VTR1000 - Metzler M3 or Michelin P-Power

[manyrevs]

Hey thanks for the cross section of answers. Now I'm more confused than ever - Hahahaha, just kidding...

Seems that no matter which I get, I could get a tyre which could suit me down to the ground or a tyre that I just don't like. That's why I asked. It's been a while since I last rode a bike, way back early-mid 90's (GSXR-750 - last of the oiled cooled ones - M or N or something)... Back then I had Metzeler K's and they were as good as tyres got,, but with Michelins, although nice 'n' sticky, they always gave me an uneasy feeling of "where's the limit?" and don't dare go past it or you'll get gravel rash on your arse as you slide off the road into that ditch. In the few Michelins I did have, I got good traction but when they let go, they LET GO,, whereas many other tyres seemed to start sliding a bit before giving out...

I've been doing a bit of reading about tyres lately and have no doubt that the technology that's gone into them has increased a great deal since the 90's. One friend loves the Michelins (Pilot Road - I think) on his SV650, while another loves his Metz M3's on hi 'Busa. I look at myself as the piggy in the middle of these two. No matter which one I get, one of them will say "Why did ya get those man?"...

Hmmmm, maybe the Corsa is looking better all of a sudden... I will have to do a bit more thinking, or maybe I'll just decide when I am at the shop...

[Grahameeboy]

Cycletreads doing Pilot Sports for $450 inc fitting..........Powers work really well on my SV and just about to replace rear Sunday after 9,000 k...still has about 1,000k's left.....and mostly fastish rides as have not squared off plus with the Powers the front does not scollop which the Sports did as I had to replace front at time despite have lots of tread left....still a good tyre though.

[Mental Trousers]

My opinion is that if you never used to feel comfortable with the Michelins then you won't now either. I was in the same position.

The philosophy, techniques and design goals within each company tend to remain the same or similar over the years. So if Michelin didn't suit you back then it's very likely they won't suit you now.

[Morepower]

Stick a pair of Bridgestone BT014 s on it and dont look back , brilliant street tyres if mileage is not an issue . You can go hard in the wet too !

Pilot powers way overated in my book . will never use them again.

Dave

[Mort]

waaayyy back when - I put D207RR's on my VTR..... I suppose the equivilent is the D208RR which I am told is better..... anyway... They were bloody impressive on road and track and in the wet especially. You'll not go far wrong with them.

[boomer]

the qualifiers are the most recent dunlops.. i'll be trying them next

[manyrevs]

My opinion is that if you never used to feel comfortable with the Michelins then you won't now either. I was in the same position.

The philosophy, techniques and design goals within each company tend to remain the same or similar over the years. So if Michelin didn't suit you back then it's very likely they won't suit you now.

===================
You have a point there. Funny thing is that I tried Michelins over many years and yes I never did feel "that" confident with them once I ran near to their limits. They all started hopping, skipping, jumping around once really pushed. It was at this point that I eventually learned to back off or pay the price. Other tyres like Continentals, Metzelers, Dunlops all tended to start sliding way before they threw you off...

At first, in the earlier years, I liked the stickiness of Michelins and hated the slippy feel of many others, but once I learned that sliding could save my butt, and pushing past the Michelins limits meant instant accident, I tended to shy away from them. In those days I actually used to think that any tyres which slid were because of poor design (probably half true too), then all of a sudden tyre wars started with the likes of Pirelli Phantoms, Dunlop Elites (remember those in their original forms way back then!!!) and then my personal favourites, the Metzeler Comp-K back in the early 90's. Now that was a tyre that could be made to slide in a controlled fashion. I can remember laying many big streaks of rubber on the road after exiting a corner and watching onlookers eyes bulge as I power slid almost sideways for about 20 mtres or so on a few GSXR's. They loved the Comp-K's...

My philosophy of liking a bit of slide, still stands...

[Ham]

I just fitted some M3's to mine and I can't believe how good they handle!! just make sure you get some knee sliders!

[Grahameeboy]

Ditched the powers for the m3's. The powers were good, but the m3's suit me better (Metzelers always have suited me better than Michelins)

Yep I have gone threw tyres and you are right. I don't like Pirelli as they have a pointed profile and I feel too tippy...that's enough for me but found the Powers suit me..I guess at end of day most sports tyres these days are a muchness eh and all good.

[Devil]

I've got a similar opinion to Boomer. The powers felt good on the track, but I don't like them on the road. The M3's felt better and tip more progressively.
Unlikely to go with the powers again. I would definately have M3's again though.

[jonbuoy]

I like pilot powers. Sharpened up the steering and are unbelievably grippy from cold. Good in the wet too. I wouldn't want to get caught in a shower with supercorsas - not if you've a long way to ride home. Good feedback as well, I've had three sets, had diablos before which were not as good on the VTR imho.

[elphick]

I use Pirelli Diablos. Good stick. Predictable. No surprises.

[dveus]

I loved the powers on my VTR but they would send me broke with how often they need replacing. I now have a Power front and a Pilot Road rear, no where near as nice feeling but seems to be more than enough for the road.

[madmal64]

Another one for Pilot Powers. Sweet tyres that I trust and give reasonable milage.

[imdying]

You would fine that Pilot Sports did all you need. Plenty of wank factor in the super sticky tyres... the tyre companies must love how so many people buy stickier (read faster wearing out) tyres than they need. Sure, the best tyres are cheap insurance, but realistically if a Pilot Sport has cause to biff you, you've probably put yourself in a situation that the having Powers wouldn't have made any difference.