Rubber - What's your choice?

[djs]

My Bridgestones are due for a change (actually the rear is so I'm going to swap the pair for once) what say the board for a T3 used for occasional commuting and spirited road riding in rain/wind and shine?

[KitNYC]

I forget which T309 you're on; does it have 17" rims at both ends? I ask because I haven't actually been able to ride my T309 for quite a while, but my T625 isn't too terribly different aside from the 18" rear on the Trident...

Anyway... I have grown dissatisfied with the Road Attacks I've been running for the last year or two, as the rear squares off fairly quickly on grocery duty and isn't much fun in the twisties after that. I plan to go for Michelin Pilot Road 2s next, as the harder middle compound should be better for my needs and all I've read says they're good for sport duty as well.

Come to think of it, it's the Contis that don't fit the Trident; the PR2s come in sizes to fit all the T3s.

Cheers,
-Kit

[bradtx]

djs, We use Pilot Powers and Diablo Corsas here and like them, but scratching in the wet isn't their forte, tho' they're not terrible. The Pilot Road 2s are a better all around, all weather choice. If wet weather commuter mileage equals fun mileage, Avon Storms might be a good choice, but I don't think they'll carve a turn with the PR2.

Brad

[JohnD]

Avon Storm ST has just been replaced with the Storm II Ultra. There is a favorable review of it in one of the British mags this month - can't remember which one. Really depends on your mix of weather, riding and purse as to if you would be better off with a sport-touring tire (good choices would be the above Avon, Dunlop Roadsmart, Pirelli Angel ST or Michelin Pilot Road II) or sporting tire (Dunlop Qualifier II, Michelin Pilot Power 2CT, Metzeler Sportec M3, Pirelli Diablo Corsa III or Rosso Corsa all good choices.

[sprintsp]

Many choices.. The single thing I consider most on the T3 is the top heavy nature. Most high performance sticky compound tires today have a rather steep profile for todays lighter quicker handling bikes.

I was looking over tires yesterday and if price is no issue you get what you pay for. What you do pay more for is performance.. sticky compounds cost more and wear fast.

Sport touring tires generaly have a more rounded profile and lend themselves bettter in my opinion to the top heavy T3. The turn in is slower which for me makes for a more predictable handling bike especially at slower speeds.

The duel compounds of sport touring tires will last longer on straight line high speed jaunts and the softer compunds on the shoulders of the tires will still be as sticky or even better than the full sport tires of the period in the 1990`s. They are also much better in the rain.

That being said my choices for my next set will be either the Michelin Pilot Road 2, Metzler Reoadtech, Dunlop Roadsmart, etc..

Another thing I consider is weight, side wall stiffness, and overall size. Some tires are heavier than others for a given same size largely due to the stiffness of the side wall. The T3 is a heavy bike and a stiff sidewall will lend its self well at steep lean angles adding to stability and good line tracking. Aslo not all tires are the same overall size for a given size meaning for example a 180/55 ZR-17 when compared to the same size from a differnt brand may actualy differ in overall circumference and width. This will actaully change your overall final drive ratio. Shorter circumference tires equal a lower final drive ratio resulting in better acceleration althought you may not feel it.

While shopping line up several brands next to each other of the sport touring type, add a few full on sport types on the floor next to each other and compare the profiles and weight, you may be surprized.

Lastly buy as much tire as you can afford, its your arse. Sorry for the long rant, hopefully I have not confused and instead have helped someone.

Regards...

[trypcil]

I'm a convert from Dunlops, to Bridgestone bt016's - excellent!
http://www.sportrider.com/gear/146_0...ire/index.html
Bridgestone were crap back when they first showed up with the Japanese invasion - but now, wow!

[Buckwheat]

I have been a fan of the regular Michelin Pilot Powers for the last 7 or so sets. For street riding tire temperatures, they are all I need. I just picked up a set for $197 from sportbiketrackgear.com. I am very used to the profile and find that it helps this top-heavy, long-trail bike turn in much more easily.

I may try the Bridgestone 016's next just to have a comparison.

I may also try Pirelli's new Diablo Rosso Corsa, but not until I learn more about their wear rate.

[div2]

Pirelli Diablos have worked well on my S3.

[scoutguy]

I have pirelli super corsas on both my daytonas (D12 and 955i) and like them. I have the michelin pilot power 2ct on my speedy and it is ok, I like the pirellis better.

[colinmartin]

ive got avon storm ultras on mine ,bags of grip and i love the tread pattern..