Tyre advice please

**bones135** · 2nd January 2009, 08:05

Hey there i need a new rear & currently have Michelin pilot sports 180/55 17 & 120/70 17. Not sure whether to stick with these or get a new make?? have been told of dual compounds which are apparently good too.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

**McJim** · 2nd January 2009, 08:10

If you choose one of the Major tyre manufacturers you can't go too far wrong.

Bridgestone, Pirelli, Continental, Michelin, Dunlop, Metzeler.

Tyre choice is a really personal thing and can depend on your riding style.

I go for Sport Touring tyres rather than 'balls out' sports tyres but then that's coz I am not an agressive rider. If you have a penchant for chucking the bike into cornes fast then sticky tyres are the ones for you.

I used Bridgestone BT20 then BT21 then BT16. I currently have a BT16 in the front with a Metzeler MEZ4 on the back.

**jrandom** · 2nd January 2009, 08:14

The Pilot Sports are kinda outdated, so your options are:

Michelin Pilot Powers (sticky, also my choice for my GSX1400) or Pilot Road 2s (not so sticky, slower turn-in).

Continental SportAttacks.

Metzeler M3s (sticky) or Z6s (not so sticky).

I personally wouldn't bother with anything from Bridgestone, Dunlop or Pirelli on your bike. Some will disagree...

**Maha** · 2nd January 2009, 08:16

I got rid of the shitty Sportsmaxs on the Honda the other day, they had 5000 Ks. Was just going to replace the rear with a Pilot Road 2 and the dude suggested to replace the front as well (it also wasn't looking good) he said it was an 'evil' tyre to have on the front. So its PR 2's front and rear, I love em'.

**cowboyz** · 2nd January 2009, 08:16

yeah, what he said.

The pilot sports are the only one in that range that I havent run. I am really happy with the Pilot road 2. I have a pilot road on at the moment and it is awesome to ride on but is disappearing fast.

**Grahameeboy** · 2nd January 2009, 08:16

I think it is best to aim for a tyre that is better than your riding so you have a buffer....

I have the Power on the rear and a Power 2CT on the front which really made a difference to the front's security...

**jrandom** · 2nd January 2009, 08:19

Originally Posted by McJim

Bridgestone BT20

Horrible, horrible tyres.

Originally Posted by McJim

BT21 then BT16

I hear those are better, though.

Originally Posted by McJim

I currently have a BT16 in the front with a Metzeler MEZ4 on the back.

What's the handling like?

**jrandom** · 2nd January 2009, 08:23

Originally Posted by Grahameeboy

Power 2CT on the front which really made a difference to the front's security...

It really does, aye!

They're an awesome front tyre. You could run a PR2 on the back with one, but the PP rear has a sharper profile and turns in much more nicely. I wouldn't mix and match.

And after trying PR2s and PP 2CTs back to back on my bike I'd have to say that I wouldn't bother with the PR2s in future; the mileage difference wasn't huge (maybe 25% more on the PR2s) but the difference in grip and turn-in crispness with the PPs is noticeable as soon as you hop on and ride away.

**jtzzr** · 2nd January 2009, 08:29

Personally I love the Mitchy Pilot Powers , wo`nt run anything else , Had Pirelli Diablo`s when I bought the bird but the arse end skipped out on me a couple of times , but not with the PP`s (well not yet, Knock on wood).

**Grahameeboy** · 2nd January 2009, 08:38

Originally Posted by jrandom

It really does, aye!

They're an awesome front tyre. You could run a PR2 on the back with one, but the PP rear has a sharper profile and turns in much more nicely. I wouldn't mix and match.

And after trying PR2s and PP 2CTs back to back on my bike I'd have to say that I wouldn't bother with the PR2s in future; the mileage difference wasn't huge (maybe 25% more on the PR2s) but the difference in grip and turn-in crispness with the PPs is noticeable as soon as you hop on and ride away.

When first put on I could feel the change from the normal compound to the stickier sides that it was a bit odd to begin with...

**Maha** · 2nd January 2009, 08:42

Originally Posted by jrandom

It really does, aye!

They're an awesome front tyre. You could run a PR2 on the back with one, but the PP rear has a sharper profile and turns in much more nicely. I wouldn't mix and match.

And after trying PR2s and PP 2CTs back to back on my bike I'd have to say that I wouldn't bother with the PR2s in future; the mileage difference wasn't huge (maybe 25% more on the PR2s) but the difference in grip and turn-in crispness with the PPs is noticeable as soon as you hop on and ride away.

It was suggested that I could put a 2CT on the front with the PR2 on the rear but, seriously, for me?... wouldn't make much difference I wouldn't think?

It's awesome when you finally get the tyre for your riding style sorted.

**NZsarge** · 2nd January 2009, 08:48

Originally Posted by jrandom

Michelin Pilot Powers (sticky, also my choice for my GSX1400) or Pilot Road 2s (not so sticky, slower turn-in).

Alternatively run a Pilot Power 2ct on the front and a Road 2 on the rear largely preserving your turn in and stickyness in the front and better durability with the rear tyre.

Maha beat me too it!

**jrandom** · 2nd January 2009, 08:52

Originally Posted by Maha

It was suggested that I could put a 2CT on the front with the PR2 on the rear but, seriously, for me?... wouldn't make much difference I wouldn't think?

Well, yeah, I dunno... you don't have to ride fast to feel it. The two biggest differences I noted with the PPs were:

- instant improvement in the front end from the PP 2CT, I mean, you will feel it as soon as you turn out of your street, kinda thing, it just locks onto the road; and

- way better tip-in than the PR2, mostly due I think to the pointier rear profile; the PR2s are very flat and made Betty's turn-in a bit barge-like.

So, I got benefits at both ends.

One thing I'd be tempted to say is that in terms of absolute grip, Pilot Power 2CTs are probably the road tyre that will hang on the best. And they give very good mileage too. The trade-off is in feel; you pretty much don't get any. But I've learned to live without it and just have faith in the grip.

Originally Posted by Maha

It's awesome when you finally get the tyre for your riding style sorted.

Ain't that the troof.

**NZsarge** · 2nd January 2009, 08:53

Seriously considering Bridgestone 016's (multi-compound ones) in the future too.

**Maha** · 2nd January 2009, 08:56

Originally Posted by jrandom

Well, yeah, I dunno... you don't have to ride fast to feel it. The two biggest differences I noted with the PPs were:

- instant improvement in the front end from the PP 2CT, I mean, you will feel it as soon as you turn out of your street, kinda thing, it just locks onto the road; and

- way better tip-in than the PR2, mostly due I think to the pointier rear profile; the PR2s are very flat and made Betty's turn-in a bit barge-like.

So, I got benefits at both ends.

One thing I'd be tempted to say is that in terms of absolute grip, Pilot Power 2CTs are probably the road tyre that will hang on the best. And they give very good mileage too. The trade-off is in feel; you pretty much don't get any. But I've learned to live without it and just have faith in the grip.

Tyre pressure?
42 Rear and 36 Front fro me....
Some run less but those psi's work for me.