Cold damp roads, what's the best tyres?

**madkiwi** · 18th July 2010, 20:49

Been out riding today, couple of hundred kms in fog and crap. even when it did warm up checked tyre temperature by touch and they were only warm.

What is the best tyres for these conditions?

More or less air pressure?

**blackdog** · 18th July 2010, 20:51

Live with it.

Summer is jus' round the corner.

**PirateJafa** · 18th July 2010, 20:53

Anything that's not slick.

Riding style accounts for more than tyres do.

**Conquiztador** · 18th July 2010, 21:00

Originally Posted by PirateJafa

Anything that's not slick.

Riding style accounts for more than tyres do.

Sorry, have to fully disagree with that comment. Fitted a new Pirelli Sports Demon on my old bike and the grip in the wet just disappeared.

**roadracingoldfart** · 18th July 2010, 21:08

Cold , Damp roads ? .... a Japanese snow tyre is what you want , get into them.

**Ocean1** · 18th July 2010, 21:17

Must admit I didn't like the SuperCorsas on the Buell, too dependant on temperature which just ain't there this time of year. Best I found in the wet is Pilot Power 2, good grip from cold and very predictable. Haven't tried the new ones but.

**Pwalo** · 19th July 2010, 07:29

FWIW I'm running Conti Road Attacks which seem to suit the smaller SV. Never had a problem with any road conditions (bar ice).

**vifferman** · 19th July 2010, 07:38

Cold damp ones?

I've had no problems with Avon Storms, in any conditions. Apparently (according to other VFR owners), the Pilot Power 2'S are very good too.
If my Storms ever wear out (front's been changed, but the rear's like 200 years old), I may try them next.

**jack_hamma** · 19th July 2010, 10:18

Any modern road/sport tire will do..... maybe you have lost faith?

Pilot Power 2'S I would try, mates have them and they are in the Waikato... never lost it

**davebullet** · 19th July 2010, 11:06

I'm running Pilot Road 2 and they are ok. But they also suffer from a lack of warm up (but that is what you get with a dual compound tyre designed for long life rather than grip). Although Michelin rates the PR2 wet performance up there. I also ride like a nana so if you like to cane it, I might not be the best advisor.

I've read some tyres start to get shabby in terms of grip as they wear, even if they are WOF legal. What are you running on now?

As far as pressure- I believe less helps to generate heat. But this assumes the tyre will heat up to restore normal running pressure. If it runs cold, less pressure may be detrimental.

**2wheeldrifter** · 19th July 2010, 11:57

Had all the Pilot powers, Road/sport... pp2 ct's and now the pure and never had a problem, never let go on me, other than a few power slides etc. Have spent 6 hours in pouring rain from Welly back to Tok and the CT2 were never missed a beat.

In saying all that, you have to be real, so it's cold and damp and your riding at the speed limit... sounds like maybe even slower etc because of the conditions fog etc... 80k - 60k? taking it easy.... really mate your not going to get alot heat in your tires....

Remember be smooth on the throttle in shitty conditions.

**MSTRS:Me** · 19th July 2010, 12:03

Originally Posted by 2wheeldrifter

Remember be smooth on the throttle is shitty conditions.

And 'ease' your lines as well

**beyond** · 19th July 2010, 19:01

Pilot Road 2's I've found the best for grip and wear overall in the wet and dry.
Plus when they do go, which takes a good lean and a bit of gas in the wet, they are very controllable.

**madkiwi** · 19th July 2010, 19:24

I am riding with BT016 tyres and think they are great, I have not slowed down still sticking to the hundred K speed limit (on 25k corners

the topic comes as a friend of mine came off his blade last week and it is put down to cold tyres. My next tyres will probably be Pures, whe on the track I use less pressure some say so tyres sont overheat, some say to warm up faster. Me i do it cause thats what i was told to do.

**vifferman** · 19th July 2010, 19:57

Originally Posted by davebullet

I've read some tyres start to get shabby in terms of grip as they wear, even if they are WOF legal.

True.
My rear Storm has lost a lot of its stick - even though it's (just) legal, it's done its heat cycles. The front Storm was replaced more'n 6 months ago (VFRs tend to be a bit hard on fronts), and I was kinda sad the rear one still had too much meat left on it. It's still OKish, but whereas when it was new the only times it slipped were on tar snakes in the wet, now I can get it to slide in the dry by hammering it on tight corners in first or second gear.
When/if I'm cleared to ride again, I might just turf it. Or do some twisties and wear the fooker out enough to not feel bad about chucking it out.