What are the characteristics of a 'good'/'better' tyre? [Archive]

Chisanga

11th April 2007, 14:29

Excuse me if this is a stupid question but I am not particularly knowledgable in this area, I did a quick search but didn't find anything that really answered my question.

I have always had the stock/OEM tyres on my VTR250 for the last 5500km since new and they seem to be ok, although I have binned twice on my bike (not related to tyres). Since then I have been a lot more hesitant in my riding particularly in cornering.

I have been told by a number of people whos opinions I respect (e.g. M1cro & McJim) that my confidence will increase dramatically if I get some new rubber put on.

Now what I would like to know is how will these better tyres feel or what characteristics would better tyres have and what will I notice as being different (if anything).

The tyres I have had recommended from my LBS are Pirelli Sport Demons.

Thanks in advance for your feedback.

Devil

11th April 2007, 14:45

This is something that you'll figure out with experience and k's under your belt. Fresh rubber just "feels" better for a start. Of course if you dont really push the bike much you probably wont notice much difference.

Motu

11th April 2007, 15:04

''Feedback''

kiwifruit

11th April 2007, 15:16

Grip .

cowboyz

11th April 2007, 15:29

The best way I would describe it is that with good rubber on you are going faster but it doesnt feel faster. Sport demons are great. I run them on the 600f that I had. When they are new the bike feels more stable and you find yourself cornering a heap better/smoother/faster. Then it could just be the mind thing.

Phurrball

11th April 2007, 15:46

I'm loving the Avons on my 250 bandit. (Sadly crashed - nothing to do with the rubber)

I have an HKM on the rear, and a Roadrider on the front (replaced the HKM in Avon's range) I especially love the confidence of having a good front tyre inspires - I started scraping the pegs a bit on familiar roads once I got used to the new front - it's incredibly sticky!

Whatever you choose, you'll be well pleased with new rubber on your ride :scooter:

jade

11th April 2007, 16:47

when you get new tyres your bike will literally feel like a different bike, literally.. it will handle much better - turn in alot quicker because they will have a rounder profile, not squared off from too many motorway k's..
It really will completely change how your bike feels, inspiring confidence..
some of the things you can look forward to with new rubber is - quick warm up time - more grip in the rain and dry, and better handling/feedback
im a dunlop man myself, i dont know much about the demons, but careful you dont get a tyre too good for your bike.. eg - something made for a 6 hundy or thou... you would have to push it alot harder to get them up to temp
talk to the guys at cycletreads - tell them what you are looking for for your type of riding - theyll put you on the right track..
quick warm up time and grip in the wet are important to me

MSTRS

11th April 2007, 17:26

Big Dave

11th April 2007, 17:51

Go and introduce yourself as a KB participant to mr Kerry at motohaus tyres in Kingsland. He will give you good advice and then sort it too.

yungatart

11th April 2007, 17:55

Sport Demons are the way to go on your VTR. They inspire confidence in all conditions and last well. hXc's Spada has them - just replaced the rear after 11000k and he didn't pussy with them.
Have just put one on the front of Yungatart's Eliminator to replace the aging Bridgestone BT35 - why did I wait so long??

Indeed - I can't have nagged enough!! Either that or I am just too patient...
It has made a huuuuge difference, it now feels like the back wants to follow the front around the corner...instead of doing its own thing

BarBender

11th April 2007, 18:42

Grip.

...for my style of riding.

Street Gerbil

12th April 2007, 10:45

In New Zealand nothing beats wet traction, motorbike or not.

Bnonn

12th April 2007, 12:34

In New Zealand nothing beats wet traction, motorbike or not.
Agreed. I'm actually looking about for new tires for my FZ6, which has Dunlop D252s as stock, and they truly suck in the wet. Any recommendations? Something that will handle average commuting, wet weather riding, and long-distance country riding in the twisties is a must (:

Kwaka14

12th April 2007, 12:38

Agreed. I'm actually looking about for new tires for my FZ6, which has Dunlop D252s as stock, and they truly suck in the wet. Any recommendations? Something that will handle average commuting, wet weather riding, and long-distance country riding in the twisties is a must (:

Try the new Avon Storms. The Azaro's I've got on the ZX12 are awesome all rounders and the storms are supposed to be a level up in grip still giving great wear.... See Kerry at Motohaus....

Bnonn

12th April 2007, 12:48

Thanks for the tip :)

mynameis

13th April 2007, 13:55

Chisanga mate, tyres have been discussed to death on KB. To help you out try reading through these two threads here.

You will surely be enlightened, some top riders have posted in these in there. Check them out and give us your opinion.

And as "cjade1" said Dunlops are the shiz, and you can't go wrong with them but look through the threads it's kinda like an experiment and results.

Before and after results but in my opinion it all boils down to YOUR PREFERENCE

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php?t=45346

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php?t=45055

Good luck !!

Swoop

13th April 2007, 14:44

...what characteristics would better tyres have...
#1:Round.
#2:Black.
#3:Grippy.:Punk:

Indeed - I can't have nagged enough!! Either that or I am just too patient...
Should have served up mashed potato night after night... presented in a circular fashion and having a hole in the middle, with dark gravy all over. Nothing else on the plate!:Punk: :done:

ynot slow

13th April 2007, 19:52

i've just put pirelli sport demons on front and rear,they feel good,my range of tyre was limited due to sizes .i.e 16front,17 rear,instill confidence for me although haven't gone far yet on them.:done:

Bonez

14th April 2007, 12:44

Chickadee

14th April 2007, 16:43

I have been told by a number of people whos opinions I respect (e.g. M1cro & McJim) that my confidence will increase dramatically if I get some new rubber put on..

M1CRO I can understand - he gives good advice but McJim?!? :rofl:

McJim had a set of Bridgestone BT45 tyres on his VTR250 - he seemed happy with them.

cowboyz

15th April 2007, 10:01

What was the wet weather handling of the sports demons like?

they were ok. I dont like the rain anyway. the tyres definitely felt less stable in the rain but I never lost the bike and there was a fair bike of wet weather riding going on while I had that bike.

Coyote

15th April 2007, 10:30

Bad tyres wheelspin in the wet and send you flying into buses

cowboyz

15th April 2007, 11:24

well there is that

Krayy

16th April 2007, 11:08

<snip>...The tyres I have had recommended from my LBS are Pirelli Sport Demons.
I have Sport Demons on my VTR250 and would highly recommend them. Once you scrub them in, you can get a feck load more lean on than on the stock rubber and just wind it on even before your apex with confidence.

You can even get your knee down in the right places like up the hills headed to Whitianga at the Coromandel Town turnoff, a few places on SH16 and at the entrance to my work carpark if a cager has already raised the security gate :Punk:

Squeak the Rat

16th April 2007, 12:47

Describing the characteristics of good tyres may be a little meaningless unless you can interpret that with real world experience.

So the best bet IMHO is to get some quality rubber put on. This will:

a) Give you confidence that the tyre will do about as well as anyone can reasonably expect it to,

and

b) It will demonstrate the difference between your current blacks and some quality rubber, allowing you to gain experience and further evaluate other tyres when the time comes.

Forest

16th April 2007, 21:18

Since I'm interested in long-distance touring, I like tires which don't wear too quickly. Especially on the magnificent coarse chip South Island roads.

Unfortunately you usually have to trade-off other useful properties to get an increase in tyre life.

Griff

17th April 2007, 22:10

I had a few sets of Bridgestone BT14s (OEM Tyres and they were shit in the rain,took ages to warm up & crap at retaining heat). That translated to it feeling like you were riding on plastic tyres on cold wet days. Moved to Pirelli Diablo Corsas and they are superb! Grippy, last reasonably well.

Bnonn

18th April 2007, 09:50

How are your Corsas in the wet?

Griff

18th April 2007, 12:01

Still sticky and give plenty of feedback in the wet. No Worries.

Chisanga

18th April 2007, 17:26

Well I just got back from seeing Kerry at Motohaus and following his advice got myself a set of Avon Roadrider's for the VTR.

I must I was VERY impressed with Kerry and the service he gave me, no looking down his nose at me when answering all my stupid questions. I would recommend him highly to anybody looking for tyres in Auckland.

Now begins the scrubbing in process :)

P.S. May be back to see Kerry for a Ventura packrack too

P.P.S. Can see tyres here (http://www.avon-tyres.co.uk/motorcycle/index.php?page=tyres&method=showtyre&id=6) for those that are interested.