2002 S3 Needs Rear Tire

I've got a particular tire question... I just bought a 2002 S3 with 5000mi on the clock. It needs a rear tire, its worn heavily in the middle. The bike has BT010's front and rear. The front is alright, I plan to keep it. Is my best bet just getting another 010 and not even thinking about it? Certainly there are a lot of options in the Bridgestones. Also, is there any benefit to switching to a 180 rear tire? I'd expect it would handle slightly better. If Im not mistaken, doesnt the 1050 S3 use the 180 rear?

- MAtt

[lzxray]

I too wanted to just replace the rear. I tried to find a 010 for the rear on my bike and it was to no avail. Maybe I didnt look hard enough but they discontinued them. So last week i just went ahead and replaced them both with some Metz Z6's. I know that once I got over the 5000 mile mark on those 010's that the front started to cup bad and fast.

[cheapbastard]

go with the 180, I think you'll love it! Yes the 1050 has a 180, but I when I had my R1, I switched from 190 to 180 an loved it! Personally with 5k on the clock, the front can't have too much life left. Go ahead and get you some new Michelin Pilot Powers! They rock! :-D

[TonUp]

I ran Pirelli Diablos on my 02 S3, (32F/35R PSI) a lot better than the BT010. Huge difference. The 180 rear tire makes the bike corner quicker with less effort.


The 190 rear was better for wheelies!



Ton Up!

[Speed3]

The 1050 S3 uses a 180 rear tire, but uses a 5.5 inch wheel. the '02 has a 6 inch wheel which will change the intended profile of the 180. Metzelers new Sportec M3 190 has a profile that aids quicker turn in.

[cheapbastard]

On 2006-05-09 05:16, Speed3 wrote:
The 1050 S3 uses a 180 rear tire, but uses a 5.5 inch wheel. the '02 has a 6 inch wheel which will change the intended profile of the 180. Metzelers new Sportec M3 190 has a profile that aids quicker turn in.

true about the 5.5 inch wheel on the 1050, but my R1 also had a 6 inch wheel, and I'm telling ya', 180 is the way to go if you love twisties! I ran a 180 rear on my 02 R1 the entire time I had it, and ran a 180 on my 99 R1 the second half of the time I had it(1-1/2yrs). I guess it all boils down to how you ride, and what you want to get out of your tires. I know I recommended a friend of mine to change his 200 rear to a 190 on his ZX12, and he loved it!

[dfib]

+1 For the 180 rear. I went to the 180 when I put the Diablo Stradas on and noticed a big difference in cornering. It seemed to turn in much better. No complaints on the Diablo Stradas for that matter either. I have close to 3000 miles on them now and expect to get at least another 2k out of them, if not a bit more.

Ok, so it looks like a new set is the order of the day. I'm not used to such a range of preferences in tires though... the VFR guys were of the "only this tire, only this oil, only this brand of coffee" variety.

Based on my limted tire knowledge I think all the ones you guys listed are full-on sport tires? Has anyone ever tried a S/T tire on these bikes? (often you don't realize a stupid question 'til you ask it) I had Continental Road Attacks on the VFR and I thought they were pretty good. They reportedly had a nice balance between grip and treadlife. Unfortunately they were only on the bike for 1k miles before I sold it off, so I never knew.

- Matt

[PhilM]

I like the Michelin "Pilot Road's' They work well and you'll get much better tire mileage.

[cheapbastard]

those Diablo Strada's that dfib mentioned are sport touring tires. I've also heard great reviews about the Avon ST tires. Btw, here's a write up I found on the Diablo Strada's, check it out.

Diablo Strada report