I need suggestions for new tires...

[NorDog]

Well, I need to start planning for new tires.

My S4RS has the factory Michelin Pilot Powers.  They're great and all, but evidently they wear quickly.

Given that I'm really not very aggressive in the corners (a little bit, but I'm sure I'm not coming anywhere near to using much of the current tire's capability) I would love some suggestions for replacement tires that wear a bit longer, but still have a bit of stickiness.  Oh, and reasonable cost is always good.

Any suggestions?

Thanks in advance.

[The Mad King Pepe']

There's this thread about tire ratings in the tech section of the forum and try the 'search' and you'll find threads about tires.

Personally I run Pilot Road 2ct and I'm pretty happy with the grip they offer. I can't talk about life, since I've only had them for a season (about 2k), however they seem fine so far.

[Triple J]

I have Road 2cts on my KTM and like them a lot. I have a couple friends with Pirelli Angels and they really like them as well. I'm probably going to get those next. Both have plenty of traction for street riding, and very good wet traction.

Any sport touring tire will probably work for you though.

[Goat_Herder]

I went from Pilot Power to Pilot Road 2CT for that exact reason.  The tire life is noticebally longer.  My riding skill is nowhere near some of you so the tire grip doesn't impact my "aggressive canyon carving".  I did notice that the Road 2CT takes longer to warm up.  The shape of the tire is slightly different so leaning over felt a little weird at first.  Got used to it after a few rides.

[DucHead]

I suggest round ones.   

I've run Michelin Pilot Road/Road 2CT on both my bikes for many miles.  They are fantastic tires.  On the Bandit (which I use for touring, commuting and fun), gets about 10,000 miles from a rear and more from a front.

[Cloner]

My Pilot Power 2CTs seem to last about 2k for a front and MAYBE that for a rear.  The moral of the story is don't get Pilot Powers if you're looking for mileage.   

I did get more than that from a set of Pirelli Diablo Rossos, but not much more.....nearly 3K.

[muskrat]

I put the Pirelli Angels on the 900 and am very impressed.  I've had Michellin 2CT and Pilot Powers both of which I personally did not like.  I have the Diablo Rosso on the S4R and feel much more secure, although I know I'm sacrificing mileage it's a peace of mind thing.  I will give two thumbs up for the Angels though, they haven't slipped yet.

[herm]

another vote for the road 2ct. i just put a second set on my s2r1000 last summer. got about twice the mileage that i was getting with the powers (over 6k vs. around 3k.)

[Buckethead]

Dissenter's voice:

Continental Road Attack. Because of their profile, it seems like the farther you lean them over, the more "stuck" they are. They're definitely tall/narrow, that is, they "fall" into a corner well, but once in the corner, they're ridiculously stable. They also last quite a while. My RA rear lasted me a little over 6,000 miles and still had some tread left. It was fairly "squared off" by the time I replaced it, but that is largely my own fault for substituting the "thumb check" for a legitimate "tire pressure check w/gauge."

Okay, okay, so they've got a "funny" tread pattern. Big whoop. When I got mine it was less $$ INSTALLED than a Michelin 2CT outright purchase.

[Triple J]

My SMT came with Conti Road Attacks. I couldn't wait to get them off as I hated the feel, especially in the wet. Got about 4K out of the rear before it was done.

Tire feel is personal though...

[paulel]

Road 2ct REALLY improved both ride and handling on mine.

[greenmonster]

+1 Road 2ct.

[chixstrip]

+1 thumbs up on the Angel ST.

Been using it on my daily commute for the past 3000km, seems like they'll probably be good for 10k under my normal riding. I feel more confident on it compared to my previous set of tires (BT016), especially in the wet. Rode in heavy rain a few times, once thru a 6 inch puddle at maybe 50kmh, no major drama, nice deep fat grooves till the edges to channel water away. Managed to finally get to the edges on a recent trackday to Sepang. A do-it-all tire for a do-it-all bike.

[Jarvicious]

My Pilot Power 2CTs seem to last about 2k for a front and MAYBE that for a rear.  The moral of the story is don't get Pilot Powers if you're looking for mileage.   

I did get more than that from a set of Pirelli Diablo Rossos, but not much more.....nearly 3K.

Jesus, you must be drifting out of every corner.  I got about 4k out of the Power 2cts, but the grip is so worth the money.  I'm coming up on a new full set replacement this spring so I may go for the Road 2cts just to see what the hype is all about.  Word on the street is that if you're just going for the weekend backroads carving then the harder compound will suffice, but those of us who want the occasional track day want to to with the Power 2cts or the Pures (sorry, haven't researched many other brands lately).  If you consider yourself "middle of the pack" on the road, chances are you'll do fine with a little harder compound.  I've only been riding since 2008 however, so I'm willing to pay for that little bit of extra grip until I have enough miles under my belt to figure out what kind of tire is "sufficient" for road use.  Check out that link Pepe mentioned as well.  A lot of good review there.

[Armor]

Pilot Road 3 tires are coming out.  "The Pilot Road 3 tire features the latest-generation 2CT dual-compound technology, with a soft rubber compound on the tread shoulders and a wear-resistant compound down the middle, and all-new “XST” X-Sipe technology. The MICHELIN Pilot Road 3 tire goes on sale in January 2011."