Bike Tyres

[Kittyhawk]

What's the best tyres to go for on my bike? Kawasaki ZX6R 1997

I want something sticky, looks sexy and is good for the road... for cruising, speeding and for practising wheel stands, and low profile.

I have no clue on this, if it looks pretty I'll just buy it! It's a female thing hehe.

[kickingzebra]

I am not the worlds most phenominal expert, but the word on the street is Metzler M3s. I am getting some from holeshot soon, then I will be able to tell you how good they work.

[imdying]

On my 97 6R I used a Pilot Sport on the front, and Pilot Road on the back. Good mileage, good grip.

[aff-man]

I am not the worlds most phenominal expert, but the word on the street is Metzler M3s. I am getting some from holeshot soon, then I will be able to tell you how good they work.

Noooooooooooooooooooooooo!!

Well that's my opinion anyway... Don't dooo it. I told ya already get some ex racy racetechs or super corsa's they work a treat on the 600 and are nice and cheap.

Or if ya willing to throw money at it go for the pilot powers.

Just don't go really stupid in the wet. But you've seen the way I ride and I havn't had any major problems.

[kickingzebra]

Curious on that one? What they do for you? before I part with my hard earned...

[aff-man]

Curious on that one? What they do for you? before I part with my hard earned...

Ok I gots a pair of racetechs for $250. They stick like flies to shit in the dry. Never had a problem with them, the suspension on the bike lets me down before the tyres do. In the wet they are pretty good, this is to say I don't go balls out but I don't nana it either. You sometimes get a bit of controllable drift but thats all part of the fun and only when there is a bit of surface water..

As for age well I got 6500km out of my last front and about 3500 out of the rear.... but was because I ran a k1 I had a k2 on before with and had got about 3000 km with not a lot of visable wear before I got a bloody nail in it.

I had a set of m1's on before I went to ex racies. Had them from brand new (got put on when I bought the bike). Lasted me only 5000km and they wore unevenly as well as being capable but not overly excellent in either dry or wet.Going from them to the racetechs made the bike a completely different animal in regards to handeling.

So from a poor students point of view I'd rather buy 2 sets of ex racies and get more km than a set of new M3's and still have change left over.

[Zapf]

Hi
The M3's are the go. Got a set myself on a 900 Hornet and they stick like glue up north and around coromandle.

Whats this speeding and wheel stand business? :)

[boomer]

round and black although the latter is a preference thing u understand.

the 208rr's i've got on seem to work well at nana speeds

[Two Smoker]

Pilot Powers... If you only ride in the dry, and like a bit of track time... Supercorsa's...

[SARGE]

Noooooooooooooooooooooooo!!

Well that's my opinion anyway... Don't dooo it. I told ya already get some ex racy racetechs or super corsa's they work a treat on the 600 and are nice and cheap.

Or if ya willing to throw money at it go for the pilot powers.

Just don't go really stupid in the wet. But you've seen the way I ride and I havn't had any major problems.



...'cept for crashing that one time ...

[Devil]

As for age well I got 6500km out of my last front and about 3500 out of the rear.... but was because I ran a k1 I had a k2 on before with and had got about 3000 km with not a lot of visable wear before I got a bloody nail in it.

So from a poor students point of view I'd rather buy 2 sets of ex racies and get more km than a set of new M3's and still have change left over.
I'm up to 8000km so far on my M3's and it looks like the rear will do at least another 2000km. Sooo how many sets of used racetecs would you get?

The M3 is not the same as the M1. You need to try it.

[Lou Girardin]

The Conti Sport Attacks have a cool tread pattern. Good tyres too. so I've heard.
But the Metz M3's are still the latest greatest sports road tyre.

[Devil]

Lou, what are those Conti's going for? They look pretty neat.

Would be a hard sell getting me off the M3's though, stickyness and better mileage than my old BT010's??? Crazy talk.

[R6_kid]

what is the point of putting race tyres on a bike for a rider that wont use them. You have to remember that she wont be riding the balls off her bike, and therefore race-type tyres wont be getting hot enough to give her the same grip that you experience.

A good set of Z6's or M3's would do her great or perhaps the pilot powers.

I went around Manfield with a M1 on the front, Z6 on the back and had no problems at all. I improved quite a bit throughout the day, and ended up only loosing maybe half a lap on sparky bills and his mate, both on new litre bikes, and both with race experience.

I'm not gonna be using Racetecs or anything similar for a while yet, and no offence to kittyhawk, but i dont think she quite rides at the same pace as me.

Someone with a bit of time can collate some pics of the road sport/touring tyres and post them up, then she can decide which one is 'prettiest'

[Karma]

no offence to kittyhawk, but i dont think she quite rides at the same pace as me.

Be a bit hard, walking pace for a long period of time is hard...

[aff-man]

ok a lot of valid points are made and yes getting the correct heat into the tyres does mean a lot of the time you have to ride the crap out of the bike and when commuting they don't get properly hot.

But a major factor in buying these tyres was the price and poor student-ness. If you noticed I said that if she had the cash get some pilot powers.

Sarge:shutup:

Just saying bang for ya buck ex-racies. If you got the cash to spend go for something else.

[R6_kid]

fair enough man, i generally skim read, and i think i've gone partially dyslexic too...

but yeh, i considered getting a set of ex-racies, but if your going to be doing lots of commuting its probably best to get dual-compound tyres but like you've said with being poor students $$$ is a big factor.

[kiwifruit]

PPPPPPilot power!!
my 0.02c

[Lou Girardin]

Lou, what are those Conti's going for? They look pretty neat.

Would be a hard sell getting me off the M3's though, stickyness and better mileage than my old BT010's??? Crazy talk.

Retail - $579.00 per set.

[madboy]

I've got Metzler M1s on at the moment. The rear will be up for replacement soon - too much commuting. Guess I'll have to check out the M3s. Race tyres of any description don't suit my purposes so I don't even bother trying to pretend I know anything about them.

Which is just as well, 'cos apparently I'm so slow I got undertaken by White Trash as he was getting spanked by Jesus' donkey.

[Gremlin]

Hey kitty, as gareth has hinted at, it depends how you ride, what you want to do.

You perhaps seem like you will do a lot of upright stuff, in which case you would definitely want a dual compound tyre (hard centre for lasting longer).

Don't know if the M3 is dual compound, someone could answer that. The Z6 (next step down from M3) is, and I have found it a good tyre. 2up in the dry, it impressed, and it performs reasonably well in the wet, having large grooves.

My only gripe with them is the rear tyre. The tread in the very centre is solid rubber, with no grooves. In the soaking wet, it can lock up, or spin up a bit too easily for my liking when commuting...

[R6_kid]

yeh gremlin, thats the deal with the M3's, from what i have read/remember/made up in my head, the M1 was single compound, and i think the Z6 too is/was a single compound tyre. M1 being soft, the Z6 more of a medium-hard compound.

The M3 is said to have better grip than the M1 on the edges, with better braking/accelerating performance in the centre than the Z6, yet the tyre 'age' is approx 80-90% that of the Z6... at the end of the day its $$$ signs really that will dictact the tyre. I have had no troubles on Z6's and probably wont on M3's, but i'll probably go for the one that is cheapest, or maybe even the one that looks cooler if they are similarly priced.

I do want to try these pilot powers though, keystone tells me it's her favourite choice in rubber :blah:

[Dafe]

Pilot Powers! Best in the wet, as well as wicked in the dry.
I just got a new Pilot Power rear on my K6 Gixxer Thou today. To replace the old Pilot Power! The profile of the PP's makes cornering easier too.

[N4CR]

the suspension on the bike lets me down before the tyres do.
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[Dafe]

Retail - $579.00 per set.

The latest UK Superbike magazine has a tyre shootout in it.

The Conti's didn't rate too shit hot.
The Pilot Powers won the shootout. However it was the Metzeller M3's and Pirelli Diablos that were compared with.
The Racetechs, Diablo corsers and Power races are all another step up but for a 600, probably not necessary.
For the range of tyre you probably want, the Powers won that class hands down. I've seen similar results in a tyre shootout about two months ago, but it was the Dunlop Qualifiers that just edged out the Powers by a negligable margin, however the Qualifiers are not quite on the market yet, very soon though.

[R6_kid]

how far behind were the other two to the pilot powers? And hows your gix coming along since back in feb?

[boomer]

i've had the qualifiers for about a month now :blip:

[Gremlin]

... i think the Z6 too is/was a single compound tyre. M1 being soft, the Z6 more of a medium-hard compound.
I could have been told wrong, but I re-checked a few times with them, the z6 is dual compound. And one of the main reasons I chose it.

Tyre is looking good too. And the grip on the sides is beyond what you would expect from medium-hard...

[aff-man]

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I don't understand your post....... Care to get your hand out of your pants and explain yourself?

[N4CR]

I don't understand your post....... Care to get your hand out of your pants and explain yourself?

I love you mr afffag. Btw you have another follower.. in the form of mark auckland. Horrible dainese leathers and sandshoes. But even worse rider. Sigh.

[NSR-Dan]

i got M3's and there mint

[Lou Girardin]

You perhaps seem like you will do a lot of upright stuff, in which case you would definitely want a dual compound tyre (hard centre for lasting longer).

The Z6 (next step down from M3) is, and I have found it a good tyre.
My only gripe with them is the rear tyre. The tread in the very centre is solid rubber, with no grooves. In the soaking wet, it can lock up, or spin up a bit too easily for my liking when commuting...

Z6 is not dual compound sorry. It has multiple contour technology and carbon matrix compound with silica, but that's it.
Have you got a Z6 on the front? If not, that's the cause of wheelspin. It's the front tread pattern that's designed to clear water in a straight line.

[mjvduc]

went for bridgestones BT14s, not that sticky as the rennsports but much better for day to day riding and the cooler days. have done 3000k's through the italian alps and the front is close to new and the rear will go another 3000 if I stay off the autobahn. 14ers losing a bit of grip over 28deg C but easy to control and they don't like track days or "going mental" for two hours or more.

anytime again, next time I will go for a set of BT12ss:blip: hot season is coming:doobey: :doobey:

mjvduc

[Kittyhawk]

I've read up all of your opinions and this is a hard one! For my riding experience I've only had the bike a year or so. This isn't very long and I'm not going to be attempting a track day until I get more roading experience how to corner properly and just perfect handling my bike.

I was told that I should have something more of a cruiser style as it may be more suited for my style of riding but I dont know. Would the cruiser style be better suited for cornering? I guess at the end of the day I'm looking for sticky so I can learn to corner properly and lay it down. (just not too far till I crash)

The tyres I have on there now aren't sticky and now I've lost confidence in cornering all together. They keep sliding out which is something I dont really like.

I love riding in the wet and the weather dosent bother me too much. That is one thing I do know, is that the tyres have to be all weather. (Look at that I finally decided something!!!)

I've just started wheel standing *aww shucks Im a learner here* so I dont know if race tyres would be the way to go on that.

[mjvduc]

stay away from race tyres, you find them hard to handle in the wet and under cold conditions.

go for some sports tyres as conti sport/road attack, Z3's, pilot power or BT14's.

mjvduc

but at the end they are all black :nya:

[R6_kid]

yep then you need mid-range tyres. M3/Z6, pilot power (or next step down?) or the pirelli equivalent.

[Lou Girardin]

)

The tyres I have on there now aren't sticky and now I've lost confidence in cornering all together. They keep sliding out which is something I dont really like.
.

What's on it now?

[Zapf]

The tyres I have on there now aren't sticky and now I've lost confidence in cornering all together. They keep sliding out which is something I dont really like.

In this case I suggest the Z6. Very good for cornering... I have had like 3 sets in the past :)

You can lean it over and it'll just happy keep cornering... yet its awesome for around town or long distance.

Don't even touch a cruiser tire.... someone had something similar to a cruiser on a CBR250RR last week around Coro, naturally he wasn't very happy with it at all.

Have you ridden around the Coromandle loop? We are going around it tomorrow
http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php?t=30445

Hopefully you can be there with your new tire :)

hint: Cycle treads on Barry's point road tend to have some good deals.

[Hotchefnz]

Thought I would throw my 5 cents worth in - I have a pirelli diablo strada on the front and a continental on the back - now I admit it I treat my tyres hard on the rimatakas and the paekakareki hill - and do fortnightly trips from welly to waiouru. This combination has worked well for me - I have 6000 miles on them to date and while the rear is due for a replacement the wear has been great.
I'm in a situation where I have thought about trying something new - but also believe in sticking with what works well.......perhaps a consideration?
:blah:

[Gremlin]

Z6 is not dual compound sorry. It has multiple contour technology and carbon matrix compound with silica, but that's it.
Have you got a Z6 on the front?
hmmm... so I won't be listening to Botany Honda then, for their tyre knowledge... :wait:

Yes, z6 front and rear. They need to be looking at their designs then, coz the front doesn't clear the water the whole time then. I had one little incident where I went through an intersection at probably 70-80ish, and ended up in a 2 wheel drift, going forwards and sideways towards the side of the road. Backed off a bit, and I guess got enough weight onto the front to get it gripping again.

I would say for wet, there should be something a little better, but as a all round tyre, its not to bad...

Kitty, don't use race tyres in winter. I know people do, but its not for the faint hearted. The tread lines are small, allowing very little water dispersion.

[aff-man]

learn to wheelie properly before you worry about what tyres you are running.

The only thing about the tyre will be how much it grips when you lay the power down (on a though this would be more important but not so much on a 6 hindy) ... When I had a go on your machine that first time now those were shocking tyres. i.e. the back tyre started letting go when I was about 30cm off the ground.......

[Toast]

It's a sad, boring world when there's only one to bother with...but just get Pilot Powers, you won't regret it.

[Zapf]

I had one little incident where I went through an intersection at probably 70-80ish, and ended up in a 2 wheel drift, going forwards and sideways towards the side of the road.

Interesting to hear that... is that while cornering?

[Gremlin]

Interesting to hear that... is that while cornering?
No, straight upright. I may have hit the white lines which are all over the place, but the slide went for most of the intersection, had it back just after it.

my guess is the lack of tread in the middle of the rear... never had any other upsets than being upright, except for expected things, like too early on gas in corners etc.

[Zapf]

No, straight upright. I may have hit the white lines which are all over the place, but the slide went for most of the intersection, had it back just after it.

my guess is the lack of tread in the middle of the rear... never had any other upsets than being upright, except for expected things, like too early on gas in corners etc.

u are up right... but going towards the side?

when you are turning the front and rear wheels trace a different line thru the corner... so at that point the grooves of the front won't be working for the grooveless center of the rear... might explain what happened... never the less sounds like your slide was gentle and able to be controlled, signs of a good tire. Where a worse tire could have just let go.

[Gremlin]

u are up right... but going towards the side?
nope, trundling along a straight road, in a straight line.

next second, a gentle movement to the side, and forwards (due to momentum), just slowly starting drifting towards the curve... :crazy: perhaps it shows a good tyre, but honestly, a good tyre shouldn't let go in the first place.

At the same time tho, it is good to have the moments, so you can learn to control them.

[Zapf]

nope, trundling along a straight road, in a straight line.

next second, a gentle movement to the side, and forwards (due to momentum), just slowly starting drifting towards the curve... :crazy: perhaps it shows a good tyre, but honestly, a good tyre shouldn't let go in the first place.

At the same time tho, it is good to have the moments, so you can learn to control them.

yea... heavy surface water can do that.... like a piece of glass!

I ran thru a stream running across the road once...(on way to taupo for the trackday) was too late to slow down much... think I just slide foward thru it and then was on my way.

[Kittyhawk]

It might be a combination of things for the cornering, yes the tires I have on aren't the best I think I'd be better off using a supermarket trolley wheels!

I can't remember if it was Affman, or TL Rider who mentioned something about suspension.

What is the suspension supposed to be like while cornering? If you have good grippy tires, should the suspension be soft or hard?

Do they have blonde motorbike classes for people like me?! I have so many questions lol.!!! (current hair colour.....blonde!)

And when I do get new tires which is going to be my birthday pressie to myself, who wants to come on a ride with me to try them out? (will be next month somewhere as an overnight.)

[aff-man]

Ok I'm willing to take your bike for another blat:doobey: :innocent:

But unless you've touched something last time it was way to soft and way to low at the back (yes I know you're short) but you can ride around with your "hands in the air" so to speak.

Suspension helps heaps with tipping in , bike flickability and stability while in a corner..

You as a blond... now that's real scarey:nya:

I might be keen for an overnighter..... celebrate the end of exams.

[Mr Skid]

Yes, z6 front and rear. They need to be looking at their designs then, coz the front doesn't clear the water the whole time then.I wonder how Metzeler staff sleep at night, knowing the trouble they're creating for riders of your calibre.

[mjvduc]

It might be a combination of things for the cornering, yes the tires I have on aren't the best I think I'd be better off using a supermarket trolley wheels!

I can't remember if it was Affman, or TL Rider who mentioned something about suspension.

What is the suspension supposed to be like while cornering? If you have good grippy tires, should the suspension be soft or hard?

Do they have blonde motorbike classes for people like me?! I have so many questions lol.!!! (current hair colour.....blonde!)

And when I do get new tires which is going to be my birthday pressie to myself, who wants to come on a ride with me to try them out? (will be next month somewhere as an overnight.)

would love to come across:scooter: and adjust your suspension:yes: , but it takes me a bit longer as just a day or two:innocent: :innocent: :innocent:

start of with a basic set up, eg. factory figures and than have a look at the sag (preloading the springs) and what sort of springs you've got. I've got a pretty much rideable setup for duc's running on ohlins, but nothing for jap bikes:nono:

mjvduc

[mjvduc]

I wonder how Metzeler staff sleep at night, knowing the trouble they're creating for riders of your calibre.

we (germans) getting blamed for all sorts of stuff, just a matter of time:doh:

:bye: :bye: :bye:

[trumpy]

I am a returnee from a long way back so have been riding slower than grandma. The 010's that came with the bike were horribly squared off at only 4,700 k's so changed to Conti Road Attacks. Cool tread pattern and good in the wet but never felt really confident enough with them to pick up the pace. Have changed to Pilot Powers and what a difference! They had more grip scrubbing in than the Contis after 2,000ks. Seem pretty good in the wet too. You may need to play with the tyre pressures to match you bike setup and temperature.
I still ride like a Nana but now feel comfortable doing so...............

[Lou Girardin]

I've only had the Z6's let go twice, both times on wet patches of melted tar. Both times they gripped again before I could even pucker up. They even hung on entering a wet left hander on the Desert Rd when I had already mentally started working out how I was going to get home without a bike.

[Toast]

What is the suspension supposed to be like while cornering? If you have good grippy tires, should the suspension be soft or hard?



If only life were so simple...

setting the sag up is the best place to start though. Plenty of threads on here about how to do it, or just google it.

Check www.sportrider.com for a how to on setting sag, and some recommended setting if you can't be arsed doing it all properly (they've been pretty good for me as a starting point so far).

[Kittyhawk]

Yeah Aff you can take my baby out for a ride sometime, but remember to wipe the seat, before you hop onto it :scooter: :gob:

[aff-man]

Yeah Aff you can take my baby out for a ride sometime, but remember to wipe the seat, before you hop onto it :scooter: :gob:

Will do. I don't know what it is about girls.. as soon as they see me......

Must be the hair...

[Kittyhawk]

Will do. I don't know what it is about girls.. as soon as they see me......

Must be the hair...


Nah sorry Aff it's not you.... it's that 600cc vibration between the legs. And when my bike redlines......oooer that's good!

[kickingzebra]

Nah sorry Aff it's not you.... it's that 600cc vibration between the legs. And when my bike redlines......oooer that's good!

If thats the reason, you absolutely need a Harley!

(and waterproof inners on your bike trou...)




PS I do not generally condone the useage of Harleys....

[aff-man]

Nah sorry Aff it's not you.... it's that 600cc vibration between the legs. And when my bike redlines......oooer that's good!

ok... well i'll bring a towel then.:nya:

[Quartida]

Will do. I don't know what it is about girls.. as soon as they see me......

Must be the hair...

*stifles laughter* :shutup:

[The Pastor]

Does anyone have a view on Pirelli sport demon tyres? good / bad?

[Zapf]

Does anyone have a view on Pirelli sport demon tyres? good / bad?

They are great for smaller bikes... e.g 250's / 400's. think that is because they are not available in sizes for big bikes.

[Kittyhawk]

ok... well i'll bring a towel then.:nya:


Nah dont bring one bring a couple! I'll need one for the seat and one for me haha.

Not my fault I love my bike and cant help but to cream my knickers, with all that thrust. That only a 600cc + can give me!!!:doobey:

[Toast]

Does anyone have a view on Pirelli sport demon tyres? good / bad?

Hated them on my small bike, lost heat too fast unless you're going for it the whole time. I think Sarge used them on his FJ tank though, and said that they were great...PM him maybe.

[R6_kid]

Not my fault I love my bike and cant help but to cream my knickers

ewwww.... far too much info

[Kittyhawk]

ewwww.... far too much info


Hahaha ahh well!!

I went to cycle treads on the weekend, and got some info on the tires, the M3's which is what I am looking at getting now seem quite reasonable.

I was also thrown a suggestion about Diablo tires. These seem deeper in grooves and are more suited for wet riding as well as dry. So now I'm in a confused state again!?!!

If the tread has a deeper groove/ cut does this mean its better suited for wet weather riding?

[aff-man]

Hahaha ahh well!!

I went to cycle treads on the weekend, and got some info on the tires, the M3's which is what I am looking at getting now seem quite reasonable.

I was also thrown a suggestion about Diablo tires. These seem deeper in grooves and are more suited for wet riding as well as dry. So now I'm in a confused state again!?!!

If the tread has a deeper groove/ cut does this mean its better suited for wet weather riding?

I would reccomend you seriously STAY AWAY from diabolicals. Hell they let go on the cbr600 at times.

[SuperDave]

Got myself a set of M3's fitted and done around 800kms on them so far. Can't fault them at all and I have really developed a lot of confidence in them. I'm still a newbie as far as larger bikes go but since fitting these tyres I've been pleasantly suprised at how well the bike handles and responds.

[Motoracer]

Pilot Powers!!

They are just simply awesome!

[Dafe]

Pilot Powers... If you only ride in the dry, and like a bit of track time... Supercorsa's...

EXACTLY!!!!

PILOT POWERS.

[aff-man]

Pilot Powers!!

They are just simply awesome!

*yawns*

Already told her this... several times...... maybe I have to shout.:nya:

[Lou Girardin]

Hahaha ahh well!!

I went to cycle treads on the weekend, and got some info on the tires, the M3's which is what I am looking at getting now seem quite reasonable.

I was also thrown a suggestion about Diablo tires. These seem deeper in grooves and are more suited for wet riding as well as dry. So now I'm in a confused state again!?!!

If the tread has a deeper groove/ cut does this mean its better suited for wet weather riding?

I never had a problem with Diablos, fine in all conditions. But I doubt that there'd be a noticable difference between them an the M3's in the wet.
Either will be fine, buy the cheapest.

[Toast]

Pilot Powers!!

They are just simply awesome!

Ha...I knew you'd come around and like them once the front was properly scrubbed :niceone: (scrubbing it in on wet Coro roads is not too easy)

[Zapf]

I went to cycle treads on the weekend, and got some info on the tires, the M3's which is what I am looking at getting now seem quite reasonable.

I was also thrown a suggestion about Diablo tires. These seem deeper in grooves and are more suited for wet riding as well as dry.

If the tread has a deeper groove/ cut does this mean its better suited for wet weather riding?

M3's stick like super sticky donuts :) I was hooning around the Coro on them with damp roads and it was perfect. M3's are like my default choice for tires now.... Just like how others swear by the Pilot powers I think

[Kittyhawk]

M3's stick like super sticky donuts :) I was hooning around the Coro on them with damp roads and it was perfect. M3's are like my default choice for tires now.... Just like how others swear by the Pilot powers I think


MMMM Sticky Donuts!!!! Ok so here is the plan, I take my bike off over to the shore, chat more about tires and then decide. IT's a toss up between the M3's and Pilot Powers!

[aff-man]

MMMM Sticky Donuts!!!! Ok so here is the plan, I take my bike off over to the shore, chat more about tires and then decide. IT's a toss up between the M3's and Pilot Powers!

Shit girl. Make up your mind and come riding on saturday..... oh and pray to the weather gods so that it is alll good.

[Kittyhawk]

Shit girl. Make up your mind and come riding on saturday..... oh and pray to the weather gods so that it is alll good.


Ok Ok Ok I'm female I can't help that! If I get another blow out on this ride I'll never live it down! AND if it's on a new tire well that would just say it all for my riding.

[grandpa_dave]

PPPPPPilot power!!
my 0.02c\

How much is 0.02c in dollars?
Smallest I have seen is at petrol stations but even they stop at 0.9c :innocent:

[kiwifruit]

2 cents is 0.02 of a dollar :nya: correct me if im wrong

its kinda hardcase how the 2cent coin is "worthless", yet i relate my opinions directly to it..

[loosebruce]

On my 97 6R I used a Pilot Sport on the front, and Pilot Road on the back. Good mileage, good grip.

I didnt even bother reading half the shit in here coz most people dint have a fkn clue what the hell they are talking about when it comes to tyres, but this man does and would be the best combo for your bike, if you dont like mis matching :whocares: get a full set of sports, they look cool enough, will get you great mileage, still good tyres in the wet, and will even do a track day for most riders easy.

[grandpa_dave]

Just me being pedantic but wouldn't 2 cents be $0.02 rather than 0.02c?

Nuff bout that, was only a joke anyway.

I'm running Pirelli sport demons on my VTR250 and they are sweet, but like someone else said I think they are just for wee bikes....but they are good on a sunny day (especially on the coromandel loop) and I haven't been riding long enough to thrash in the wet....when it rains I go into Nana mode so I've never had a problem....except one time when an ignorant driver cut me off on a free left turn at a set of lights (I was going straight through, he had the free left turn directly in front of me) and I hit both front and back brakes and had the arse hanging out as I went passed him cursing and swearing, sliding into the other lane.....Fotunately for me there was noone else in it!

[Zapf]

MMMM Sticky Donuts!!!!

I just ordered another set of M3's on the shore for the 954 .... ermmm more Donuts! :yawn: YUMM

[Bytor]

I've got Dunlop D207's on my '97 ZX6R. Good grip in all weather for commuting and blasting. They've been on the bike for some time now and are still good - not sure if you can get them now or if they've been replaced by the 208's.

[Devil]

The people who vote for Pilot Powers only do so because they haven't tried the M3's yet ;)

[imdying]

So long as you keep them at the correct pressures, they're all good. The shitty cheng slimes I had when I was first starting out... they were actually kinda fun to ride though :lol:

[Zapf]

The people who vote for Pilot Powers only do so because they haven't tried the M3's yet ;)

Yea... they are good... except remember they are slippery when new, which I forgot ..... :zzzz:

[mstriumph]

............................
but at the end they are all black :nya:

not necessarily http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php?t=24697&highlight=coloured+tyres :nya:

[Kittyhawk]

Thanks to everyone who had a input on this! I was going to go for the pilot powers but they were out of stock for my bike :zzzz:

So I ended up getting the M3's and all I can say is that they are really sticky, look sexy and have transformed the feel of my bike.

I am now confident in laying the bike down properly to a point where Im comfortable with it (almost maxing out the tread on the rear). Also it's made the handling feel alot lighter just in general handling.

As for wheelstands, yes have been practising a bit and the tires are just so nice.

Ooooer they do it for me hehehe.

[Zapf]

Ooooer they do it for me hehehe.

good to hear, I was laying her down yesterday and getting it to do it for me too :)

So her rubbers are nicely scrubbed in?

[imdying]

So I ended up getting the M3's and all I can say is that they are really sticky, look sexy and have transformed the feel of my bike.

I am now confident in laying the bike down properly to a point where Im comfortable with it (almost maxing out the tread on the rear). Also it's made the handling feel alot lighter just in general handling.Yep, probably find any new tyres of any brand would have given the same result :) The 97 ZX6R, like any bike, is incredibly sensitive to it's tyres. Make sure you keep the pressures right (check em with every tank of gas) and you'll be into bike heaven :)

[Kittyhawk]

Oh no that's a crisis! I dont know what pressure, or how to read a tire gauge thingee at a petrol station. Basicially if it looks full of air and is hard to kick then it's good to go.....I take it this isn't the case anymore!?

[SimJen]

Dont use a petrol station guage, they are miles out as they tend to get knocked around a fair bit.
Buy yourself a decent foot pump or a cheap compressor for your shed :)
Most tyres will be about 38-40psi for the road, or around 30ish for track. Check with the tyre manufacturer for exact pressures, sometimes its written on the side of the tyre.
Sometimes magazines publish the best pressures when they do tyre tests.

[Gremlin]

Dont use a petrol station guage, they are miles out as they tend to get knocked around a fair bit.
I use one... but I only use the one near my house. Never use more than one, as they are usually out as simjen says. I also avoid the digital ones, and go for the good old ones.

Also, if you have a number that you know and need, only check the tyres when they are cold.

[imdying]

Caltex Wairakei Road here in Chch is 8psi out :o Just buy a gauge, they're cheap :)

[quickbuck]

Caltex Wairakei Road here in Chch is 8psi out :o Just buy a gauge, they're cheap :)

Couldn't agree more. Why shorten the life of over $500 worth of rubber for the sake of $50 for a guage that will last a very long time. Not to mention the damage you can do to your baby with low tyre pressures.

I will put in my other two cents worth now.
I has M1's on my CBR for about three sets. They were the bees knees. Except the milage was terrable IF I was using the bike as a commuter. The last set were good, because I had them on the track for a bit to keep them nicely curved.
Gone for a set of Z6's now (well at the start of winter), and I love them. Have had the bike move around a bit, but that is because I have ridden over shingle. Any tyre will do that. The best bit was they stuck as soon as they were able to.

Took the bike out for a decient ride yesterday, and they were faultless. Even at the end when I pulled over to the side of the road and run out of tarmac! The verge just ended and turned to grass! Thankfully I employed a few skills not to drop the bike.

[Lou Girardin]

Make sure you keep the pressures right (check em with every tank of gas) and you'll be into bike heaven :)

Every 200 k's??????

[imdying]

It's free to check em, and only takes but a moment.... unless of course they need more air :D Of course you can only check em when they're cold, so I guess it should be 'check em with every tank of gas you get first thing in the morning'?

[quickbuck]

As a rule of thumb, there is 10% difference between cold and warm pressures.

[imdying]

Nice :) I think once you get used to checking them when they're warm, you get some idea of how much the ones on your ride differ. Does putting cold air into hot tyres make a difference?

[quickbuck]

Well, not really. compressed air tends to be warm.

[Kittyhawk]

Ok so I'll have to buy a gague and not a digital one. Shesh, all this just for a bike ride!! ARGH!!! but at the end of the day it's only two wheels on the road so I gota get it right.

As for a foot pump? too much effort I'd be tired pumping the tires up before even starting my bike haha.