Tyre advice please people who ride in the wet and have been thru a few...

[Pancakes]

Any thoughts and opinions will help, what won't is posting "why bother on a Hyosung" thats so last year.

I ride 98% of the time everyday rain or shine wearing a big flat spot in the centre of my tyres splitting the 70+K's round trip up the northwestern. I do however enjoy a good cane taking the long way home sometimes and on night rides etc. I've also explained to my wife that I need more "fun time" on the bike and she's finally seen the light. (Well, maybe some of the light!).

I've ridden quite a few bikes over the years and some had real nice handling (RGV-R, NC's and RC's etc) so even though my bike is slow and on the porky side I get it near enough to the edge of the stock tyres (that everyone says are crap) regularly that I'd like a bit more feel from some better built tyres and some more wet grip. These std ones have slipped in the dry for me at times when I've gone in a bit hot and just trusted throwing them down. Sometimes just the back and twice both of them and I did like that they didn't just let go, it was progressing and predictable and I caught it easy both times.

I had my heart set on some Pilot Power 2 CT's but have been told today by the tyre shop I like that they barely every come in in my size (110/70 17 F & 150/70 17 R, pretty common sizes I would have thought?) He suggested the Pilot Road 2, the Diablo's or Bridgestone BT 45's (cross-ply).

So, any thoughts on these or other tyres and radials v.s cross-ply. Dual compound preferably. The last time I rode on Bridgestones it was a pair of Battlax's on a CBR-250 RR and they were wooden and yuck, they look very square also. My Shinko's now inspire more confidence. Diablo's are soft and not dual compound so might dissappear too fast in the centre fo me too?

[jrandom]

When you say 'disappear fast in the center', how many km are you talking before your rear tyre becomes squared off to the extent that it fucks up handling?

Pilot Roads and Diablos are both very good tyres; the Michelins are probably better in the wet. Certainly either one would be more than enough for anything you could throw at them on a Hyosung 250.

[James Deuce]

Bridgestone BT45s are the shiznit. Pirelli Sport Demons work well on porkier bikes and I get good mileage out of them both. Both work really well in the wet for me. The tyre sizes are common to mid capacity Sport Tourers, not Sportsbikes hence the struggle to find a sporty dual compound radial.

Don't worry about carcass construction with a 2fiddy.

[jrandom]

Pirelli Sport Demons work well on porkier bikes...

Oh, yeah, what 'e said.

I got a solid 10,000km out of a set of Sport Demons on my Zeal, with never a hint of traction issues in the wet. In fact, I think I reviewed them after they went on. Try searching my threads. They'd be a good match for a Hyosung.

[Swoop]

Currently running pilot road (std - not 2ct) and I am most impressed.
All weathers and has been upand down the Nth Western all winter, without anything resembling a "non-confidence-inspiring moment"!
Sticks like guano in the twisty stuff as well.


Edit for Jim2: Bother! A great tyre. Why do dealers not import a better range of sizes!
Cycletreads had sets of these, fully fitted for $450 a couple of weeks back. Total bargain!!!

[xgnr]

Have had a set of Pirelli Sport Demons on the K75 and so far so good. Done 6k (1.6k during the Grand Challenge) and am well impressed with them in the wet and dry.

Even chasing Puddy (well, trying to catch him) they performed well.

Cheers

Stu

[James Deuce]

Currently running pilot road (std - not 2ct) and I am most impressed.


Can't get Pilot Roads in his sizes unfortunately.

[white belt]

Bridgestone's (cross plys) was recommended to me for my hyosung. They said because of the chasis, crossplys would be the best.

They were great, I really noticed the difference. They were meant to be quite hard in the middle and soft on the outers.

I actually sold the bike after doing about 3-4,000km on the new tyres so can't say much about the wear, sorry.

It was cycletreads that gave me the advice on the Bridgestones.

They were Battleaxes.

[Pancakes]

When you say 'disappear fast in the center', how many km are you talking before your rear tyre becomes squared off to the extent that it fucks up handling?

Pilot Roads and Diablos are both very good tyres; the Michelins are probably better in the wet. Certainly either one would be more than enough for anything you could throw at them on a Hyosung 250.

I started noticing it sqaring up at maybe 12,000K's and replaced the rear at 18,000K's when it was well and truly fucked and the centre was so thin a tiny bit of metal gave me a leak.

By porky the bike is (supposed to be) 170Kg's dry but I think the weight is fairly high too cos it feels like 220Kg's by my bum-o-meter. Does like the corners though (steers nice and this is compared to similar spec bikes of course, I'm not lining up R6's in the twisties!). Even though I personally didn't like the Battlax's some people I know like the BT 45's for touring and I guess what I do is closer to touring spec than sport.

Any comments on the feel when laid over from the cross ply's v.s radials? The cost of the BT's is fairly attractive too truth be told.

[jrandom]

I started noticing it sqaring up at maybe 12,000K's...

Dude, seriously, that is what I would call disappearing very slowly in the center. You won't get that kind of rear tyre mileage if you move from your 250 to a proper sprotsbike.

The BT45s will certainly do the job very well, as will all the other tyres you mention. Price should probably be your main consideration.

[Pancakes]

Yeah it's not fast but cos I don't go on fun rides much it is really noticable compared to the worn in but no tread loss on the outsides. Thats why I's thinking dual compounds. Is quite good mileage tho a. Thats where choosing this over something more fun/grunty has paid off $$-wise. The std tyres are hard tho, doubt I'd get those K's out of a softer tyre and I don't think I'd get the bike over much further either but who knows? Just want some more feel and confidence in the corners.

[marioc]

I have BT45's on my bandit,no complaints seem like a solid tyre.

[James Deuce]

Dude, seriously, that is what I would call disappearing very slowly in the center. You won't get that kind of rear tyre mileage if you move from your 250 to a proper sprotsbike.

The BT45s will certainly do the job very well, as will all the other tyres you mention. Price should probably be your main consideration.

What he said. That's MASSIVE mileage. Let me know how you do it!

Crikey. 18000kms!

[vifferman]

Avon Storms (http://www.avon-tyres.co.uk/motorcycle/?page=tyres&method=showtyre&id=25) - they come in your size, they're a good price, wear well, and are great in the wet.

[Pancakes]

Um... they don't have enough traction to wear out? hahahah. Ther front has done 20,000 now and has 15-20% left! I want to do the front now and the rear later since I have just got the new std rear, the profiles should be ok ish eh? I know I should do them together but I'm not gonna throw out a new tyre.

[jrandom]

... I'm not gonna throw out a new tyre.

One way or the other, don't mix tyres. Different models of tyre are designed to work together, front and back. You'll fuck up your handling if you mix them.

[jrandom]

Oh, yeah, and don't ride on Metzeler Sportec M3s; they can't handle rivets through the middle (http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php?t=60486).

;)

[James Deuce]

Just to reiterate jrandom and to start looking like a fanboi, biff it. The bike will feel much better with two new tyres on it and they'll wear together creating a gradual change in matched performance.

[DMNTD]

I started noticing it squaring up at maybe 12,000K's and replaced the rear at 18,000K's
WOW! I can only dream <_<

Recommended Pilot Powers to a local lad down that rides a Hyosung as his commuter rain or shine. Not sure of the kms he's achieved thus far but he's HIGHLY impressed with the tyre...mind you he was comparing them to the OEM Shitko's.

IMHO PP's are the best all round,all weather tyre. I've yet to find a better tyre in the wet. We've currently got 7200kms on our ZX14 running PP's where as some are getting low 3000kms or less on other brands.
I only mention the above as a comparison...obviously.

I'm also of the opinion that you're better off to be "over tyred" than under tyred.

[jrandom]

... you're better off to be "over tyred" than under tyred.

What the man said.

Skimp on everything else before you skimp on tyres. Wear and cost is definitely a consideration, but never compromise on the quality of your tyre choice. Don't ride on cheap OEM tyres like Shinkos. If necessary, it's worth having a very tight budget for a month or two, eating porridge and baked beans, and spending all your lunch money on a set of proper rubber.

Mmm, porridge...

[Pancakes]

WOW! I can only dream <_<

Recommended Pilot Powers to a local lad down that rides a Hyosung as his commuter rain or shine. Not sure of the kms he's achieved thus far but he's HIGHLY impressed with the tyre...mind you he was comparing them to the OEM Shitko's.

IMHO PP's are the best all round,all weather tyre. I've yet to find a better tyre in the wet. We've currently got 7200kms on our ZX14 running PP's where as some are getting low 3000kms or less on other brands.
I only mention the above as a comparison...obviously.

I'm also of the opinion that you're better off to be "over tyred" than under tyred.

Yeah I wanted PP's to start with but Cycletreads said they hardly ever come in, in my size. Thats why I'm looking around now. I'll come to T-rongs and get some from you DMNTD?

You can dream of 18,000K's from a tyre and I'll dream about Superdukes! I know what I'd rather have! The Shinko's aren't that cool but I'm no snob and I have ridden a few bikes back in the day. I think that feel is more of a problem with them that outright grip tho more of that in the wet would be O 4 orsum! I'm used to laying push-bikes over so skittering and some little drifts aren't ideal but I sit still and let it do it's thing. I can see how people might have issues with these sensations tho, especially as most Ho-bags are steered by first time riders. (ps, I'm not trying to be arrogant and I'm no racer/ road legend, just don't freak out and stand the think up/highside just cos the tyres walk around for some grip, these std ones aren't too far over before this starts too BTW).

[DMNTD]

Best price I could get them supplied and fitted for for you is $485.00
Give me/Bay City Motorcycles 2 days warning as they'll have to be couriered down especially for you but that's no issue. :niceone:

[xwhatsit]

I thought they made some quite decent Shinkos? The OEMs don't count.

I'm looking at a BT45 for my front, but it's not easy (but is possible) to find it in 18" 90/90. Would like a Pilot Road but they're very pricey.

[Pancakes]

Sounds cool, these have wear left so I'm not in a super hurry. Getting come coin from an insurance co. soon, in the mail (Brrrp brrrp). Daytrip down there would be sweet as.

[James Deuce]

Just to reiterate another point, Michelin DON'T make PPs in Hyosung 250 sizes.

[DMNTD]

Just to reiterate another point, Michelin DON'T make PPs in Hyosung 250 sizes.


Yep they do sir...I sell them :msn-wink:

[James Deuce]

Sorry I meant PS2s.

Which is what I meant.

I wouldn't put PPs on Hyosung myself. BT45s would suit it better and cost $200 less for a set.

[Pancakes]

Just to reiterate another point, Michelin DON'T make PPs in Hyosung 250 sizes.



One good thing about these bikes is reasonably standard fittings for most things. No 18" wheels, std bulbs and fuel line sizes etc. No funny expensive bits.


edit, sorry, just read your post once mine went up! weighing up BT's too. I rode some older Michelins on a RGV 250 R years ago and liked the feedback even when the powerbands came in etc.

[Pancakes]

Anyone used the new Shinko/Yokohama's or have feedback on the Yoko' 003's etc? I understand these have ben around for ages and haven't changed, just re-branded?

[pritch]

There has been some good advice in this thread but you don't quite seem to grasp the point of any of it.

A) Buy name brand tyres
B) Run them in matched pairs.

The manufacturers design front and back tyres to work together as a pair.

Saving money on tyres is a real loser of a plan.
Certainly a worse idea than the very common tendency to buy waaay more performance than you need which just wastes money.

Even so, better to have more grip than you need, than need more grip than you have...

[Pancakes]

I haven't missed the pont at all.

I could also spend $2k a corner for Ferrari rubber on a Honda City but it would be a waste. I don't just want good I want good for my bike and type of riding. Why spend more money than I need to? The best tyres in the world worn to the casings cos I can't afford more of the same would be crap compared to an ok tyre replaced at the right time. Money is always a factor in the real world. If it wasn't I'd buy a new MV. I'm sure they come with better rubber than the Hyo will ever see!

Thanks for your input tho and I agree and intend to have it a bit "overshod" for those times when it is needed.

[mugins]

Anyone used the new Shinko/Yokohama's or have feedback on the Yoko' 003's etc? I understand these have ben around for ages and haven't changed, just re-branded?

SHINKO 003S ARE NOT THAT SUITED TO YOUR 250 I USE THEM ON MY BIKE FOR DRAG RACING AND THEY AREN'T A BAD TYRE ON THE ROAD YOU CAN GET PPS IN YOUR SIZE BUT AS DMNTED POINTED OUT $485 IS UP THERE MAYBE HAVE A LOOK AT SHINKO 005 AT AROUND $380 A SET, HAVE PUT A COUPLE OF SET ON AND THERE ARE HAPPY SO FAR AND WOULD BE BETTER THAN 003 IN THE WET,BY THE WAY 2C TYRES PROABLY WONT LAST ANY LONGER THAN STD TYRES BECAUSE THEY ARE SOFTER ON OUTSIDE NOT HARDER IN THE CENTRE

[Pancakes]

...........BY THE WAY 2C TYRES PROABLY WONT LAST ANY LONGER THAN STD TYRES BECAUSE THEY ARE SOFTER ON OUTSIDE NOT HARDER IN THE CENTRE

Cool thanks. I'm not that worried about the life of the sides cos I don't get out on fun rides that much. In saying that summer is coming up and my wife is becoming more understanding. I guess I do 20,000K's / year commuting and 2,500K's / year fun.