The T-man Posted January 4, 2005 Share Posted January 4, 2005 My bike came with Dunlops, but are nearing the point of replacement I always liked Metezler what do you guys run? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichardCranium Posted January 4, 2005 Share Posted January 4, 2005 For the Bird the Avon 45/46 combo or the Pilot Roads are hard to beat for grip/mileage. If you really push it or do track days you may want something stickier. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MaXX Posted January 4, 2005 Share Posted January 4, 2005 I like whatever comes off the trackbike!!! Although, I will probably buy the Avons for next summers long haul out West. MaXX Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redbird Posted January 4, 2005 Share Posted January 4, 2005 Metzeler- M1 up front, Z6 out back. The set is good for 6-7k, and they're done around the same time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
porterb123 Posted January 4, 2005 Share Posted January 4, 2005 Hijack Redbird, I was thinking of doing the same thing. I already have a good M1 up front and was going to use a Z6 out back. My local dealer has shown me a B model Z6 that is supposed to be for heavier bikes like the FJR1300. Which one are you running...the B model is more expensive Thanks Porter Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MileHi Posted January 5, 2005 Share Posted January 5, 2005 HijackRedbird, I was thinking of doing the same thing. I already have a good M1 up front and was going to use a Z6 out back. My local dealer has shown me a B model Z6 that is supposed to be for heavier bikes like the FJR1300. Which one are you running...the B model is more expensive Thanks Porter Porter... Metzeler and a bunch of locals advised me to not even bother with the "B" rear Z6... The first rear lasted about 6k miles and the current has about 4.5k miles on it so far... I might cahnge it out a little earlier as I have a set of Pilot Roads that I want to try. Oh and mounting the "B" Z6 is a ROYAL bitch!!! Did it on a friend's FJR... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wamphyri*DFR* Posted January 5, 2005 Share Posted January 5, 2005 I'm on my second set of D208's and finally fell victim to the cupping on the front. The first set wore great with no cupping at all. I've ridden the this set more aggressively and after 3200 miles the front started cupping. I'm looking for something as sticky as the 208 but of course without the cup and around the same price range. Got a set of Diablos to try. Anyone ever use these on the Bird? Any reccommendations on a good street/track tire with consistent feedback and predictability? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rideonXX Posted January 5, 2005 Share Posted January 5, 2005 Best I have experienced on the Bird for street and a track day here and there is the Pilot Sport up front and the Pilot Road in the rear. The feedback & predictability was very good in my opinion. Happy trails kel Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ian Posted January 5, 2005 Share Posted January 5, 2005 Best tire I have used in my years of experience(though I will admit, I haven't bought a tire in nearly 2 seasons) are Bridgestone BT010's. Great grip, good feel and moderately good mileage for a performance tire. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bturd Posted January 5, 2005 Share Posted January 5, 2005 Posted: Tue Jan 04, 2005 6:51 pm Post subject: -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I'm on my second set of D208's and finally fell victim to the cupping on the front. The first set wore great with no cupping at all. I've ridden the this set more aggressively and after 3200 miles the front started cupping. I'm looking for something as sticky as the 208 but of course without the cup and around the same price range. Got a set of Diablos to try. Anyone ever use these on the Bird? when i first got my bird it had d208s, i found they were a very slippery tyre. replaced them with diablos and havent looked back, they havent let me down. so far ive got 5500 kms out of them so far, fronts got heaps left, rears only got another 1000 max. left in it, id rather have a sticky low mileage tyre than a slippery high mileage tyre Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northman Posted January 5, 2005 Share Posted January 5, 2005 Best tire I have used in my years of experience(though I will admit, I haven't bought a tire in nearly 2 seasons) are Bridgestone BT010's. Great grip, good feel and moderately good mileage for a performance tire. Except they cup like hell. The Avon's & the Metzeler's don't cup, from what we've seen. On a big bike like the XX, the front tire is much more susceptible to cupping than a lighter sport bike. Unless you are running the bike very hard, and traction is a constant issue for you, go with either Avon AV45/46 combo, Metz. Z6's or the Michelin Pilot Roads. You can substitute the stickier front without much loss in mileage life if your riding style dictates it, as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The T-man Posted January 5, 2005 Author Share Posted January 5, 2005 Yea I was thinking of mixing, putting a sticky front with a higher mileage tire in back hmm.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Helvet Posted January 5, 2005 Share Posted January 5, 2005 I don't know if they sell them in the USA, but there is a compromise between the Michelin Pilot Road and the Michelin Pilot Sport. It is called the Michelin Pilot Power. I have the Road version now, but some of my mates use the Power. They grip like the Sport, but have a much better mileage. All of them do 6000 up to 8000 miles with these.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redbird Posted January 5, 2005 Share Posted January 5, 2005 HijackRedbird, I was thinking of doing the same thing. I already have a good M1 up front and was going to use a Z6 out back. My local dealer has shown me a B model Z6 that is supposed to be for heavier bikes like the FJR1300. Which one are you running...the B model is more expensive Thanks Porter I'm running the standard Z6, no B model here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keith Posted January 5, 2005 Share Posted January 5, 2005 I'll toss in another recommendation for the Michelin Pilot Roads. I've only got about 2000 on them, but so far, the wear rate looks good and they stick well for a long wearing ST tire. A couple of friends I ride with ride 'busas and they are getting around 8000 out of the Roads. I've tried the Pirelli Diablos, which gripped well, but wore out fast. My '03 came with Macadam 90X, but I didn't like them much; poor grip, slow to warm up, and wore out pretty fast. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bhanxx Posted January 5, 2005 Share Posted January 5, 2005 Yep, Pilot Roads are very good ST tire, imho, and plan to stick with 'em till something better comes out/proven. Replacement XX had virtually new M1s mounted, rear became toast in short order (hhhmmmm?), front has excellent tread/no cupping. I have new Roads in reserve (2 rears/1 front). I'm going to mate up a new Road rear w the M1 front too see how that goes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blackhawkxx Posted January 5, 2005 Share Posted January 5, 2005 If you balance your own tires, the Michelin Pilot Sport doesn't have a balance dot on the tire. In my mind, that would make it harder to balance. I'm going to try the Bridgestone's new 014 but I don't put on high miles. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tvking Posted January 6, 2005 Share Posted January 6, 2005 All these reviews, I was gonna say round...................... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete in PA Posted January 6, 2005 Share Posted January 6, 2005 If you balance your own tires, the Michelin Pilot Sport doesn't have a balance dot on the tire. In my mind, that would make it harder to balance. I'm going to try the Bridgestone's new 014 but I don't put on high miles. It should make it harder, and require more weight for a dealer also. Is this true of the Road also? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blackhawkxx Posted January 6, 2005 Share Posted January 6, 2005 Is this true of the Road also? Don't know as I only dealt with the sports. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Helvet Posted January 6, 2005 Share Posted January 6, 2005 Is this true of the Road also? Don't know as I only dealt with the sports. No, the Road is marked. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silverbird1100 Posted January 6, 2005 Share Posted January 6, 2005 Pirelli has a nw sport-touring tire coming out, but I fear it will be just like the Z6 that lasts for 4000mi under stress. If not, it looks really good. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dion Posted January 6, 2005 Share Posted January 6, 2005 If you balance your own tires, the Michelin Pilot Sport doesn't have a balance dot on the tire. In my mind, that would make it harder to balance. I'm going to try the Bridgestone's new 014 but I don't put on high miles. It should make it harder, and require more weight for a dealer also. Is this true of the Road also? FWIW, I have a sport on the front and had the shop pull the weights, break it down and balance without wt. by spinning the rubber on the rim then balance for wts. and ended up dropping almost an ounce. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MileHi Posted January 6, 2005 Share Posted January 6, 2005 Is this true of the Road also? Don't know as I only dealt with the sports. No, the Road is marked. Interesting... My new Roads don't... So I emailed Michelin. Here's their response: No, you are not missing anything. Michelin does not put mounting dots on its motorcycle tires. The valve whole on motorcycle wheels has no relationship to either high or low spot on the wheel and is not an indicator of light or heavy. Therefore, a mounting dot is useless information. If you have additional questions, please respond to this email or you may call us at 1-800-847-3435 (toll-free) between 8:30AM and 6:00PM Eastern Time Monday through Friday to allow one of our Consumer Relations Representatives to assist you. Michelin North America Consumer Relations Department (Please Do Not Delete the line below.) Email ID: 1269031 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Helvet Posted January 6, 2005 Share Posted January 6, 2005 That's weird..... The mechanic in my workshop even pointed the markings out to me. Maybe they stopped doing it, or just do it in Europe? Maybe my mechanic was mistaken, that could be.... I will check again in spring, when I have acces to the bike again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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