt. In fact, rather than posting here, I should be surfing the internet tire stores, buying my fourth rear tire at 12k+ miles. Jody S. | ||
| Freyke |
Noface, Have you only used the 207's? | ||
| Freyke |
Noface, Have you only used the 207's? | ||
| Freyke |
Noface, Have you only used the 207's? | ||
| Xb9rski |
Full leathers and helmet I probably run about 220, I do mostly freeway driving with a short canyon run and Play on the Mountain every Sunday. I average 122 miles a day. So regardless, I'll be going thru alot of tires during the year  Sucks being me.....LOL | ||
| Epierce |
I have 3500 on my rear tire. I need to replace the front and rear tire on my firebolt. I have decided to order the tires from cycle depot and take the wheel/tires off the bike and take them to a shop where they have a bubble balancer. Will cost me $70.00 to mount and balance both of them. Only problem is I really would like to have the service manual to remove the rear wheel. I am going to buy a XB12R as soon as possible and I really don't want to buy a manual for my 9R. Would someone send me the manual instructions for the removal of the rear wheel. I would really appreciate it. Thanks a million, in advance. my email is madriver@adelphia.net. | ||
| Noface |
Freyke, The only 207's I've used were the ones that came on the bike. First replacement set were D220's. The guy at the UJM shop said I wouldn't know the difference (I wanted 208's). I did notice the difference. The 220's just don't quite cut it for extreme lean angles if you know what I mean. Second replacement set (and the current ones on the bike) are Michelin Pilot Sports. Truly amazing on this Firebolt. I won't have anything else now that I've tried these. The front is holding up well, but the rear needs replaced now as it just clicked 4k miles, the wear bars are showing, and it's just starting to wear the carcass in the center. I ordered a rear Pilot Sport Thursday. My wife caught me in front of the computer with my credit card in hand. She asked "what are you buying now? When I replied a tire she said, "you just got tires for your truck" and I said "no, for the bike". She like to hit the roof! "You just bought new tires in June!" "Well... errr yea... but honey, you don't want me riding around on bald tires do ya?" --That didn't work. She was pissed at me all afternoon... It didn't help when I mentioned I only had to buy a new rear tire either. Anyway, enough of my drivel. Jody S. | ||
| Freyke |
Well, after some sole searching and opinion shopping... I have arrived at the conclusion that tire selection seems to be a very individual choice/decision... It's much like which oil to use... So in that light I'm going to take a chance on Michelin Pilot Road(s)... I've heard good things about these from the press and word of mouth.... I'll be pony'ing up $269.06 for the front and rear set (installation included)... We'll see if they provide the ideal mix of grip and wear.... kk//kef | ||
| Freyke |
Here is a look at my current 207...  kk//kef | ||
| Dblhaulxb9s |
Freyke, couldn't agree more with you. Just have to try them out. Unfortunately they are super expensive, but Michelin makes great tires. Let us know how you like them. Morgan | ||
| Dmuz |
I'm just a little heavier than Timbo... about 140. I just rolled home today after putting 420 miles on the Lightning. Got up early and crept out of the neighborhood around 6:30 AM to roll it. That puts me at just shy 4,500 miles and my first rear is gone to the point that the next ride is to the shop for tires. My tire is worse than Freyke's pic above, with a short stripe of cord showing dead center where I must have drug across a rock in gravel at a stop. 4,500 miles... and I don't do burn outs. I'm not shy with the throttle, but my bike has plenty of easy "crusing" miles because I can't go ballistic most of the time because of traffic or cops or safety of the road or just the area I'm in. What I'm saying is that, I'm probably the closest thing to "babying" my bike any Buell owner can be. I expected more miles than that... or at least for my tire to stick and handle better at the expense of mileage. Those Dunlops never gave me the feeling that they had a death-grip on the road. Long story short, stock tires on the XBs are a poor choice in my book. Dunlop makes crap for sport tires, but at least their touring tires last. Their sport tire's grip is NOT confidence inspiring and they STILL don't outlast a quality sport tire. Has anyone tried Avons? I've hear good stuff about the sport touring AV 45/46 combo holding up well and giving good grip. Just one more thing, I was talking to a dealer when I got back in today pricing tires (ain't that always a joke) and he mentioned something about sending a letter to Buell management asking about the tires because he's had lots of complaints.  | ||
| Dmuz |
... and one more thing, Captain and I are in the same area (so road conditions have to at least be similar), he weighs a bit more than me, yet he's getting WAY more miles out of his rear tire than I did. I'm of the opinion that quality control at Dunlop does not exist. When I used to have a '94 Firehawk, I made the mistake of putting Dunlops on it (275/40x17ZR). Grip sucked and they were gone in 4000 miles. Unacceptable. I put a set of Z-rated Falkens on at NTB (a Sears brand, for God's sake) and got better traction and GREAT wear. Long story short, I will NEVER buy Dunlop if I've got a choice. I just wish Yokohama made motorcycle tires. Best car tires I've EVER had on the wifes Maxima! Sticky, quite and wearing like they were new. I'll shut up now. | ||
| Usapitbullz |
Damon, I've had great luck with the dunlop 208s. I thought they grip fine. I put them on new for a track day and felt comfortable all day. That just goes to show how tires are an individual preference. L8R, Joe | ||
| Dbensavage |
I'm not sure what you guys are expecting here but these are soft compound sportbike tires and our bikes have a high torque to weight ratio so thats a sure recipe for chewing up tires. I'll gladly buy tires every 3500 for mine. You can always put hard compound cruiser tires on it and you'll get better wear but GOOD luck cornering!! Just my two cents  | ||
| Leeaw |
17,000 miles on two sets of 205's, albeit that they are pretty much toast. I have not had anything else on but have never been let down by riding on the road with the 205's. I personally can live with that. 220's are going on tomorrow. | ||
| Easyflier |
I got 7,800 miles out of my original Dunlops. Didn't realize how bad they were until I replaced them with a set of Pirelli Diablos which have been fantastic and I would recommend them to anyone. Matter of fact, don't wait until the OEM tires wear out put on good rubber ASAP, you won't believe the difference in ride quality, stability and handling. | ||
| Dmuz |
Hey Joe, I'm realistic. I'm not expecting 10K mikes, certainly... but look at the variance of mileage folks are getting from the stocker tires. Something is just not right. And I can live with a short life expectancy if a tire makes me feel assured and confident. Those stock Dunlops do NOT. Thanks for everyone's feedback. I'm probably going to order the Michelin Pilot Sports here in a week. | ||
| Xb9rski |
Posted on Thursday, August 28, 2003 - 10:41 am: I got 6823 out of my rear tire, before the cord was showing, front tire is still looking good at 8000+, Put a dunlop 205 180/55/17 as a replacement, Let ya know what I get out of it. The 220 is the replacement for the 205, FYI UPDATE: So far I'm real happy with the 205, they are not real soft like the 207's but they have good grip. I scrapped my toes this weekend with the wife on the back, tires didn't slip or anything, just stuck to the road like glue.  She wasn't to happy with me though. Have over 2000 miles on them now and they look great still. | ||
| Xb9rski |
P.S. Have 9200+ on the front 207 that came with the bike, will be changing that out this Saturday. | ||
| Shazam |
be prepared for a change in the way your bike handles......the profile of the Pilots makes for a big difference on an XB. I love 'em but my X1 wears 208's. two totally different tires for totally different riding styles | ||
| Kaudette |
What's the handling difference with the Michelins? Faster turn in? Slower??? | ||
| M1combat |
Anyone try any Metzlers?? I know they at least USED TO make excellent tyres, and I've been happy with the ones I have on my '82 CB750F-SS... Just curious, I have about another year before I can buy an XB but you can't start gathering info too soon. | ||
| Dblhaulxb9s |
Hey M1combat, I have ordered a pair of Metzler MEZ4's. I am basing my purchase on John Blackfeather's advice. He gets about 4500 out of a rear and he rides 2 up a lot. I rode with him and his wife and watched them drag pegs on his M2. If he can do that and get 4500 I am willing to try. Also I am getting a set for $200.00. I will be mounting and balancing that is why they are so cheap. I am interested to hear what others have to say about them. Also, has anyone tried the re-treads from www.cycletires.com. The are supposed to be really good. Who knows. Later, Morgan | ||
| Freyke |
I ordered the Pilot Roads..... Here is a look-see at both the Sport and the Road  | ||
| Dmuz |
Thanks Freyke... I've got to echo K's question to Shazam... *HOW* will the handling change. If it will be more stable and less squirrelly in mid-turn when I have to make an adjustment to my line on a less-than-smooth asphalt back road and offer grip that makes me feel like the back tire is bolted to the ground then I'm all for it. | ||
| Easyflier |
Dmuz, Not sure about the other brands but the Pirellis make me feel like the bike is velcroed to the pavement. Since putting them on I've noticed that I gained 20mph in a lot of my favorite curves. They seem to track better and absorb rough pavement better than the OEM tires too. | ||
| Kaudette |
Do either the Pirelli or Michelins improve the turn-in (eg "rounder" rear tire)? I find the stock tires pretty "loose" in the corners but before digging into the wallet I'd like to know if the diablos or pilots add any agility to the handling. | ||
| Leeaw |
I was told that the XB's come with a special OEM 207 that is only available to Buell, and they are lighter than the standard 207's available. Is that true, or is that just a sales pitch? | ||
| Buellfan |
XB's 207's are different than the normal off the shelf tires that are available in the US. They are lighter, more flexable, and require higher PSI than the standard US 207. Look closely at the sidwall, XB tires are made in Japan, most off the shelf US 207's say made in USA. The XB tires are the same tires that were (and may still be?) OEM for the GSXR 750. |
