Choices Choices Choices

[Bulldog9]

I probably have 2-3000 miles of tread remaining on the Z-6's on my FJR, and as I look at my upcoming planned rides, think I need to change the tires sooner rather than later.

Am trying to decide between: Found these prices at one of the recommended vendors.

Pirelli Diablo - $257

Metzler Z-6 (currently on bike) $255

Dunlop Road Smarts - 265

I'm pretty familiar with the Z-6 and Dunlops, but looiking for info on the Pirelli's before I decide. I ran Dunlop 205's on my Concours, the BMW had Avon (Venom?), and the FJR/FZ1 had the Bridgestones (yuk) I've run several tires on teh XS over the years, but overall, I usually end up foing for Dunlop or Metzler. I know lots of you guys like the Michelin's but I dont want to spend that much cash......

The Z-6's currently on the bike have about 7K miles on them, and are OK, but feel a bit numb for my taste. Trust DUnlop nd probably cant go wrong with them. Reviews of the Diablo's are very good.

Looking for a good 10-12K tire with great wet grip and solid reliable performance.

I was going to hold off untill after my trip back east (2200 miles) before Memorial Day, but at the rate I am riding, will put 2000 miles on it between now and then ;-) so I want to buy the tires now, and swap them out before my trip rather than after.

Thanks for the input guys

 

[madmike2]

I did a little searching that might help you:

pirelli diablo site:fjrforum.com

roadsmart site:fjrforum.com

IIRC, there has been some discussion about early wear with the Roadsmart. IT could be the aggressive riders reporting wearing the edges quickly.

Personally, I am running Michelin Pilot Road 2s and got near 10K on the rear and have over 13,500 on the front (though it will be changed this weekend). That's nearly double what I've ever gotten on any other set of tires (Avon, Pirelli, Metz, Bridgestone, Original PRs, etc.).

A wise forum member once told me, "Tires are a wear item, try them all to see what you like."

 

[Fred W]

Interestingly, you do not have PR2's on the short list.

I have had very good luck with the Stradas, with rears lasting ~7k miles (and have only used the non-E code rears) and fronts going ~12k . The E-code should get you more miles on the back end.

I have a Roadsmart on the back right now and looks like I will get 10k out of that tire, but I'm only half way there. It matches up well with a Strada front. Some folks have voiced misgivings about the wear patterns of the Roadsmart fronts.

The only problem I have noticed with the Roadsmart rear is because the center section of the tire has harder compound rubber. That's how you get the extra mileage out of it. The harder rubber is more apt to activate the ABS during straight up braking. No big deal IMO. Seems to behave just fine when trail braking into a corner and heeled over onto the softer compound. Just another one of life's many compromises...

 

[fjrrider]

"Tires are a wear item, try them all to see what you like."

I'm entirely convinced that where and how you ride makes as much differance in tire wear as the brand. Here in Arkansas I have run several different tires, and I cant vary the milage enough to make any differance. So it all goes by how the tire performs.

BTW 5K on any set for me is outstanding.