View Full Version : Tyres for VFR 800?
RavenR44
7th October 2009, 10:54
Calling all resident viffer experts, now hear this, now hear this...
Can youze folks offer any round rubber recommendations for an '08 VFR? Or to put it an other way, is there a specific brand/model of tyre that suits the viffer more than the stock rubber?
I know that's a bit like 'how long is a piece of string' but what I'm going for here is those pearls of KB viffer wisdom, born from experience, that cause the rider to go "Wow! That sharpened the turn-in-osity amazingly" or "Crikey! This thing actually stops on wet roads now" or "Cor missus... I can actually tell what the front wheel is doing now" or similar.
Naturally, it might be that all modern tyres work identically and I shouldn't really concern myself with such irrelevancies and just shut up and buy the bloody bike and stop asking stoopid questions.
If that's the answer, then so be it. But if there's a wee gem of advice as to the best rubber for the viffer out there, then it was worth the torrent of scorn this post probably incited.
[ducks head and hides behind filing cabinet]
Ta muchly in advance.
Andy.
James Deuce
7th October 2009, 11:24
It depends entirely on how you ride and what your expectations of a tyre are.
Are the edges of your tyres always fried, balled up wrecks with no discernible tread pattern?
Do you square tyres off in the middle?
Do you wear your tyres evenly across their profile?
Do you care about purchase price primarily or mileage?
Answering those will give you a really good way to narrow your search down and give us the chance to make a stab at an answer.
Mort
7th October 2009, 11:42
For grip try BT016s. They don't last though
For longevity and grip try Michelin 2CT. Hard in the middle, soft and grippy on the outside.
vifferman
7th October 2009, 12:43
Piece'o'piss.
Either the Avon Storms, or the Pirelli Pilot Power/Pilot Road (depending on your preference for stickiness).
The Storms are based on my personal experience (and a few others, like on VFRD, or other people on here on other bikes), and the Pirellis seem to get the nod on VFRD, more than any other tyre (or tire, in their case).
The Storms offer really easy steering and good all-round performance (best tyres I've ever ridden on). However, from what I've read (and may try, when/if my rear tyre finally wears out), the Pirellis are grippier.
My only criticism of the Storms is that I think my rear tyre may have done its heat cycles, long before it's worn out, probably because I've done too little highway riding. It seems to have developed, in the last few months, a tendency to slide or spin up when powering out of corners.
The VFR has a tendency to shag front tyres, so they develop unusual wear patterns that affect the handling. The Storm is the first tyre I've tried that didn't do this (also the first model to wear out the front before the rear).
Swoop
7th October 2009, 12:44
BT16's came standard and I got over 12k from them. Initially they felt a little unsure, but rapidly settled down and behaved themselves nicely.
My old 750 had pilot roads fitted. Bloody nice! Heaps of grip and never gave any sign of getting "squirrely". Must try a set of 2ct P roads. Will also consider a set of Pilot powers for the coming summer.
vifferman
7th October 2009, 13:12
BT16's came standard and I got over 12k from them. Initially they felt a little unsure, but rapidly settled down and behaved themselves nicely.
I've tried BT010s, BT020s and BT012/020 combo*. OK, but not a patch on the Storms, and they wore unevenly. A tyre shouldn't have to have time to "settle down". The Storms felt terrific from the start (although they tipped in so easily, I nearly fell off on the first corner, despite being warned to "take it easy".
*I've also tried Shinkos (on the VFR750), other models of Avons, and some badly worn Pirelli Dragons (on the VTR). All relatively crap.
cowboyz
7th October 2009, 13:16
pilot road 2s over the power 2CT. Its a touring bike! Youll get over 10k out of PR2 on it and awesome handling.
RavenR44
7th October 2009, 19:17
An embarrassment of forum riches. I was expecting maybe a caustic "use the search facility" post or two but got a heap of really relevant answers.
Thanks to all. I appreciate the effort.
I now have much to ponder and some pricing to do. And in case anyone's wondering why I'd be contemplating replacing the brand new tyres on a new bike, the answer's that there's a possibility of me getting my grubby little zipper-grabbers on a low km '08 for a very good price.
Unless somebody else gets to it first. We'll see. That bike's tyres have been squared and seem to be ka-nackah'd. So whatever the new tyres cost, I'll just factor into the bike's purchase price.
Ta again dudes,
Andy.
vifferman
7th October 2009, 19:20
Around $550, fitted.
RavenR44
7th October 2009, 19:39
Around $550, fitted.
Youze am some speeeedy poster vifferman.
Thanks for the price info. :)
Mondo cheers 'n' bling thing.
Andy.
AllanB
7th October 2009, 20:30
I'd say Pilot Road 2's would be the bees on the VFR - good sticky edges for the fun stuff and a touring centre for the long hauls.
marty
7th October 2009, 21:55
I had PR2's on the Bus. Was most impressed that I got 5000kms out of the rear. Was a little better than 1000 out of the 010
RavenR44
8th October 2009, 09:19
PR2s look to be the winnahs by popular vote.
As everybody suspected, a bit o' de tourin', prolly with pillion, mixed with a sprinkling of selfish windy road, sphinter puckering action.
So the PR2 choice would seem to be the best one. Thanks one and all.
'Course, it's only relevant if the cheaper low km bike's the one I actually get - something that's not a foregone conclusion. Or I choose the Triple route. If I get a new '08 viffer, then I won't be replacing the tyres until my Scottish sensibilities allow, which I think will be some thousands of km past the point where prudence would dictate their retirement. :whistle:
Cheers dudes,
Andy.
Sidewinder
8th October 2009, 09:25
120 front 180rear, the world is ya oyster there dude,
you want something to nanna around on get some diablo, want to go silly get some super coarsa's that easy, pick something to match ya riding style, im suprised i didnt put slicks on my vrf800 or maybe i was so i decided it was a good time to sell it
NZsarge
8th October 2009, 10:12
Yea, Road 2's :niceone:
Paddi Irishman
8th October 2009, 10:23
Personally I put nothing else on my bikes but bridgestone's...
I find the BT014 a good all round tyre...
better gripping (in the wet) and longer lasting than the 016's..
I ran a set of BT014 front and BT020 rear on a CBR600 i had and found it a great combination ......
i have tryed both Corsa's and super corsa's on the mille and hated both ,,,,
Felt they lacked feedback compared to the bridgestones...
And they seemed to lost grip on the wet after a few hundred miles of been new.. (not that the wet would be a major issue over with you's)....
vifferman
8th October 2009, 10:27
Personally I put nothing else on my bikes but bridgestone's...
You don't have a VFR800 listed as one of your bikes - do you have one?
The Bridgestones are a common fitment for the VFR, and they're OK, but they tend to 'scallop' the front tyre badly, making it handle a bit weird. This may contribute to the not uncommon trait of getting bar wobbles at ~70km/h, especially downhill with no hands on the 'bars.
I've had no such problems with the Storms, and haven't heard of it happening with the PR2s.
Paddi Irishman
8th October 2009, 11:00
What is "scallop"........
Sidewinder
8th October 2009, 11:03
What is "scallop"........
last i herd it was a type of sea food
<img src=http://www.mstevensandson.co.uk/shop/images/scallops%20RAW.jpg>
vifferman
8th October 2009, 11:08
What is "scallop"........
It's what the Mrkns call the way the tread blocks wear unevenly and in an odd way, so that they're kinda dished, rather than flat (with respect to the tyre's circumference).
Apparently, it's something that happens with some tyres on bikes that tend to push the front a bit in corners. It's partly due to the suspension geometry of the bike, and partly due to tyre profile and construction (the way the belts run, flexibility, shape, running temperature, etc.)
Paddi Irishman
8th October 2009, 11:26
Yea got ya now viffer........
Swoop
8th October 2009, 11:36
Was over at Cycletreads a while back and they were running a special on PR2's.
Dunno if it is still on though.
cowboyz
8th October 2009, 17:24
making it handle a bit weird. This may contribute to the not uncommon trait of getting bar wobbles at ~70km/h, especially downhill with no hands on the 'bars.
I've had no such problems with the Storms, and haven't heard of it happening with the PR2s.
thats odd you say that about the storms as I have seen a heap of reports saying that the storms get a wobble as a matter of course.
Meanie run some on the concours14 and reported great tyre but didnt last and created a wobble.....
PR2 for the win.. cant fault them. (except the hiked price since ppl have found out how good they are.)
vifferman
8th October 2009, 17:36
thats odd you say that about the storms as I have seen a heap of reports saying that the storms get a wobble as a matter of course.
They've got something else happening - it's not the out-of-balance wobble that occurs with the Bridgestones and some other tyres - it's a tread-steer thing, where at low speeds (like walking speed) it wanders. I think it's due to the tread pattern, and it's not noticeable at higher speeds.
I'm on my second front Storm now, and still like them, but I'm interested in giving the PR2's a shot next time, or maybe those Angels.
It's always a bit of a gamble changing tyre brands or models, because people ride differently, and their experiences may vary depending on how the tyres were fitted, what pressures they tend to prefer, etc. The Avons generally don't like running at low pressures, particularly the front, possibly because they've got soft carcases?
RavenR44
8th October 2009, 17:58
Was over at Cycletreads a while back and they were running a special on PR2's.
Dunno if it is still on though.
Nope. Looks like retail is back at Cycletreads. I guess one could haggle, but if they're around at a better price elsewhere, might as well haggle there.
But thanks for the heads-up Swoop. I appreciate your input dude.
Cheers,
Andy.
RavenR44
8th October 2009, 18:11
They've got something else happening - it's not the out-of-balance wobble that occurs with the Bridgestones and some other tyres - it's a tread-steer thing, where at low speeds (like walking speed) it wanders. I think it's due to the tread pattern, and it's not noticeable at higher speeds.
I'm on my second front Storm now, and still like them, but I'm interested in giving the PR2's a shot next time, or maybe those Angels.
It's always a bit of a gamble changing tyre brands or models, because people ride differently, and their experiences may vary depending on how the tyres were fitted, what pressures they tend to prefer, etc. The Avons generally don't like running at low pressures, particularly the front, possibly because they've got soft carcases?
Whoa... you folks talk some seriously tech stuff. Maybe I should be hangin' out at "Motorcycles for Dummies dot co dot enzed" instead of round these here parts. Not that I don't appreciate the knowledge guys. I really do, but I may be seriously out of my depth.
[Rushes off to swot up on "mo'bikes in the early 21st century"]
:whistle:
cowboyz
8th October 2009, 18:43
They've got something else happening - it's not the out-of-balance wobble that occurs with the Bridgestones and some other tyres - it's a tread-steer thing, where at low speeds (like walking speed) it wanders. I think it's due to the tread pattern, and it's not noticeable at higher speeds.
I'm on my second front Storm now, and still like them, but I'm interested in giving the PR2's a shot next time, or maybe those Angels.
It's always a bit of a gamble changing tyre brands or models, because people ride differently, and their experiences may vary depending on how the tyres were fitted, what pressures they tend to prefer, etc. The Avons generally don't like running at low pressures, particularly the front, possibly because they've got soft carcases?
oh.. ok... Ive never run them myself. Like I say.. meanie (my neighbour even if he doesnt want to admit it) has had a couple and he likes them but the wobble was off putting.
I am a huge fan of PR2 PP2CT and Diablos. Even though all the reports say dont mix brands my bike handles like its on rails with a PR2 rear and a diablo front.
Blackbird
8th October 2009, 19:00
I've just finished testing the Avon VP2 Sport for the importer over their full life. To say that I'm impressed would be an understatement. I think that the test is going to appear in a national mag but will see if I can get permission to post it on KB. In the meantime, this is the link to the tech spec: http://www.avon-tyres.co.uk/motorcycle/vp2-sport.
They are a true sport tyre, not sport/touring but even so, they lasted longer than I thought they would have done given the weight of the 'bird and the fact that I was on a mission:whistle:
vifferman
8th October 2009, 19:21
They are a true sport tyre, not sport/touring but even so, they lasted longer than I thought they would have done given the weight of the 'bird and the fact that I was on a mission:whistle:
Interestering.
When my front Storm wore out, I asked the TyreFittingDude at Cycletreads if a Viper would be better, as it would be softer and so it would wear out faster (and hopefully at around the same time as the part-worn rear.
He said that the Viper would have trouble getting up to temperature (and stickiness) so wasn't ideal as a mostly communtering tyre.
In the past I've run sport front and sport-touring rear (done it three or four times now) and it's a good combo. Was offered the opportunity to have a Viper/Storm combo, and didn't take it, and don't regret it.
kiwifruit
8th October 2009, 19:36
I'd fit M3s or Avon vipers to my VFR800, if i had one.
Blackbird
9th October 2009, 06:28
I'd fit M3s or Avon vipers to my VFR800, if i had one.
VP2's are the successor to the Vipers, albeit a world different in construction.
Blackbird
9th October 2009, 06:39
Interestering.
When my front Storm wore out, I asked the TyreFittingDude at Cycletreads if a Viper would be better, as it would be softer and so it would wear out faster (and hopefully at around the same time as the part-worn rear.
He said that the Viper would have trouble getting up to temperature (and stickiness) so wasn't ideal as a mostly communtering tyre.
Only partly true Ian. That might be the case with the Viper Xtreme which is constructed for the serious trackday junkie. however, you have the option of the Supersport and Sport which are road-oriented tyres. I ran a Viper Sport before the VP2's and there was no occasion when it didn't grip like a bastard.
vifferman
9th October 2009, 09:17
Only partly true Ian. That might be the case with the Viper Xtreme which is constructed for the serious trackday junkie. however, you have the option of the Supersport and Sport which are road-oriented tyres. I ran a Viper Sport before the VP2's and there was no occasion when it didn't grip like a bastard.
I should've realised it sounded a bit odd, given that I was originally asked whether I wanted a Viper/Storm combo.
In any case, I've had no problem with the Storm front. The rear's spun up a few times in the wet going over tar snakes and the like, and now that I think it's 'gone off' it slides a bit powering out of corners, so it'll need replacing sometime. A Coro Loop or longish weekend ride will probably finish it off.
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