Ducati Monster Forum

So my poor bike's tires are mangled, running rich, and it just hit 17k on the odometer, so I figure its time for new rubber and while I'm at it, just get the 18k service while its away.  Anyone know if there's any problem getting service done a bit early?
Also, any suggestions on tires? I rode a set of Corsa III's and they rocked, but I was suggested Battleax's by a friend.  I ride maybe 30-40 miles a week in the city, but mainly take longish rides on the weekends (200 - 300 miles).  I'm a student so I'm looking for something that won't die in the next few months, but also value a tire that won't kill me.  The current tires always felt a little slippy, especially the front (Metzeler Roadtecs?) mid turn, but this could also just be my inexperience with getting the weight forward? But I digress . . .

Thanks and I'll see everyone @ Zeitgeist!

Student here too buddy and I thought it might be better to save money on tires by getting ones that had a longer life.  The more I researched it the more it made sense to have the stickiest damn tires on the planet to save ur arse.  On my old 99m750 dark i rode her around with the same tires that were on the bike when it left Monroe motors with the original owner in 99.  Bought it in late 07.  Sold that and got a 05 s2r and immediately put pirelli diablo's on it.  Wow, these suckers grip.  NO problems whatsoever and I always feel planted.  Just my 2 cents.  Good luck.   Oh dude, just forgot, check cyclegear their having a huge tire sale.  Or supertire guy.

I've had great results (performance and wear) from the Diablo Corsa 3's & Michelin Pilot Powers. If you're looking for stable turn in and transitioning characteristics, go with the Pirellis. The Mich's have a slightly more pointed profile, that give it a much quicker turn in, and a more abrupt transition side to side. They do have a larger contact area while leaned over than the Pirellis do, so you can really drive 'em deep in a corner.

Either way you've got stellar tires!

I'm currently running some Bridgestone BT-002R's, and they rock. But, they're DOT legal race tires, so you are trading tread life for performance. They grip like mad, once they're hot, and have solid handling traits, but are slightly harder compound than a pencil eraser.

I know a few folks that are running Diablo Stradas and Mich Pilot Roads too. Good all around tire, but more towards the high mileage use, and slightly less on the full lean, blistering rubber through the twisties.

Michelin also have a tire that has hard compound in the middle and softer stickier compound on the sides  [thumbsup]

I run Michelin Pilot Powers. I had a set on for 7000 commute/twisty miles, did a track day at T-Hill, then rode another 1500 miles on them before I got a nail in the rear and just bought a new set of Pilot Powers last weekend. I plan to treat these the same way.
I have, however, heard they aren't as hot in wet weather, but I commuted on a new pair all last Winter. I just took it real easy and always felt fine.

Oh, and I did my last major service (15000 mile) 600 miles early. Nobody seemed to want to tell me that was a bad idea. We'll see how it pans out toward my next major service.

for tires, check out the Mich Pilot Road 2CT.  They are supposed to last about 10k miles and are pretty sticky.  They are more than adequate on the street and last almost twice as long as the PPs. 

i'd say pilot powers. they're working out for me.

ps- greetings from idaho.

I ride on sunshine and happiness.

Doesn't Spidey ride on Homeless crack addicts and stray animals  ???

I used to ride the Bridgestone BT56 tires (Hard in the middle), they were good tires, but kind of squirmy under hard baking when you really push them. They never made me crash though. If you do More slabbing than anything else, some Hard compound centers are a good way to go.

Is that true? When I first needed new tires for the Monster I asked a shop for Pilot Road 2CT's. They told me that Pilot Powers would last longer  (I do tons of highway miles) and they quoted me cheaper prices on them so I've stuck with PP's since. I would love to know for sure if Pilot Roads would indeed last longer. Maybe I was getting them confused with PP 2ct's.

Yep, Pilot Roads. If you're like the rest of us, and don't have a dedicated track/twisties bike, then the PR's will be the best bang for the buck!

If I had a dollar for every pair of 2CT's I changed on some goober's bike that had chicken strips wider than the softer section of tread... But they just had to have the dual compound tire... [laugh] [laugh] [laugh] They never leaned far enough to even touch the soft stuff, just wore down the center ridge, and bought another pair.

The 2CT's won't really do much good unless you are frequently taking it all the way to the edge of your tread. It's only the outer 1" of tread that is softer compound, otherwise it's the same as the standard Pilots.  2CT's on the street is just wasting money. 

Awesome! Thanks everyone for the input, just ordered a set of pilot powers (Corsa III's wouldn't fit my rear apparently) and I'm back on the streets starting Tuesday night - I'll terrorize the presidio to scrub em in and then . . . .

I'm definitly going to check out if I can sub in the 2ct's since I just ordered today, and maybe I can change it up. 

I'll post up soon to get a ride goin.

I recently put Bridgestone BT002's on my trackbike, and I have to say I love them.  I think they're cheaper than Pilot Power's, too.

Streets or Pro's or te current version which was the Pro Med-Hard?

I hear only good things about these, although I also hear that you just eat them and throw them away.