Tyre advice.

[Lou Girardin]

I'm due for new tyres soon. Been using Avon AV45 & 46, I've got 10,000 out of the rear with 1000 - 2000 to go and no other complaints. But I was talking to someone who has Diablo's (not corsa's) on his Blackbird, he got 9000km's out of the rear and said they're the best wet tyres he's used. Does anyone else have any info on them?
Lou

[Yarg]

I too would like to hear some info on these. I have Michellin Macadam 100x on the Fz-1 and have done 11500km with about 1-2000 to go.

[750Y]

Diablo's sposed to be THE tyre in the wet and dry. My mate has them & is really happy with them. give them a go you can't go wrong by the sounds of it. Don't get the diablo corsas for the road though, they wear too quick(2500kms rear).

[mangell6]

Been using BT020s on the FZ1, lasted about 9-10,000, front was done in at 17,000. Swapped to Dunlop 220s for more grip and looking at getting similar distance on the rear.

Tyres are a fickle thing as they depend on the bike, the rider, and how the bike is ridden.

The FZ1 went in for its 50,000km check today and the Dunlop 220s have got 9700 km so far and look to have another 1500-2000 yet to go.

They have a different profile to the BT020s and seem to suit my riding style a bit better that the BTs.

Mike

[Coldkiwi]

avoid Dunlop 207's. They are well pants. Wear too fast and don't even give any grip in return. I rate Pirelli Supercorsa's. The front tyre on my ZX-6R is still wearing pretty well and it fits nicely with the Dragon Evo on the back. .. only problem with that combo is that the dragon evo's are getting replaced by diablos.. but then diablos are better so what the heck :)

 

[merv]

I'm currently on Michelin Macadam 100X on the VFR and don't know how long they will last. Grip feels good with them but they have a soft feel about them that caused me to to crank up the damping a bit on the rear shock.

Previous tyres I used were were Metzeler MEZ4 which felt hard and chattered on corrugated curves - thought they'd last to make up for feeling so hard, but no they are crap only going 2/3 the distance I got out of the earlier MEZ2. I got 8,000 out of those front and back compared to about 13,000 out of the MEZ2 which I think were great tyres but now not produced. Metzeler importers replied to me that MEZ4 had a harder carcass with softer rubber than the MEZ2 that they replaced - so my view worst of both worlds so don't buy them - no grip, hard feel and no life. Pity they don't still make the MEZ2.

Original OEM Dunlops (can't remember the code) on the VFR also lasted well doing about 12,500 front and rear.

[Lou Girardin]

Thanks all. I think I might use the Avons again, seeing I've got a South Island ride coming up. They'll probably be better for that, then I'll try the Diablo's over winter.
Lou

[NZred]

I had Michelin X90 standard.. and got 10,800kms..  they did feel a bit slippy on a cold wet road..

The replacements came down to Diablo.. or Michelin Pilot Sports..

Michelin Pilot Sport won.. on price $$  and feel excellent .. no regrets :2thumbsup

[Blackbird]

My Blackbird is now shod with the same Avons as yours Lou and I'm extremely pleased with them.  Tyre choice on heavier fast bikes like the bird is critical because of casing deflection.  Bridgestone do a special BT020 with a stiffer casing than standard but it is unavailable in NZ.  Bridgestone don't recommend the standard 020.  I used to have D220's on and the wear pattern on the front tyre suggested that the casing was deflecting under load.  It certainly didn't feel so sure-footed as with the Avons.  These were tested in Performance Bikes on the 'bird, 'busa and ZX12R and got the thumbs-up.

Incidentally, does your mate with the 'bird know about the International Blackbird Owner's website - www.superblackbird.uk (http://www.superblackbird.uk)?  Brilliant site with lots of good technical stuff as well as fun.  There's only a couple of Kiwis on it.   

Cheers

Geoff