Triumphrat

CaptainFlake · 05-24-2005

I managed to get 5k+ out of the stock Bridgestone 010s before the rear squared off and the front started to cup badly. I could have gotten more miles out of them but both have developed slow leaks and I really need new tires now.

I thought about going with the Pirelli Diablo Stradas but they don't come in a 190 rear. I could go with a 180 but I've gotten mixed messages regarding a 180 on a 6'' rim. That being the case, I'm thinking of going with the Michelin Pilot Road. My understanding is they're pretty sticky but last a lot longer than say a Pilot Power, Pirelli Diablo, or Metzler Sportec M1. If I don't go with the Roads I'll most likely go with M1s because they're great tires and I've had good experience with them on previous bikes.

So, if you have any experience with the Pilot Road I'd appreciate your input! TIA.

Lono · 05-24-2005

I have 2 bikes with the Roads (my Bandit, 2nd set, and my 750 night hawk) and, to my mind, it's the best tire out there... good tread life, nice compound and good in the rain. I'm in Seattle and I ride year 'round so I need a good all around tire and this one fits the bill to a T. If Michelin made them in sizes to fit my '79 xs750 triple I'd get them for that one too. I'll probably put a set on the S3 when the time comes...

Catenaccio · 05-24-2005

I have Michelin Pilot Roads on front and rear of my S3. They have a little under 7K on them. I ride in temperatures from 20 degrees in the winter to 100 degrees in the summer. The tires take a while to build up operating temperature when the ambient is below 60 degrees. At 80+ degrees outside, the tires grip without having to warm up much.

In the wet, the tires are very stable. I recognize that a biker from South East Nevada shouldn't have much experience in the wet, but it might surprise how much weather I get into at 6,000 feet. (The tires do not work well in snow. Trust me.)

I have put too many miles on the tires on the flats in the last few months. The rear tire is starting to look squared off and my chicken strips are far too wide for my liking. However, when I get into the corners hard, shifting my weight and letting the suspension load up, the tires work very, very well. If I can find enough corners to grind the edges down, I'll be happier with my rides. I am nowhere near the wear indicators and hope to get another 3 to 4 thousand miles before replacement.

The tires? A no brainer...they're great! :upthumb:

[ This message was edited by: Catenaccio on 2005-05-24 19:17 ]

CaptainFlake · 05-24-2005

I'm in Seattle as well.... Over on sport-touring.net they were recommended by a number of folks but the Metzler Z6s were also highly recommended. Having run Sportec M1s on previous bikes and really liking them, I'm somewhat torn between the two. I've never run Michelins before either. Hmmmm..... must cogitate further. I have a feeling it will come down to which front comes in sooner at Seattle Cycle Center! :-D

One question though, what's the turn-in like on the PRs? I really like the progressive, but not at all slow, turn of the M1s and have heard the Z6s are similar.

Lono · 05-25-2005

I'm not really a "quick" rider so I can't give you any ideas as to what the turn in is like personally, but 2 of the guys I ride with, one an '02 TT600 and another on a 750 nighthawk, switched to the PR and they love 'em... they also like to hang it over in the twisties. The Cycle Center is pretty good about getting stuff in a timely manner, but tires are tough right now... demand is high, lol!

CaptainFlake · 05-28-2005

Well, I went with the Z6s because they came in sooner. I went up to CycleVenture in Lynnwood to get a couple of parts for a Ventura rack I bought second hand and they were pretty funny about the tires. Turns out they're also an Avon distributor and gave me some stick about not having British tires on a British bike. Great people there though.

97TB · 05-28-2005

FWIW, my buddy just put Pilot Powers on his ZX-9 and LOVES them. He was running Dunlops (I think 208s?) prior.

Dan

crashmasterd · 05-28-2005

Personally, I'm really impressed with the Pilot Powers that came factory on my 05 S3. One guy I know switched to the Pilot Powers on his 01 S3 and took them off immediately because he didn't like the handling. I don't understand why, but he's kind of weird anyway. I've got nothing but good to say about them, particularly wet traction and the solid feel they have in tight corners.

If the Pilot Roads are anything like the Pilot Powers I don't think you could go wrong.

Nothing against Avon, but I really don't know anybody who runs them by choice. I think this says something.

Lono · 05-29-2005

I'm really loving the Pilot Powers that came on the S3 too... It's a stickier compound than the PR, but that also means that it'll wear a bit faster. The only reason I'd put the PR's on the S3 is to get that extended tire life.... keeping shoes on 4 bikes gets pricey and I like to get as much bang for the buck as possible , heh.

Big_Guns · 05-29-2005

I went for a 200 - 250 mile ride Thursday in the mountains of NC. Lots of twisties. The bike felt kind of squirrly at extreme lean angles, almost like the tires (Pilot Powers) on the '05 were moving around as I approached the edge of the tire. Could be that the suspension just needs tuning but the tires almost felt "greasy" to me. I have been through several sets of Sportec M1 on my RC51 with several track days and lots of mountain miles with good luck. I think I'll try them on the S3 when the time comes.