Tire recomendations for a Bandit 1200S

[RCook]

I've searched around and read various reviews, the consensus seems to be the Michelin Pilot Sport or Metzler Z6, however the posts were mainly from 2006 and earlier. I mainly ride to work daily, about a 6 mile round trip. On the weekends I've been known to hit the back roads and go up to several hundred miles. I also like to take at least one decent distance trip a year. If I was to describe myself I would lean more to the touring side of Sport Touring and that is definitely what my Bandit is setup for. I do have a Givi V46 topcase if that will have any bearing on a recommendation and until I purchase Givi sidecases I'm using Nelson Rigg saddle bags for the longer trips.  

Has tire tech changed in the last 6 months or more? What is the current suggested tire?

Thanks!
RCook

[RowdyRed94]

The Pilot Sport is a soft track tire and won't last long on a Bandit without a severe flat spot. Look to the Pilot Road. I'm using Pirelli's Strada with great satisfaction. I've also used Avon's 45/46, which as since been replaced.

Basically, most riders look for a "sport-touring" tire for Bandits rather than a "sport" tire because of the high torque and bike weight. Even then, more than 8,000 miles is the exception and not the rule.

[mwt]

 I'll second the Pilot Roads. I had two sets of them and really liked them.

[RCook]

Thanks guys that really helps. Now to find a place locally that has them, hopefully not too hard.

RCook

[BLUELINER]

check out cyclegear they have dunlop 208 on sale right now advance order for front and back for 149.99
i have this tire on the front of my bandit right know and i like it sounds like a good deal

[silvertwin2003]

I usually get good prices at Southwest Moto Tire. Shipping is free too if you buy the set. Buying tire through mail order is almost always cheaper than getting them at the dealership.

[RCook]

I usually get good prices at Southwest Moto Tire. Shipping is free too if you buy the set. Buying tire through mail order is almost always cheaper than getting them at the dealership.

You ever have problems getting them mounted balanced or does your local shop not care about this?

RCook

[LENSMAN]

  I have Z6's on my SV and love them. I seem to be wearing off about a 1/32" per 1300 miles, so far.  

[CLAY]

Pilot Roads.  I just got rid of a set of Pilot Sports- I drive similar to you, and there was a *huge* flat spot on the rear tire after about 2K miles (the PO hit the twisties more than I).  I just took a 1800 mile trip and the PR's look fine...

[silvertwin2003]

You ever have problems getting them mounted balanced or does your local shop not care about this?

RCook

My local shop has no problem mounting tires I get from mail order.

[Athan]

anyone on here ever hear of shinkos?

[1KPerDay]

Heard of them? Yes. Would I buy them? No.

Get the Pilot Roads. Lots of mileage, lots of grip. I've never needed more grip hot or cold, wet or dry, and I ride pretty aggressively at times. Michelin makes the best tires.

[Athan]

While i'm certain that your opinion is valid, I'll probably buy a set of shinkos first and see how they run in comparison to the factory tires and them compare some pilot roads to those.   The first bandit I rode was sporting shinkos and they seemed to stick pretty well and have about an 8k lifespan according to my friend who owns that bike.   I guess I'm more of a learn for myself kind of person.  

[Baz]

I went through 2 sets of Avons on mine & they wore well but always seemed to be a bugger to balance. (Lot's of wheel weights usually needed to be used)

I also ran Metzlers on mine with OK success.

[BlueRidgeKat]

 I'll second the Pilot Roads. I had two sets of them and really liked them.

Yep, the Pilot Roads and a Bandit make a good match.
The new Bridgestone BT021 that replaced the old BT020 would work well on the Bandit as well and a fewer $$$'s than the Roads.

[whoaru99]

FWIW, I've got about 300 miles on a new set of Conti Road Attacks and so far I really like them. OTOH, my basis of comparison is limited to a set of Dunlop D207.

The biggest thing I've noticed so far is that I no longer have to "muscle" the bike through the turns, the Road Attacks just seem to flow into the turns. Of course, I haven't hit it too hard yet with such few miles on them.

~$280 mounted and balanced (I R&R'd the wheels).

[Jeff N]

I'll 3rd or 4th the Pilot Roads. I've used them on my 2001 B12S ever since the original Macadam 100s wore out and find that it's a good all around tire. I rarely do straight up and down Interstate droning. My commute is a twisty mountain road and my recreational roads consist of CA's famed HWY 3/36/299 and other secret paths of glory. I ride swiftly but I'm not a habitual peg dragger. I get almost 5,000 miles out of a rear and about 8,000 out of a front. The wear is pretty even so, while the handling does go off a bit, it's so gradual that I don't notice the change until I fit a new set of rim protectors.

Note: I haven't been paying too much attention but my guess is that Michelins Pilot Roads will be replaced soon by their new dual compound technology tires.

[Athan]

I'll 3rd or 4th the Pilot Roads. I've used them on my 2001 B12S ever since the original Macadam 100s wore out and find that it's a good all around tire. I rarely do straight up and down Interstate droning. My commute is a twisty mountain road and my recreational roads consist of CA's famed HWY 3/36/299 and other secret paths of glory. I ride swiftly but I'm not a habitual peg dragger. I get almost 5,000 miles out of a rear and about 8,000 out of a front. The wear is pretty even so, while the handling does go off a bit, it's so gradual that I don't notice the change until I fit a new set of rim protectors.

Note: I haven't been paying too much attention but my guess is that Michelins Pilot Roads will be replaced soon by their new dual compound technology tires.

I'm so shamelessly covetous of your commute.

[gman88]

I just put on a set of the Bridgestone BT021's. So far I like them MUCH better than the BT020's (3 or 4 sets) I had before. The 020's would give me ~6k rear, 7k front.  So far I'm impressed with them, 1k miles so far...

[RCook]

Well I just got the bike back from the shop, long story but I started over a month ago to get these put on...

Anyway, I have to say that I've never owned a bike long enough to have to change tires, what a difference! I went with the Pilot Roads and even on the first ride from the shop it have a totally new bike, it's hard to describe but I certainly feel taller in the saddle and the front tire turns much differently now. I'd like to think that I'm experiencing new levels of grip that I was missing on the worn Michelin Macadams but I cant believe thats the case with them being cold so I just need to get used to riding new rubber.

Mechanic said to be cool for 100mi or so and keep them inflated to 40psi, that sound good for pressure?

Thanks all for the suggestions.

RCook

ps. $350 mounted/balanced