Hoops, hides, skins or just plain tires

[DaveM]

rodneybrown,
I had a very similar experience with a Metzler MZE3 a few years ago on my GSX R600.

I went to the tyre shop to throw a new Donut on the back and the guy says......... So you're down to the second layer of tread! Yeah I said I know it's the steel tread!

I noticed a shiny bit here and there after a ride and sure nuff it was the steel belt. :razz:

Davem

[Panthers_Den]

hmm, so I guess that answered my question about the Z6... You know you're low on tread when you see the cords... nice.

[thfwsf]

On 2006-01-30 17:54, durty wrote:
how do like the new Contis, I just ordered a set for my S3 (not here yet )and so far I have not herd any feedback on them.

There was a nice write up on the conti's on the canyon chaser website: Canyon Chasers Reviews

With that said, I am now going on my third rear conti. I've been very happy with them. And the mileage I'm getting from these tires is great. In my first two rear tires I've averaged over 12k. My last one I pulled 14kmiles off of it. With that said, most of my miles are commuting miles. They grip well and I've used them in amost all conditions. Rain, heat, cold.

FWIW and YMMV

Tom

[ST-ern]

On 2006-02-05 21:38, sjestory wrote:
Its time to replace my front tyre, a BT020 with 16,000 km. Obviously no complaints about the wear but I've found the BT020s a bit slippery so I'm looking at Michelin Pilot Powers. I have a BT020 on the rear as well with 10,000 km and still looking like its good for another 5k.
My question is do I replace the rear as well or will it be OK to wear it out?
Thanks for any advice.

A stickier front compared with the rear is OK. But if you've found the BT020 a bit slippery you're best to change both (cos the Power certainly ain't slippery!).

Matching tread and similar profiles with Powers front and rear will give you more stable handling and better wet weather performance.

(Edit: see my separate post on first impressions of the Dunlop D208RR if you're more of a sport than a touring rider).

[ This message was edited by: ST-ern on 2006-02-20 20:42 ]

[DaveM]

Ok,
my last Pilot Powers did 5000kms on the rear and 10,000kms on the front.

I was very happy with the Michelins performance.

Good points: Very sharp handling, quick steering, very flickable in esses, Stick like uwho glue, lots of feedback through the bars and the seat of your pants. Very confidence inspiring.

Longevity is not bad for a high performance sports tyre.

Bad points: tend to follow tracks in the bitumen.
Front tyre has lots of feed back and this takes a little getting used to.

Pressures I ran; 33 psi front, 36 psi rear.

The new donuts I just fitted are the "Dunlop Qualifiers".

So far they:
very nice, sharp quick steering, handle superbly. Super sticky. Very flickable from side to side in tight fast esses. Plenty of feedback without feeling over sensative.
I think I like them better than the "powers".
Very confidence inspiring.

bad point; may wear faster than the Mitchies, seem softer, time will tell.

Cost Dunlop Qualifiers AUD $470.00 fitted pair

Cost Michelin Pilot Powers AUD $490.00 fitted pair.

Will keep you posted on the Dunlops longevity.

Davem

[DaveM]

Thought I'd give the Dunlop Qualifiers a bit of an update.

I've done a bit over 1000kms on them.

1) I like them a lot

2) they have a very nice "planted" feel to them

3) They make the bike very, very nimble and you can acheive stupid lean angles without ever feeling like they will let go.

4) very fast in esses and twisties (flickable)

5) The back tyre is soft, and wearing rather fast especially at the outer edges. It looks as soft as a "Michelin Pilot Race Medium" tyre.

6) back is not going to last very long............ a pity.

Dunlop have really made a sporty sticky tyre to compete with Michelins Pilot Power but I don't think the longevity of the rear is looking very good just now.

I will most likely fit another rear just to wear out the front and then who knows what's next?

It's a tough job but somebody has to try these sports tyres :-D :-D :-D .

They would most likely go really well on a Daytona 675 Triple.

Davem

[ST-ern]

Thanks for the update Davem.

As a btw, I've just replaced my rear D208RR. It was near-new from the wreckers and so started with a bit of wear on it. Got 4,500 km out of it which is 1000 km better than my last Pilot Power.

I found it very similar to your Qs and have just picked up a new one from old stock.

[DaveM]

Ern,
you are most welcome.

Davem

[Stiles]

My stock BT057s lasted to 9095 miles, when the rear was down to the bars and the front severely cupped @50% depth.

The rear replacement BT020 lasted nearly 10,000 miles and was replaced today with a Pilot Road @ 19,500 miles (it was down to the cords - the high speed desert run between Lake Tahoe and Orange County killed it rapidly). The front 020 is marginally cupped and has about 50% tread, and will be replaced shortly.

I tend to ride solo and fairly nonagressively.

The Santa Ana, CA Triumph dealership mounted and balanced my mail ordered rear tire for $22, including disposal, with the wheel off the bike. A good deal, and done in three hours.

[roadduster]

My experience with BT 010's and BT 020's has been about 6,000 miles for each set. If you got 10,000 out of your's, what air pressures were you running?
I am going to put Pirelli Diablo Strada's on for a long trip I'm taking in June. I will need to get about 7000 miles out of them, and from what I've read they should do it. Only question is, I will be riding two up and weighing in at about 950lbs gross for 3500 of those miles at least. I will be running max air pressures of 42 rear/36 front.
I won't be riding as aggressively as I usually do, but, with added weight, I know it will wear the hides much like riding aggressively.
Any Comments?
roadduster :???: