Tyre advice

**Onespeed** · 13th September 2004, 23:29

Hi all,

Looking at getting a new set of Dragon HR's or Metzelers for the ZXR400. Does anyone know a place where I can get an set of these fitted at a reasonable price.

Anybody got any suggestions on my choice of rubber - I am all ears on this one and would welcome any input.

Looking for good to med wear and alot of stick. Bit of a fair weather rider and only get out on weekends. :cool2:

Thanks

**Bob** · 14th September 2004, 01:34

If you're looking at grippy, then have you considered Bridgestone 010's?

Grippy as you'll need on the road (and they're plenty grippy for track). I got about 5,000 miles out of the front when I had my Fazer.

If you're prepared to trade off a bit of grip for a lot longer life, then the 020's are a good compromise.

I'm currently running Dunlop 208's on my SV650S - great grip and the harder you work them, the more they seem to grip.

Trade off against the Bridgestones is in feedback - I always feel the Bridgestones give you a warning if you are pushing too hard/they are struggling. You don't get this with the Dunlops - I get the feeling they'll grip right to the end... and then just let go without warning.

The 010s and 020s are better wet weather tyres as well - but if you're mainly dry weekend riding, not so important.

I know I've ignored your original choices so far - but I've only ever had Metzeler MEZ4s on one bike... and sworn never again (to the point I don't want to even think about Metzelers). Awful things! Hard compound that would last forever (I was up to 12,000 miles and they still showed no signs of needing replacing). Great on dry, sunny days as they got to operation heat pretty quick. But cold and wet? They were scary. Took an eternity to warm up to anything like a useful temperature, the first brake in the wet was always a case of 'gentle and pray at the same time".

I shudder thinking about them...

**moko** · 14th September 2004, 06:32

I had Bridgestone BT57`s on my Fazer when I got it,loved them and when the back wore a bit I could slide the back out while feeling in total control.Replaced with 020`s and they dont have the same feel somehow but so far are wearing a lot better,5000 miles on the front`s barely showing any wear,the rear still has plenty of life in it and they`re brilliant in the wet.If you`re a weekend rider then I`d recommend 010`s for anything 400-600 as about as good as you`ll get.I believe 020`s wear better but if that`s not an issue the 010`s will be a bit stickier.As Bob says the Dunlops seem best for the SV`s but I had a pair on a Diversion I had and they were a nightmare,I ditched a perfectly good pair for Bridgestones because I didn`t feel safe.
In Britain 010/020`s are THE tyre for just about every middleweight that isn`t an SV.

**DEATH_INC.** · 14th September 2004, 19:30

On the 400's it's hard to go past the Dunlop GPR70's,come to Auckland via 22 see kerry @ Motohaus tyres,then scrub your newies in via 22 on the way home too

**JohnBoy** · 15th September 2004, 15:48

i have mich pilot sports and get really good wear from them and good enough traction for the price. if you dont really ride in the rain have you considered pirelli Sport demons or Dragon GTS?? they run really good on the lighter bikes.
i had a Dragon GTS on the back of my old 600SS and did 3 track days and about 7000K before i sold it (when needed to be replaced!).

i reconmend that you go and see the guys at Ham motocycle center, they have good deals on tyres and dont add any cost to fit them either. i have in the past got cheaper deals through them than a mate of mine who works in the trade!

**vifferman** · 15th September 2004, 16:13

Originally Posted by moko

In Britain 010/020`s are THE tyre for just about every middleweight that isn`t an SV.

The problem with the BT010s is the way they wear (on heavier bikes, at least), as they tend to 'scallop' and wear unevenly. You can get around this by fitting a BT012 or BT014 (its replacement?) which has a similar same tread pattern to the BT020, but is a softer compound like the BT010.

**loosebruce** · 15th September 2004, 21:16

Originally Posted by DEATH_INC.

On the 400's it's hard to go past the Dunlop GPR70's,come to Auckland via 22 see kerry @ Motohaus tyres,then scrub your newies in via 22 on the way home too

Yea i second that GPR70's are wicked tyres, or Pireilli Demons/Michlein Pilots are also very good.

**k14** · 15th September 2004, 21:21

Yeah I got gpr70's on my bike. They are crap when they are cold, but once they warm up a bit they stick like shit to a blanket.

Probably will get some metzler sportechs next time, the gpr70's wear out to fast, only got around 5000 out of the last rear.

**Onespeed** · 16th September 2004, 14:22

Thanks for your advice everyone. You have made my job a little bit easier.

**FROSTY:Me** · 19th September 2004, 14:20

Mate I gotta say --Fit the gpr70's -they are THE SHIT.
Im racing my zxr400 and running those tyres and I havent had them really slide yet.
when they do slide--as in semi deliberately its a nice controlled breakout with no nasty suprises.
So far mine have barely worn and they've lasted 2 race meetings and a full days practice.
I do agree they take a little longer to warm up but interestingly enough they seem to hold their heat well between races.
I'm running lowered tyre pressures I must admit -but they seem to work really well.

**jrandom** · 19th September 2004, 14:37

Originally Posted by firestormer

The problem with the BT010s is the way they wear (on heavier bikes, at least), as they tend to 'scallop' and wear unevenly. You can get around this by fitting a BT012 or BT014 (its replacement?) which has a similar same tread pattern to the BT020, but is a softer compound like the BT010.

Yes, I don't think you can buy 010s any more. The 012 and then the 014 were updated supersport models.

I believe more than one of the current litrebikes du jour comes with BT014s out of the factory.