What tires are you touring with?

VIVID1 · 02-02-2005, 12:19 PM

For the longest time when I toured on my F4i, I used a high performance street tires. I tried all the different brands of high performance tires, Dunlop, Michelin, Pirelli, Bridgestone, Metzeler with similar results. On the average I would always get anywhere from 10,000-13,000 miles out of the back tires, which was great.

When I started touring on the 954RR, I also ran high performance tires, first the Michelin then the Metzeler, but I noticed that I was only getting 6,000 – 7,000 miles out of the back tire. Not so great.

Then this past November I was touring though Louisiana when my back tire started showing cords. I went to the nearest dealer to get a new back tire in order to finish my tour. Their selection was nonexistent. All they could offer me was a Bridgestone tire and they would have to go and pick it up, but I could have it within the hour. Having a choice between a Bto10 and a Bto20, I chose the Bto20, a sport touring tire.

So far I have not felt much of a difference in the performance of this tire versus the high performance tires I used to run. I hope I can get at least 10,000 miles out of this back tire. If that will happen I will no longer run high performance tire on my bike, only sport touring tires. In the future I would like to check out sport touring tires from Metzeler and Avon.

Just curious what tires others tour with?

g®eg™ · 02-02-2005, 03:37 PM

I always used to use Bridgestones. BT 010's on both bikes & just replace them. Now I have Michelin Pilot Powres on my Speed-Tona & I think they are great! The Sprint will get a Pilot Road rear towards the end of this season I think (Pilot Power front right now with the Bridgestone in the back). I have friends who ride with the 020's, they are the standard fitment for a lot of bikes including Triumph Sprint's. They report great life & good grip.

got twisties? · 02-02-2005, 07:09 PM

After lackluster mileage on a couple sets of Diablo's, I am trying a set of Metzeler MZ4's. We will see how it goes.

TRaGiK · 02-02-2005, 10:05 PM

Forget the Z4's, they SUCK...and disontinued. I'm running the Z6's and they're awesome. Grip better than dunflop 220's and 207's, with as good of mileage or better than the 220's. Absolutely awesome tires.

JonS · 02-02-2005, 10:25 PM

The Bridgestone 020s seem to be very good for the rear, but I have read the many people match them with the 014. Thats the route I am taking. I already have the 020 on and the performance if great for a "touring" tire.

VIVID1 · 02-03-2005, 10:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JonS

The Bridgestone 020s seem to be very good for the rear, but I have read the many people match them with the 014. Thats the route I am taking. I already have the 020 on and the performance if great for a "touring" tire.

I don’t like Bridgestone tires for the front, sooner or later they cup. I’m running the Bto20 in the back and a M1 in the front

I don’t see any problems with that combo, I’ve put close to 2000 miles on the bike with that tire combination.

VIVID1 · 02-03-2005, 11:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TRaGiK

Forget the Z4's, they SUCK...and disontinued. I'm running the Z6's and they're awesome.

There is at least one person who will disagree with that statement Z6 failure

It might just be an isolated incident

TRaGiK · 02-03-2005, 06:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VIVID1

There is at least one person who will disagree with that statement Z6 failure

It might just be an isolated incident

I heard about that before, but haven't heard about anyone else with that problem. All i can say is that i love mine and have had 0 problems with them. If i ever do, I'll switch brands, but until then, i'll keep using them.

got twisties? · 02-03-2005, 07:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TRaGiK

Forget the Z4's, they SUCK...and disontinued.

I had to get them on the fly (day3 of a 6 day trip) So I did not have a ton of choices. I think I will check out Pirelli's Z6 equivelent next set

TRaGiK · 02-03-2005, 07:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by got twisties?

I had to get them on the fly (day3 of a 6 day trip) So I did not have a ton of choices. I think I will check out Pirelli's Z6 equivelent next set

Well, atleast they last a looong while.

Just not the grippiest touring tire out right now.

dolomoto · 02-03-2005, 11:41 PM

My two cents: most of us are using tires MUCH "stickier" than we would ever need. Hence the success with "sport-touring" tires. Most guys I know run these ST tires and we keep up with the guys on full on Sport tires with no problems. I've tried Pilot Road, BT 014, Mac 100x, Av 45/46 on my Bandit and am most happy with this last set of Avon AV 45/46. Still only get 10k on the rear and that kind of sucks. I'd gladly trade a little traction for a tire that goes 15k. Ride often and minimize your risks.

got twisties? · 02-04-2005, 03:17 PM

Well, along those same lines ..... at some point, scrubbing the tires in all of the way did not seem as important anymore. However, the second day after I got the Z4's, I hit an irresistable road, and scrubbed them in all of the way. They felt stable, and sticky enough to handle it.

JonS · 02-04-2005, 08:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VIVID1

I don’t like Bridgestone tires for the front, sooner or later they cup. I’m running the Bto20 in the back and a M1 in the front

I don’t see any problems with that combo, I’ve put close to 2000 miles on the bike with that tire combination.

I've heard of the cupping problem now that you mention it. Does the M1 have fairly long life?
I have never been one to think that you needed the same brand on both ends. The tire I am replacing is a Dunlop and it worked great with the Bridgestone. I was not happy with its service life though.

VIVID1 · 02-06-2005, 04:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JonS

Does the M1 have fairly long life?

Not really, I got about 10,000 on my F4i, less then 7,000 on the 954RR.

rennsport · 02-07-2005, 11:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dolomoto

My two cents: most of us are using tires MUCH "stickier" than we would ever need. Hence the success with "sport-touring" tires. Most guys I know run these ST tires and we keep up with the guys on full on Sport tires with no problems. I've tried Pilot Road, BT 014, Mac 100x, Av 45/46 on my Bandit and am most happy with this last set of Avon AV 45/46. Still only get 10k on the rear and that kind of sucks. I'd gladly trade a little traction for a tire that goes 15k. Ride often and minimize your risks.

I am running a Pilot Sport on the front and a Pilot Road on the rear of an FZ6. If the Pilot Sport on the front gets good mileage, I will stick with this combination. If not , I will go with the Pilot Road. I ride a lot of two-up and the 208 I had on the rear previously barely made 4000 miles.

I have heard great things about the Pilot Roads, sticks good in wet or dry conditions and great tread life.