Cheap tyres are more fun than sport compounds

[Posh Tourer :P]

So the sum and total of this theory is that it's better to have a crap plastic tyre that limits you to a a narrower band of your own ability?

That's gay, I'll keep my sticky rubber thanks.

err, no it limits you to a narrower band of your bike's ability. The whole point is that you get better at hadling a squirming bike, at lower speeds. Unless you judge ability by speed of course. In which case, get a Nos'd Busa..... (with sticky tyres)

[Sniper]

So you base your riding around the capability of your tyres?

Softcock



PT

[Marmoot]

So you base your riding around the capability of your tyres?

Softcock

Not. Rather, on the capability and stickiness of the road.


I don't mind hard tyres if the road is soft

[FROSTY:Me]

I think somewhere deep in what peanut is saying is a bit of common sense.
I think you need tyres appropriate to how you are riding the bike and what purpose you are using it for.
For road use I definitely prefer a harder compound tyre. They last a shit load longer and Ive never had any grip issues ecept where ony a studded ice tyre woulda held to the road.
The bit about sliding. Dunno about doing it deliberately on the road but one reason I want a traillee is to toss some shit road tyres on it and practice sliding the bike around in a paddock. Get comfortable with big slides

[Coyote]

I rather have sport compunds than slip on plastic tyres as I did and be out of action for several months

[Posh Tourer :P]

ok if better tyres give you better feedback then great - but if they grip then let go it aint. Predictability and feel is the important part....

[Motu]

I haven't riden with a modern sports tyre,grippy or not....I'd never be able to push them to the limit anyway.But I have used plenty of old style street tyres and off road tyres in various degrees of hardness - and I much prefer a softer grippier tyre,as when they start to slide there is a much bigger ''zone'' to ride in before they let go completely.A hard tyre gives very little warning,then bang,it's gone and you're down.A soft tyre gives a zone you can play around in,as it slips you can hold it there,and even if it goes completly,sometimes you can get it back and make a ''save''.All theoretical of course...like,who'd ever think of doing such a thing on the road.

[Posh Tourer :P]

Perhaps it is just because I ride a Beemer which give bugger all feedback due to very soft suspension, and the entire setup, and perhaps because I ride with touring tyres (ME11/ME33), but I think I can tell better when things might let go, because I've had to concentrate so hard to feel any feedback at all. But then I went on to BT45s here, and the only time they've let go is on spanish roundabouts, or after riding on Cadiz's cobbled streets (oil and piss on my tyres??). Apart from that I cant feel any feedback unless I am under very hard braking...... Maybe the ME11/ME33 give better feedback even though they are harder? Or is it that the bike wont go fast enough/give me enough ground clearance to get to the limits of the tyres (and I've been as close as I want to be to scraping solid pegs, fully loaded)??

[kiwifruit]

i love sticky tyres
if i could afford to i would leave a trail of rubber everywhere and replace tyres on a monthy basis.

[Gremlin]

I don't think we all necessarily want the stickiest tyre available. Some do, some of them really need it, running the tyres to the edge, and needing the grip they can get.

Thats why we go to shops that have good info and knowledge on tyres. I tell them everything I can about what I will be doing, riding style, riding conditions etc. They then use their knowledge to come up with the best balance for me personally.

If commuting a lot, a sticky tyre will flatspot, a hard won't as much, but a hard tyre won't give as much grip in the country, but will last longer (obviously).

Personally, tyres are the single most important part on the bike (followed closely by brakes), and although not going sticky because I commute, I am happy to spend a bit on my tyres, as they help to keep me upright. Crashing the bike would cost a lot more than good tyres.

[Korea]

Hey! Don't go knocking my Shinko tyres man~
Shinko's ROCK <--- check spelling closely.

The SportsMaster tyres aren't too bad for small bikes - enough grip for rain or shine, unless you ride like a tool... like the riders in this little clip...

Yes, another famous carpark(TM) riding scene from Korea - you should know by now that I don't ride on the road. Too scary
I made this little clip when we first started practicing and the Exiv was shiney and new.
The writing at the end says "Shinko tyres, the long life tyre. The rider doesn't live long though..."
Have a laugh...

[HenryDorsetCase]

bollocks to that..

even if you are riding to your perceived limits, what about the brain dead chainsmoking fuckwit SUV driver that pulls out in front of you? that leeeeeedle extra grip given by decent tyres might save your life that day. Even if only by making you more confident of using your brakes.

God Damn, Jimmy, riding a bike is hard and dangerous enough, why make it harder? why deprive yourself knowingly of something that might give you the edge?

Presumably that attitude extends to your riding gear as well? You may as well use jandals mate, cos it will make you ride slower? and wear an ill fitting half face helmet while you are at it?

Nice trolling, it provoked my response.

[Posh Tourer :P]

bollocks to that..
snip

I´d be going faster if I had stickier tyres......

[Jackrat]

My point exactly... Is this really a responsible attitude?

Oh shit,ok if your going to get all serious.
If you KNOW what's going to happen then YES it is.
I do know what your on about mate, but your going to have to explain it a lot better before I agree with you.

[Teflon]

So you own the local Shinko tyre dealership??

Nothing wrong with Shinkos. They give shit loads of warning when you hit there limit, unlike some Avons i've used.