the ungeheuer tyre thread

[goldFiSh]

Im hearing you .....but after having my Pures slide out from under me and put me into the armco
going into Lithgow Ill take the stickys and their short life span from now thank-you so my life spam will be
a little longer .......its only money !
 It may be hard earned for me but my family likes it when I come home.

The only tyre I've had that's stepped out on me were the old Pilot Roads when they were cold. Modern multi compound sports touring tyres are a long way forward, even for a hack like me who really can't tell much!

This reminds me of when I went for a ride with mmick with the 2nd hand shinkos on the back of the M900, and the tyre was too big and his 525 chain was "eating" into the side of the tyre wall. Didn't phase him, he still ride it like he stole it! Another reminder is bigiain - again someone who rides it like he stole it, and will pretty much bleed the life out of any tyre he puts on (as you would when you do the kms he does)

My last observation on this subject comes from my recent foray into large dirt bike riding. In the short time I've had the katoom, its taught be quite a bit of how to handle things when it gets a little loose under ya. And that will translate to better skills for me on the road as well - not so puckered up when the road surface / traction is compromised.

I'm only commenting on my own case - each to their own and equip yourself so you feel comfortable, safe and your enjoying yourself!

The two very best things I did for my riding enjoyment and safety was (not in any order)
- suspension setup
- rider training

My M800 is so so so much better now that it's suspension is working correctly carrying me around. Bike handles much more predictably and is confidence inspiring. Whist I accomplished this with a bling kaching sbk conversion - same could have been done with some stiffer springs, new oil / seals and by someone who knows what they are doing!

Last year I did a CSS school, just Level 1, and have probably not ridden with most of you since then. That day put a lot of pieces together for me and my riding skill and confidence has jumped considerably as a consequence. I went for a ride with Matty and Vince shortly afterwards, and they will attest to the difference. I fondly remember stopping and Matty taking his helmet off, saying "well guess who's just got some new riding skills". Training did more for my safety than any money spend on tyres, brakes or otherwise.. I plan to do more (but perhaps the next lot will be on dirt riding techniques!)

Anyways, the point of my drivel being that all modern tyres are pretty bloody good.

Like I said, use what makes you feel safe and smile!

[braando]

Good point Goldy, there is not one set of well known brand name tyres that i'd turn my nose up on, be it for high mileage or grip.....I go for the latter as I don't commute or do frequent highway mileage. Pures has had their detractors, but my son in law had no problems with them, nor DanT i see.....horses for courses I say....

How many times do we put a new set on and can't believe the difference they've made........BUT........forgetting that the tyres taken off were pretty well shagged........hence making the new set "the best tyres I've had"........

The new generation tyres are, 99% of the time, better than the riders ability to use them......(Mmick is the 1%)......

brian w

[monstermick58]

The new generation tyres are, 99% of the time, better than the riders ability to use them......(Mmick is the 1%)......

brian w

Jebus Bwian, I'm NOT that good, I've cocked plenty of corners up and probably will continue to do so whilst I giggle away in my helmet.

 






                                       Mmick

[goldFiSh]

Good point Goldy, there is not one set of well known brand name tyres that i'd turn my nose up on, be it for high mileage or grip.....I go for the latter as I don't commute or do frequent highway mileage. Pures has had their detractors, but my son in law had no problems with them, nor DanT i see.....horses for courses I say....

How many times do we put a new set on and can't believe the difference they've made........BUT........forgetting that the tyres taken off were pretty well shagged........hence making the new set "the best tyres I've had"........

The new generation tyres are, 99% of the time, better than the riders ability to use them......(Mmick is the 1%)......

brian w

BUT, mate, even when you cock them up, you tend to do it fast!

[braando]

Jebus Bwian, I'm NOT that good, I've cocked plenty of corners up and probably will continue to do so whilst I giggle away in my helmet.

 






                                       Mmick

Of course you're not Mmick, but I may need a favour from you down the track       

[monstermick58]

 











                                           Mmick

[Rowdy]

What?  Michelin Powers (120/70ZR17 + 180/55ZR17)
How much?  OEM
How far?  8,500kms
The good?  Great feel. Good warm up time. Predictable. Great wet weather traction. Wore evenly front and rear.
The bad?  Got slippery at hot track days.   
Buy again?  For the right price.
Grip  .  Longevity  .


What?  Continental Sport Attacks (120/70ZR17 + 180/55ZR17)
How much?  $400.00 odd fitted 
How far? Rear: 6,500kms. The front one has still got heaps (probably another 2,000kms).
The good?  Look good. Grip fantastic.
The bad?  The rear didn't last long. New ones in Brisbane are about $450.00/set or $300.00 for a rear. Rear tyre had an axial split after 200kms and one track day. It didn't really open up but looked bad. I spoke to the tyre fitter and he said he will replace it if it fails. I said I don't want it to fail, can he replace it before that happens. He said no. The tyre is worn out now and the split is still there. Didn't get worse or seem to affect anything other than my confidence in the brand.
Buy again?  Probably not. I know these things happen, but still. Once bitten twice shy.
Grip .  Longevity   



Looking at a set of Metzeler M5's now for under $400.00/set fitted. Might get them this weekend. 

[mattyvas]

Excellent wise words Rowdy.

Haven't heard that about the Conti's from any rider I know.
And I'd agree I'd rather them replaced before they fail.

The next brand you are eyeing off are also a great set of tyres and I was looking at them before I went for the Conti's

[PAUL M]

Same thing happened my Conti rear, only noticed after the day at the farm. Tyre still looks like
new accept for the split which looks as if someone ran a razor across it (maybe the kids just playing around )

Will defiantly go back to Pirelli's, old style if still available (nice & cheap) with plenty of grooves
Sport attacks don't  handle the little streams of water to well, which always appear mid corner up the old road, had
no such problem with the pirelli's

[Rowdy]

I've found some pics that show the split I was talking about in the Conti Sport Attacks.

Like I said, it turned up and didn't go away or get any worse.

I've done some track days, powerslides, burnouts etc and no problemo so I guess it is only an issue inside my head.

[Wells]

Looking at a set of Metzeler M5's now for under $400.00/set fitted. Might get them this weekend. 

Looking forward to hear how they compare with the Conti...
I love my M5s.

[PAUL M]

I've found some pics that show the split I was talking about in the Conti Sport Attacks.

Like I said, it turned up and didn't go away or get any worse.

I've done some track days, powerslides, burnouts etc and no problemo so I guess it is only an issue inside my head.

Exactly the same as my tyre, appears to be worse closer to the edge on both sides (no testing as I ride like an angel)

[Rowdy]

Exactly the same as my tyre, appears to be worse closer to the edge on both sides (no testing as I ride like an angel)

Can't guarantee they won't come apart. Mine didn't so....

Kinda good to hear it wasn't just me that had a problem with them. Like I said, I liked them for everything else (except price).

I also thought it was funny how the front and rear mount with the tread pointing opposite ways. I thought there was a mistake when I picked it up after they were first fitted.

Anyway, just my OCD playing up I guess. I like everything to be pointing the same way.

[Betty]

I also thought it was funny how the front and rear mount with the tread pointing opposite ways. I thought there was a mistake when I picked it up after they were first fitted.

Anyway, just my OCD playing up I guess. I like everything to be pointing the same way.

I believe that is quite common for bike tyres ... there is meant to be some wet weather theory involved.
Rear tyre needs grip to get the power down (accelerating), front tyre needs the grip for braking (decelerating) - although I don't think your tyres spin backwards just because you are slowing down
It is not uncommon to have the tyres monted the wrong way ... because it looks wrong.

Could be all bullshit of course.

[dan_t]

First run out on the new Pirelli Diablo Rosso Corsa's today & whilst it was mostly about 'scrubbing' them in, they we're bloody fantastic!
I know it could be simply shifting from old rubber to new, but they were VERY solid.
I even forgot that I should have been taking it easy and had one of the fastest runs back from the slab to the P.I.T.S.