? for v-twin sportbike riders.

[Bleck K6]

just wondering what tires you guys on v twins are running on your bikes & what mileage you are getting from them.
I have used mich pilots & got about 3000kms from them so I thought I would try dunlop 208,I have done 2500kms on them & the rear is shagged already.
Since becoming a dad I havnt got that much extra cash & would really like a tyre that last a bit longer.
Any suggestions?
cheers

[vifferman]

Hi, Tiller.
When I bought the FahrtSturm, it had Pirelli Dragons that were unevenly worn.
I *was* going to put some Pirelli Diablos on, but was told these are quite soft. As I use the bike almost exclusively for commuting, this didn't seem to be a good idea. So I got some Avon Azaros (AV49-SP front, and AV46-ST rear), and for $529 fitted (vs. $500 for the Pirellis, this seemed pretty good).
Can't tell you about the mileage, as they've only been on there a couple of months, but they're supposed to be pretty good for long life, and the feel and stick so far are very good.
Note that these are the new Azaros - I previously tried the AV35/36 combo on my VFR and wasn't that impressed with the feel, but got about 5500 km (a guesstimate) or just over a year's commuting out of them.

[vifferman]

By the way - I've never had good experience with Dunlops, and they don't have a very good reputation.
You could also try Bridgestones - try a BT020 (ST) on the rear, and a BT012 or 014 on the front. I had the BT012F/BT020R on the VFR, and loved them. Don't try the BT010 or 020 on the front as they wear unevenly.

[bungbung]

I had Pilot Sports, and they lasted 3000k and the rear was down to the threads. I have a set of Metzeler Sportec M1's on now, feel nice, too early to say about the wear, but they don't look nearly a rough after going over the Rimutakas as the Pilots did.

[Quasievil]

Hi
Ive got my Ducati 6000 kms ago, the Azaros on the bike had already done 2000kms and there is shitloads left. Performance is great to.
Im not the fastest or the slowest for that matter but they have proofed to me to be an excellent choice, and one I will go with next time.
I expect another 4000kms out of them easily.
Cheers

[Deano]

Hi
Ive got my Ducati 6000 kms ago, the Azaros on the bike had already done 2000kms and there is shitloads left. Performance is great to.
Im not the fastest or the slowest for that matter but they have proofed to me to be an excellent choice, and one I will go with next time.
I expect another 4000kms out of them easily.
Cheers

Incredible milage there Quasi.

Im getting about 3000k out of rear and 4500k front (thereabouts - I should make a note of the milage in future for reference).

I haven't found much difference between Bridgestone 010, 012 or the Diablo's in terms of grip or milage but am dubious about putting something less sticky on for grip reasons.

I do push them fairly hard - am trying a Dragon super corsa on the front, which Ive been advised might last longer than a 'road' tyre as they can handle the heat and hard riding better. Heres hoping. Im loathe to admit t the missus how much tyres are costing me per annum Still - Im saving $$ on servicing compared to the old Duke I had.

[FROSTY:Me]

given how hard the V twins seem to be on rear tyres--what about those Shenko tyres--as i understand it they are heaps cheaper and are like the old Yoki's for stick

[marty]

when i got the aprilia it had a shenko on the back (don't ask..) i tried to wreck it but i couldn't. it only stepped out once on me and that was on an off camber roundabout (at the city end of Cobham Dr Hamilton) on a cold and frosty morning, when i found the powerband a little harshly. other than that it seemed ok, but i changed to a diablo anyway, as the front was rooted, and i wanted a matching set.

[marty]

but if i was to have a nice litre V twin - say an 01 model with yoshis/carbon fibre/braided lines/polished rims etc etc - or something like that....what would be the chioce of tyres for (mostly) commuting with occasional runs down SH22????

[wkid_one]

Mate - on the TLR you are fucked as these are super hard on rear tyres given the stupid rotary damper set up...they tend to chew through tyres and spit them out reasonably smartly.

I have run pretty much most of the sports tyres on the VTR - and I wouldn't recommend the 208's (too flat - slow steering down), 010's (rain groove promote block flex and rip the tyre to pieces). or Any Pirelli as they are normally too expensive for what you get. Pilots are the same as the 010's because there are so many crosses in the rain grooves, the edges of the grooves tend to round off and start ripping away

I would whole heartedly recommend the M1's for all year round riding. Wicked Price in comparison to other tyres. Renner's will actually outlast many of the typical sports tyres because, less rain grooves = less block flex = less heat = less tearing

HOWEVER - I was only getting about 2500km to a rear give or take - but a lot of that depends on how you ride. If you tend to blast in to corners, brake hard, and blast out - you will chew tyres quicker than riding with a smooth throttle.

Try going sports-tourer rears - they will last longer, and once hot - the grip difference is negligible...

Honestly - next to the Busa - you probably chose the next worst bike for tyre wear....but I guess you didn't want to hear that.

[Bleck K6]

Thanks guys,Yeah I knew the TLR was hard on tyres before I got it.
I havnt got the rotary damper I bought a hagon shock,the tyre wear is alot better now but it still chews through tyres.
I would never put a shinko on my bike a friend had 1 on his TLS,shocking tyres,DEATH.INC knows about the shinkos.
I dont brake hard when approaching corners,no need with all the engine braking on the TLR.They do get a fairly hard time on the exit.
I was thinkin of putting a dunlop d220 on the rear but they dont make a 190 & the 200 is about $390.
Was thinkin about tryin bridgestones have heard they last fairly well.
CHEERS

[dangerous]

Well I shit the 204's out at 8000km on the Storm and have just put 220's on it and hopeing to get 10,000km.

However on the Guzzi a shaft drive 1100i sport I run Metzlers Mz3 frount Mz4 rear this is a heavy bike with the 'no slack' drive of a shaft with more compression than a TL so I think that 10,000km's is a bloody good call.

I ride hard and put it on the track 1 or 2 times a year. These tyres have never sliped apart from rolling the bastards of the edge but with a sweet recovery, and it only takes 2 days for the pinch mark on the seat to come out
I will be trying these out next on the VTR and I once put a Mz4 on the frount and got an amazing 20,000k however I do prefure something a bit sticker up that end.

[Lou Girardin]

A 'reliable source' told me of a guy that got 10,000k's out of a Metzeler Z6 rear on a Blackbird. Including a track day. (Did a 1.03 at Puke.)
I might try them next if I can't get Diablos at the right price.

[dangerous]

A 'reliable source' told me of a guy that got 10,000k's out of a Metzeler Z6 rear on a Blackbird. Including a track day. (Did a 1.03 at Puke.)
I might try them next if I can't get Diablos at the right price.

We havent got the Z6 down here yet, But I believe that they are the newer Z4 and like I said above on a heaver bike they last well and stick well
The Z6 is ment to be better in the wet with out lossing any other abilitys.

[Sensei]

Hey Tiller. Have tryed all the tyres mentioned & all have their good & bad point's . Myself Mz1 front & Pirelli SuperCorsa rear . Work's for me .You could try some different setting's with your suspension in the backend may help Sensei NP