I need new tyres

[ArcherWC]

Re tyres...Pilot Power front...Pilot Sport rear seems to be a popular and safe combo.

Thats what ive got now, just wanted a change

Will probably just go Powers front and rear

[Ralph]

Well, out of those chioces that your looking at I would go for the Metzeler M3's, I have powers now and are a great tyre but i will go for the M3's next time just to try them out.
They are both much the same but would expect a slightly longer life from the M3's.
They have a short warm up time like 4km and that tread would profide great grip in the wet aswell, either straight or at 30deg.
Here's a thread about them.
http://http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php?t=40359&highlight=metzeler

Hey if you don't like them change them and you'll know that powers are the tyre for you.

[90s]

Hmm, tread pattern is exactly that - a pattern. Tyres either have water channels or not and the 'pattern' has no demonstratible effect on how well it works.
However, it has a big effect on marketing and it is marketing that designs the tread patterns rather than the good people who work out carcass construction, compounds etc.

This is generally true for on road cars and bikes, but for off-road dealing with viscous materials such as mud etc there can be a genuine effect.

So chose the best construction and design and compound that suits you and then look at the pretty shapes.

(ready to be shot down on this but used to work with dunlop designers so ... )

[Clivoris]

Hmm, tread pattern is exactly that - a pattern. Tyres either have water channels or not and the 'pattern' has no demonstratible effect on how well it works.
However, it has a big effect on marketing and it is marketing that designs the tread patterns rather than the good people who work out carcass construction, compounds etc.

This is generally true for on road cars and bikes, but for off-road dealing with viscous materials such as mud etc there can be a genuine effect.

So chose the best construction and design and compound that suits you and then look at the pretty shapes.

(ready to be shot down on this but used to work with dunlop designers so ... )

Apparently Continental used focus groups to select the most attractive tread pattern for their Attack range. Must be why I like them.

[geoffm]

Hmm, tread pattern is exactly that - a pattern. Tyres either have water channels or not and the 'pattern' has no demonstratible effect on how well it works.
However, it has a big effect on marketing and it is marketing that designs the tread patterns rather than the good people who work out carcass construction, compounds etc.

This is generally true for on road cars and bikes, but for off-road dealing with viscous materials such as mud etc there can be a genuine effect.

So chose the best construction and design and compound that suits you and then look at the pretty shapes.

(ready to be shot down on this but used to work with dunlop designers so ... )

Yes and no. The pattern has a large effect on the way the tyre heats up, and hence the wear and handling. I had a Dunlop D207 on the front of the Beemer - the heavy weight and the tendency for the Ks to push the front made the tread blocks go triangular in section as the were pushed back, leading to some dodgy handling. Anyone here remember ribbed tyres and "tramlining" on grooves in the road?
But yes, beyond the engineering, the tread pattern is also a marketing function.
Geoff

[pritch]

Pilot Power front...Pilot Sport rear seems to be a popular and safe combo.

Ummm that's actually a bit odd. I think those tyres have different profiles and may not be designed to be used together.

As for putting a softer compound tyre on the front, the manufacturers already do this for you...

[pritch]

Hmm, tread pattern is exactly that - a pattern.

Not entirely. Some rear tyres have little or no tread in the centre (eg Z6s and Stradas?) the idea being that the sipes on the front tyre will pump water from the road surface for the rear.

If you paired a Z6 rear with a front that was designed to work with a rear that swept its own water that could create potential for problems of the hydroplaning kind?

Of course, if you feel lucky ...

[ArcherWC]

Went Pilot Powers in the end $500 fitted for the pair at Treads