New Tyres for my R1150R

[John I. Stephen]

This coming Thursday I shall replace the BT020s with Continental Road Attacks, just going on the advice in this forum. I shall not be sorry to see the last of the BT 020s because, although they have a good 2m tread left, I find then very dodgy on anything but smooth dry tarmac. Weaving along the fast (60'ish) country lanes of Kent I have had some disconcerting moments when a wet patch suddenly causes the rear to skwirm before regaining grip.

But perhaps it's me? The BT 020s are supposed to be a respected tyre? Anyone else had similar troubles ?

Just 24 hours to go and then I'll be able to assess the Road Attacks; what do you reckon; 'run-in' for 100 miles?

[gregor]

My dealer in Rotherham also recommends the Bridgestone Battlax BT020.
Not cheap, £248 fitted, and on way to wearing out in 4000 miles.
Will try Z6 next time - cheaper and grippy I hope.

[twinsrock]

i've been running bt014's for the past 2 years and thought they were excellent, until i tried metzeler sportec, what a difference!! i've never had so much confidence in the corners, i'm actually trying to make them slide but cant (ok, maybe not trying too hard). i do about 10k miles each year (i got an 01 r1150r with 42k miles on it) and dont really think about cost, until i got the sportec's, they are cheaper than the 014's! i get about 4k miles out of most of my tyres, but the 014's wear the quickest as you might imagine as they're softer than most. scraping the pegs has never been so much fun. i bought the bike cos it went well, and i buy the tyres that i buy cos they make the bike so much more than a tool, in the twisties i can keep the supersports at bay, in the straights i can have my comfort (and yes its my first post and yes i have time to kill)

you like em or you dont......

[MartinW]

Another UK vote for the Z6s. I changed the front and rear Dunlops (waste of a front tyre) for the Z6s last summer and have to say that they do inspire confidence in the dry. I haven't ridden them in the wet though. Sorry, bit of a fair-weather biker here and anyway it didn't rain last summer!

[John I. Stephen]

Well, as the chap was fitting the new Conti Road Attacks he said that he had only sold 3 sets in the past year and one of these, the rider had returned to have them changed; so bad were they. This did not inspire me with confidence so I mentioned that riders on this forum has recommended them! He said that he would personally go for the Michelin Pilot2s (the new ones with rave reviews) or the Z6s.

I said I would let him so; he said "see you soon then" ......

Having only covered 35 miles on the Road Attacks, I am still scrubbing off the "wax" and so will treat them very carefully for them 100+ miles. However I am not feeling too confident I have to say .....