Tire manufacturer choices

[nater]

So, what brand of tire do you most often put on your bike?  

Up to this point, I've used mainly Michelins because I've found them on sale.  Always wanted to try some Pirellis but they cost more than the Michelins (at least when I'm looking for tires).

[garry]

I've done mostly Pirelli Diablos and Diablo Stradas. Ran through several sets of Michelin Pilot Powers too when I got them for $200 a set.

Currently trying to decide if Dunlops (Q2 front / RoadSmart rear) is my new preferred combo.

[kevin_stevens]

I go by tire MODEL and, to some extent, sale pricing as a tie-breaker, not manufacturer.

KeS

[falcofred]

I voted other, as I usually purchase what is on sale. I can mount and balance my own tires at home. Currently running a set of Michelin Pilot CT2 on the Multi and the Super Duke as they can found on sale since they have been replaced by the Michelin Pilot Pure line.
I've purchased Pirelli tires when they introduce a new line and offer buy a rear and get a front free (only shipping).
Some times Cycle Gear has a sale on Pirelli tires, and I'll pick up a set.
If nothing is on sale I'll usually go with Continental Road Attacks. They are usually a little cheaper then the others when purchased through RideDirect.com  http://www.ridedirect.com/index.html
 

[bassjones]

VFR seems to love the Dunlop Roadsmarts, so that will be the combo until further notice.

[bomber]

lately, Michelins, though I'm trying a set of Pereli Angels, as we speak . . .

A three sets of bad Dunlops in a row some years back, without any interest from the factory, mean I tend to avoid that brand.

[STJoe]

Not sure if I've used more Bridgestones or Metzlers, but have had good luck with both.   I've also used Dunlaps, which handled nicely, but didn't wear as nearly as well.  

Currently I'm riding on Michelins, and have to say I like them.  Jury is still out on how long they'll last.  

[jaykup]

I go by tire MODEL and, to some extent, sale pricing as a tie-breaker, not manufacturer.

KeS

+1 I've tried them all but Continental and Metzler, just trying to find the best performance and tire life.

[Galo]

VFR seems to love the Dunlop Roadsmarts, so that will be the combo until further notice.

Same here with my Sprint. Conti RA's since the first tire replacement, Roadsmarts went in on last replacement, me likey very much. Almost 3k mikes on them and the rear is barely flattened.....barely

[JonS]

+1 I've tried them all but Continental and Metzler, just trying to find the best performance and tire life.

I like Conti Road Attacks a lot, but have read that they don't get very good mileage on a heavier bike.
Pirelli is the brand I buy most often.  

[Squareman357]

Never cared what was on sale.  I've tried quite a few, but stick with what feels best to me and gives me the most confidence on the road, Michelin Pilot Powers.  The Bridgestones I've had take too long to warm up and feel skittish until they do, plus they get much lower mileage compared to the Powers.  The Dunlops I've had felt greasy, even after warm up, and never inspired much confidence for me.  The Contis weren't bad but the profile wasn't as agressive, and the turn in felt slower.  I've run Avons and they had GREAT mileage, but weren't as grippy as the Michelins.  I haven't tried Pirelli's...maybe I'll give those a shot one day.

[dm_gsxr]

Pretty much the Metzler's for most of the bike's life. The most recent tires are the Angels though. I'm not sure I like them as I always seem to feel a bit tentative going through curves.

Carl

[tomek]

Street-sport touring Michelin tires.Every time I tired ( O.K., twice in the last decade) something else ( Dunlop220 and Bridgestonebt21) it was a disaster from mileage standpoint of view.
Tires grip very well theses days and I don`t see much point in using anything sticker then ST tire on the street,especially in the land of "ride I-57,350 miles and 8 turns".

Track-Michelins slicks , mainly because they are easily available for me and sometimes the price is too good to refuse.
I`ve tried Bridgestones and Pirellis slicks,they worked fine, thank you,but getting those is too much of the hassle in my case.
 All three brands offer similar levels of grip and durability.

[stevent]

Usually Pilot Roads or Avon Azaro's. I'll have to see what fits the GS when the time comes...........

The Bridgestones that are on there have about as much wet traction as a shopping cart.

[mugwump58]

I voted Michelin, but I just bought my first pair of BT-023 GT's. We'll see what happens.

[chornbe]

I go by tire MODEL and, to some extent, sale pricing as a tie-breaker, not manufacturer.

KeS

I agree with this.

Lately I'm all about the Angels, so I checked their MFGer, however I'm not loyal to any MFGer.

[jaykup]

I agree with this.

Lately I'm all about the Angels, so I checked their MFGer, however I'm not loyal to any MFGer.

I like the quicker turn-in of those tires, but what kinda mileage do you get?  I'm only able to average 2500 or so before I'm showing cords...

[chornbe]

I like the quicker turn-in of those tires, but what kinda mileage do you get?  I'm only able to average 2500 or so before I'm showing cords...

I got just an RCH under 8K for my rear. My front is technically OK, but I'm swapping it soon anyway.

[bomber]

I got just an RCH under 8K for my rear. My front is technically OK, but I'm swapping it soon anyway.

This is on the Guzzi, Chris, isn't it?

I don't think my rear Angel will last that long on the Tiger, but it's a bit heavier (as am I) . . . .

[denydog]

Split between Michelin PR2's on the BMW, and Pirelli Sport Demons on both Suzuki's.

I have two Suzuki's, but put twice the milage on the BMW.

[chornbe]

This is on the Guzzi, Chris, isn't it?

I don't think my rear Angel will last that long on the Tiger, but it's a bit heavier (as am I) . . . .

Yeah, the Guzzi.

I see conflicting numbers, but estimated "running weight" is about 550-560, with 70 ft lbs and I've got a heavy throttle hand, with about 50% of my daily 28-mile commute on 4-lane highway.

[Magnarider]

I usually run Michelin PR2s.  Tried Continental Road Attacks, but didn't get all that great of mileage out of them, so I went back to the Michelins.

[Frankienuckles]

For years I ran metzlers, then I put a few set of stock bt-14 bridgestone's on the Gsxr and now (in the quest for more milage) I am trying a set of dunlop roadsmarts .
So far,so good! On the duke I have been cheap and sleazy, running some FREE race take offs pirelli's. They work good once they warm up, kinda greasy till then.

[2wTraveler]

Motorcycle tire technology has come a long way, you really can't go wrong these days. That being said, my personal preference is with Michelin.

[Hotbrakes]

Price is generally my deciding factor and Bridgestone has been pretty consistent over the last few years with good prices on most of their range.  I have utterly abused a rear BT-021 short of taking it to the track on the Super Duke.  Never let me down and the mileage was fantastic.  I've got a lot track takeoffs now though so I just recycle them for street duty.

Last year I discovered DOT race rubber for the track and have run Pirelli, Bridgestone, and Conti's.  In addition to those brands I just put a set of Dunlop Q2's on the shelf for some spring track days.  I'm pretty much a tire whore and anyone who shows up on my doorstep could probably score a decent set of used tires.  Track takeoffs are awesome for summer street riding.  The edges may be worn down but there's always another 2k miles left on the centers.

[BlueRidgeKat]

I'm a bit surprised that Michelin is running away with the poll so far. I've tried every brand on the list and probably have bought a few more Stones than anything else. On the other hand my wife wont have anything but Michelin Pilot Roads. If I even suggest anything else she flat refuses and insist the Roads be on both her bikes.

[ZX10BURNER]

 I have to say Dunlop, Avon, and then Bridgestone in that order.  I have used Michelin and Pirelli both were ok but didn't give me the feel, grip, and confidence that my first three choices did.

[02Tac]

When I picked up the Bandit a few years ago it had Michelins on it.  They were ok.

 About 2K later I replaced them with Conti Road Attacks. Loved them.

 They lasted 9K replaced the with Conti Force as my local shop had them on hand. nice tire, not a good as the Attacks, btu a nice tire.
 
 Got a nail in the rear at 2K, replaced it with a Conti motion. Did not like it. Wrong profile for the Bandit. Replaced it with another Force at less than 800 miles. They lasted more than 8K as did a second set.

 Wore out the second set of Forces at about 8.5K and replaced them with Pirelli Angel ST treads. As advertized they are a long wearing tire, but they made the steering heavy and never felt confident on turn in.

 Last week, at 5K into the Angels I picked up a nail in the rear. Decided to replace them with a Set of Conti Sport Attacks.  Glad I did. The bike is so much happier with the grip and profile of the Attack series of tires.

 In short, my opinion is that the Conti Attack series of tires are a very good match for the second generation Bandits (1200s in my case) and word from a friend is that they are very nice on the 1250 Bandits too.


One important note; Conti specs a higher pressure in the Attack tires due to their belt placement / design.  I run mine at 38 / 42 with very good results.

[ambientboy]

My B12 loves its Dunlop Roadsmarts...and so do I.

[X1Glider]

Been more than satisfied with Dunlops (Roadsmart, Qualifier and Q2) the last 10 years on half a dozen different bikes.  Tried ST types of other makers for long trips only.

Now that may change.  Put some Q2s on the Ninja 1000 and while the grip is great as expected, the chassis geometry doesn't agree with the tire profile.  Rear is used up to the edge but have 1/2" chicken strip left on the front.  I thought perhaps some high speed sweepers would get me leaning more instead of simply turning like at normal speeds.  Didn't matter.  Even 120 mph sweepers through the forest couldn't use up the front.

Time to look at something else where I can use the front and rear more equally.  My other bikes did not agree with Pilot Powers and Diablos but maybe this one will.

[Cablebandit]

Nothing worse than having half an inch of reserve.  

[Papa Lazarou]

Odd wheel sizes on the TBird restrict me quite a lot. So, I usually use Avon Azaro's.

[Royal Tiger]

Pirelli all the way.  The other I might try again was Metzler.  Continental and Bridgestone were OK, but not my favorites.  Never a set of Michelins again.

[Gnigma]

The past few years I've used Shinkos. (Used to be Yokohama) They're cheap, and they stick like glue. They're a little soft, so you have to change them every 6-8000 miles, some say as often as 5000, but, for the price of one Pirelli or Michellin, you can get three. One observation I have made is that the Shinko tires I've used always take less weight to balance than anything else I've used--- less than 1/2 ounce. The last set of Dunlops took 6 1/4 oz weights, and the Michellins always took even more.

[HipGnosis]

...with Pirelli Angel ST treads. As advertized they are a long wearing tire, but they made the steering heavy and never felt confident on turn in....

I'm very surprised to read this.
I put an Angel on the front of my K12RS - it makes that bike darn near nimble and very confidence inspiring (with a PR.2 rear).
I like it so much I just put one on the front of my Ninja 650.
Now I'm looking for rear tires I like as much (though no complaints at all with the PR 2).  I was going to try a RoadSmart, but they're more $ than a PR 2 now.  

[Jay S.]

 I was due for some new tires and after seeing the results of this poll, I ordered 2 Michelin PR 2's. I'm a bit excited. I didn't care for the Bridgestone's that came stock on the bike.

 

[ConPilot1]

The past few years I've used Shinkos. (Used to be Yokohama) They're cheap, and they stick like glue. They're a little soft, so you have to change them every 6-8000 miles, some say as often as 5000, but, for the price of one Pirelli or Michellin, you can get three. One observation I have made is that the Shinko tires I've used always take less weight to balance than anything else I've used--- less than 1/2 ounce. The last set of Dunlops took 6 1/4 oz weights, and the Michellins always took even more.

Shinko?? I wouldn't do that if I were you. I was running a highly touted 757 touring tire set on the Connie when the front tire damn near came apart on me.
Tread separation. Look at the size of the bubble. F*ck Shinko, I could be dead right now thanks to Shinko.

Tires sucked ass anyway from Day 1. Bike wiggled and danced and squirmed all over the place. They were anything but confidence inspiring.



Impromptu parking lot wrench session courtesy of Shinko USA, 80 miles from home.  

[HanksXXX]

Just finishing up my 10th set of Pilot Powers on my Turbo BlackBird. Love the tires but damn its getting expensive. I had a 4500 mile average going till I switched to a 55 rear profile which lasted 3500 miles and I said screw it...Time to sample sumpin else...
I'm mounting a pair of Angles tomorrow and leaving for Road Atlanta next week.
Depending on the mileage I get, the next set will be Roadsmart 2's and then I'm going to try some Road 3's. I'm trying to slowly get away from a great handling tire to get better mileage and want to ease up what I perceive to be the ladder to higher mileage Sport-Touring tires.
I'm also going to turn the boost down a pound with every set, or maybe every year...

[Gnigma]

Shinko?? I wouldn't do that if I were you. I was running a highly touted 757 touring tire set on the Connie when the front tire damn near came apart on me.
Tread separation. Look at the size of the bubble. F*ck Shinko, I could be dead right now thanks to Shinko.

Tires sucked ass anyway from Day 1. Bike wiggled and danced and squirmed all over the place. They were anything but confidence inspiring.



Impromptu parking lot wrench session courtesy of Shinko USA, 80 miles from home.  

YMMV.  They've discontinued the 757s. Also, why were you running a radial rear tire on the front? I'm just curious, looking at the pics, because that one still has the "fuzz" on it, so I assume it did not take long to seperate after you mounted it. I've only used their bias ply tires, but I've used them for over ten years (not at a time!) and I've never seen one do that.

[James]

I really liked the Avon Azarios till they stopped making my size, tried several & now run Shinko Raven 009's. I get ~10,000 out of the rears (like I do w/most tires) & about double that from the fronts (like most tires). Minimal cupping on the front. Three sets so far w/no complaints. Local independent shop owner thinks they're a death trap waiting to happen, but can't give me a reason for the opinion.

[ConPilot1]

YMMV.  They've discontinued the 757s. Also, why were you running a radial rear tire on the front? I'm just curious, looking at the pics, because that one still has the "fuzz" on it, so I assume it did not take long to seperate after you mounted it. I've only used their bias ply tires, but I've used them for over ten years (not at a time!) and I've never seen one do that.

The 757's were radials. Both of them. They were a matching set of front/rears in Goldwing size. I don't understand how you figured I'd run a rear tire on the front.  
And no, I don't think I had 2 or three thousand miles on them, maybe not even that.

[Gnigma]

Sorry, I was just looking at the tread pattern. Shinko recalled all the 757s and discontinued them because of that problem. It's a good thing you're ok. I personally don't like the handling of radials on a bike. You can check on recalls by searching "motorcycle tire recall." They've ALL had recalls, for instance Metzeler 880s, Michellin Pilots, some Pirrellis, Bridgestones, etc., have all had recalls. I've never had a tire do that, knock on wood.

[expatbrit]

 I was due for some new tires and after seeing the results of this poll, I ordered 2 Michelin PR 2's. I'm a bit excited. I didn't care for the Bridgestone's that came stock on the bike.

 

When I rode an FZ6R on stock tyres, it seemed REALLY slow to turn in. I hear that is a tyre issue; Dunlop Q2s apparently transform the bike. Hopefully the PR2s will do the same -- I loved them on the Sprint.

Right now I have Q2s on the 'strada, but I suspect I'll swap them for something a bit more durable before any long rides. On the KTM I stuck with the stock Pirellis, the WR wears Bridgestones, and I had the stock Bridgestones, Conti's, and then PR2s on the Sprint. Liked the last the best.

[Jay S.]

When I rode an FZ6R on stock tyres, it seemed REALLY slow to turn in. I hear that is a tyre issue; Dunlop Q2s apparently transform the bike. Hopefully the PR2s will do the same -- I loved them on the Sprint.

Right now I have Q2s on the 'strada, but I suspect I'll swap them for something a bit more durable before any long rides. On the KTM I stuck with the stock Pirellis, the WR wears Bridgestones, and I had the stock Bridgestones, Conti's, and then PR2s on the Sprint. Liked the last the best.

When the bike was new I thought maybe it was just me, especially after coming off a lifetime of cruisers. However, I've ridden enough to know good and bad tires. I'm almost glad to hear you say that about the Bridgestones when you rode the FZ6R. I can't wait to get my bike back next week and see how the PR2's feel. Thanks for the feedback.

[CanadianBird]

PR3s on my BlackBird.

[Scottybones]

  Love the Metzler M3 Sportecs that I recently put on my ZZR1200.  Came stock with Bridgestones and the the front was cupped when I bought it and had no confidence going into corners.  The M3s are smooth and stick good, and according to the reviews last longer than all of the more expensive tires out there.