Cant Decide on tyres

[MCH]

Its not going to be too long before I need tyres so I've been looking whats around, although I've never looked for motorbike tyres before so its all a new to me.

I think I'm going to go ahead and change them sooner than I need to anyway as the rear tyre is squared due to the last owner obviously not using the full tyre.

2 of my friends run the Continental Conti-Motions and both like them (suzuki bandit 600)
1 runs avons (not sure which ones - sv650)
and my brother runs Pirelli's

They all get on well with each but the 2 with conti motions swapped from other brands and love the conti motions (they're a good price too)


Now I don't want to spend the earth on tyres and would like to keep it under £200 if possible.

I currently have
120/70/17 front
180/55/17 rear
both are Bridgestone BattLax BT56's


The tyres I've looked at as possibles are

Continental Conti-Motion
Avon Storm-2
Bridgestone BattLax bt014 or bt023
Pirelli Diablo

[goatpants]

I got maxxis supermaxx diamonds on my triumph. They offer plenty of grip when and they are dual compound. A lot better than I thought and I used to be a tyre snob. £169 on flea bay and probably another £25 fitted.

[dan90210]

Basically you need to make a decision between either Sports, Dual compound, or Touring tyres.

The sports tyres are soft rubber, very sticky when they get hot, excellent for track days and dry roads. Major downside is they dont last at all. On my FZR1k I'm lucky if I get 2000 miles, usually more like 1500. But like I say, well sticky. Knee down stuff, if you are that way inclined.

Touring tyres are just that, made for all weathers, and made of harder rubber to make them last. Much like a car tyre. Downside to these is grip when compared to its sportier brothers. Now we are talking 'riding on the edge' grip here. Unless are are riding on the edge everywhere you aint gonna notice.

Dual compound has a harder rubber in the middle of the tyre and softer on the edges for cornering, supposed to be the best of both worlds. Downside is (I find) they feel strange, they take a bit of getting used to. I find when you are banking into a corner where the rubber goes from one type to the other it feels a bit 'funny'. Once you get used to that; fine. They can also wear on the edges first, leaving you with a pointed profile on the tyre making the bike tip into corners very quickly. But all in all, good.

I've tried them all over the years. The sports are by far the best but I fookin hate spending a zillion pounds on them every few months. I dont like how the duals feel, my last set ended up all pointy. So now am trying the touring tyres. Not as good for riding on the edge, but I don't ride on the edge so they suit me fine.

Branding makes no bloody difference. You decide what your budget is and go choose your tyres.

Let us know how you get on.

[goatpants]

Dual compound has a harder rubber in the middle of the tyre and softer on the edges for cornering, supposed to be the best of both worlds. Downside is (I find) they feel strange, they take a bit of getting used to. I find when you are banking into a corner where the rubber goes from one type to the other it feels a bit 'funny

Nail on head "funny"

[billinom8s]

diablo corsas all the way - brilliant tyre, wears quite well too (as in lasts a long time )

[Smiler]

Hornet?

For what you'd probably use it for I'd have to say 023's.....more than capable tyre for all riding conditions....(I even did a track day on a set!)

Just my 2p

[john]

Dunlop roadsmart get great reviews, sportsmart even more so (but wear a bit quicker). Protyre in marsh barton have reasonable prices (imo) for a convenient ride in-ride out fitted while you wait service.

[MCH]

Yes should have said its on a 600 hornet...

I'm a new rider so won't be using right to he edges just yet but I'm learning

I think a touring tyre is probably the safer bet, as a sports would be wasted on me, a duel compound is perhaps for when I'm more experiance I'd they are a little strange to ride on...

I'll have to have a ride of one of my mates bandits that's running conti motions and my brother will let me try his er6f with pirelli's

[Jay]

I have just put Pirelli Rosso 2's on the blade and they are amazing!!!!

But at the end of the day...the tyre choice is yours as we all like different tyres...

[Funky]

I dont think I've ever needed more grip than is provided by the Bridgestone BT021-023.

Though I am having a good time with the Metzeler Road Tec front at the moment.

[albieplums]

Being a bit of a biking expert, having been riding for 4 or 5 months now I think round ones are pretty good! is this gonna be another thread that goes on for months again!?

[john]

Certainly everyone has their own preference for tyres and the bike you have definitely makes a big difference, however..

I think a touring tyre is probably the safer bet, as a sports would be wasted on me

IMO a dunlop roadsmart would be ideal then, it's more road orientated than sports but still gets great comments for grip levels. It's especially renowned for wet weather performance which might be useful in a British summer I'm not a Dunlop salesperson, just my 2p (and others- http://www.motorcyclenews.com/MCN/Produ ... oadsmarts/)

Re. dual compounds, you can see the change in rubber compounds on my front but I've never felt it on the road.

[scorcher]

I'd go with a dual compound if you could stretch your budget a bit. Michelins are my personal preference but any of the others would do. Bridgestone BT023's,Dunlop Roadsmart,Michelin Pilot power 2ct or Road 2ct.
Metzeler road tyres seem to be getting good reviews aswell at the mo (M5's or Z8's)

Out of those I'd go for the Michelin Pilot Power 2ct for your Hornet. Virtually on budget aswell.

[Smiler]

ooh a tyre thread...hang on... thats better....do carry on...

[dan90210]

This was my point earlier.

Tyres are pretty much the same throughout the brands.

Decide your budget, then the compound, and go get your tyres.