Tyres

[seth]

I have been thinking about the long and on going debate on tyres as to what's best ECT.
So here's my thoughts
I think that pretty much all the newest and last models of nearly all the top manufacturers tyres(sports-touring) are actually very good when fitted to our bikes.
We all have our favourites as to what we think (you will all know mine)
I would love for one that one the popular bike mags to do a tyre test on all the currently available tyres when they have several 1000's of miles on them when they are getting towards the ends of the tyre-life.
As we dont all buy brand new tyres then ride around on fantastic smooth race tracks and ride on them for a few 100 miles then change them.
we do mostly between 4000-8000 miles on normal public roads .
This would give everyone a better informed choice in what we buy in the future.
I know this will never end the tyre debate but just what I think.

[froudy]

I quite agree with you @seth . We all have our favourite tyres. I chose to use Metzeler Roadtech Z6 mainly due to the rear tread pattern. Most of my riding is commuting on the motorway and the tread pattern on the rear Metzeler means that I can do a lot of very fast "upright" miles before it starts to square off. I find them good in the wet too. I get approx 10k miles from a front and 5k from a rear.
I did try a Maxxis on the rear and killed it in 2k miles

The Metzelers from Oponeo are cheaper than UK supplied Maxxis too. And just in case you didn't know..Maxxis are made by Cheng Shin of China!

As you can see in the photo, there is very little tread in the central part of the tyre, so it takes a while to square off.

[seth]

Here's my Pirelli Angel gt2's with 2000 miles on them still looks like new

[Andre]

@seth Any word yet on liking the GT2 better than the GT?

I have been mostly riding Metzeler. Last was the Z8. They worked well 'till the end. Now got Michelin Road 5. Can't say much of them as I have ridden only a couple 100 km on them and not yet on the more demanding rounds in the Eifel. Have to wait for it to get warmer. As I only ride when it's warm and dry, I can't say anything about cold and wet performance on Z8 and Road 5.

[seth]

@Andre
To be fair I don't notice much difference in feel in either dry or wet riding between these gt2's and the previous gt's.
They still feeling like new good  tyres at the current 2000miles

I'm hoping that the longer useable miles is the big pay off against the price they haven't flattened off at all yet and I've done a fair few of the miles so far on motorways .
(I did these on a deal so were the same price as std gt's )

[GSX1400Convert]

Here's my Pirelli Angel gt2's with 2000 miles on them still looks like new

Hmm, that's because they are as hard as rocks ........ I've lost the front end four times with the Angels, who I almost met personally, because of them.

Mine will be coming off soon. Value that bike and my life too much.

[Andre]

Yep, they have been reported to be "hard as wood" many times. The GT2 is much ("normal") softer.

[grog]

Usually tyre debates are just a can of worms, now upgraded to woodworms. 

[T 24]

Usually tyre debates are just a can of worms, now upgraded to woodworms. 

Tyres, oils and exhaust systems, etc., everything we can easily change.
+ dyno results of course.

[grog]

A perfect tyre to suit everyone, bit like having good pollies.

[Andre]

Bake your own pollies

[T 24]

Yesterday, when I met those motorbike cops and they inspected my tyres etc., I asked their opinion about tyres and what they are using.
The cop said that the best combination in their use between grip and wearing is Michelin PR 4 GT.
They have tried Michy 5's and Angels but are now back in PR 4 GT's. 21 000 km front and 16 000 km rear.
They have also noticed the slippery of Angel in cold weather.

[grog]

Guess im just lucky we dont have real cold. Ill be wary thru Winter, never below 6 degrees. Im no expert but have never had any probs with Angel, if i did would ditch them immediately. Thanks for the heads up.

[seth]

I've not used the gt2's in very cold weather tho did use them in February in Scotland when it was low single figures °c with no problems.
I did ride on the older gt's and even st's in below freezing temperatures with no problems either .

[grog]

My local bike shop owner just telling me, they serviced 1250 BMW, He rides to Brisbane and back each day, guessing around 170ks, straight highway. 40 k service and tyres still ok, Michelin 5. Just on 12 months. Bike has never had a problem.