Tyre advice please

[bones135]

Hey there i need a new rear & currently have Michelin pilot sports 180/55 17 & 120/70 17. Not sure whether to stick with these or get a new make?? have been told of dual compounds which are apparently good too.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

[McJim]

If you choose one of the Major tyre manufacturers you can't go too far wrong.

Bridgestone, Pirelli, Continental, Michelin, Dunlop, Metzeler.

Tyre choice is a really personal thing and can depend on your riding style.

I go for Sport Touring tyres rather than 'balls out' sports tyres but then that's coz I am not an agressive rider. If you have a penchant for chucking the bike into cornes fast then sticky tyres are the ones for you.

I used Bridgestone BT20 then BT21 then BT16. I currently have a BT16 in the front with a Metzeler MEZ4 on the back.

[jrandom]

The Pilot Sports are kinda outdated, so your options are:

Michelin Pilot Powers (sticky, also my choice for my GSX1400) or Pilot Road 2s (not so sticky, slower turn-in).

Continental SportAttacks.

Metzeler M3s (sticky) or Z6s (not so sticky).

I personally wouldn't bother with anything from Bridgestone, Dunlop or Pirelli on your bike. Some will disagree...

[Maha]

I got rid of the shitty Sportsmaxs on the Honda the other day, they had 5000 Ks. Was just going to replace the rear with a Pilot Road 2 and the dude suggested to replace the front as well (it also wasn't looking good) he said it was an 'evil' tyre to have on the front. So its PR 2's front and rear, I love em'.

[cowboyz]

yeah, what he said.

The pilot sports are the only one in that range that I havent run. I am really happy with the Pilot road 2. I have a pilot road on at the moment and it is awesome to ride on but is disappearing fast.

[Grahameeboy]

I think it is best to aim for a tyre that is better than your riding so you have a buffer....

I have the Power on the rear and a Power 2CT on the front which really made a difference to the front's security...

[jrandom]

Bridgestone BT20

Horrible, horrible tyres.


BT21 then BT16

I hear those are better, though.


I currently have a BT16 in the front with a Metzeler MEZ4 on the back.

:crazy:

What's the handling like?

[jrandom]

Power 2CT on the front which really made a difference to the front's security...

It really does, aye!

They're an awesome front tyre. You could run a PR2 on the back with one, but the PP rear has a sharper profile and turns in much more nicely. I wouldn't mix and match.

And after trying PR2s and PP 2CTs back to back on my bike I'd have to say that I wouldn't bother with the PR2s in future; the mileage difference wasn't huge (maybe 25% more on the PR2s) but the difference in grip and turn-in crispness with the PPs is noticeable as soon as you hop on and ride away.

[jtzzr]

Personally I love the Mitchy Pilot Powers , wo`nt run anything else , Had Pirelli Diablo`s when I bought the bird but the arse end skipped out on me a couple of times , but not with the PP`s (well not yet, Knock on wood).

[Grahameeboy]

It really does, aye!

They're an awesome front tyre. You could run a PR2 on the back with one, but the PP rear has a sharper profile and turns in much more nicely. I wouldn't mix and match.

And after trying PR2s and PP 2CTs back to back on my bike I'd have to say that I wouldn't bother with the PR2s in future; the mileage difference wasn't huge (maybe 25% more on the PR2s) but the difference in grip and turn-in crispness with the PPs is noticeable as soon as you hop on and ride away.

When first put on I could feel the change from the normal compound to the stickier sides that it was a bit odd to begin with...

[Maha]

It really does, aye!

They're an awesome front tyre. You could run a PR2 on the back with one, but the PP rear has a sharper profile and turns in much more nicely. I wouldn't mix and match.

And after trying PR2s and PP 2CTs back to back on my bike I'd have to say that I wouldn't bother with the PR2s in future; the mileage difference wasn't huge (maybe 25% more on the PR2s) but the difference in grip and turn-in crispness with the PPs is noticeable as soon as you hop on and ride away.


It was suggested that I could put a 2CT on the front with the PR2 on the rear but, seriously, for me?... wouldn't make much difference I wouldn't think?

It's awesome when you finally get the tyre for your riding style sorted.

[NZsarge]

Michelin Pilot Powers (sticky, also my choice for my GSX1400) or Pilot Road 2s (not so sticky, slower turn-in).


Alternatively run a Pilot Power 2ct on the front and a Road 2 on the rear largely preserving your turn in and stickyness in the front and better durability with the rear tyre.
:doh: Maha beat me too it!

[jrandom]

It was suggested that I could put a 2CT on the front with the PR2 on the rear but, seriously, for me?... wouldn't make much difference I wouldn't think?

Well, yeah, I dunno... you don't have to ride fast to feel it. The two biggest differences I noted with the PPs were:

- instant improvement in the front end from the PP 2CT, I mean, you will feel it as soon as you turn out of your street, kinda thing, it just locks onto the road; and

- way better tip-in than the PR2, mostly due I think to the pointier rear profile; the PR2s are very flat and made Betty's turn-in a bit barge-like.

So, I got benefits at both ends.

One thing I'd be tempted to say is that in terms of absolute grip, Pilot Power 2CTs are probably the road tyre that will hang on the best. And they give very good mileage too. The trade-off is in feel; you pretty much don't get any. But I've learned to live without it and just have faith in the grip.


It's awesome when you finally get the tyre for your riding style sorted.

Ain't that the troof.

[NZsarge]

Seriously considering Bridgestone 016's (multi-compound ones) in the future too.

[Maha]

Well, yeah, I dunno... you don't have to ride fast to feel it. The two biggest differences I noted with the PPs were:

- instant improvement in the front end from the PP 2CT, I mean, you will feel it as soon as you turn out of your street, kinda thing, it just locks onto the road; and

- way better tip-in than the PR2, mostly due I think to the pointier rear profile; the PR2s are very flat and made Betty's turn-in a bit barge-like.

So, I got benefits at both ends.

One thing I'd be tempted to say is that in terms of absolute grip, Pilot Power 2CTs are probably the road tyre that will hang on the best. And they give very good mileage too. The trade-off is in feel; you pretty much don't get any. But I've learned to live without it and just have faith in the grip.



Tyre pressure?
42 Rear and 36 Front fro me....
Some run less but those psi's work for me.

[bones135]

Thanks so much to all, hell of a lot more than i was expecting & all good too.
Might stay with the front for now & give the Pilot Power a go on the rear. Local tyre guy said he could do one for around $280 i think he said.
Cheers again, most helpfull.

[jrandom]

42 Rear and 36 Front fro me....
Some run less but those psi's work for me.

Yeah, I use the same pressures on the road. Any less in the rear just feels all woogly, particularly with Jody on the back.

34R/30F on the track.

[pritch]

I think it is best to aim for a tyre that is better than your riding so you have a buffer....


I'm actually doing that myself at the moment, Pirelli Diablo Rosso.

Realistically though I'm wasting money. Sticky is nice but more sticky equals less miles. Having scratched that itch (and the Rossos are a really nice tyre) I'll probably be running sport touring tyres in future.

[jrandom]

Might stay with the front for now & give the Pilot Power a go on the rear.

Just a thought - while it's often tempting to save money that way since rears chew out faster, bear in mind that your front tyre has gone through hundreds of heat cycles, and even if it has a decent amount of tread left, the rubber will be pretty... tyred (ho ho ho).

And you're putting a sticky new rear on behind it, which will tend to push the front a bit more... not to mention that your front was a 'touring' tyre to start with.

It won't be good.

I think you'd do better to suck the cost up, if you can, and get a matching set of new tyres. Your safety is priceless.

[pritch]

get a matching set of new tyres. Your safety is priceless.

Gotta share the love...

The replies to the original posters query have been sensible.

I believe that the manufacturers know their business, and that tyres are designed to work in pairs. You can get into an argument saying things like that on KB though...

One other thing, I believe that some (all?) manufacturers put most of their wet weather technology into sport touring tyres. Putting a sport tyre on the front with a sport touring tyre on the back might have the opposite effect to what you are trying to achieve if it is raining at the time.

[bones135]

Hadnt thought about the old front & new rear thing till it was mentioned. Might see what kinda deal our local guy can do fo the pair.

[CRF119]

Ive had my 250 for 6 months it came with Pilot Active tires, What do they compare to? I have found them Pretty good. Have to get a new rear in the next month or so.