ZX12R tyre options? Advice wanted

[southern_blade]

Hi All. Looking to replace my Metzler Roadtec Z8 tires and move into something slightly more sports focused, general riding is "spirited" and I also like to do a few track days and the occasional blast down the 1/4 mile. I have looked at the Metzler M5, Bridgy S20 or BT016 Hypersport and the Michelin Pilot Road 3 or Pilot Power range. I had the Pilot Powers on my CBR1000RR and found them to be fairly sticky and a nice ride but not sure on the bigger bike. Does anyone have any experience with these types of tires on this type of bike? If noone has a ZX12 what about the Busa or Blackbird guys, what are people running?

P.S I do live in southland and it occasionally rains down here so wet performance isnt crucial but would be nice!

[caspernz]

Bridgestone S20s on my Busa doing quite nicely thank you. I'm guessing maybe 5000 clicks from this set...

Your riding style would dictate whether to go sports or sport/touring, but hey let's face it, is there such a thing as a truly bad tyre nowadays?

[Hitcher]

Go for the Bridgestone T30 GTs or the Conti Road Attack 2 GTs. Don't waste your money on "sports" tyres when sport touring tyres will warm up fast and last.

[Katman]

The Metzeler M5s are great tyres.

Using Metzelers Interact technology gives them reasonably decent mileage for a sports tyre as well.

[The Reibz]

Stick with your Z8's. They are a good tire for the price and I have never had a issue with them.
On my 2nd set now

[iYRe]

On the ZX/ZRX forums the general consensus is PR2 for longevity, pr3/4 if its wet, PP3 if you rided "spirited" - otherwise people appear to be using conti's, avons, and bridgestones, pirellis, and avoiding dunlops.

I can vouch for the PR3, it was great. I went to a dunlop Q2 (more like a Pilot power) and it was sticky but went through the whole tire in like 4 months (from probably 3/4 wear). Now I am using a Pirelli Diablo, and its decent.

What I am doing is going around the bike shops and anyone who does tires and testing out different secondhand tires. Costs me 50 every 3-4 months, once I have decided what suits me and the bike I will go with that.

[insomnia01]

Hi there, I'm a Blackbird owner & have used Avon Storms for the past 3 - 4 yrs Great tyre !! ( under $500 for a set, very positive in the wet, @14000km tyre life ) I'm currently trying the Bridgestone T30 which I'm about to kill & replace with another set before heading down sth isld & then tour Northland Good tyres these are but future purchases maybe based on sharpest price at the time as I cant fault either one

[southern_blade]

lol thanks everyone for the feedback, it seems though as CasperNZ says that maybe there arent any "bad" tires so I am just going to throw on a set and see how they go. The local bike shop posted up on FB yesterday they having a run out sale on PR2/3 & PP3 sets so ive taken that as a sign. What are your thoughts on mixing a set? For example using PR2 on the front with PR3 on the back? Have spoken to some local guys they say the PR3 drops into corners a bit too quick and the PR2 is smoother??

[nzspokes]

lol thanks everyone for the feedback, it seems though as CasperNZ says that maybe there arent any "bad" tires so I am just going to throw on a set and see how they go. The local bike shop posted up on FB yesterday they having a run out sale on PR2/3 & PP3 sets so ive taken that as a sign. What are your thoughts on mixing a set? For example using PR2 on the front with PR3 on the back? Have spoken to some local guys they say the PR3 drops into corners a bit too quick and the PR2 is smoother??

I would go 3 front and 2 rear.

[southern_blade]

Quick update, thanks everyone for the feedback. Have gone down the Pilot Power road, scrubbed the front tire in over the weekend, will throw the rear tire on in a couple of weeks after the drags and track day, that will probably finish my current rear tire off. Cheers everyone