Favorite Tire Brand?

YO-XX

Hi Birdies,

Which brand tyre is your favourite? I restrict to only the brand, the model you can add in your post.

I use Metzeler Z6 Front and rear. Why? Because it is the best tyre I've ever experienced. Not too soft, not too hard. And behaves superb in the rain.

XXSIVSPD

I'm a big fan of Pilot Powers on the XX. Soft enough to be very grippy with ok mileage. Profile feels better on turn in than the others I've tried on on her too.

The track whore gets Dunlop 208GPA's for most tracks. About as soft as one can get in DOT trim, available through trackside support at most events, and they seem to go away fairly predictably.

lacombe75

michelin pilot road, very high millage with trailer

PJNXX

My favorite is the Pirelli Diablo Strada. Compared to the Bridgestone's and Dunlop's I have had, the Pirelli's perform great when cold and quicken the bike's steering. I think I will buy them again when these wear out, which shouldn't be for a while yet, as it seems I should be able to get 10,000 miles out of this set. My riding is 90% commuting/10% sport.

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-Paul

northbird

Metzeler M1/Z6 combo. Great performance, and pretty good durability.

WILLSXX

I'm on my 2nd set of these and I don't really want to try anything else now.

YO-XX

I had also the M1 as a set before the Z6. I loved the M1 but the rear lasted 5000km max. So I chose a set of Z6 for its durability. Did you ever ride a Z6 set? (front and rear) If you did, what difference does it make with your combi M1/Z6 ?(I assume you mean M1 front and Z6 rear.)

The successor of the M1 is the M3. I didn't try them yet but it must be superb.

oldgeezer

When I first bought my bird it came with Dunlop 208's which felt great and were very confidence inspiring. Unfortunately they only lasted about 3000 miles. I've also used Metzeler M1's on the VFR I used to own and they were probably about as good as the 208's and lasted a bit longer at about 4500 miles. I am currently running my second set of Pilot Roads and have been pleased with their overall performance and longevity. I now have a bit over 6500 miles on this set and they look good for another 1000 or so. I don't do track days or drag knee but don't ride slow either. For me the Roads offer the best compromise between traction and durability at a reasonable price.

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Doug

northbird

You assumed correctly. I am running the Z6 for the rear. I found that I was going through M1 rear's at around 5000 km, so switched to the Z6's, and did not find that they impacted performance at all.

There was an interesting article in Bike magazine last month about tire performance - comparing track (Pilot Race) to road sport (Pilot Power) to touring tires (Pilot Road). For the most part the touring tires were highly rated by the test riders.

oldgeezer

There is a similar article in the newest issue of Sport Rider magazine (USA).
Tire preference is all about compromise and your general riding style. What
may be suitable for one rider may not be for another.

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Doug

Coggy

I've had two sets of BT020s-Bird Specific- so far
Did 10,000 miles on the first set which were on the bike, but not new when I bought it. 5000 on the replacement set so far...

haWHYnXX

Pilot Power/Road combo here - probably won't change unless someone comes out with a sticky 15000 mile tire!!

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-Vern

Hawaiian Island Stylin'

BrianR

Avon Azaro Rear (but not front as the profile is too steep)
BT020 Front - Been great tires for 40K ov VFR and now about 50K on BB.

If no Azaro available Bt020 Rear also. Excellent mileage, fair wet and good dry grip.

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Brian R.
Do you know EXACTLY how fast you were going?
Gee Officer between the speedometer, Cyclometer and the GPS I might have a guess

SoKanXX

I have only run Metzlers on every streetbike I have owned I put three sets of Metzler ME880's on the Super Magna and I am on my third set of Metzlers on the XX I had two pairs of M1/Z6 but am currently trying out the M3/Z6 the performance between the M1 & M3 is pretty much the same but I am wanting to get more miles out of the M3.

In all honesty though if the Michelin Power Road was better looking I would run Michelins, the Power Road IMO is an ugly tire, but it is a fantastic tire.

My choices for the XX would be Metzler's, Pirelli Diablo Stradas, or Michelins I really dont think you could go wrong with any of them

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"Chome Wont Get Ya Home"

"That Blackbird might be able to out run anything the cops have... except a Motorola"

Helvet

What is wrong with the looks of Michelin Pilot Road? (I assume you mean those in your posting)
I know a lot uglier tyres (like Metzeler Z-6), and I never heard this complaint before. I still use a Pilot Road on the rear, and a Pilot Power on the front. I di like this combination very much, but I will switch to Metzeler M-3 next season, just to try them out. Since I am a wholesaler in tires it will not cost me very much to switch them back very fast if I don't like it.....

OZDave

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Just because I'm paranoid doesn't mean people aren't out to get me!

John01XX

After spending 10 days in Europe each year for the past 5 years and speaking to many Bird owners overseas about tire preference, I have come to the conclusion that Tires wear and handle completely different in the US verses Europe. I think, just a guess but, that the road surface compound or finish is made from different base material and as such effects different manufacture's tires differently. Seems the Michelin tires are not liked as well in Europe as they are here in the States. They seems to give some of the best traction both wet or dry but not the case in Europe.

Just my UN-scientific opinion that I have found in my travels abroad and listening to forum members here in the States alot.

Yes I prefer the Road rear and Power front combo as my first choice for milage and traction. I Ride all year round here in HOT So. Florida. A lot of rain fall also.

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John Smith
Proprieter of John's Bike Bits
John@BikeBits.us

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.

John01XX

I believe you will get considerably more than 4.5k out of a Pilot Road Rear, even in PA. You are right about the interstate Highways in PA being very abrasive.

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John Smith
Proprieter of John's Bike Bits
John@BikeBits.us

Hanske

Hey Yo,

Are your tires whipped cream proof???

exskibum

+1

However, IF Michelin ever offered their two compound Pilot Power 2CT with a Pilot Road like compound in the center and a Pilot Power like compound on the shoulders, I'd have one of those on the rear and a regular Pilot Power up front. I'm guessing that combination would have me changing front and rear tires as a set (being close to worn out about the same time), and would be the best of all worlds in terms of mileage (primarily a rear center of tread issue), great cornering and excellent braking.

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"If passion drives you, let reason hold the reins." . . . Benjamin Franklin

Warp11XX

I can't vote since it is restricted to one choice. I have different favs and use different tires for different applications....

My choices in all cases are limited to three brands however...Michelin, Dunlop, and Pirelli...

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If you don't like dog hair, please stay off the furniture.

Aurora

Your pulling a trailer with your XX?