Best touring tyres for NZ road conditions?

**scumdog** · 6th January 2008, 20:45

Just ordered a pair of Conti Tours for CB and I, we tour at a modest pace and ride like nana's in the wet, anybody have anything good or bad to say about these tyres?

**homer** · 6th January 2008, 21:08

Originally Posted by Blackbird

Cost? Don't think there is much difference compared to other tyres but cost isn't a factor when protecting my arse, same as a good helmet and clothing.

Oh ok
I actually thought they were actually quite expensive
good to know if theres not to much diff in the price

**warewolf** · 6th January 2008, 21:39

Michelin Pilot Road 2 would be my pick. I've just finished my second set of Pilot Sport front with Pilot Road rear - very happy with them. Even wear, plenty of grip and feel, good handling. Other Triumph mates say the Pilot Road 2 grips better than the Pilot Sport and wears better than the Pilot Road, doesn't have the dual-compound dual-wear problems like the older tyres (not Michelins, IIRC) did 10 years or so ago.

Ran plenty of Z1, Z2 and Z4s, never felt truly comfortable with them; haven't tried the newer-generation Z6 (or any other xxxxTec) as the Pilots got great reviews and I loved the Michelin Macadam 90. Dunlop and Michelin provide a supple tyre that gives me feedback. The Metzs and Pirellis usually were too stiff or something. Was warned off the Bridgestones as a cheaper, inferior tyre to the likes of the Michelins and Pirelli Diablos, but it is sold in NZ at the higher price of the better tyres. And I didn't like the BT54 so it wasn't worth the gamble, even if you could buy them at the right price.

**Delphinus** · 6th January 2008, 21:50

Z6 here as well. Ran a Sportec M3 on the rear previously but chewed through it in 6000kms on the coarse roads we have. Have noticed no less grip with the Z6 so far.

**Robbo** · 6th January 2008, 22:11

Am now on my third set of Michellin PR's on the Trophy and also have them on the CBR.
I have always found them to be an excellent handling tyre, especially in the wet. I run 36psi and 42psi respectively and get around 10,000kms per set. Handling and Safety come before price and mileage.

**Maha** · 6th January 2008, 22:16

Originally Posted by RentaTriumph

Hi Guys

Currently I run Bridgestone BT 020's on my Triumph Sprint. I reckon I will get 6000km out of the rear tyre before it needs replacing. I have been told to try Michelin Pilot Road 2's.
The bike is used almost exclusively for highway riding so is the Michelin Pilot Road 2's the best tyre I should use for our roads here in New Zealand?.

I have a Pilot Road 2ct on the rear of my Sprint and highly recommend it, any prior issues the had with them have been resolved.

**Zapf** · 6th January 2008, 22:42

I have used Z6 and also PR2's. If you do highway riding mainly then get the PR2's.

PR2's goes around corners very well. For going around corners I perfer the Z6's as the tip in is more progressive.

PR2's should last longer than the Z6's for highway riding.

There you go!

**snuffles** · 7th January 2008, 08:54

Conte attacks, get about 10,000 out of a set

**FilthyLuka** · 7th January 2008, 09:01

for NZ road conditions? Id say about a medium/hard knobblie...

**Ixion** · 7th January 2008, 09:03

By no means an irrelevant comment. To me, touring means having a bike that can cope with gravel. Cos sooner or later you'll come to some.

**MacD** · 7th January 2008, 09:27

Another recommendation for Avons here. I have run an Azzaro rear/ Viper front combination for the past two years, first on an RF900 and then on a Bandit 1200. This combination literally took me from one end of the country to the other, in all weathers, sometimes with a pillion and occasionally onto gravel (on the Bandit anyhow), while providing excellent predictable peformance and good mileage (10~12000 km). I recently fitted a Storm/Viper combination and have travelled about 3000 km so far and find the handling is again excellent on the Bandit. I stayed with the Viper front simply as I am used to them now, and the front and rear wear at about the same rate so I change them together. These tyres seem to work very well on the heavier touring bikes.

And yes, I do get them from Kerry at Motohaus in Auckland

**Blackbird** · 7th January 2008, 09:35

Originally Posted by MacD

Another recommendation for Avons here. I have run an Azzaro rear/ Viper front combination for the past two years, first on an RF900 and then on a Bandit 1200. This combination literally took me from one end of the country to the other, in all weathers, sometimes with a pillion and occasionally onto gravel (on the Bandit anyhow), while providing excellent predictable peformance and good mileage (10~12000 km). I recently fitted a Storm/Viper combination and have travelled about 3000 km so far and find the handling is again excellent on the Bandit. I stayed with the Viper front simply as I am used to them now, and the front and rear wear at about the same rate so I change them together. These tyres seem to work very well on the heavier touring bikes.

And yes, I do get them from Kerry at Motohaus in Auckland

I'm fitting a Viper front this month as Dold Industries, the importer of Avon tyres want me to evaluate it on the Blackbird. Good to hear of your experience so far. For info, I've just finished a draft end of life report on the Storms for Dold and have attached it for interest.

**MSTRS:Me** · 7th January 2008, 09:41

Originally Posted by homer

Yep go for roadtec z6 i go t a new rear about 800km ago and really cant see any sign of wear yet " well if there is its like a quarter of a mill "

You need to run them at 40 psi for the best mileage

had pilot roads there just shit and sooner i get the front off the better

Z6's (Roadtec) are good, but when referring to Pilot Roads be careful...the PR2 is a very different tyre to the standard PR.
Also. be aware that your bike may perform best at 40psi but another make/model/riding style will require a different pressure. I ran Z6s on my old and heavy GSXR1100 at 36/42 and was happy with the result...10,000+k and plenty left on the rear.