Tires

[Ari Rankum]

Anybody who doesn't ask you what you want your tires to do is not answering your question adequately.

What do you want your tires to do?

You'll note that most of the people recommending Metz are doing so based on mileage. If you want high mileage, maybe they're a good bet. For what I want a tire to do, the Metz Z6 *suck*. Worst dry traction I've experienced since Cheng Shins that came with a used bike purchase. Getting high mileage is easy if you don't care about stick.

What do you want your tires to do?

I like traction. 8K miles is just fine with me if my tires stick. I've been through two sets of BT020s that had *great* stick in the dry and *great* stick in the wet.

Based on what I want tires to do on my FJR, the BT020s are a better choice than the Metz. I'm prolly going to try the Avons and the Michelins before the year is out, though.

 

[Mike-H]

Ok.....Ari...but that's your opinion....but I disagree....I run z6's & find they adhere really well (wet or dry)....but then again it depends on riding style....I'm considered very smooth (dragged & folded pegs on the track)....no on/off **** with the throttle....& that's what I teach at track days.... especially for wet weather riding.....therefore my assumption would be you are not smooth ( more abrupt with throttle positioning).....there by not finding adhesion while cornering....(it is a noted fact to be fast in the rain you most be smooth)....I also find mileage is relative to riding style....but that's my opinion....

 

[Ari Rankum]

Ok.....Ari...but that's your opinion....but I disagree....I run z6's & find they adhere really well (wet or dry)....but then again it depends on riding style....I'm considered very smooth (dragged & folded pegs on the track)....no on/off **** with the throttle....& that's what I teach at track days.... especially for wet weather riding.....therefore my assumption would be you are not smooth ( more abrupt with throttle positioning).....there by not finding adhesion while cornering....(it is a noted fact to be fast in the rain you most be smooth)....I also find mileage is relative to riding style....but that's my opinion....

And I would say I may need new foot peg nubs before I need new tires - they're about half gone. I'd go on to say that sliding one or both ends is what's required to know the limits of a set of tires. If you've never slid 'em, you don't know. The final point would be the BT020s stick at higher limits, wet and dry, than the Z6s. I'll take 8K miles and more stick over 10K miles and less stick every time.

 

[Mike-H]

Ok.....Ari...but that's your opinion....but I disagree....I run z6's & find they adhere really well (wet or dry)....but then again it depends on riding style....I'm considered very smooth (dragged & folded pegs on the track)....no on/off **** with the throttle....& that's what I teach at track days.... especially for wet weather riding.....therefore my assumption would be you are not smooth ( more abrupt with throttle positioning).....there by not finding adhesion while cornering....(it is a noted fact to be fast in the rain you most be smooth)....I also find mileage is relative to riding style....but that's my opinion....

And I would say I may need new foot peg nubs before I need new tires - they're about half gone. I'd go on to say that sliding one or both ends is what's required to know the limits of a set of tires. If you've never slid 'em, you don't know. The final point would be the BT020s stick at higher limits, wet and dry, than the Z6s. I'll take 8K miles and more stick over 10K miles and less stick every time.

Again that's your opinion...I had bt's as original equipment....& didn't notice any difference @ the limits between them or the z6's....(at track days).... B)

 

[T120TT]

I've got a new Dunlop D204 front lying around that I thought I'd use when I mount a new BS 020 rear. I am not an aggressive rider and the obsolete 204 is probably 5 years old {or more} but looks new and has been stored away from sunlight. I'm too cheap to buy a new front if I can help it. Will this combination be OK to use for mostly commuting and slab riding?

 

[Ari Rankum]

Again that's your opinion...

Yes. And notice that my opinion is completely free of any negative comments about your riding style or ability. Of course, that's what I'd believe is expected, because while you keep repeating the words "track days", you've got zero insight into my background.

 

[Mike-H]

True I don't know your background....but I put in track days because to ride on the street at the limits would be foolish & dangerous not only to yourself but innocent bystanders....& I for one would never advocate that....

I've got a new Dunlop D204 front lying around that I thought I'd use when I mount a new BS 020 rear. I am not an aggressive rider and the obsolete 204 is probably 5 years old {or more} but looks new and has been stored away from sunlight. I'm too cheap to buy a new front if I can help it. Will this combination be OK to use for mostly commuting and slab riding?

I think I would have a tire specialist double check the tire for you 1st (make sure it meets Yamaha's load rating requirements)....2nd, using different tires & patterns on your bike could have adverse effects on handling....maybe you could trade off with someone for a matching tire....

I've got a new Dunlop D204 front lying around that I thought I'd use when I mount a new BS 020 rear. I am not an aggressive rider and the obsolete 204 is probably 5 years old {or more} but looks new and has been stored away from sunlight. I'm too cheap to buy a new front if I can help it. Will this combination be OK to use for mostly commuting and slab riding?

I think I would have a tire specialist double check the tire for you 1st (make sure it meets Yamaha's load rating requirements)....2nd, using different tires & patterns on your bike could have adverse effects on handling....maybe you could trade off with someone for a matching tire....

 

[Feejer/Weejer man]

Dude, from what I hear...go with the Metzlers. Everybody on here loves them. That's all i read about is Metzler tires and how awesome they are. Like they are for sure the #1 fjrforum.com rated tire. They're so hot.

Just read on the micapeak mailing list that a few more Z6's split. No Z6's for me. Personal choice but once you hear of a few be careful it could be you.

 

[UnCaged]

Whelp, I just got my Michelin Pilot roads mounted, they look nice. I wont ride probably till Saturday, I'll let ya know what I think then.

The Front Shinko (one I took off) looked messed up. had small bulges all around the tread, not just cupping but bulges. I'm glad I changed em.

Thanks to Warchild for the write up on the Wheel removal.

Was really nice to have, I ended up using a 19mm Lug Nut to remove the front axel.

Thanks Warchild.

UnCaged

 

[bikerkash]

Over the years I have used a lot of different tire and combos from different manf. and the only tire I did not like were michelins, you will feel every ripple in the road. RIDE SAFE

 

[jjsC6]

I have Z6's on my new FJR, and I put a set on the ST1300 I had before and I am very happy with them. I ride pretty aggressively (I used to roadrace), but like Mike-H - I don't think that learning a bikes limits by sliding them on the street is something I really need to be doing. To add to that, I find that most people who really do have track racing experience are NOT the ones sliding around on the street. I think Bum Phillips would say "there are two kinds of riders who do that on the street - those that have crashed, and those that are gonna crash".

Next - a friend of mine with a '03 FJR put Avons on a while back. At 4,000 miles they are shot.

Next - x/32nds is how tires are measured. Look at tire spec sheets, and at tread depth gauges. That's how they read.

 

[Ari Rankum]

I have Z6's on my new FJR, and I put a set on the ST1300 I had before and I am very happy with them. I ride pretty aggressively (I used to roadrace), but like Mike-H - I don't think that learning a bikes limits by sliding them on the street is something I really need to be doing.

To be sure, you and Mike provide a very valuable service to this board. You two should take on the responsibility, as a further, valued service to the community, of going back through this entire thread, identifying those advocating sliding bikes on the streets, and putting an end to them forthwith. To recap, there's two things that must be done immediately:

1) Identify, in this thread, all the people advocating sliding bikes on the street, no matter who they may be.

2) Put an end to them.

 

[Fencer]

Ari and Mike -H

:jerry: :jerry: :argue: :jerry: :jerry:

Can You two do better than Dallera and TWN?

 

[Mike-H]

Ari and Mike -H
:jerry: :jerry: :argue: :jerry: :jerry:

Can You two do better than Dallera and TWN?

Ahhh FJRFencer....stirring the pot....keep it up & there will be no twn gerbils for you....

 

[Feejer/Weejer man]

I have Z6's on my new FJR, and I put a set on the ST1300 I had before and I am very happy with them. I ride pretty aggressively (I used to roadrace), but like Mike-H - I don't think that learning a bikes limits by sliding them on the street is something I really need to be doing. To add to that, I find that most people who really do have track racing experience are NOT the ones sliding around on the street. I think Bum Phillips would say "there are two kinds of riders who do that on the street - those that have crashed, and those that are gonna crash".
Next - a friend of mine with a '03 FJR put Avons on a while back. At 4,000 miles they are shot.

Next - x/32nds is how tires are measured. Look at tire spec sheets, and at tread depth gauges. That's how they read.

Milage varies. I got over 9500 mles out of my Avons as they just hit the wear bars as I had a flat tire. Lots of reports over 10,000. so one persons milage does not indicate the average standard milage. Some only report 3000 on varying brands.

 

[fjrchik]

Dude, from what I hear...go with the Metzlers. Everybody on here loves them. That's all i read about is Metzler tires and how awesome they are. Like they are for sure the #1 fjrforum.com rated tire. They're so hot.

Just read on the micapeak mailing list that a few more Z6's split. No Z6's for me. Personal choice but once you hear of a few be careful it could be you.

OK just so everyone is clear here - that post was clearly done in jest!! Hence the smiley and valley girl script! I was being fecetious because so many people on this site clearly love the Avons. Since I've been on here, I've seen very little love given to the Metzlers. Dang. Ruin a good joke.

 

[Fencer]

Ari and Mike -H

:jerry: :jerry: :argue: :jerry: :jerry:

Can You two do better than Dallera and TWN?

Ahhh FJRFencer....stirring the pot....keep it up & there will be no twn gerbils for you....

Mike..

Don't play with my feelings like that. We all KNOW TWN doesn't share his gerbils!

 

[L8RG8R]

If you guys want "stick", I recommend Pilot Powers. If you can break the rear loose on an FJR after they are good and warm on a decent surface....I bow to you

 

[Mike-H]

Sorry....I apologise....Gees, seem to be doing that a lot today.....maybe 666 has caused a lot of over sensitive feelings.....promise you won't cry & I'll buy you a drink @ WFO if your going....OK fencer....

 

[SkooterG]

Milage varies. I got over 9500 mles out of my Avons as they just hit the wear bars as I had a flat tire. Lots of reports over 10,000. so one persons milage does not indicate the average standard milage. Some only report 3000 on varying brands.

+1

I got 18,600 on my last Avon front tire, and currently have 14,200 on my current Avon rear. It's shot, but still no damn cords! :angry2: