Tire choices

[jon pierce]

Here we go again - new tire time. At 4,000 miles I reckon I have had the best out of the Bridgestones fitted as standard. The front has worn worse than the rear.

Essentially the front has cupped badly on the shoulders leaving a raised centre. The rear, whist still looking round in section is now low on tread with just a little cupping on the edge of the shoulders.

Question - do I just stick with th etires that came with the bike or try something else?? My riding style tends to be on the quicker side and living in Vermont I tend to be going around curves a lot - never touch the interstates - I would however like a bit more than 4,000 miles.

Any recommendations for Pirelli, Metzeler, Continental or Michelin??

Thank you folks

[rock712]

Ok I have Pirelli Diablo Strada's and i am very very impressed with them. I have 8,000 on the rear tire and 6,000 on the front and they are still going strong. They are a sport touring tire, and through the wet and dry the will hold onto the road.

I have ordered these http://www.diablo.getpirelli.com/home.html

I am curious to see how they will do and for less than 200 for the set you really can't go wrong.

[sjbmw]

I really like the Metzler Z6. I got about 4 k on them and they are wearing even and well. sticky as glue in the rain.

[riceburner]

Diablo Stradas, no question.


More than enough grip for road riding and very good feedback, whatever the weather. Warm up quicker than the Z6 too. Virtually the same tyre as the Z6 (same manufacturer, different brand names), but imho slightly better.

Just so's you know, since buying my first Rockster in April '04 I've done something like 55,000 miles on them (3 bikes), and I get about 5-6000 from a rear.

Tried:
020s - utter crap, not worth fitting to a boatyard
Michelin Pilot Sports - nce and grippy in the dry, crap in the wet, short-lived
Z6 - Very nice all round, bit slow to warm up.
Continental Road Attack - As good as the Z6, but very short lived, half the life of Z6
Diablo Strada - As good as the Z6, warms up quicker - Preferred Choice.

[Neil]

Have the Z6 on and have done about 8000ks will maybe do 9000ks rear and 11000ks front but they have scalloped badly and am not to impressed I will go back to AVON AV45 front and AV46 rear they give me 11000ks rear and 14000ks front and wear much more evenly have very good wet and dry grip

[m@rco]

Riceburner -

I just fitted BT020s... I was quite happy with the BT010 in terms of stickyness etc. but found that they would wear out too quickly. I really wore them out to a thread at 10,000km (6,250mls). I try to avoid highways, but you know how it goes, you do drive on straight roads quite a bit. So I figured BT020 would give me something better. The new BT014 are supposed to be even softer than BT010.

I am interested to hear why you think they are crap. Price? Road handling? Wear? I am open to anything, just curious. I considered Metzeler as well, but not sure if they're worth the extra cost.

M@rco

[DYNAMICS]

Hi.

Nobody has mentioned the tyres I was thinking of buying next to replace the standard fit Michelin Pilot Sports, The Michelin Pilot Road. Anyone used them?

The Standard fit Sports take quite a while to warm-up... I now know to give them plenty of time after a buttock clenching rear slide on a cool day not long after buying the Rock.

Brian.

[riceburner]

Riceburner -

I just fitted BT020s... I was quite happy with the BT010 in terms of stickyness etc. but found that they would wear out too quickly. I really wore them out to a thread at 10,000km (6,250mls). I try to avoid highways, but you know how it goes, you do drive on straight roads quite a bit. So I figured BT020 would give me something better. The new BT014 are supposed to be even softer than BT010.

I am interested to hear why you think they are crap. Price? Road handling? Wear? I am open to anything, just curious. I considered Metzeler as well, but not sure if they're worth the extra cost.

M@rco

Right - BT020s (in my humble opinion as a medium-high-mileage daily rider who likes to travel rapidly, naturally):

Feedback: In comparison with more modern tyres (the 020 is nearly 10 years old now), they don't give ANYTHING LIKE as much feedback, it's like riding on wood - in fact I'd go so far as to say that the 30 year old Avons on my fathers Girder-forked Vincent Comet give me a better idea of what the tarmac is doing than the 020s do.

Grip: they lose grip VERY quickly with no warning, for example - I was riding in France in a gently curving down hill bend when I saw a rain-water stream going across the surface, (the rest of the road was dry), I relaxed as much as possible, but both tyres just slid straight over the water as if it was ice, NOT fun. I've had more "moments" from the back-end stepping out, in the DRY, on the one single 020 I had on the Rockster than I've had on ALL of the other tyres I've used put together, (normally exiting roundabouts).

Wet-Grip/Feedback: You may as well ride a railway sleeper for all the grip you get and the feedback is like talking to your ex-wife (after a messy divorce).

Wear: The dual-compound construction on the tyre is a bit odd, the centre of the tyre will wear quite badly, whilst the outers wear normally, so the tyre "squares off" very badly, and when it is "squared off" the effects of riding up onto the edge of the tyre are SERIOUSLY pronounced.

Life-time: About the only good thing about the 020 is that they will last a fair old while, mind you, given how bad they are I can't really call this a positive thing!!

[rock712]

Hi.

Nobody has mentioned the tyres I was thinking of buying next to replace the standard fit Michelin Pilot Sports, The Michelin Pilot Road. Anyone used them?

The Standard fit Sports take quite a while to warm-up... I now know to give them plenty of time after a buttock clenching rear slide on a cool day not long after buying the Rock.

Brian.

My Rock came with Pilot sports....They were nice grippy tires in the dry but i had the back break loose in the wet.... Also the mileage was crap....I had to replace the rear at 4500 and I BARELY eeked out 10,000 on the front....

[beemerphile]

Hi.

Nobody has mentioned the tyres I was thinking of buying next to replace the standard fit Michelin Pilot Sports, The Michelin Pilot Road. Anyone used them?

I just finished up a set of Pilot Roads in about 8000 miles. I thought the traction was excellent wet or dry, but I did not like the profile. The flat profile of the 180/55 rear worked fine on smooth streets, but if there were elevation steps or rough pavement in turns (bends?), it seeemed to push the back end around in a way that minimized cornering confidence. I like a rounder profile. It may be just because I have spent so much time on bikes with skinny tires, but I could corner my R100RT faster than I can the R1150R with Michelins. Now that I have installed the Dunlop D616's I am fast again! I am not sold on the D616's yet because the traction levels aren't top tier, but directional control and stability are way good. Because of the traction level, I will probably try some Pirelli Scorpion Syncs next. They have the same rounder profile and probably better traction.

[riceburner]

Hi.

Nobody has mentioned the tyres I was thinking of buying next to replace the standard fit Michelin Pilot Sports, The Michelin Pilot Road. Anyone used them?

I just finished up a set of Pilot Roads in about 8000 miles. I thought the traction was excellent wet or dry, but I did not like the profile. The flat profile of the 180/55 rear worked fine on smooth streets, but if there were elevation steps or rough pavement in turns (bends?), it seeemed to push the back end around in a way that minimized cornering confidence. I like a rounder profile. It may be just because I have spent so much time on bikes with skinny tires, but I could corner my R100RT faster than I can the R1150R with Michelins. Now that I have installed the Dunlop D616's I am fast again! I am not sold on the D616's yet because the traction levels aren't top tier, but directional control and stability are way good. Because of the traction level, I will probably try some Pirelli Scorpion Syncs next. They have the same rounder profile and probably better traction.

The Scorpions are very expensive. Try the Diablo Stradas - they're a nicely rounded profile.

[m@rco]

Thanks Riceburner. I felt quite comfortable with my steps on the ground in the Dolomites, but now that I read your story... Ok, I did break out once or twice accelerating out of hair pins but that was mainly to do with bad tarmac and wanting to go too fast. Anyway, I'll bear your advice in mind for when I'm up for a new set.

[DYNAMICS]

Hi beemerphile.

I was led to beleive from Michelin ads and tests etc, that the Pilot Roads were more rounder than their Sports etc. And they give a much nicer and gradual drop into the corner!

Brian.

[beemerphile]

The Scorpions are very expensive. Try the Diablo Stradas - they're a nicely rounded profile.

at http://www.swmototires.com the Scorpion Sync's are only $1 more than the Stradas. Since I encounter extended sections of gravel and hard-pack roads occasionally in my travels, I think I will still try the Syncs. Unimproved road capability was what led me to the D616's where I accidentally discovered that the rear profile mattered. I'll try to keep the round profile and the unimproved road capability but seek an improvement in traction with the Scorpion Syncs..

thanks - Lee

[beemerphile]

Hi beemerphile.

I was led to beleive from Michelin ads and tests etc, that the Pilot Roads were more rounder than their Sports etc. And they give a much nicer and gradual drop into the corner!

Brian.

They may be, but for me, they were not round enough - at least in the 180/55 size. I've never ridden the Pilot Sports. I am not a Michelin basher, by the way, and this is the first Michelin that I have been dissatisfied with. I have them on everything I own except the John Deere and my car trailer. - Lee

[Old Crockster]

Riceburner -

I just fitted BT020s... I was quite happy with the BT010 in terms of stickyness etc. but found that they would wear out too quickly. I really wore them out to a thread at 10,000km (6,250mls). I try to avoid highways, but you know how it goes, you do drive on straight roads quite a bit. So I figured BT020 would give me something better. The new BT014 are supposed to be even softer than BT010.

I am interested to hear why you think they are crap. Price? Road handling? Wear? I am open to anything, just curious. I considered Metzeler as well, but not sure if they're worth the extra cost.

M@rco

Right - BT020s (in my humble opinion as a medium-high-mileage daily rider who likes to travel rapidly, naturally):

Feedback: In comparison with more modern tyres (the 020 is nearly 10 years old now), they don't give ANYTHING LIKE as much feedback, it's like riding on wood - in fact I'd go so far as to say that the 30 year old Avons on my fathers Girder-forked Vincent Comet give me a better idea of what the tarmac is doing than the 020s do.

Grip: they lose grip VERY quickly with no warning, for example - I was riding in France in a gently curving down hill bend when I saw a rain-water stream going across the surface, (the rest of the road was dry), I relaxed as much as possible, but both tyres just slid straight over the water as if it was ice, NOT fun. I've had more "moments" from the back-end stepping out, in the DRY, on the one single 020 I had on the Rockster than I've had on ALL of the other tyres I've used put together, (normally exiting roundabouts).

Wet-Grip/Feedback: You may as well ride a railway sleeper for all the grip you get and the feedback is like talking to your ex-wife (after a messy divorce).

Wear: The dual-compound construction on the tyre is a bit odd, the centre of the tyre will wear quite badly, whilst the outers wear normally, so the tyre "squares off" very badly, and when it is "squared off" the effects of riding up onto the edge of the tyre are SERIOUSLY pronounced.

Life-time: About the only good thing about the 020 is that they will last a fair old while, mind you, given how bad they are I can't really call this a positive thing!!

Riceburner, couldn't agree more mate! My bike came with 207RR's and to be honest I thought they were terriffic, but took the dealers advice("they're our biggest selling tyre") and fitted 020's this summer. What a bloody awful tyre. Seriously considering binning them after 1800mls

[domekrome]

I put 16000 kms on a set of Pilot Roads this summer, I preferred the Metzeler Z6s that I had last year. The Roads were a good all around tire, but I did not find them to be as sticky, or communicative, as the Z6s.

If your budget is flexible, and you don't mind getting approx. 8000 kms out of a set, try the Pilot Powers. These are the bomb, sticky with excellent feedback, just shortlived.

I am trying a pair of the Metzeler M3s now, and they seem well sorted, and offer neutral handling, as compared to the Pilot Powers. Need more mountain time on them before I can offer more feedback than that.

[jon pierce]

Thanks for all the responses folks - I just ordered a set of Pirelli Diablo Stradas for $225 the pair.

I checked up on the tires mine came fitted with - Bridgeston 010 - the Bridgestone web site describes them as extreme performace'..........the Rockster is NOT extreme performance............so I am hoping that the Pirellis are more appropriate and do a few more miles. I guess time will tell.

I noticed someone mentioned that fat tires such as these are not so good for cornering.............I could not agree more - in my opinion most of the fat tires are for fashion, some of my older bikes used to corner with much greater ease on what would now be described as scooter tires. I had a 500 single Honda with a 110 on the back - it would go almost upside down! Based on my experience I reckon the ideal tire for cornering is no more than a 160 maybe 150.

[Biff's R]

Pirelli is running a deal of buy the rear tire, and get a front for free. It is for 2 sizes 180/55 and 190/50.

I have been happy with the Pilot Roads.

[jon pierce]

I looked at the Pirelli offer but it is for the Diablo Corsa III and not the Diablo Strada as I have ordered.