Favorite Tire Brand?

HANKSXXX

I was at Barber this past spring talking to Walt Schaffer, the Michelin Tire Race distributor.Walt's been a Michelin tire guy forever. He has helped many champions through the years. His opinion on tires for the heavyweight, high performance street bikes was that the Power Sport HPX had a carcass design that was different than the Powers and was specifically designed for the heavyweight street bikes ie: Busa and Blackbird. The Power's were more suited to the lighter HP street bikes, GSXR, ZX10, etc. I looked at the tread pattern of the HPX's and thought that the blocky design might lead to cupping. Who has run these tires and what have you experienced? Looking for real experience here, not opinions..Hope this belongs in this thread?..Hank

joeboxer

I've just replaced Avon's with Michelin Pilot Power 2ct F/R
so far they are great ( 1000klm ) I'm luvin 'em'

I'll tell you how much I get from them when I get there

XXSIVSPD

The last set on my XX before switching to the Powers was a set of Sport HPX's. The front did cup sooner than I've noticed on the Power fronts. I will admit I did more than the usual slab mileage on them and was not as diligent about keeping pressures high when doing so.

Grip seemed similar except the Sports felt more capable of dealing with standing water.

I seem to get a little more life out of the Powers.

I am also VERY anxious to try Power 2CT. Tried to order a set late this summer online believing they would be available but to no avail. Wound up with standard Power versus super back-order

rideonXX

Pirelli Diablo front Strada Rear----works real well. To me, not only turns in quicker, but also more stable while over than the Michlin Sport front, Road rear that used to be my favorite.

Oddly, with the Strada on the rear it seems to turn in quicker than it did with the Diablo Rear--seems that way to me. Went to the Strada rear because I only got 4998 miles out of the Diablo rear. That Diablo rear is the only tire I have had on the rear that the center wore out before the sides (I do no commuting--the Bird spends probably 75%+ on canyon twisties)

Bottom line the Diablo front, Strada rear does it for me--happy trails kel

erlingj

dunlop 208RR

BLKBRD

I'm one of those rare people that actually like the stock BT57 tires. They last great, around 12,000 miles, and they grip well enough for me in the corners. Plus they are very stable at high speeds.

Helvet

Did you ever try a tyre from this Millenium on the Bird?
That is the only way to compair, you know.....
It might feel OK, but if you don't know how much better is possible, you can't imagine untill you try.... (like a previous girlfriend once told me...).

Madcow

I'm not as picky as most, right now I have Dunlop Qualifiers on my bike so far they're doing ok.
My next tires will be the ones I can get the best deal on. Mainly Metzler, Michelin, or Pirelli or one of the other name brands.
I won't buy Shinko, Tomahawk, or Cheng Shin.

Texhoss

Pilot Powers, get my vote!!

Jason-1999-XX

I always run the pilot powers. I'm not rich, but I like the feedback the Michelins give me. Two sets a year usually gets me by.

linkupman

I've been using the Bridgestones on my VFR and the 'bird', but this time round , I have opted for the Avon Storm - the guys in the tyre shop are using them - I'll see what sort of performance I get.

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Partsguy

I had different brands on different bikes but the XX got M1's from the start for their excellent grip,mileage was my last concern.It was due for replacement at 6000 km,but I kept going 'till it was bald at 10 000km's(because I was drag racing and riding on the street).The last time I used it was at the track,did a few burnouts,cords were showing,rode the 2 1/2 hrs back home,pushing 11000 now,was very impressed.They also warm up FAST and grip in the colder days better than others.I haven't tried Pilot Powers because they cost more so why bother.Same for the new Qualifiers,too much $.Can't stand Bridgestones,no grip,don't warm up fast enough.

Warchild

I really like the Dunlop Qualifiers on my R1, but I am not caring for the somewhat lean treadlife. Though of course that's the price one pays for very sticky tires.

That having been said, I don't take the R1 out in the winter very often, so I can't comment on their cold-weather properties. In the summer heat, the Qualifiers feel fairly similar to the Pilot Powers, so I miight expect them to be similar in the cold... where the Pilot Powers were dicey indeed.

OTOH, it might also be the fact that I tend to lose throttle discipline when on the R1.... Most any tire will break lose in the cold when you apply 160 hp to it...

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Rage

[quote=Warchild;7677]I really like the Dunlop Qualifiers on my R1...

I had Dunlops on my R1 and replaced only after 10k. Excellent tires. However, I am trying the M1 on the bird and think the feel and traction are better. I have to wait and see about the tread life.

NorCalXX

I've been running Pilot Roads for the last two tire cycles and really like them a
lot. My '03 came from the factory with Macadam 90X; they sucked, IMHO. I
replaced them after they were worn out at 6000 miles with a set of Diablo Strada,
which were much better tires (stuck to the road better), but they only lasted 4000
miles. The next two sets have been Pilot Roads and between the three types,
I like them the best. Reasonable wear (~5000 miles), with good traction, and
they hold the road well in wet conditions.

Good-n-sticky

No, I'm with you. shesa One sticky mama.. Ran 208's, tried the Battle axe but went to the Qualifier this time. 7300 miles so far and it is just now starting to crack the rubber in the center. I'm surprised I got this much out of them.. maybe I'll try the Michelin CT's this time..

gudgravy

DITTO

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garybjpps

If moneys no object go for the metzler sportstec,Great tyre for the twisties but for a harder wearing but confident tyre i swear by the Metzler Roadtec.

kennethB

I used bridgestone 010 and liked them but i tried some conti road attacks and they are great, touring, track days, sprinting and drag they do the lot i have done 4,000 miles so far with little wear.

garybjpps

sounds good

Mustard

The Michilin Pilots are highly regarded here in Oz too.

XXSTAR

you need to get a group buy on Michelin Pilot, you maybe able to save us some money, Ron

Para045

I think that my next rear tyre will be one of these - Pilot Road 2 http:// http://tinyurl.com/33zypu They are supposed to be dual compound like the Pilot Power 2CT, I guess it will be Road in the centre and Power on the sides

Helvet

I only wish......
Here in Holland I am the cheapest seller, but compaired to USA-prices still expensive. A set of Pilot Roads for the XX I sell for about € 240,-- (about $ 310), and that is half the normal price here. I guess you're not interested for these prices plus shipping?

That is the general opinion around here too. Let's wait and see...
Also Bridgestone brings the successor of the BT020, called BT021. This is supposed to last even 15% longer, and have improved grip in the rain (very much needed in my opinion). Also the problem of cupping should be under control, according to Bridgestone Japan........

flblackbird

I've got Metzler m3's on now, 4500 miles on the rear w\plenty of tread left. Had Mich. Pilots, hated 'em.

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Mike
02 Silver Bird
I'm a Yamaha tech., that's why I ride a Honda