Just attained around 9500 miles on the bike when things began to feel a bit wonky. Slow speed handling and turn-in was a bit stiff. Still stable as a rock at higher speed. Cornering was scary. My rear tire looked like somebody shaped it with a belt sander; the center was flat, the sides were flat. The front tire had cracks in the sidewall. Was waxing the chain on the rearstand thinking hmm I need a new set of rubber when I glanced at the rear tire. Lo and behold I saw what looked like fine metal wires in the center where the flat spot was. Yikes. So I hemhawed and did some price checking, local Kawi dealer whom I know personally had a set of Michelin Pilot Road 2s that he would sell me for 265 out the door mounted and balanced. Got 'em on, been taking it easy. Got about 150 miles on them now and wow - bike seems to
run better. Buttery smooth acceleration, cornering is secure(I even have crap nonadjustable suspension). Bike is transformed.
So - don't underestimate the power of tires. I was wondering where all the performance my bike used to have went to, now I know. Only problem now is it's going to rain every day this week
