Which tyres?

**puddytat** · 9th March 2009, 21:03

Ive had them both in the past & I found the Pilot Actives WAY better.....

**samgab** · 11th March 2009, 12:47

So some people say that dual compounds are not great in the wet, due to the harder compound in the centre section of the rubber...

**MSTRS:Me** · 11th March 2009, 13:08

But some people hate Hondas. Did it put you off?

**samgab** · 11th March 2009, 13:10

Originally Posted by MSTRS

But some people hate Hondas. Did it put you off?

lol, yeah but that hatred is motivated by jealousy, whereas the concept of harder rubber in the centre not being as grippy in the wet makes some sense...

**MSTRS:Me** · 11th March 2009, 13:23

Theories are...just that. If one or two say they have a problem with a particular tyre, then that is unfounded theory. So many parameters come into play to get optimum performance in a variety of conditions that there will always be exceptions to a rule. It may be that BT45s really suit the VTR250 - I know they performed exceptionally well on a Spada and a Kawasaki GPX250. I would be putting those tyres if I had your bike.
I run the PR2s on the 750 - 17000kms and the only time they didn't stick like glue was in winter, late afternoon, damp shadowed sections of the Napier/Taupo. But to be honest, I never realised...I thought my pillion was fidgeting.

**davebullet** · 11th March 2009, 20:50

Seriously samgab

My riding instructor for BHS highly recommended the BT45 for the VTR250.

**samgab** · 12th March 2009, 15:08

Well, I bought some new tyres!
I know most of the responses suggested the BT-45's, but the sad fact is, there are none in the country at the moment. Cycletreads have fronts, but no rears, and the supplier has no rears either. There's some kind of supply issue.

SOOOO, I bought the Pilot Activs.
OH... MY... GOSH!!!

They finished fitting them, and gave me a warning about taking it easy because they're not properly grippy till they've been worn in, or something.
So I took to the road very gingerly - since it was raining, and the road was soaking wet and oily - for the ride from the North Shore back to Mangere Bridge.
Immediately they felt better, and grippier. The difference was instantly noticable. As I rode, I cautiously tried swerving a bit, and braking harder and harder. The improvement is incredible. I wish I had these tyres on during the Coro loop last weekend!
In the last couple of Kms from home, on an empty road, I tried the front brakes out properly: Stoppies, no problem. Fronts didn't even feel like letting go. On a wet road. There is no WAY the old, hard, cracked Dunlops would've done that, even in the dry (and yes, I've tried it at the NASS sessions in a controlled environment).

So, end of the day, I am VERY impressed with the new Activs so far.
I already feel much safer in the wet -- haven't ridden them in the dry as yet.

Yesterday I was riding home from Auckland city at about 7pm in the heavy rain, and the bike was slipping and sliding around all over the place, it was a terrifying experience in the heavy traffic. Today it was fun.

**Hiflyer** · 12th March 2009, 19:07

Originally Posted by samgab

Cycletreads have fronts, but no rears,

uuummm maybe you have different size tyres (look i used a y haha) but i just put a rear and a front on hold at cycletreads. pick them up on saturday

**samgab** · 12th March 2009, 20:35

Originally Posted by Hiflyer

uuummm maybe you have different size tyres (look i used a y haha) but i just put a rear and a front on hold at cycletreads. pick them up on saturday

Yeah, they have some sizes, just not my size. But this thread is all about tyres for my bike, so that's what I meant.

(Hyo takes 150/70-17s and the VTR takes 140/70-17s.)

Let's test the two kinds out and have a "whocanstopthequickest" test on the new rubber?!

**Hiflyer** · 12th March 2009, 21:58

Originally Posted by samgab

Yeah, they have some sizes, just not my size. But this thread is all about tyres for my bike, so that's what I meant.

(Hyo takes 150/70-17s and the VTR takes 140/70-17s.)

Let's test the two kinds out and have a "whocanstopthequickest" test on the new rubber?!

haha if you want? dry conditions from 70kp/h to 0 kp/h? altho i do have 2 front discs and will have better tyres so i might not have to try as hard haha

but i do have a hyo.

never done a stoppie

never done a wheelie (but want to do both in a safe environment if anyone wants to teach me) anyway

we shall see after my tyres are fitted

**samgab** · 12th March 2009, 22:33

Originally Posted by Hiflyer

haha if you want? dry conditions from 70kp/h to 0 kp/h? altho i do have 2 front discs and will have better tyres so i might not have to try as hard haha

but i do have a hyo.

never done a stoppie

never done a wheelie (but want to do both in a safe environment if anyone wants to teach me) anyway

we shall see after my tyres are fitted

Oh, it's so on. Come to NASS some time.

**Hiflyer** · 12th March 2009, 22:36

might have to.. ive been meaning to for a while now, tyres have been holding me back. . . hahaha watch yo'self.

kidding im not that crazy but it will be interesting to see what happens

**musicman** · 17th March 2009, 00:01

Originally Posted by samgab

Let's test the two kinds out and have a "whocanstopthequickest" test on the new rubber?!

But will it be a fair test considering the GT250R is a fat whale about 10x the mass of the VTR??

**samgab** · 17th March 2009, 07:38

Originally Posted by musicman

But will it be a fair test considering the GT250R is a fat whale about 10x the mass of the VTR??

Shhhh! I wasn't going to mention my unfair advantage there. He reckons he has the advantage with twin front discs -- like that'll give any advantage from 70KpH.