Wanting tire advice

[14kmtnman]

I'm looking for some real world usage advice. I'm coming up on 11k miles on the original Dunlop Sportmax D205F tires. There is maybe 1-3k left in the rear. I have my choices down to.....the Dunlop D220 or the new Roadsmart, Nichelin Pilot Road or the Pilot road 2ct or the Metzler Roadtec Z6. Here is some background info on me. 2002 1150RT. Enthusiastic 210 lb solo rider. I like corners (1/4 inch chicken strips). I ride all year long (commuting), rain, sleet, snow, hot, cold. Several 400-500 mile days. I want/need something that will last 10-15 k miles, but still hold onto the asphalt in the corners. Any worldly advice, good or bad on any of the above would be appreciated.

[ZED]

I can't suggest a tire that will last 10-15k miles.  I've never had one last that long.  Whatever tire I run, I'm ecstatic if I can get 10k km out of it.  Different bikes, riding styles, usage, etc. likely play a part.  

I can say that after the Bridgestones, and metzlers, I'll only ride Pirellis on a sport or sport-touring bike.  My wife runs Dunlops on her KLR and gets great millage out of them, but again, different usage.

[M.Brane]

I want/need something that will last 10-15 k miles, but still hold onto the asphalt in the corners.

 When you find that tire please let us know.

[2006FJR]

I run the Diablo Strada E (Extended Wear) and I should get around 8-10k again for the rear tire.

[Justin]

I've ridden them all (except the new roadsmarts) and I keep coming back to the Metzeler Z6... I run a M1 front/Z6 rear combo and it handles like a sport-bike, w/ extended wear on the rear. Of course I'm lucky to get 5k out of a rear tire (regardless of brand). I'm tempted to try a Roadsmart, only problem is I like like to match a sport tire from the same manufacturer on the front... but I will never run a Dunlop sport tire on the front (they cup way to quick on bigger bikes).

[Motodisiac]

If you like corners it's Pilot Roads 2CT. I switched two of my friends to these tires, they are raving about them every day.

[cognosticator]

I have a riding buddy who has a R1150RS and uses Michelin Pilot Roads (not the 2) and he consistantly gets 12-14k miles from a rear tire.  I don't know how he does it but he has gone through many sets of the tire.

He rides with me a lot so I know his riding style is agressive.  I use the same tire on my SV1ks and I only get 7500 miles from the same tire.  Who knows why, of course YMMV

[Grizz]

 I got 10,000 miles out of a rear diablo strada and the front is still going. But I don't ride real hard. I have fun and ride a lot but am not a Ricky Racer.

[photomd]

I've found most of the tires marketed as "sport-touring tires" last about that long on oilheads, especially if you run max pressure. This includes Diablo Strata's and the old Avon Azaro's. Both lasted more than 10K on mine. However, I only got 5000 miles out of a set of Avon Stroms. Thanks to BMW-K, I'm now riding on the Z6's. He didn't get as many miles, but I get the feeling his a bit more aggressive in the turns than I am. They're very smooth, corner great and overall I'm happy. I'll see how long it lasts.

[Hunter]

I had the Z6's on my last bike, ZX-11, and the Metzelers held up a lot better than the 'stones 020. Absolutely loved the Z6 on the big Kwack.

When looking to replace the tires on the 9 I went with the Michelin Pilot Power in the front and the Road 2CT on the rear based on reviews of the combo read here and other forums. They have about 2500 miles on this set up and the rear is showing no wear yet. No flat spot yet and they get plenty of slab time in heading to the twistys. Loving 'em so far and they stick as good or better than the 'stone 012 set they replaced.

[Magnarider]

I'm running Pilot Road 2s front and rear and love them.  Nice and sticky, but pretty good wear out of them too.  I've got a little bit of a flat spot going, but when you ride from Minneapolis to Rapid City SD and back pretty much all on slab that will happen.  Such is life.  My $.02.

[Rincewind]

Roadsmarts are working well for me.  Over 5,000 miles and no flat spots - the rear still has a good curve on it.  Pretty good grip in dry and wet.  I expect a couple thousand miles are left on them, which will be great for me.  I'm sure other riders could stretch the RS's to over 10,000 miles, but I don't expect mine will make it that far.  

At a morning meet last weekend another STN'er pointed out my front tire.  In the low morning sun it was noticeable how the center harder compound ring is higher than the rest of the tire, making a sort of plateau.  It's less than a millimeter raised compared to the sides, and has not made a noticeable difference in handling.  It will be interesting to see if this rate of wear difference increases or evens out.

For me the OEM Pilot Roads (not the 2CT's) developed a flat spot after about 4,000 miles and were spent by 6,000.

[14kmtnman]

Thanks all! Still a tough choice to make. The new tires seem very close together. I guess it will boil down to price. Next question - any body know a good shop who will mount & balance tires I supply in Denver?

[sprint_st]

BT057 - 4700miles
MEZ4 - 4600
MEZ6 -4800 to the chord
Strada's - 4200 to the chord
Azaro's - 3000+ going strong but sold the bike
Storm's - 3200 well into wear bars
Shinko Raven - 4800 with at least a couple of hundred more in them but I was going on a trip and needed to put on a fresh set.
Shinko Raven - 4200 at the wear bars. Tried a Podium front but don't recommend it for an FJR.  The longer I rode the more squirrelly it got.  The Raven is as good as any other tire I tried.
BT021 - 3100 when I switched to the Storms, good shape at that point but was going to ESTN07.  They definitely had more than a K left in them.
RoadSmarts - 4700 rear 4200 front.  PR 2's are on order for ESTN08.

If I found a set of tires that gave me a dependable 6K miles and weren't like riding on snot, I'd bow down and pray to them three times a day  

[PhilBiker]

I don't know how hard you ride or lean.

IME the size of the "chicken strip" has more to do with the profile of the tire than it does how hard you ride.  I've ridden just as hard on many different tires and each different tire seems to always have its own chicken strip size.

Anyway, since I commute a lot I've gone to a full-on touring tire, the Metzeler Marathon ME880.  I am very satisfied with these tires.  They are confidence inspiring in the rain, and on a recent weekend sport-touring jaunt they held the road very well in moderately aggressive twisties (my friend who was following me in his car said I was leaning very hard, I was riding quite aggressively - for me - at times).

Very long treadlife on the Metzelers.  I'm sticking with them.

[Phenix_Rider]

BT057 - 4700miles
MEZ4 - 4600
MEZ6 -4800 to the chord
Strada's - 4200 to the chord
Azaro's - 3000+ going strong but sold the bike
Storm's - 3200 well into wear bars
Shinko Raven - 4800 with at least a couple of hundred more in them but I was going on a trip and needed to put on a fresh set.
Shinko Raven - 4200 at the wear bars. Tried a Podium front but don't recommend it for an FJR.  The longer I rode the more squirrelly it got.  The Raven is as good as any other tire I tried.
BT021 - 3100 when I switched to the Storms, good shape at that point but was going to ESTN07.  They definitely had more than a K left in them.
RoadSmarts - 4700 rear 4200 front.  PR 2's are on order for ESTN08.

If I found a set of tires that gave me a dependable 6K miles and weren't like riding on snot, I'd bow down and pray to them three times a day  

What kind of pressures are you running?  If you're getting that little mileage, it sounds like you're running them way low, or spinning the rear all the time.  I got 7,500 out of the 021s, and 7,500 out of the Roads.

[sprint_st]

What kind of pressures are you running?  If you're getting that little mileage, it sounds like you're running them way low, or spinning the rear all the time.  I got 7,500 out of the 021s, and 7,500 out of the Roads.

I check my pressures before every ride.  I've even done the compare cold versus hot pressures and they are right on.  Fact is I don't know anyone who rides the twisties at anything approaching a quick pace who sees 6K+ mileage.  Best I have seen is a friend of mine with PR 2's who got 8K, but he lives in flatland SC and has to travel quite a bit to hit the mountains.

Let me explain, I'm in heavy duty twisty roads in right on 45 minutes from the house.  I don't commute, just head for the hills.  

[photomd]

What kind of pressures are you running?  If you're getting that little mileage, it sounds like you're running them way low, or spinning the rear all the time.  I got 7,500 out of the 021s, and 7,500 out of the Roads.

He's also fast as hell(...says the slow guy in back).  

And I think we just put Dunlops on Ross's bike.

[Silverbird]

If you'r getting that kind of Mileage with 205's, stick with them of the 220's.  Everyone here would run them if they lasted more than 4000k

[retro]

Does anyone know of a source for the Metzeler Z6 in 16"? The reviews sound like what I'm looking for but all I can find are 17 and 18" tires online. Any suggestions for an '89 Suzuki Katana with more emphasis on the sport than touring? The sizes are 150/80-16 rear and 120/80-16 in the front. Any help on tires and sources would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

 

Well, it's kinda on topic....

[bubba zanetti]

I have 9,000 KM on my Pirelli Strada rear right now and I know from experience that it is just about done. It looks like it has more life in it, but trust me ... in another 500-750 km it will be toast and go away very, very quickly. Still, I would buy another set again as they are great tires that work extremely well in the rain.

[sprint_st]

I have 9,000 KM on my Pirelli Strada rear right now and I know from experience that it is just about done. It looks like it has more life in it, but trust me ... in another 500-750 km it will be toast and go away very, very quickly. Still, I would buy another set again as they are great tires that work extremely well in the rain.

You are so right!  The one set that I had taught me that.  I was riding Z6's and loved them.  So when the Strada came out and claimed great mileage, I thought I gotta get me some.  They even looked like rubber was way thicker in the center of the rear.  Went on about a 250 mile trip with rubber looking good somewhere around 3900 mles.  When I got home silver chords were showing completely around the tire.  They did handle well, but just like Z6's, they disappear quick in the last 1K.

[PhilBiker]

If you'r getting that kind of Mileage with 205's, stick with them of the 220's.  Everyone here would run them if they lasted more than 4000k

Right.... Just noticed...  If you're getting over 11K miles on sport-touring tires and want more mileage, I doubly recommend the Metzeler Marathon ME880s.  You're easy on tires, like I am.  That doesn't mean you don't ride hard on occasion, it means you're probably more smooth on the throttle and brakes than most.

[scott-sts]

I hear good things about the Pilot Roads.

[M.Brane]

Does anyone know of a source for the Metzeler Z6 in 16"? The reviews sound like what I'm looking for but all I can find are 17 and 18" tires online. Any suggestions for an '89 Suzuki Katana with more emphasis on the sport than touring? The sizes are 150/80-16 rear and 120/80-16 in the front. Any help on tires and sources would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

 

Well, it's kinda on topic....

 I had those sizes on my Ninja for a while in MEZ2s. They had good grip, but were not the right sizes for the bike so the handling suffered.

 I have Pirelli Sport Demons on it now after a couple sets of Bridgestones (in the proper sizes), and after a couple thousand miles I'm really liking the Pirellis.

[RickC1957]

I have yet to get more than 8K with any tire....most are showing cords at that mileage If you get 10 to 15K out of a tire you are riding like a 12 year old girl and weigh less than 110 pounds with a full set of leathers and helmet

[Desmo Demon]

I like corners (1/4 inch chicken strips).............I want/need something that will last 10-15 k miles, but still hold onto the asphalt in the corners.

These two things contradict themselves a bit.  


Some sport-touring tires we've run...

Dunlop D220: The wife hated them, the front cupped easily, had a tendancy to slide with her far too often. Rear tire was cords in 2200 miles. The front was pulled off the bike 500 or so miles later because it was too badly cupped. She vows to never own another set of D220s as long as she continues to ride. Other Dunlops we've run recently: D208 and Qualifiers.

Bridgestone BT-020: Ran a set on my ST2. The would stick when warm and took a while to get warm. I found them too easy to slide until they warmed up. Led to many puckering moments. Wet traction was ok. Tread life was fairly decent. I figure a set would have lasted around 4000 miles. I didn't mind dragging a knee with these when they were warmed up.These were used tires that came on a set of spare rims that I bought. I didn't like these tires enough to ever want to buy a set.

Pirelli Diablo Stradas - My absolute favorite tire of all time for my application. Terrific dry and wet traction. Warm up pretty quickly. Stick like glue when they are warm. My wife and I probably average 2500 to the cords with the rear tires and 3500 to bald sections on the front. I have never had any issues with these with any percentage of humidity and 35-105 degree temps. If I didn't find killer deals on the regular Diablo and some Dunlop D208 tires, this is the tire I'd be buying on a regular basis. My wife and I both love these tires and we've gone through about ten sets of them in the last three years.

Metzeler ME-Z6: I ran about three sets of these. I find them very comparible to the Diablo Strada, but I can find better deals on the Stradas, so I buy the Pirellis (BTW, Metzeler and Pirelli are the same company).

Michelin CT2: We've got 1000 miles on these with a Ducati Monster. Seem to be pretty good tires and if they are anywhere near as good as the Michelin Pilot Powers and Pilot Sports, I know they will become one of my wife's favorite tires.....I simply cannot justify the additional cost for Michelins, though.

Michelin Pilot Roads: My newest ST2 acquisition came with new Roads for shoes. I have about 1000 miles on them and like them so far, but I have not ridden the bike in the rain or ridden the bike as aggressively as I ride the other ST2. I think these will be good tires, also.....other than the additional cost over the competition's tires.

Michelin Macadam X90: Absolute POS tires and one of the main reason why it took nearly six years before I'd try another Michelin product. Cupped too easily, not very good wet weather traction, got about 5000 miles to a set, though......but I hated them.


In general, I prefer the Pirelli tires over all others, but mainly for the performance for the buck value. If the wife had it her way, and money wasn't much of a big deal, I think she'd roll on Michelins from here on out. I've been running Pirellis for about seven years now and have been very happy with their tires.....Dragon, Dragon Evo, Dragon Supercorsa, Diablo, Diablo Strada, Diablo Corsa, Diablo Corsa III, and Diablo Supercorsa Pro.....BTW, my wife and I have run through about 40 tires in the last three years and most of these tires were eaten by her R1 and GSXR and my ST2 and 748.

[bomber]

The Pilot Roads are good tires on my 07 Tiger -- pressures maintained two/three times a week, semi-aggressive riding -- 25% of rinding with (over) loaded givis, much of that on the slab to get someplace interesting . . . . good in dry, good in the wet

but, if I replaced the rear when it started to develop a flatspot in the middle (due to commuting and aforementioned slab work), I woulda binned it aroud 4k miles -- the rear has 8K, and the replacement is sitting in the entropy lab, waiting for me to make a spare hour  . . . .

front, pretty much ditto, but optimal replacement would have about 6K -- I waited to 10, and it was still ok-ish

replacements will be PR 2 . . .