Suspension / Tires / Wheels / Brakes: Discussion of Honda CBR 1100 XX Super Blackbird Forks, Shocks, Chains, Sprockets, Tires, Wheels, and Brakes.
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Favorite Tire Brand?
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View Poll Results: Which brand of tire is your favorite? | |
Avon
|   | 58 | 10.02% | |
Bridgestone
|   | 95 | 16.41% | |
Continental
|   | 16 | 2.76% | |
Dunlop
|   | 58 | 10.02% | |
Metzeler
|   | 81 | 13.99% | |
Michelin
|   | 199 | 34.37% | |
Pirelli
|   | 60 | 10.36% | |
Other
|   | 12 | 2.07% |  | |
02-14-2007, 4:37 AM
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#61 | Join Date: Dec 12 2006 Location: Toledo(ish) Bike(s): '98 CBR 1100xx Posts: 149
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Originally Posted by godspeed409 no love for dunlop huh? no ones running the qualifier but me eh? | I've been wondering about those new Qualifiers. Seemed like they got good writeups. I've got the 208's right now........about 5,000 miles so far. Gonna be looking to replace this season.
Never tried any other brands though, so nothing to compare to really
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02-22-2007, 9:31 PM
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#62 | Join Date: Feb 22 2007 Location: Mobile Bike(s): 1999 VFR Posts: 2
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I have always used dunlops, but am giving Metzler M3 a try now.
__________________
99 VFR800fi
If at first you don't succeed, destroy all evidence that you tried.
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02-23-2007, 8:08 PM
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#63 | Join Date: Feb 18 2007 Location: Portugal Bike(s): CBR 1100 XX 1998 Posts: 12
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Hi,
I'm running D208 in my XX and I'm very happy with them.
I ride 365/year and this tire is doing well in both sun and rain.
Last tire was BT 012, with good grip and duration (18.000km) and before this, D207, very good for tourism (19.000km).
Now, D208 has 3.000km (1 month of use) and seems like new one yet.
SuperXX
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03-05-2007, 6:17 AM
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#64 | Join Date: Nov 21 2006 Location: Philippines Bike(s): Excellent Posts: 32
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BT014
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03-17-2007, 10:49 PM
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#65 | Join Date: Dec 09 2006 Location: USA Bike(s): 2000 CBR1100 Age: 40 Posts: 17
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I've had BT57's, MEZ6's, Michelin Roads. Had my eye on the Avon Azaro's. But when Avon superceeded them with the Storm, I thought I'd give 'em a shot. Only have a few hundred on the Storm's, but I think they're pretty groooovey! I like 'em a bit more than the Roads. The turn in is a bit, but not much, quicker than what I remember when the Roads were new. Too early to say what they'll wear like. Perhaps the next tire will be the Michelin Road2 or maybe the new Bridgestone 021's. It'll be interesting to read what other riders will be saying about those two specific brands in my book. I'll be watching...as will all of us! Doesn't the ZX14 run those new 021'S as a stock tire?
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03-24-2007, 11:46 PM
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#66 | Join Date: Feb 11 2007 Location: SLC Utah Bike(s): 99 Posts: 134
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Originally Posted by rvents BT014 | Got anything to say about them. I have been thinking about trying them.
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03-25-2007, 1:10 AM
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#67 | | diver Join Date: Jan 14 2007 Location: edgewood, wa. Bike(s): 03 blackbird Age: 44 Posts: 86
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I have had great luck with my Battlax BT014 rear and the BT57 front. 7500 miles on both. I was a tried and true Avon fan until I road with these on my bird. Soft sidewalls for incredible grip. Had a blast on the track with them. Ready for new ones but the Michelin's sound like they are the tire to use. I do not care much about how long they last I just want the stickiest tire I can get. It's worth the money to change tires at the start of a new riding season. What are your thought on softer compounds.
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03-25-2007, 2:11 PM
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#68 | Join Date: Feb 11 2007 Location: SLC Utah Bike(s): 99 Posts: 134
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Why bt57 up front? I thought the 014 was just as soft with udpated construction. Tire company's don't make it easy to figure out though
If soft is what you what in stones it BT02. Not sure how many people are running them on the BB though.
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03-25-2007, 9:37 PM
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#69 | Join Date: Nov 08 2006 Location: San Diego Bike(s): '98 CBR1100XX Posts: 34
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So as you know Ive always been partail to the dunlops..Been runnning these Michelins PP 2Ct now for a little over 1000 miles and, I have to say they feel pretty damn good.. pretty strong rider so I have been putting them thru the paces ..Hats Off... Now the big questions how long will they go??
hey BTW, rockpapersciso I agree, its better to spend the money if you are going to push the corners and if sticky is what you are after, you may want to give some thought to the Dunlop Qualifier..love the tire but around here I have to drive alot of striaght aways to get to those twisties..
thanks for all the input guys... if youre ever out this way........
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03-27-2007, 1:36 AM
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#70 | | diver Join Date: Jan 14 2007 Location: edgewood, wa. Bike(s): 03 blackbird Age: 44 Posts: 86
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the BT57 is what came stock on the bike and I really liked the way it road. I think I only have about 1000 miles left on them and would like to see if my BB handles better with a differant set up. I have plenty of twsity roads close by and ride them every chance I get. I do go on four or five trips a year for 5-6 days each. Mostly up into Canada and Idaho. I have never had a problem with the tires getting flat in the middle. Sides are a differant story. The Dunlops have had many good write ups on them. They might be my next choice
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03-27-2007, 8:51 AM
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#71 | Join Date: Nov 21 2006 Location: Philippines Bike(s): Excellent Posts: 32
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Originally Posted by rodantking Got anything to say about them. I have been thinking about trying them. | I'm very happy with the 014. Ran it both in dry and wet conditions, and traction is excellent. In terms of tire lifespan, already clocked about 2,500 kms so far, and looks like it still has a long way to go.
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04-30-2007, 10:57 PM
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#72 | Join Date: Dec 09 2006 Location: USA Bike(s): 2000 CBR1100 Age: 40 Posts: 17
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You guy's just don't know until you dare to try the new Avon Storms. They just flipp'in ROCK!
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05-02-2007, 3:45 PM
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#73 | Join Date: Feb 28 2007 Location: Ohio Bike(s): 99 Blackbird, 98 VFR Posts: 39
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I think I'm going to try the Metzeler M3/M3. What is the "best" size for a '99 Bird?
The bike came with the Battleaxes.. and they have got to be the WORST tire I've ever ridden on. Inspires ZERO confidence.. had the rear start to break out of the corners.. wasn't leaning/accelerating much. Can't believe how much a piece of crap those tires are.
I used Metzeler Z6's on my VFR and love[d] them. I'm guessing the M3's will be even nicer.
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05-02-2007, 3:50 PM
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#74 | Join Date: Feb 28 2007 Location: Ohio Bike(s): 99 Blackbird, 98 VFR Posts: 39
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Originally Posted by sebring I have always used dunlops, but am giving Metzler M3 a try now. | D208s came on my last bike.. they were "okay", but I def. wouldn't buy them.
The front cupped after a couple thousand (yes I had proper inflation) and the rear wore very fast. Plus they seem to take a while to heat up.
The Dunlops weren't necessarily "bad" (like the Battleaxes) but didn't really excel at anything. Very "average". |
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05-08-2007, 5:44 AM
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#75 | Join Date: Jan 02 2007 Location: Ft. Bliss, TX Bike(s): black 99 xx Posts: 97
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Originally Posted by Pete-in-PA Yeah, I'd like some of the 10k miles on a rear tire guys to come to PA long enough to bald a rear tire, our roads must be REALLY abrasive. I only get 4.5k miles out of a rear till cord and that's Pirelli Strada, Metzeler Z6, B'stone 020, etc. | No offense, Pete, but PA roads suck great big donkey ass! I spent some time in the Philly/Levittown/Reading area and boy oh boy I can see how you go through tires! but anyway, I need new tires and need some opinions. I live in El Paso, which means a 7 or 8 mile stretch of long twisty sweeping turns over a mountain, and the other twisties are 80-100 miles away. Hot, dry, VERY windy weather, roads are ok, but to get to any good stuff it is a 80 mile long runway to Timberon/Cloudcroft, NM. I ride hard at times, but these roads have had it...they break on me right in the middle of a good turn. So what'll it be guys? What should be my next move? I'm thinking Powers but I'm a heavy guy at 6'5" 260 and I know they will wear after 3k...not what I want. I need a happy medium.
Last edited by XX-TECH150 : 05-08-2007 at 6:07 AM.
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05-08-2007, 8:01 PM
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#76 | Join Date: Oct 20 2006 Location: Perth Western Australia Bike(s): 98 Titanium CBR1100 XX Superblackbird Posts: 330
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Originally Posted by XX-TECH150 I'm thinking Powers but I'm a heavy guy at 6'5" 260 and I know they will wear after 3k...not what I want. I need a happy medium. | Why not try a PP front and one of the new Pilot Road 2's on the rear, like the old road in the centre and like a P Power on the sides |
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05-13-2007, 7:06 PM
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#77 | Join Date: May 13 2007 Location: Patras Greece Bike(s): blackbird 97 Posts: 12
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MICHELIN PILOT POWER
what else?
(though i think trying pirelli diablo corsa next week)
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05-14-2007, 8:01 AM
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#78 | Join Date: Oct 16 2006 Location: Brisbane, Australia Bike(s): 2004 Blue Blackbird Posts: 808
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MICHELIN PILOT ROAD 2
Thats what else!
Love em!
__________________
Just because I'm paranoid doesn't mean people aren't out to get me!
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05-18-2007, 8:59 AM
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#79 | | The Tire Destroyer. Join Date: Nov 15 2006 Location: Halifax, PA Bike(s): 1998 CBR1100XX 83,000 miles. 1994 Kawasaki KLX650. Age: 44 Posts: 144
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I just put on Michelin Pilot Powers yesterday. Awesome tires!
My new favorite. These are my first Michelin tires on the XX in 78k miles.
I'll probably blow through the rear in 2k miles but I'll have fun doing it!
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05-18-2007, 9:18 AM
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#80 | Join Date: Oct 20 2006 Location: Perth Western Australia Bike(s): 98 Titanium CBR1100 XX Superblackbird Posts: 330
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Originally Posted by Pete-in-PA I just put on Michelin Pilot Powers yesterday. Awesome tires!
My new favourite. These are my first Michelin tires on the XX in 78k miles.
I'll probably blow through the rear in 2k miles but I'll have fun doing it! | I was running the Pilot Power front and Pilot Road rear until about a month ago when I fitted Shinko 005's f+r as they were $100 cheaper a set  , they are OK but I think I will go back to a PP front at least when I need replacements. My XX seemed to turn in better with the PP front and the Pilots did seem to grip better when cold  , I will see how many km I get out of the Shinko's then decide whether to keep the 005 on the rear or try a PR2  . I do not think I would run a PP on the rear as it would wear out too quick as the previous PP fr lasted 8 months (14000km) but the PR r only lasted 5 months (11000km)
Last edited by Para045 : 05-18-2007 at 9:25 AM.
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05-19-2007, 8:30 AM
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#81 | | The Tire Destroyer. Join Date: Nov 15 2006 Location: Halifax, PA Bike(s): 1998 CBR1100XX 83,000 miles. 1994 Kawasaki KLX650. Age: 44 Posts: 144
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Originally Posted by Para045 I was running the Pilot Power front and Pilot Road rear until about a month ago when I fitted Shinko 005's f+r as they were $100 cheaper a set  , they are OK but I think I will go back to a PP front at least when I need replacements. My XX seemed to turn in better with the PP front and the Pilots did seem to grip better when cold  , I will see how many km I get out of the Shinko's then decide whether to keep the 005 on the rear or try a PR2  . I do not think I would run a PP on the rear as it would wear out too quick as the previous PP fr lasted 8 months (14000km) but the PR r only lasted 5 months (11000km)  | I just removed a Shinko 009 rear and Pirelli Strada front. at the end it wasn't even fun to corner anymore. I was sucked in on the Shinko low $$$ also, no more.
I don't even want Pirelli again.
Anyone want to buy a brand new front Pirelli Strada?
I'm Pilot powers now all the way. Maybe a pilot Road rear though.
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05-19-2007, 8:39 PM
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#82 | Join Date: Oct 20 2006 Location: Perth Western Australia Bike(s): 98 Titanium CBR1100 XX Superblackbird Posts: 330
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Originally Posted by Pete-in-PA I just removed a Shinko 009 rear and Pirelli Strada front. at the end it wasn't even fun to corner anymore. I was sucked in on the Shinko low $$$ also, no more.
I don't even want Pirelli again.
Anyone want to buy a brand new front Pirelli Strada?
I'm Pilot powers now all the way. Maybe a pilot Road rear though. | Just out of interest what sort of mileage did you get out of the 009 rear, the tyre place over here did say that the 009 was more for touring/slabbing and not really made for twisty's  . A couple of guys like OzDave on OzBB had run the 003 front and 005 or 009 rear and thought they were OK but the shop convinced me that the 003 front may not have the life or the grip in the wet because it lacks a lot of grooves in the tread ( the 005's certainly have large grooves ), it would be interesting to know what mileage you got as from what you have said you seem to have very abrasive roads in PA
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05-26-2007, 7:03 AM
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#83 | Join Date: Nov 22 2006 Location: Sydney Australia Bike(s): Blackbird VF750 XR400 looking for 1000RR Posts: 168
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current combo is Pilot race front with road 2ct rear
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05-29-2007, 4:27 AM
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#84 | | The Original Bird Watcher Join Date: May 28 2007 Location: Gundagai, Australia Bike(s): 2003 Blue Blackbird Posts: 193
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I have just replaced the rear tyre for the first time and have put a Metzeler on it. I can't fault this tyre although I havent really give it a good work out yet. The bike had Dunlops on it form new and I couldnt fault those either.
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06-04-2007, 1:32 PM
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#85 | Join Date: Nov 24 2006 Location: joliette quebec canada Bike(s): cbr 1100xx black 1997 Posts: 21
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I have BT 021 |
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