Hoops, hides, skins or just plain tires

[ST-ern]

What's striking about all these posts is the differing wear folks are getting out of their rears (ahem, tyres I mean, not prostates and the like!).

Even taking into account weight, roads and riding styles.

My take out is that there is no one good tyre ... you have to find your own.

[ruscook]

Knowing how expensive tyres are in Sydney, I thought I'd check out Canberra (only 2 1/2 hours away).

TJs in Canberra have a website and you can send them an email - so I used them to get this quote . They supply and fit to the bike. The following are the prices in Aus $.
Strada 495
Avon Azaro 475
Power Road/Power 485
Continental Road 550 plus (didn't have a firm price on these).

Given the Strada are supposed to be similar to the Metzeler6 bu8t with more tread, also a lot of folk like the Avons these seem to be good choices. Now to work out if a 550K round trip is worth the $70 saving on Sydney prices :-)

Russ

[Stlakid]

I must agree. I put the 009's on a month or so ago and have about 1500 miles on them. Even these $135.00 (yes $135.00!) a pair tire feels better than the Bridgstone 020's that came on the bike! The turn in is probably not as quick as the previous Avon's but so far I am quit happy with these tires. I have to admit I still have the biggest 'chicken strips' of the three brands of tires I've had on this bike, but I think it's just me expecting something to go wrong being these tires were so cheap! For anyone who is going to do more commuting that anything else I would recommend you try them. I would definitely put another set on before the stock rubber! Besides I bought three sets of the dam things! :blush: Dam, I can be a cheap Bastid sometimes!

[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.

[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