New boots for the ST?

[Paul in NZ]

The poor old ST sits unused in the shed while the TR6C gets all the use... The main reason for this oddness is Vicki really does not like the ST very much, or more to the point she really loves the TR6C...

Anyway - after the Polished Rockers do - it was such a nice evening I decided to take the ST 1050 for a ride. I had to (literally) brush the cobwebs off the old girl and top off the tyres. It felt a bit harsh so I stopped and backed off the rear shock which was still in 'pillion' mode (d'oh) but it still felt a little odd. Once I remembered that this is a modern bike and needs to be ridden aggressively and actively the plot started to work a bit better.

Looking at the tyres - well - they are past their best to be honest. They would likely get a wof but they have been on there 3 years and 10K (told you we hardly use it) and they were well used when the bike came to us.

So - as a last gasp to get some enjoyment out of this bike I will give it another flogging with the credit card and get a set of tyres.

It uses 120/70 front and 180/55 rear - its bloody heavy and its main use it 2 up and touring so decent rain performance is a must as it takes it grey colour very seriously... While I'm at it - recommended pressures are 36 / 42 which methinks is why it feels so damn harsh...

Since I'm not that familiar with these fat wheeled monsters I foolishly though I'd ask here - I mean what could go wrong??

So - suggestions of suitable tyres and pressures please?

[Grubber]

I have a Daytona 955i with similar tyre sizes and i tour a lot.
Like you the rain is important as i travel in all weathers.
Currently I'm running the Pilot Road 2 Michellens and I'm on my 3rd set with 1/4 wear left after 48k.
I find them really good to be honest and they do wear fairly well. Wet riding is not an issue.
Pressures....i run front at 34-36 ish and the rear at 38-40.
Seems to work for me, hope its of some help.

[Maha]

I have always used (except just one time) Michelin PR2's and 3's Paul. Tyre pressure was 42 rear and 36 front. I opted for the PR3B Rear which is designed for sports touring or two up riding.

PR2's on my Trimuph ST/CB1300 and 3's on my FZ8 and 1250 FA.

[Gremlin]

Since you're 2up, you'd want a stiffer carcass in the tyre. PR3 and PR4 standard would likely be too soft, so either the PR3B or PR4 GT for Michelin.

Also consider the Metzeler Z8

[Paul in NZ]

Since you're 2up, you'd want a stiffer carcass in the tyre. PR3 and PR4 standard would likely be too soft, so either the PR3B or PR4 GT for Michelin.

Also consider the Metzeler Z8

Good point re the stiffer carcass. I have been offered Conti road attacks, $500 the pair, fitting extra... Seems a pretty good deal to me BUT like I said, I know nothing about it BUT I'm certain whatever we get will be better than whats fitted...

Looking on the hinternet - Z8's seem to polarise people into lovers and haters...

Cheers

[Paul in NZ]

Oh - thanks for the inputs guys... Really appreciate it...

[Paul in NZ]

So Conti Road attacks OK???

[AllanB]

Road Attack or Road Attack 2 ? The 2's are better than the earlier RA. Pretty sure they offer a heavier duty one now as well for two up heavy bikes. The Contis are on the sporty side of sport touring and wore quicker compared to the Pilot Road 2's I'd had one earlier. Stuck better though :-)

I enjoyed the Brigstone T30's on my Hornet - appear to be hit and miss on KB, love or hate relationship.

[Trade_nancy]

I personally believe that 36/42 is too much. That is the maximum recommended. I have done about 20,000k on an ST955 and 30,000k on a GT1050..now have a Tiger Explorer. I always squirted 33/34 up front and 36 in back. With a pillion i went up to 34F and 40R..and with pillion and luggage - 36/42. Always had Michelin Pilot Roads, PR2, PR3 and finally when I sold the GT - it had a pr4-GT on front. Best of that lot were the PR2..getting around 16k k's on a rear. The PR3 did not last so well. The front PR3 did about 12k. I only did 5k on the PR4-GT..but it was a nice ride...and showed zero irregular wear at time I sold the bike.

[Paul in NZ]

Road Attack or Road Attack 2 ? The 2's are better than the earlier RA. Pretty sure they offer a heavier duty one now as well for two up heavy bikes. The Contis are on the sporty side of sport touring and wore quicker compared to the Pilot Road 2's I'd had one earlier. Stuck better though :-)

I enjoyed the Brigstone T30's on my Hornet - appear to be hit and miss on KB, love or hate relationship.

Dunno - I'll find out - normal road attacks I think? For $500 the pair plus fitting I think its a deal..

[nzspokes]

Good point re the stiffer carcass. I have been offered Conti road attacks, $500 the pair, fitting extra... Seems a pretty good deal to me BUT like I said, I know nothing about it BUT I'm certain whatever we get will be better than whats fitted...

Looking on the hinternet - Z8's seem to polarise people into lovers and haters...

Cheers

Had Z8s on my VTR and they felt dead and hard to turn but had just come off BT016s. Pulled them off and put them on my Bandit 1200 and they are fine. No sliding just slow to turn.

[Gremlin]

Looking on the hinternet - Z8's seem to polarise people into lovers and haters...
Tyres are very subjective. I've run the same tyres as someone else with the same model bike. I hated the tyres, he loved them.

We can give you our advice and experience, but ultimately you have to ride on them. I've run Contis once on my GSA and they were terrible (the TrailAttack was a curious tyre for the GS/GSA, some loved it, others hated it and had constant shimmys and I was one).

I generally cast around (used over 10 sets of tyres on the GSA now) until I find something I love, and then I stick with it.

[Banditbandit]

Since you're 2up, you'd want a stiffer carcass in the tyre. PR3 and PR4 standard would likely be too soft, so either the PR3B or PR4 GT for Michelin.

Also consider the Metzeler Z8


Yeah - I'd got for the PR4s .. I love them on the big bandit. But go for the stiffer GTs for two up touring on a heavy bike




Road Attack or Road Attack 2 ? The 2's are better than the earlier RA. Pretty sure they offer a heavier duty one now as well for two up heavy bikes. The Contis are on the sporty side of sport touring and wore quicker compared to the Pilot Road 2's I'd had one earlier. Stuck better though :-)

I enjoyed the Brigstone T30's on my Hornet - appear to be hit and miss on KB, love or hate relationship.


I love the Conti Road Attacks on my smaller bandit - very grippy - awesome fun - don't last ... but not a tyre I'd put ona heavy two up tourer.



I personally believe that 36/42 is too much. That is the maximum recommended. I have done about 20,000k on an ST955 and 30,000k on a GT1050..now have a Tiger Explorer. I always squirted 33/34 up front and 36 in back. With a pillion i went up to 34F and 40R..and with pillion and luggage - 36/42. Always had Michelin Pilot Roads, PR2, PR3 and finally when I sold the GT - it had a pr4-GT on front. Best of that lot were the PR2..getting around 16k k's on a rear. The PR3 did not last so well. The front PR3 did about 12k. I only did 5k on the PR4-GT..but it was a nice ride...and showed zero irregular wear at time I sold the bike.

Depends on the bike and the bike and tyre manufacturers recommendations. I run the big bandit 36/42 - as recommended by the bike manufacturer. I can tell when they are five psi out - feels strange.

Same on the small bandit - tyre manufatucveer recommendation. Suzuki recommends 34/40, but that doesn't seem to suit the conti road attacks.

My PR3s did not as long as the PR2s or the PR4s ... I have no experience of the GTs ...



Tyres are very subjective. I've run the same tyres as someone else with the same model bike. I hated the tyres, he loved them.

We can give you our advice and experience, but ultimately you have to ride on them. I've run Contis once on my GSA and they were terrible (the TrailAttack was a curious tyre for the GS/GSA, some loved it, others hated it and had constant shimmys and I was one).

Yeah - I had road attacks for a while on the big bandit ... I was forever lifting it up in a corner because it made the bike turn a lot faster than the Pilot Roads ... great on the smaller bandit which I chuck around. Not so good on the big bandit.

Tyres are totally subjective - find one that suits the bike and the wasy you ride it ...

[Paul in NZ]

I love the Conti Road Attacks on my smaller bandit - very grippy - awesome fun - don't last ... but not a tyre I'd put ona heavy two up tourer.

Tyres are totally subjective - find one that suits the bike and the wasy you ride it ...

This is what does my head in - they were specifically recommended for good mileage for a heavy sports tourer due to the dual compound curing process... Shit for $500 I'll give em a lash....

[Maha]

This is what does my head in - they were specifically recommended for good mileage for a heavy sports tourer due to the dual compound curing process... Shit for $500 I'll give em a lash....

I found the Bridgestone T30 tyre crap Paul, didn't like them. Took them off/sold them and went back to tried and trusted (for me) Michelin.

[AllanB]

I found the Bridgestone T30 tyre crap Paul, didn't like them. Took them off/sold them and went back to tried and trusted (for me) Michelin.

Yet I found them a most excellent tyre!

Not helping I know but a example of just how subjective tyres are relative to the bike and rider or combo of either. :-)

[Paul in NZ]

Yet I found them a most excellent tyre!

Not helping I know but a example of just how subjective tyres are relative to the bike and rider or combo of either. :-)

I know - this tyre thing is about the oddest thing I've even seen on KB (and that's quite something). How identical tyres on similar bikes are loved/hated etc. LOL - I'll just put some tyres on it and ride the damn thing I reckon. To that end I've committed to the Road Attacks based on price and I'll work up from there.

I will certainly post back here with an opinion just so I can join the tyre club...

[Paul in NZ]

Oh - apparently they are Conti Attack 2 GT's with heavier sidewall...

http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/46891/i/continental-conti-road-attack-2-gt-sport-touring-radial-rear-tire

[Banditbandit]

This is what does my head in - they were specifically recommended for good mileage for a heavy sports tourer due to the dual compound curing process... Shit for $500 I'll give em a lash....

Yeah .. I know .. Conti told me I'd get at least 8,000ks out of a rear ... I think the fact that I killed it in 3001 ks did their head in too ..

[MarkH]

Yeah - I'd got for the PR4s .. I love them on the big bandit. But go for the stiffer GTs for two up touring on a heavy bike

I have the Michelin PR4GT tyres on front & back of my ST1300, I really like them and will be going with the same again next time.
Personally I prefer to use the tyres that I trust, even if they are more expensive - but I've had good life (15,000+ KMs) from the PR4GT rear tyre, so I don't consider them expensive despite the price paid for a fitted tyre.

[BrendonF]

I have the Michelin PR4GT tyres on front & back of my ST1300, I really like them and will be going with the same again next time.
Personally I prefer to use the tyres that I trust, even if they are more expensive - but I've had good life (15,000+ KMs) from the PR4GT rear tyre, so I don't consider them expensive despite the price paid for a fitted tyre.

yep, +1 for PR4 GT. 18,000km on a set and there now on the wear marks. I've always ran 38/42 and my BMW K1200S has factory TPS so I can monitor the pressures on the move. The rear has squared off a bit, but that's due to lots of highway riding in Australia before moving to CHCH. I ran PR2 and 3 on my previous FJR1300 and would get between 16-20,000 km a set.
must admit there dam expensive in NZ compared to Aus as I am currently getting prices for a replacement set.

[Paul in NZ]

Rode home on the new tyres at lower pressures - felt damn good...

Mech was very complimentary about how the bike went which is down to the modified suspension - who would have thought it would make it so smooth..

[Moi]

yep, +1 for PR4 GT... must admit they're dam expensive in NZ compared to Aus as I am currently getting prices for a replacement set.

Cycletreads in Auckland is having an Easter sale, might be worth having a look at what they are offering...

Yes, realise you're in Chch, but even with transport might be a good deal or you might be able to talk a local supplier into matching the deal...

[AllanB]

Oh - apparently they are Conti Attack 2 GT's with heavier sidewall...

http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/46891/i/continental-conti-road-attack-2-gt-sport-touring-radial-rear-tire


Cool. I ran a set of the Attack 2's on my Hornet 900 - really enjoyed them - very sticky - I classed them as SPORT/touring :niceone: Tyre life was placed nicely between sport Powers and Pilot Road 2's so I was happy.


Good price you paid too, reckon you will be very happy with them.

[Paul in NZ]

Well we had a 2 hour test ride in a variety of conditions, sunny to damp, still to stiff breeze... Improvement in all arrears of performance... Best ride ever on the ST - I think Vicki actually relaxed at one point ;-)

[Maha]

2013 I put Bridgestone T30's on my bike Paul and said this about them when I got home..

''What are the chances, no rain for a couple of months and the very morning I chose to get the T30’s fitted it rains.
First impressions on the T30’s, in a word, sublime. Even allowing for the fact that it was raining, not once did I feel cause for concern. I still chose to go the long way home, even though I am cold/wet and thinking why am I doing this’’

3000 kms later I took them off and sold them.

[BrendonF]

Cycletreads in Auckland is having an Easter sale, might be worth having a look at what they are offering...

Yes, realise you're in Chch, but even with transport might be a good deal or you might be able to talk a local supplier into matching the deal...

thanks for that mate.

[caseye]

Took advantage of cycle treads Easter sale and fitted Pirelli GT Angels front and rear on the ol Bandit. Took off for the Kopu Hikuai , Whanga, Waihi, Te kauri, Paeroa and back to Dorkland. By the time we'd reached Whanga those tyres were holding on great, no loose moments at all. Mikey tells me they won't slip in the rain either, I believe him but will take it easy anyhow.
20,000K's from those Michelin PR3's fitted as a pair when I bought the bike 3 years ago.
They were well past their best, but man did they hang on and in all weathers, availability and price meant the GT's went on but so far they are terrific.

[AllanB]

Your roads must be like baby bums up there to get 20k on a fattie. Bloody 60 grit sandpaper roads down here.

[BrendonF]

Your roads must be like baby bums up there to get 20k on a fattie. Bloody 60 grit sandpaper roads down here.

The roads around CHCH are a lot harsher than the ones in QLD that's for sure. I don't think I'll get 18 k on my next set. I've heard the roads on the west coast are even worse.

[Paul in NZ]

Well for what its worth - we went away for an overnighter on the ST over Queens Birthday...

We only took the minimum and I dropped the tyre pressures quite a bit as well...

What a difference - OMG I'm now just about in love with the big grey beast... Hell we even managed a feet up U turn in Martinborough LOL... The bike is transformed...

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[caseye]

Well for what its worth - we went away for an overnighter on the ST over Queens Birthday...

We only took the minimum and I dropped the tyre pressures quite a bit as well...

What a difference - OMG I'm now just about in love with the big grey beast... Hell we even managed a feet up U turn in Martinborough LOL... The bike is transformed...

322199322200322201322202322203

How low did you take the pressures? Curious eye yam!

[BrendonF]

I just put Metzeler Z8 on my BMW K1200S. Wow, awesome tyres for this bike. They seem to run better on lower pressures than the PR4s I replaced


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[Cloggy]

I am another fan of the Metzeler Z8. Loved these when I put them on my Bandit 1250. Really need some new rubber on the Concours and Z8's have been top of the list but I might just wait until next month when the new Metzeler Roadtec 01 becomes available.
http://www.forbesanddavies.co.nz/products/view/metzeler-roadtec-01-sport-touring-premium-new/

[Paul in NZ]

How low did you take the pressures? Curious eye yam!

Standard recommended is 42 rear and 36 front...

I was 38 rear 35 front. I think the front could come down a little. It still patters/slaps a bit on ripples up front... This 2 up with light weight bags...