Triumphrat

RGCH · 09-09-2005

Just out of curiosity how many of you have changed the stock tyres and what are you running on.

djr · 09-10-2005

Michelin Pilot Roads - excellent

Foxee · 09-10-2005

D607s - bloody excellent all round road tyre. More than enough grip to deck out pegs and stands (and luggage) and reasonably long life. Did a couple of sets of those and currently giving Enduro 4s a run for their money. Definitely not as much grip and less predictable in the wet but they seem to be wearing evenly. Not as scarey a prospect as the Trailwings the bike came with though. Not sure what mileage I've got out of them so far, but should be okay. Depending on how well they do I'll stick with these or try something else out next time - possibly Anakees.

CATUCK · 09-10-2005

Bridgestone 020's on mine 2OOO miles still not squared off and seem to be on for about 5-6k miles on the rear.

They improve cornering with a faster turn in, and my confidence especially on wet roads.

Waiting to see what they are like in winter which is why I changed from the Tourances, as well as the fact none were available in the UK when I wanted a a pair.

tango · 09-10-2005

I'm giving the 020's a try at the moment. I've only done a couple of hundred miles on them and they're certainly different from the Tourances I was using.
Turn in seems more precise with a bit more feedback coming through, grip levels feel good, though I haven't really pushed them hard yet.
Too early to comment on the wear rate.

09-11-2005

Been reading posts about tyres for a while now as my 05 Tiger getting ready for new rear tyre. Fancy trying Pilot Road as I don't think I will ever take my Tiger off road.
Anyone fitted road biased tyre on the rear and left trail tyre in front?
Will this make the handling bad mixing the two types?
I don't really want to throw a good front tyre away. (Only 5k)

Any thoughts.

Ian

Timtiger · 09-11-2005

I also have Michelin Pilot Roads and they are great.
Ian-Will - if I were you, I would always match tyres. The Tiger is too big, heavy and powerful to use suboptimal tyres. I think it is false ecomony to try and extend the life of the front. I always replace both tyres as a set. 1 fall will spend in a millisecond anything you have saved.

Foxee · 09-11-2005

Wouldn't like to think what a bike would handle like with a dual purpose tyre on the front and a stickier road tyre on the back.

FWIW I've been lucky enough to get a wear rate of two rears to one front on the tyres I've tried. I also don't run my tyres down too low - they get changed when they get as low as 3mm. From the D607s this meant about 5500 miles from the rears and happily over 10000 miles from the fronts. I wish I could see any benefit from swapping them both together, but as far as I'm concerned it's throwing money down the drain.

tango · 09-11-2005

Definitely not a good idea to mix different types of tire.
Like you Foxee I was going through two rear to one front, that was with the Tourances.
Be interesting to see how the 020's compare.

djr · 09-12-2005

most folk riding most bikes seem to average two to one. I doubt you will find much difference with 20's as far as that goes.

Do not mix the different types of tyre. Is the risk worth the cost of a new front compared to a half worn different kind?