Tyres for VFR 800?

[RavenR44]

Calling all resident viffer experts, now hear this, now hear this...

Can youze folks offer any round rubber recommendations for an '08 VFR? Or to put it an other way, is there a specific brand/model of tyre that suits the viffer more than the stock rubber?

I know that's a bit like 'how long is a piece of string' but what I'm going for here is those pearls of KB viffer wisdom, born from experience, that cause the rider to go "Wow! That sharpened the turn-in-osity amazingly" or "Crikey! This thing actually stops on wet roads now" or "Cor missus... I can actually tell what the front wheel is doing now" or similar.

Naturally, it might be that all modern tyres work identically and I shouldn't really concern myself with such irrelevancies and just shut up and buy the bloody bike and stop asking stoopid questions.

If that's the answer, then so be it. But if there's a wee gem of advice as to the best rubber for the viffer out there, then it was worth the torrent of scorn this post probably incited.

[ducks head and hides behind filing cabinet]

Ta muchly in advance.
Andy.

[James Deuce]

It depends entirely on how you ride and what your expectations of a tyre are.

Are the edges of your tyres always fried, balled up wrecks with no discernible tread pattern?

Do you square tyres off in the middle?

Do you wear your tyres evenly across their profile?

Do you care about purchase price primarily or mileage?

Answering those will give you a really good way to narrow your search down and give us the chance to make a stab at an answer.

[Mort]

For grip try BT016s. They don't last though

For longevity and grip try Michelin 2CT. Hard in the middle, soft and grippy on the outside.

[vifferman]

Piece'o'piss.
Either the Avon Storms, or the Pirelli Pilot Power/Pilot Road (depending on your preference for stickiness).
The Storms are based on my personal experience (and a few others, like on VFRD, or other people on here on other bikes), and the Pirellis seem to get the nod on VFRD, more than any other tyre (or tire, in their case).
The Storms offer really easy steering and good all-round performance (best tyres I've ever ridden on). However, from what I've read (and may try, when/if my rear tyre finally wears out), the Pirellis are grippier.

My only criticism of the Storms is that I think my rear tyre may have done its heat cycles, long before it's worn out, probably because I've done too little highway riding. It seems to have developed, in the last few months, a tendency to slide or spin up when powering out of corners.

The VFR has a tendency to shag front tyres, so they develop unusual wear patterns that affect the handling. The Storm is the first tyre I've tried that didn't do this (also the first model to wear out the front before the rear).

[Swoop]

BT16's came standard and I got over 12k from them. Initially they felt a little unsure, but rapidly settled down and behaved themselves nicely.

My old 750 had pilot roads fitted. Bloody nice! Heaps of grip and never gave any sign of getting "squirrely". Must try a set of 2ct P roads. Will also consider a set of Pilot powers for the coming summer.

[vifferman]

BT16's came standard and I got over 12k from them. Initially they felt a little unsure, but rapidly settled down and behaved themselves nicely.

I've tried BT010s, BT020s and BT012/020 combo*. OK, but not a patch on the Storms, and they wore unevenly. A tyre shouldn't have to have time to "settle down". The Storms felt terrific from the start (although they tipped in so easily, I nearly fell off on the first corner, despite being warned to "take it easy".

*I've also tried Shinkos (on the VFR750), other models of Avons, and some badly worn Pirelli Dragons (on the VTR). All relatively crap.

[cowboyz]

pilot road 2s over the power 2CT. Its a touring bike! Youll get over 10k out of PR2 on it and awesome handling.

[RavenR44]

An embarrassment of forum riches. I was expecting maybe a caustic "use the search facility" post or two but got a heap of really relevant answers.

Thanks to all. I appreciate the effort.

I now have much to ponder and some pricing to do. And in case anyone's wondering why I'd be contemplating replacing the brand new tyres on a new bike, the answer's that there's a possibility of me getting my grubby little zipper-grabbers on a low km '08 for a very good price.

Unless somebody else gets to it first. We'll see. That bike's tyres have been squared and seem to be ka-nackah'd. So whatever the new tyres cost, I'll just factor into the bike's purchase price.

Ta again dudes,
Andy.

[vifferman]

Around $550, fitted.

[RavenR44]

Around $550, fitted.

Youze am some speeeedy poster vifferman.

Thanks for the price info.

Mondo cheers 'n' bling thing.
Andy.

[AllanB]

I'd say Pilot Road 2's would be the bees on the VFR - good sticky edges for the fun stuff and a touring centre for the long hauls.

[marty]

I had PR2's on the Bus. Was most impressed that I got 5000kms out of the rear. Was a little better than 1000 out of the 010

[RavenR44]

PR2s look to be the winnahs by popular vote.

As everybody suspected, a bit o' de tourin', prolly with pillion, mixed with a sprinkling of selfish windy road, sphinter puckering action.

So the PR2 choice would seem to be the best one. Thanks one and all.

'Course, it's only relevant if the cheaper low km bike's the one I actually get - something that's not a foregone conclusion. Or I choose the Triple route. If I get a new '08 viffer, then I won't be replacing the tyres until my Scottish sensibilities allow, which I think will be some thousands of km past the point where prudence would dictate their retirement.

Cheers dudes,
Andy.

[Sidewinder]

120 front 180rear, the world is ya oyster there dude,
you want something to nanna around on get some diablo, want to go silly get some super coarsa's that easy, pick something to match ya riding style, im suprised i didnt put slicks on my vrf800 or maybe i was so i decided it was a good time to sell it

[NZsarge]

Yea, Road 2's