Tyres for a 750 sportsbike - July 2008

[Mikkel]

Time to get some new feet for the mean greenie. It came with a set of Michellin Pilot powers where the rear had been squared off quite badly and the front had a rather odd wear pattern (probably due to a slow leak -> lower pressure).

It's the same old story - I want something sticky that'll still give me some decent milage. It'll be spending most of their time on the road - but I'll still take the bike to the track every now and again.

I'm looking at a number of different tyres at the moment:

Pirelli Corsa III
Michellin Pilot Powers (the ones on the bike didn't do much for me, but they are old and weird...)
Metzler M3

I'd appreciate any experiences anyone have had with these tyres. If there are some other tyres out there that I ought to consider as well - by all means throw them in here.

[MVnut]

Those are all good ones mate if you're doing lots of track time, look at Racetecs as well. Talk to Jim (mechanic) at Rides BMW/Yamaha on Ferry Road ph 3771156 he'll fit/balance too.

[Mikkel]

I'll be doing some track time - but I still think that at least 66% of the milage will be done on the road.

[MSTRS:Me]

If the Pilot Powers 2CT are just that bit better sticky-wise than the P.Road 2s - then you can't go wrong.
You've seen my riding (for example) + the PR2s on my 750 have not let me down and they are up to 11,000ks now with 4mm left in the centre

[ElCoyote]

Ive got the M3 on a ZX7R and find them great. Good feel on the limit and good wear so far

[Mikkel]

If the Pilot Powers 2CT are just that bit better sticky-wise than the P.Road 2s - then you can't go wrong.
You've seen my riding (for example) + the PRs on my 750 have not let me down and they are up to 11,000ks now with 4mm left in the centre

I've managed to keep your taillight in sight on a dark road in the middle of nowhere... You weren't going too slow if my memory serves

That's impressive milage I have to say. I doubt you would be able to get that much out of a pair of Pilot Powers though.

It wouldn't be fair of me to judge the Michelins by the tyres that came with the bike... but I haven't been too happy with them. On the other hand - the motard runs Pilot Powers on the front and Pilot Sports on the rear and it feels pretty good I must say.

Ive got the M3 on a ZX7R and find them great. Good feel on the limit and good wear so far

I've heard that the soft sidewalls of the M3s should give good feel and inspire confidence when keeled over going around corners. The downside I understood is that they shouldn't give too much milage - how many kms have you had out of yours so far and how would you rate them for wear?

[Devil]

I've heard that the soft sidewalls of the M3s should give good feel and inspire confidence when keeled over going around corners. The downside I understood is that they shouldn't give too much milage - how many kms have you had out of yours so far and how would you rate them for wear?

The M3's dont have soft sidewalls, as a result they feel solid, stable and well controlled. They also have better mileage than pilot powers. I would pick them anyday, particularly for thier profile. Turn in is very progressive.

Powers however, having a shitty weak sidewall tend to squirm around like a bag of shit. The Power 2CT's seem to be a little better in the sidewall department, but the trade off being slightly less mileage.

Get the M3's.

[MSTRS:Me]

I've managed to keep your taillight in sight on a dark road in the middle of nowhere... You weren't going too slow if my memory serves

That's impressive milage I have to say. I doubt you would be able to get that much out of a pair of Pilot Powers though.

It wouldn't be fair of me to judge the Michelins by the tyres that came with the bike... but I haven't been too happy with them. On the other hand - the motard runs Pilot Powers on the front and Pilot Sports on the rear and it feels pretty good I must say.

I'm talking the dual compound ones in both cases. I had Pilot Sports on before and I never liked them. Somehow never gave me any confidence and the rear was shagged at under that mileage. Without increasing my speed, I've got much faster on the dual compound PR2s. So I suspect that the PP2s will be even better for grip, although sacrifice a little longevity.
NB - how long they last/value is in the users opinion...I know people who can wear out a Power (single compound) in under 1500ks and they are quite happy with that.

[jrandom]

The M3's... have better mileage than pilot powers.

Really? Odd, I've heard the opposite from others. Never worn all the way through a pair of M3s, so I can't comment.

I would pick them anyday, particularly for thier profile. Turn in is very progressive.

I'd pick M3s any day, up to a point, depending on the bike. Much nicer to ride on, but they like to let go sooner than the Powers. Feel heaps better on the road though. Heaps better. But they definitely offer slightly inferior total levels of traction in the dry and the wet.

By 'progressive' I presume you mean 'slower'? The Powers like to tip in BAM, the M3s have a more rolling-on-in feel to them.

Powers however, having a shitty weak sidewall tend to squirm around like a bag of shit.

WTFLOL? I've always found them to be rock solid, like skates in a groove. The M3s make you feel like you're sliding it up Rossi style every time you get on the gas.

^ --- Statement exaggerated for effect.

[Mikkel]

I'm talking the dual compound ones in both cases. I had Pilot Sports on before and I never liked them. Somehow never gave me any confidence and the rear was shagged at under that mileage. Without increasing my speed, I've got much faster on the dual compound PR2s. So I suspect that the PP2s will be even better for grip, although sacrifice a little longevity.
NB - how long they last/value is in the users opinion...I know people who can wear out a Power (single compound) in under 1500ks and they are quite happy with that.

Oh, I didn't know they had both single and dual compound Pilot Powers...

I'd sure hope for more than 1500 kms While the mean greenie is a beast - it's not a 180 hps beast...

The M3's dont have soft sidewalls, as a result they feel solid, stable and well controlled. They also have better mileage than pilot powers. I would pick them anyday, particularly for thier profile. Turn in is very progressive.

Powers however, having a shitty weak sidewall tend to squirm around like a bag of shit. The Power 2CT's seem to be a little better in the sidewall department, but the trade off being slightly less mileage.

Get the M3's.

Really? Odd, I've heard the opposite from others. Never worn all the way through a pair of M3s, so I can't comment.

I'd pick M3s any day, up to a point, depending on the bike. Much nicer to ride on, but they like to let go sooner than the Powers. Feel heaps better on the road though. Heaps better. But they definitely offer slightly inferior total levels of traction in the dry and the wet.

By 'progressive' I presume you mean 'slower'? The Powers like to tip in BAM, the M3s have a more rolling-on-in feel to them.

WTFLOL? I've always found them to be rock solid, like skates in a groove. The M3s make you feel like you're sliding it up Rossi style every time you get on the gas.

^ --- Statement exaggerated for effect.

Seems the jury is still out on that one then.

What jrandom is relating sounds like what I have heard from people at the shops around Chch. Glen Hayward at Street and Sport said that the M3 would absorb bumps and be more planted through the corner - but that the Pilot Powers would have more grip when getting on the throttle coming out. On the other hand the downside should be significantly less milage on the M3s. I don't know personally... I haven't tried the M3s and Michelins on the motard are not really comparable since weight and power are vastly different.

Even when I do go to the track I try to be smooth - I am not usually pushing extremely hard. I'm not racing anyone but myself so whether the tyre is more or less competitive is irrelevant - I'd rather have something that lets go and regain grip in a predictive manner than something that'll hand out a highside as revenge for finding its shortcomings...

Anyone who can relate any experiences regarding the Corsa IIIs? They were presented as being the bee's knees.

[jrandom]

I'd rather have something that lets go and regain grip in a predictive manner than something that'll hand out a highside as revenge for finding its shortcomings...

Then get the M3s, not the Powers.

Anyone who can relate any experiences regarding the Corsa IIIs? They were presented as being the bee's knees.

I've had horrible times on Diablos and Super Corsas and hate all Pirellis as a result. They feel like rocks on the rims and stick like a non-sticky thing to something very slippery unless they're at precisely the right temperature.

YMMV, I know nothing, etc.

[Devil]

I'd pick M3s any day, up to a point, depending on the bike. Much nicer to ride on, but they like to let go sooner than the Powers. Feel heaps better on the road though. Heaps better. But they definitely offer slightly inferior total levels of traction in the dry and the wet.

By 'progressive' I presume you mean 'slower'? The Powers like to tip in BAM, the M3s have a more rolling-on-in feel to them.WTFLOL? I've always found them to be rock solid, like skates in a groove. The M3s make you feel like you're sliding it up Rossi style every time you get on the gas.

^ --- Statement exaggerated for effect.

I've got 13,000km out of a pair of M3's including at least one track day. 10,000km on Powers (standard ones)

By progressive, i mean progressive. Steady, you turn the bike, it turns progressively. As opposed to slow (Diablo), or too fast (power).

Here's something that needs to be considered, and people spit out a tyre preference without considering the bike it's going on:
Powers will make a heavier bike turn faster and feel a little more positive on turn in, due to their profile. When you put them on a bike that's light, nimble and already handles, you increase that turn in speed which makes it feel terrible, too fast, uncontrolled and like it's going to fall over. Same way putting diablo's on the heavier bike may make it turn even slower and horrible.

Using my Speed Four as an example, being a very quick turning, light bike: Diablos were very stable and steady. Didn't feel ideal for me, but that was personal preference. Squared off very quick, didn't like the straight line wet grip. M3's were the perfect balance. Very neutral steering and tip in. Found the dry grip on par with the powers as long as you got the right pressure. Wet grip i'd give to the powers. I think it's the silica content.
Powers on the Speed Four? No thanks (he says, standing in front of his 2CT's - they're a little different though). Provided unstable handling, the weak sidewall felt horrid in bumpy corners. It's a very sensitive bike that provides lots of feed back. Technical grip, good though. Was a bit concerned about running out of tyre though, particularly on the front...

[MSTRS:Me]

Some people like Avons too
http://www.avon-tyres.co.uk/motorcyc...showtyre&id=15

[Mikkel]

Sounds like people are converging on the M3s now...

For the record - the bike is about 220-230 kgs with all fluids and 105-110 hps at the wheel. The steering geometry is fairly aggressive for the age of the bike I believe.

It certainly feels quite nimble on the Powers...

[Cajun]

Sounds like people are converging on the M3s now...

For the record - the bike is about 220-230 kgs with all fluids and 105-110 hps at the wheel. The steering geometry is fairly aggressive for the age of the bike I believe.

It certainly feels quite nimble on the Powers...

everyone has there own opinion on tires, find a brand you like at right price and put them on.