Need new rear tire. Recommendations?

[mysticbluex3]

Its about that time for a new rear tire.  Any recommendations?  I mostly commute with my bike w/ some twisties on the weekends.  I would like something that would get me the most mileage on the highway and still have nice grip on the sides during the weekend joy rides. 

Also, how many miles do you guys get out of your tires?  I'm at 9k miles and I've worn my rear down to the markers.  Its the stock tires that comes w/ the 09 M696.

[majello]

The Michelin PR2 are strongly recommended. I've 4k miles on mine and still lots of thread. They stick nicely too.
marco

[dark_duc]

The Michelin PR2 are strongly recommended. I've 4k miles on mine and still lots of thread. They stick nicely too.
marco

+1

[Triple J]

If you're only getting a rear then I'd get whatever tire makes a match set with your existing front. 9K miles out of a rear is good.

If your getting new front and rear, then I'll second the Michelin Pilot Road 2 (or 3) recommendations. Great tires. 

[mysticbluex3]

I am only getting a new rear.  My front still have plenty of life.  This might be a stupid question, but why do I need matching front and rear tires?  What happens if I get Michelin Pilot Road 2 for the rear and keep the stock front tire?

[Triple J]

Tire manufacturers have different methods for sidewall construction, with the effect being some are harder/softer than others. This could potentially lead to odd handling with a mixed set. You don't have to stay with same model, but personally I'd stay with the same brand, as the general construction should be similar. Every manufacturer makes a good sport touring tire that'll fit your needs. Pirelli Angel ST, Dunlop Roadsmart, Michelin Pilot Road 2, etc.

Someone will of course say I'm full of shit and you should run whatever you feel like. 

[speedknot]

I love my Pilot Road 2's.  Very well made tire and inspires confidence when "getting on it".

You're not full of shit Triple.  Makes perfect sense.  I would either get a new matching set or try to match what you have in the front, if you are happy with what you have up front.

[bikepilot]

Unless the front is fresh change it too.  Bikes feel weird with mis-matched tires.  I'm not a huge fan of PR2s, they are ok, but feel a bit hard and don't seem to stick all that well when its cold and wet out.  Avon Storms feel better to me.   I'm told PR3s are very good in cold/wet weather.  PR2s are quite good when its dry and warm, but most anything round and black sticks ok on clean, dry asphalt.

[loopsrider]

Another vote here for Pilot Road 2's

I was suprised how much more confident my bike leans into corners with the PR2's. The stock Battleaxes felt harsh and fell into the corners abruptly. The PR2's have a much more confident graduated "swoosh" into the corners. The bike also stands up  after the corner much smoother. They really make the bike feel tighter and much more fun to ride.

Now that the PR3's are on the market the PR2's can be picked up at a nice discount. The PR3's are identical but just with more siping. I live in a desert so I wasn't concerned too much about siping since I rarely ride in wet condition. For 300 bucks a set I personally would change them as a pair and get all the benefits of matching tires.

[EEL]

Sure PR2 are great but they are way overpriced. I'd suggest a set of BT23's. They're pretty good tires in themselves and good for commuting. And they're about two thirds the cost of PR2's.

I tend to ride more twisties than commute but I prefer a softer Front and a Harder Rear. My optimum combo is a BT16Pro in the front and BT023  in the rear. People talk about matching tires but I've never had any problems with this setup.

[cobrajet]

I'm 6k into my first set of Road 2s and I've been very pleased. Wearing great and good cornering feel. Did notice them being substantially noisier than my stock rubber though.

[mysticbluex3]

Unfortunately, I don't have $300 to spend on a set   I'm going to pick up the PR2 for the rear.  If it starts giving me problems then I'll just have to stay away from the twisties and just commute with mismatch tires til I can afford the match the front.  Thanks for the advice guys!

[lawbreaker]

After going through a few sets of Michelin Pilot powers, I changed to the Bridgestone BT016.... GREAT Tires !!


But I wore them out quickly ( I use my Monster for daily commuting plus the weekend twisties when not on the 996).

Switched to the BT023... Great in the twisties and Fantastic so far for commuting mileage 

[Raux]

I might have a halfway decent stock tire for you to buy at a low cost. I'll check it and try to get a pick of the profile for you to see if it will work for you.

really don't recommend mismatch tires.
the PR2s have a definitely different profile than the stock tires. the PR2s are more triangular.

[thought]

pirelli angles are really solid st tires, and i also really liked the diablo rosso's i had on my 796.  rosso II's are out now which are a dual compound so they should last even longer.

just sold my bike at 6300 miles and the rosso's were still fine... rear was worn in the middle but not horribly so, and the fronts looked perfect.  i think you could easily get 8k out of them, prob more with the rosso II's.