I need S-T Tires.

Ok, I did read the Tires thread and I just get a headache trying to decipher what tire works best where/when, etc....
#1- I am not a racer, so I do not/cannot afford to run M1's. Too sticky for me.
#2- I spend most of my time on the freeway, not on hwy 9.
#3- I want a long life tire at a good price.
#4- I do like to go fast on occasion, but no trackdays for me.
My ZX9-R came with Dunlop 208's and they are worn out after 5K miles. I need a longer lasting tire.
What do you suggest?
#5- Can you suggest a tire that will make me invisible to cops, repel nails, and make hott sexxy (rich) women flock to me?

Michelin Pilot Roads, Dunlop 220, Bridgestone 020, Metzler MZ6 or something (replaces the MZ4). Pirelli has a sport touring tire but I can't recall what. Any of those will stick "plenty good" for street speeds and should give you decent wear. Maybe what makes the decision for you is price. Dunlop and Bridgestone tend to be a little cheaper than the other ones. Some people will run a sport tire on the front and a sport tour tire on the rear (Dunlop 208 front, 220 rear). I can't help you with #5 however...

Avon 45/46 as well.

Hugo

Cheng Shins....last forever . Not kidding...had a pair on my old GS750...didn't have much money back then.

Seriously, I like the Pilot Roads.

I wish I can get 5k miles even out of a sporttouring tire....seems like every "long mileage" tire I get is short lived by a fuggin nail or two....

Im very interested in the MEZ6 or the new Pirelli ST tires (dunno the name either) but will wait till others review them and then see if its the right one for me....

I was set on getting the D220s which I heard great things about in the beginning but they last too short for what theyre meant for reportedly by the very same riders in short period afterwards....

Well, part of why mu D220ST wore down was the rear tire was misaligned. But even before I pulled that bonehead stunt, it never was good on traction... the rear wheel locked up WAY too easily - noticed that the day after I got the Dunlops mounted.

Still have the front one - it never gave me any grief.

Have a Metz Z6 on the rear now, not many miles on it either. But it sure feels planted.

Hit up the guys at California Sport Touring... they mounted up a 160/60/18 to my rim for a little over $150.

I have a set of Bridgestone 020's on my Triumph Sprint ST (basically a British VFR, 525# dry) and I'm very happy with them. Just as sticky as the Dunlop D207zr's that they replaced and I expect to get good mileage from them - I only have about 1k on them so far. They are dual-compound (harder in the center, softer on the sides) and a lot of people report that they wear the sides faster than the center. For you, that translated to good mileage if most of your riding is slab. I tend to ride 1/3 twisties to 2/3 slab, so I expect mostly even wear from this set.

If you have really specific questions, I suggest that you call a tech at www.mammothmotorsports.com - the guy spend a looooong time on the phone with me. Prices are good, too.

got about 8k on the bt020bt056 rear tires and ~10k on the bt010/bt056 fronts. They don't need any time to warm up and grip isn't bad. Will keep a c group rider quite happy. I'm on the stock Michellin Pilot Sport E's now and am finding the amount of time it takes for them to warm up a little unnerving but once they do, they stick so much better than the bridgestones. Just really have to remind myself to baby the throttle for the first few minutes or so. Only have 450 miles on em so far, no clue on how long they'll last but I think it'll be a while.

I'm going to order a set Avon ST (AV45/46's). I sent the place in Martinez an email, I'll keep you guys posted.
I just love the way those Avons look. That Mammoth 190 is going to look sooo sexxy on my Kawi!!!! Also, (#1) I read several, very positive, reviews online, where people claimed to get 8k+ out of the rear and 10K from the fronts.

lefty said:

I'm going to order a set Avon ST (AV45/46's). I sent the place in Martinez an email, I'll keep you guys posted.
I just love the way those Avons look. That Mammoth 190 is going to look sooo sexxy on my Kawi!!!! Also, (#1) I read several, very positive, reviews online, where people claimed to get 8k+ out of the rear and 10K from the fronts.

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I get around 6-7k out of the rear and 10k+ out of the front (been through a few sets now).

Hugo

Silverbird....

SilverBird said:

I get around 6-7k out of the rear and 10k+ out of the front (been through a few sets now).

Hugo

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Can you give me a review of these tires? Do you ride aggressively? You must like them, you have had multiple sets.
I mainly spend my time commuting to and from Santa Cruz, so 90% of the time I'm slabbing it, but the other 10% is spent enjoying the corners on Hwy 17. I'm hoping that if I do not ride too hard, that I may be able to get closer to 10K miles out of them. My ZX9-R does not have the same power that your "Blackbird" makes, so I should get more life from them????

Re: Silverbird....

lefty said:

Can you give me a review of these tires? Do you ride aggressively? You must like them, you have had multiple sets.
I mainly spend my time commuting to and from Santa Cruz, so 90% of the time I'm slabbing it, but the other 10% is spent enjoying the corners on Hwy 17. I'm hoping that if I do not ride too hard, that I may be able to get closer to 10K miles out of them. My ZX9-R does not have the same power that your "Blackbird" makes, so I should get more life from them????

Click to expand...

Yes I do like them. I used to run BT 010s but the bike had a tendency to go through them every 3500 miles (front) 2500 (rear). As far as the geometry is concerned the turn-in is very quick (quicker than the 010s) and the grip is good on dry pavement (although not nearly as good as the 010s). On the wet you have to be way more careful than with 010s,M1s, etc. In any case, you get good feedback (if the tarmac is questionable you'll know about it). To give you an idea, on skyline with the current weather (kinda wet on the ground) you can loose traction in 4th or 5th roll-on at 55-60 on the double yellow line. A BT 010 never did that to me (went through 5 sets of these, I think). Also, the avons take a few miles to warm up properly (38F-40R PSI).

BTW, the XX carries a 180 at the rear so between the difference in power/torque and the decreased contact patch, traction should be more of an issue on the XX.

The wear pattern is very good. If you commute, you'll still wear them square but less (harder compound in center) than any other tires I have tried. I don't know how many more miles you'll get out of them but between the lower weight and the more limited torque, I would not be surprised if you'd get 20% more. YMMV though.

I am getting 6-7k out of the rear (to wear indicators) and have always changed the front before the wear indicator (8-10k) because of somewhat degraded handling (the XX is a pig and chews out the front really easily). On the XX forum, we have some lunatics smoke the rear in 3.5 kmiles and some others that will pull over 8-9 k out of it.


Hugo

Thank you sir for that great assesment!!!!!
I plan to buy them pretty quick. I have about 1,000 miles left on my 208's, and I have the $$ now.

Dunlops

Go with the Dunlops. I run Metzlers on my ST but the Dunlops I use on my GoldWings and work bikes. The Dunlop has a good stiff sidewall, and is a better all around tire for general purpose riding. Some Dunlops tires will run flat at 70 mph and stay on the rim. I know, believe me.

Tires

I just ordered a new set of the Avons also 45/46 and am anxious to try them.

I've run 3 sets of M1s, 1 set of Diablos and a set of Dunlop D205s on my Goldwing (stock tire).

On the Goldwing the Dunlops are great! Excellent traction and reportedly excellent mileage. I ride the Goldwing much like my Mille so please don't get the impression of square tire sydrom.

The M1s are fantastic for sportbike applications but not what I would consider for a sport touring application (just my opinion). The Diablos are currently on my Mille and so far seem to be just as good as the M1s were/are.

I should have a decent report on the Avons here in a month or so.

One last note, they are now producing the 45/46 in a 'B' model which has a higher speed rating, slightly softer compound yet is reported to get the same mileage! Be sure to ask for this as the B's were just release last week.

Call Southwest Motorcycle Tire in New Mexico for further questions.

Thanks,

Kevin -

Corrections

Sorry - NOT Dunlop 205s on the Goldwing -

They are Dunlop D250s

K -

Avon tires

Avons are a great tire but it is more pricey and you will replace it more often that the dunlop. Bottom line is everyone has a different style of riding, so each tire will wear different for each individual.

Good luck in your choices.

Thanks to all of you for the advice/feedback. I have my tires sitting in my living room now. I just need to finish off my 208's.

So What'd you get?

So.... What'd you get?

My FJR came with MEZ 4's. The rear lasted about 5,000 miles. I swithced to Pilot roads. I have gotten between 4,000 (the Blister rally, 3100 miles in 46 hours) to over 8,500 (California to Florida and back). Normal riding gets about 6,000 miles. I put a set of Pilot Sports on for a track day last fall. The Pilot sport on the rear was toast in 2,000 miles, but the front lasted about 5,000 miles without squaring off, cupping or anything. My new combination of choice is a Pilot Sport on the front and Pilot Road on the rear.

The Pilot Roads are incredible tires. They really stick in the wet, and the tar snakes. I like the feel of the Sport on the front, it turns in quicker, and seems more stable than the Road.