Best Tires Chapter 23

[Mogan]

I know I must be reinventing the wheel, but I'm shopping for tires and need guidance.

My number one consideration is handling confidence. Wear rates and cost are secondary.

What shall I buy?

 

[temp357]

Ooooo! Oil Thread!

Lots of people here seem to like avons. I've always used dunlop or michelin myself.

dunlop d207 - good traction, wear sux big time

dunlop d205/d220 - good traction and wear

Michelin Pilot Sport - good traction, wear sux

Michelin Pilot Road - good traction and wear

i think most people on the forum seem to put harder compound tires on their FJR since they last longer.

 

[worldbound4now]

Find an R1 forum and see what they're using..... if you want to change tires every 3k miles.

 

[Rickster]

Good advise on Dunlop and Michelin -- I run Pilot Power's on my Aprilia (sportbike), and traction is great, and I've used VERY little weight to balance them (less than 1/4 oz per wheel)

Another consideration is the load rating -- FJR is heavy.

If cost isn't an issue -- I'd go with the Pilot Powers (but you'll only get 3-4K. Some have posted >15K on Avon's. (I've never run that hard of compound, but don't do IBA -- so I don't need a tire to last 11000 miles for one trip.)

 

[UnCaged]

I found the Perfect tire! 15,000 mile tread life, super traction in wet and dry conditions, comes standard with road hazard warranty (so if you get a nail you don't have to buy a new tire) The ride is heavenly!

and the cost is only 150 bucks for the set! and that price includes FREE installation!

OMG Then I woke up and realized it was all a dream, :evilsmiley03: I have Michelin Pilots roads, most people would be happy with only buying one back tire, but because I got a nail in mine I got 2 instead!! :evilsmiley02:

I've put about 8 hundred miles on them and I'm very happy, I'm one of those guys that doesn't give a crap about mileage, just want a good tire that handles and rides nice. I think the Michelin is that tire!

Enjoy your shopping and watch out for nails :evil:

Uncaged

 

[UnCaged]

I found the Perfect tire! 15,000 mile tread life, super traction in wet and dry conditions, comes standard with road hazard warranty (so if you get a nail you don't have to buy a new tire) The ride is heavenly!and the cost is only 150 bucks for the set! and that price includes FREE installation!

OMG Then I woke up and realized it was all a dream, :evilsmiley03: I have Michelin Pilots roads, most people would be happy with only buying one back tire, but because I got a nail in mine I got 2 instead!! :evilsmiley02:

I've put about 8 hundred miles on them and I'm very happy, I'm one of those guys that doesn't give a crap about mileage, just want a good tire that handles and rides nice. I think the Michelin is that tire!

Enjoy your shopping and watch out for nails :evil:

Uncaged

 

[SkooterG]

I found the Perfect tire! 15,000 mile tread life, super traction in wet and dry conditions, comes standard with road hazard warranty (so if you get a nail you don't have to buy a new tire) The ride is heavenly!

and the cost is only 150 bucks for the set! and that price includes FREE installation!

OMG Then I woke up and realized it was all a dream, :evilsmiley03: I have Michelin Pilots roads, most people would be happy with only buying one back tire, but because I got a nail in mine I got 2 instead!! :evilsmiley02:

I've put about 8 hundred miles on them and I'm very happy, I'm one of those guys that doesn't give a crap about mileage, just want a good tire that handles and rides nice. I think the Michelin is that tire!

Enjoy your shopping and watch out for nails :evil:

Uncaged

Well, that's a new one. Your quoting yourself, with no added remarks?

You got me, I'm baffled.

 

[odot]

I prefer the term, "confuzzled". It is, however, a nice way to rack up post counts.

 

[UnCaged]

Your right, about post count! :lol:

I don't know how I did it, I was reading and I clicked on something by mistake,

I seen what happened and was like oh well :dribble:

Thanks for noticing!! Smile

Uncaged

 

[vectervp1]

Before you go slapping on whatever the "R1 boys" are running, consider weight. Modern sportbikes are very light and the FJR is all but light. My CBR weighs in at a measly 370lbs (dry) while the FJR comes in at a porkly 550lbs (pre 06, ABS). That 200lbs weight difference is HUGE to tires.

I would recommend you stick with sport-touring tires such as the Pilot Roads (instead of Pilot Powers), Diablo Strada (instead of Diablo Corsa), or the Bridgestone BT020 (instead of BT014).

 

[Mogan]

I was thinking for a while about the Pilot Powers because I have them on my other bike and like them very much. I was at BMWs MOA last week and bumped into a Michelin factory rep and asked him about the FJR.

First, FJR weight IS NOT an issue for the powers. Each tire has its load rating stamped on the side and the power is 800+ pounds --PER TIRE. The sidewalls can handle it fine.

BUT, he did not recommend the powers for our bike. He said the rubber compound on them is sticky as hell, but it requires heating. And, when it rains the moisture cools the tire making it rather slippery--not good!

Conversely, he said the compound used of the PRs does not require heating and is always sticky. He touted it as an excellent handler that is the BEST all weather tire.

I ordered a set from Glen at Sunnyside.

 

[ShinyPartsUp]

I've been trying to figure out the timimg of rear tire replacement vs. whole new set. I think it is going to work out that I will be replacing the set just before rainy season in Oregon (usually ride year round). Any good compromise on tires that knowlegable people know of with priorities of good wet grip, wear, price? Thanks.

 

[C&C]

I had all the intentions of putting the Avons on my bike, and since my dealer said he would match any internet deal plus shipping as long as I paid for mounting at their shop, I went in with my price quote and was ready to order. When I got there he said okay, but let me make your this offer, I have a set of Pilot Roads already in stock and they are on special for $199 plus installation and tax (I checked the date codes and they were fairly recently made so this wasn't an issue). Well, I put on the PR's and haven't been disappointed. I'm sure both the Avons and PR's are close in performance and hopefully longevity, so my decision was based on cost. Seems to be a win/win; dealer and customer happy.

 

[madmike2]

I'm sure both the Avons and PR's are close in performance...........

They feel the same to me, though others have posted otherwise. As for longevity, I dunno. I have had to change tires for a long trip or something every time before I wear a set out....They seem to wear about the same, but I occaisionally have my, er, "moments", yeah, that's the word...I like that...."Moments!"...when I do things that shorten tire life.

 

[FJRME]

I got in on the free Strada deal, and I really like these tires. Confidence inspiring, and predictable. I will buy them again if they wear fairly well. I don't have experience with the Avons or PR's. This is my first replacement set. My rear tire is NOT the E tire. The Pirelli fitment guide showed the one I bought fitting other heavy bikes as well as mine, so I have no fear of an "underrated" issue.

 

[Ric in Sac]

Avon's seem to work pretty well but I have not experimented with brands to tell anyone the difference with ride characteristics. The primary reason I use Avons is it comes with a limited hazard warranty. IIRC, as long as you have not run off 3mm of tread depth your tire will be replaced (excluding mounting/balancing) free. I have already taken advantage of this once for significant savings. It is always the new tire that seems to pick up that proverbial nail.