Hoops, hides, skins or just plain tires

[ruscook]

Hi Brett,
I put shinko's on as well for my Alpine ride. The rear seemed fine but the front (an 003) had a bad wobble. I've since put pilot roads on and have the rear shinko (005 - sport tourer) to put back on and finish it up when this pilot wears out.

I'll probably try the Avons next as they do get good reviews here.

Russ

[Beach]

Thats interesting Russ as I was thinking of putting the stickier Shinko 003 on the front next as the Bridgestone is nearly done.

Can you describe the wobble you experienced in a little more detail?

Was it when cornering? Straight line etc?

Brett.

[mikey]

Hi there this will be my first post here
Previously I hade a Yamaha Thunder Ace (YZF1000)
Several of the guys who had the T-Ace highly recomend the Avon Viper.It comes in sport,supersport(track) from what I heard several of the Brits loved the the sport version of the Viper with awesome grip in the wet and fair mileage.
I've used the Azzaros on other bikes I had before and they are more tire than most people can use for everyday riding with good grip.
Since I'm new to my Sprint RS 2001 I have no real experience yet but I'm really happy with the bike.
I thought the T-ace was comfy until i got the RS
:razz:
mikey

[Gavin]

I will need new tyres within a couple of months. I am leaning towards a set of Conti's. I was thinking of doing it sooner, but I don't dislike the Bridgestones $500.00 worth to waste them. Has anybody tried a set of skinnier tyres, eg a 170 on the back?
I must confess to being a novice when it comes to these new wide tyres, next biggest before this is a 120 on the back of the Duke, a Roadrunner at that. A mate of mine who rides a ZX12R and a ZX7R has tried smaller tyres on the back of both and reports a marked lightening in the steering. Davem mentioned this somewhere also, but without a definite result to report.
I do about 25k a day commuting across Rocky, so I need to get some milage, but like to lean hard whenever possible. I am a bit sus on dual compound tyres, but I havn't used 1 for many years. That was a Bridgestone Battlax I think. Not so fond memories of sliding the Duke off the camber when going through roundabouts, and 1 very long scary powerslide at the turnoff to Phillip Island fully loaded. All on a bike with not much more than half the power of the Sprint. Got 17000K before I gave up waiting for it to wear out and cut my losses before I got cut.
Any and all thoughts please. Has anyone used 1 of the new dual compound tyres wih any success?

cyas

[DaveM]

Gavin,
these motorcycles are designed to run the modern fat tyres that they come with as standard.
As for what to put on, judging by what you have said about how you ride and so on.
My recommendation would be one of three choices:

Avon Azaro ST 45/46
Metzeler Z6
Continental Road Attack.

There are others but these seem to be the most popular sports touring tyres on this forum at least.

They all offer good handling characteristics and good grip. Particularly the Avons and the Metzeler Z6 in all weathers.
And good wear also.

My opinion anyway others may think other donuts are better but this is based on my own experience over a long time using different tyres. Most riders in this forum favour the above tyres.

Davem

[Gavin]

Thanks Dave, I reckon it may be the Avons for me. I have nothing but praise for the Roadrunners on the Duke, and I have been known to ask some really silly things of them.

Ta mate.

cya

[Stlakid]

Just a follow up to DaveM's points.
The 170 tire is a bad idea. Your rear rim is 6" wide if I'm not mistaken.........waaayy to wide for a 170 tire! It would deform the contour designed into the tire and render the handling as useless......except maybe for going in a perfectly straight line! Forget it and stick with what is designed to work with a 6" rim which would be a 180, 190, or a 200. Stock is a 190 and that is what I would use. His suggestions on tires are exactly what I would recommend for choices.

[ruscook]

DaveM and Staklid are spot on. The only observation I'd make is our rear ims are 5.5" wide and the stock tyre is 180/55.

If you look at tyre manufacture fitting charts I think you'll find a 170 will do a 4, 4.5 and 5.0" rim, not a 5.5" inch. The 180 will do 5, 5.5 and 6 etc. I haven't checked this for a while but while a 170 from some manufacturers might fit a 5.5" rim you still need to consider other factors such as the size and shape of the contact when cranked over. The smaller tyre may steer quicker but will also have a smaller contact patch. My old TDM was an 85hp bike, the 170/60 was fine on that, the Sprint is 125hp, 50% more horsepower and a smaller contact patch could be a bit scary

Also with the 180 there is a huge choice in profile amongst the different manufacturers. If you want a quick steering tyre, then try the Avons as folk report they have a much more triangular profile and "fall in" to cornering quicker than some others.

Russ

[Beach]

I've just added a set of Shinko's to my '05 ST.

R009 Rear & R003 front.

What a difference! A lot of handling issues that I was putting down to the suspension have been solved by repalcing the tyres. I have to say that I am very disappointed in the Bridgestone 020's despite getting 13,500 kms out of them.

Suddenly I have confidence in the front end grip of the bike and understeer is no longer a problem. I can go deep into a corner, nudge the bar and it steers and tracks exactly where I point it.

A bonus to this is that a set of Shinkos are at least $100 cheaper than the bigger brands.

Brett.

[ruscook]

Hi Brett,
that price difference is why I tried them. Unfortunately, I think I had an old tyre on the front, it was what caused my handling problems (bad head shake). I gave it back and got Michelin's fitted as I needed to prove (to me as well) it was the tyre. I have the Shinko R005 sport touring rear tyre at home with only 3000K on it. So I will put this back on when the pilot road is shagged (with the pilot road front).

But I think then I'll try Avon's. I might try Shinko again, but I do want to experience some new "good" tyres before going to the lesser known brand.

Please give us a review when you've done some Ks on them.

Russ.