Triumphrat

Chris J · 03-18-2009, 04:36 PM

On my new bike I have a Bridgestone Trailwing on the front and a Metzeler Tourance on the rear. Will this be ok in wet and slippery conditions or would those of you in the know think i'd be much better off sticking to one type?

I'm a big fan of Metzeler after using many different tyres on my little commuter bike, I found them to be almost as sticky (and fun!) as Michelin but lasting twice as many miles!

Tiger-G · 03-19-2009, 06:48 AM

Chris,

Sorry to spoil the fun, but are you riding the bike that much to the limit that tyre choice is crucial ??

The combination should be ok, but change your style to suit.

I was blasting round the backroads of North Yorkshire on Michelin Anakee's at between 80 - 100mph quite happily yesterday. Personally, I don't think it matters that certain tyres will be "faster, grippier", when it comes to your average rider like you and I, because we're not pushing them and the bike anywhere to it's limit.

I hope this doesn't come across big headed or arrogant, as it's not meant to be, but I'd have no problem keeping up with you what ever tyre you were on, as long as you were riding to the "limit point", which is the furthest point on the road where you have an uninterupted view of the road, and can stop in the distance you can see to be clear ahead.

(I'll get some stick for this one, but will be happy to stand corrected

!!)

So all I'm saying in a roundabout sort of way is - tyre choice isn't crucial to your average rider. IMHO

Blimey, the older I get the more I turn into a "Health & Safety" nerd.

Chris J · 03-19-2009, 06:55 PM

Good answer!! You're probably right, daresay I will not be anywhere close to the limit, especially not for the foreseeable!!!!

Maybe I'm just looking for any excuse to spend money (my wife will agree with that) or spend time fiddling with the new toy (ditto) haha

Tiger-G · 03-20-2009, 04:31 PM

Hi Chris,

Glad you took my post in the spirit it was meant

When I've got my Tiger leaned right over on the Anakee's, I think you couldn't lean any further safely. So for anyone on super sticky road tyres, maximum respect if you're leaning a tall bike like the Tiger over further

.

Anyone getting their footpegs down on a regular basis ??

It might inspire me to try harder

Chris J · 03-20-2009, 04:37 PM

Thats a long way over - bet there are some brave souls out there who've done it, I'll get some miles under my belt before I try that!!

As an old friend used to say - mind those roads...

RT · 03-22-2009, 10:01 AM

If i'm dragging pegs on my Tiger it's means i'm in deep s*&t

Think I do remember seeing a pic of a guy dragging a knee on a Tiger, will try and find it

PeteH · 03-22-2009, 07:37 PM

Never had a peg down

but there`s still a slither of unused rubber either side of the Azaro

so there`s hope yet

Jonny955 · 04-01-2009, 06:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by graeme

Hi Chris,

Glad you took my post in the spirit it was meant

When I've got my Tiger leaned right over on the Anakee's, I think you couldn't lean any further safely. So for anyone on super sticky road tyres, maximum respect if you're leaning a tall bike like the Tiger over further

.

Anyone getting their footpegs down on a regular basis ??

It might inspire me to try harder

I've changed to Touratech footpegs which do not have the hero blobs so it's harder to scrape them, Graeme (but I am wearing out my boots)! As for the tyres, I've tried Anakees (mk1) F&R for the first few changes, then went on to Avon Distanzias because the wear rate on the mk1 Anakees was abysmal. Although the Distanzias were good, I've changed back to the Anakee (mk2) because the new compound is supposed to be better wearing and I can certainly vouch for that.

On topic with the OP, I am currently still running the Distanzia front with the Anakee 2 rear. Did some 2-up scratching this weekend and the combo works OK but I'm thinking that the Anakee 2 on the front will be better due to the matched profile....maybe it's all in the mind?

Jon

PS Chamfering of the tread blocks on the front tyre seems to be an issue on all of these tyres, BTW.

PPS after a good try - out I reckon Anakees are grippier than Distanzias

Tiger-G · 04-01-2009, 01:41 PM

Jon,

I'm on to my 3rd Anakee on my 2006 '955.

I got 5280 miles on the first Anakee (mk1)
I got 5390 miles on the second Anakee (mk1)
and I'm about to change my Anakee (mk2) on about 5400 miles.

So is the Anakee Mk 2 any better than the Mk 1 ??

Certainly for mileage out of it, there is no discernable difference.
As for grip, it does feel a little more sure footed, but as you say, it could all be in the mind

I'm a bit disappointed with the MK2, as the wear rate is supposed to be much superior to the MK1

Clever marketing ??

Jonny955 · 04-02-2009, 08:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by graeme

Jon,

I'm on to my 3rd Anakee on my 2006 '955.

I got 5280 miles on the first Anakee (mk1)
I got 5390 miles on the second Anakee (mk1)
and I'm about to change my Anakee (mk2) on about 5400 miles.

So is the Anakee Mk 2 any better than the Mk 1 ??

Certainly for mileage out of it, there is no discernable difference.
As for grip, it does feel a little more sure footed, but as you say, it could all be in the mind

I'm a bit disappointed with the MK2, as the wear rate is supposed to be much superior to the MK1

Clever marketing ??

Graeme, I found the the mk2 to be marginally better than the mk1. Rear tyre wear rates for my gentle bimbling as follows;
Anakee 1: 4953m (changed early with 2mm+ tread still on it due to an impending lad's trip)
Anakee 1: 4239m
Distanzia: 5550m
Anakee2: about 60% worn with 3360 odd miles. I'll be expecting about 5500-6000m out of this one.

Jon

PS I do a lot of 2-up, a fair bit of M-way & I change my tyres way before they are barely legal.