need new tires?

[Dirty Duc]

Oh! I can contribute a visual!



mrpetebojangles - The bike comes with some factory suspension settings and the shop probably didn't touch it unless you asked them too. Manufacturers presets are usually decent, but will have room for improvement. And the bike will come sprung for some weight they feel like. At 225+ gear you're probably over the weight range for the stock springs. Remember preload doesn't make the springs stiffer - can't do that. Spring force is a constant

SP,

Does that go for the front, also?

Thanks for the first image that doesn't require me to watch someone blather on for an hour.  I don't mind reading, but I can't watch video explanations.  Something wrong with me...

[FrankenDuc]

SlidePanda,
The visual is great!!!

BTW by "More wear" you mean lipped/scalloped edge, right? - if I remember that's how it goes, but I'm frequently confused...
Also, if I remember, there was something about the scallops/lips on the tire sides relating more so to rebound, and scallops on the tire center relating more so to compression - do you recall?  (or am I making this up?...).   

Been a while since I learned this stuff last, relearning it as we speak, and the useless knowledge appears to have shoved much of the useful knowledge out of the way...   

[mrpetebojangles]

For highway riding and the occasional mountain twisties, what would you guys recommend? I'm not trying to start a war here, just some recommended tires. My riding bud recommended bike bandit.com, any other good online retailers with good prices?

I'm assuming I can have my local shop charge some hourly rate to get them mounted?

Thanks

[Speeddog]

Pirelli Angel. 

[BastrdHK]

Michelin Pilot Road 2s or 3s....(the 3s tread design has not grown on me, no matter the benefits)

Motorcycle-Superstore.com  great company, price matching and incredible service!

[Dirty Duc]

If you are looking at a price point, Conti-motions are hard to beat.  I got about 5k miles per rear, and maybe 10k per front.  I didn't get anything better off of Shinko Raven 009s...

All single compound tires.  I have no experience with the dual compound tires, but people seem to be happy.  I am a bit ham-fisted with throttle and brakes...

[lazylightnin717]

Pilot Road 2's.

Dual compound ST tire that has great wet/dry feeling and lasts longer than a hyper sport tire without sacrificing grip.

Unless you take it to the track, I'd try 'em out 

[FrankenDuc]

I've used the Michelin Pilot Powers and Pilot Power 2CT's, Bridgestone BT016's, BT002's, and BT003's, and I've been very pleased with all of them.  the Bridgestones all seem a bit more sensitive on tire pressure than the Michelins, but they also all have great smooth break-out, in my opinion, under my use cases. I didn't much like the break-out characteristics of the Pirelli Diablo's I've run, but even they've offered quite a lot of grip for road riding, probably more than the Michelins or Bridgstones. Never ridden Dunlops, but about to, I've got a rear sitting around I'm going to toss on one of the bike before it expires, and I'm sure like all of the others it'll provide quite the positive traction. 

The 2 compound and 3 compound tires do wear less in the centers (who'd've guessed), at the expense of a little traction - I don't much mind being able to get a 620 to peel out in a straight line, like wheelies that's kindof fun sometimes, but for my riding it really doesn't matter. Nor does how long my tires last (they've all lasted about the same for me BTW)... I just want good grip and good feedback with smooth break-out so I can avoid incidents, and if I've got to replace them a little more often, well that's a small price to pay for added safety

It's all about what you like though, which you'll only find out by trying.  If you're wallet is tight, burn quickly through some super sticky race pulloffs, you know you'll have more grip than you need, and heck, they don't last long but they're dirt cheap .  If you're not so wallet bound, pick any top tier tire and give it a try, if you find characteristics you don't like, replace it with another.. Repeat untill you find one you like, then stick with it!

[patrick696]

My experience seems similar to speeddog's, I am about to replace my pirelli angels with 12,500 miles on them. Getting the same tires! I do a lot of backa and forth to work, and the roads are not "twisty" (unfortunately), and my back tire has developed a square  wear pattern. Can't complain about them though, and they seem to be reasonably priced.

[Curmudgeon]

The OP is a newish rider and unless I'm mistaken, he's used to the Diablos which came on the bike. His weight is no doubt a wear factor as was possible tire pressure. Agree that the Angels would last longer and many early 696's came with them mounted, but I've no personal experience. Diablos are no longer made but were replaced with Diablo II's which are dual compound and is what I intend to fit when my Diablos wear out.

I've never ridden any Michelin bike tire which didn't ride like concrete. Warned a pal about that last year who didn't listen (never does  ) and after suffering a few months, fitted Pirellis...

Back in the day, Pirellis were so-so and top end Metzelers were always the hot ticket. Since Pirelli bought Metzeler, it seems Metzelers have become so-so and Pirellis are the grippy ones. My Diablos were made in Germany. Hmmm... What does THAT tell you? 

[muskrat]

Pirelli Angel. 

+1
I've rode these on my m900 and never broke them loose.  They bring you a lot of confidence and last a long time.

[FrankenDuc]

I've never ridden any Michelin bike tire which didn't ride like concrete.

That explains why they're much less sensitive to air pressure 

I have to admit, I've gone (and continue to go) to great lengths to make sure my suspension is working just right for me.  And in that respect, a tire that doesn't give at all is actually better for me, as it puts the full load on the suspension and makes it way easier for me to simulate/guesstimate and tune.  But for someone who hasn't, this may be a very critical (negative) point in tire considerations.

[Raux]

At wdw i had a conversation with pirelli rep. he recommended the metz z08 based on my riding

[koko64]

I've used the Michelin Pilot Powers and Pilot Power 2CT's, Bridgestone BT016's, BT002's, and BT003's, and I've been very pleased with all of them.  the Bridgestones all seem a bit more sensitive on tire pressure than the Michelins, but they also all have great smooth break-out, in my opinion, under my use cases. I didn't much like the break-out characteristics of the Pirelli Diablo's I've run, but even they've offered quite a lot of grip for road riding, probably more than the Michelins or Bridgstones. Never ridden Dunlops, but about to, I've got a rear sitting around I'm going to toss on one of the bike before it expires, and I'm sure like all of the others it'll provide quite the positive traction. 

The 2 compound and 3 compound tires do wear less in the centers (who'd've guessed), at the expense of a little traction - I don't much mind being able to get a 620 to peel out in a straight line, like wheelies that's kindof fun sometimes, but for my riding it really doesn't matter. Nor does how long my tires last (they've all lasted about the same for me BTW)... I just want good grip and good feedback with smooth break-out so I can avoid incidents, and if I've got to replace them a little more often, well that's a small price to pay for added safety

It's all about what you like though, which you'll only find out by trying.  If you're wallet is tight, burn quickly through some super sticky race pulloffs, you know you'll have more grip than you need, and heck, they don't last long but they're dirt cheap .  If you're not so wallet bound, pick any top tier tire and give it a try, if you find characteristics you don't like, replace it with another.. Repeat untill you find one you like, then stick with it!

Good advice.

[ducpainter]

I've used the Michelin Pilot Powers and Pilot Power 2CT's, Bridgestone BT016's, BT002's, and BT003's, and I've been very pleased with all of them.  the Bridgestones all seem a bit more sensitive on tire pressure than the Michelins, but they also all have great smooth break-out, in my opinion, under my use cases. I didn't much like the break-out characteristics of the Pirelli Diablo's I've run, but even they've offered quite a lot of grip for road riding, probably more than the Michelins or Bridgstones. Never ridden Dunlops, but about to, I've got a rear sitting around I'm going to toss on one of the bike before it expires, and I'm sure like all of the others it'll provide quite the positive traction. 

The 2 compound and 3 compound tires do wear less in the centers (who'd've guessed), at the expense of a little traction - I don't much mind being able to get a 620 to peel out in a straight line, like wheelies that's kindof fun sometimes, but for my riding it really doesn't matter. Nor does how long my tires last (they've all lasted about the same for me BTW)... I just want good grip and good feedback with smooth break-out so I can avoid incidents, and if I've got to replace them a little more often, well that's a small price to pay for added safety

It's all about what you like though, which you'll only find out by trying.  If you're wallet is tight, burn quickly through some super sticky race pulloffs, you know you'll have more grip than you need, and heck, they don't last long but they're dirt cheap .  If you're not so wallet bound, pick any top tier tire and give it a try, if you find characteristics you don't like, replace it with another.. Repeat untill you find one you like, then stick with it!

I agree with this except for the race takeoff part unless you're using them for track days.

Some race tires need to be ridden much harder than a street tire to warm up and may not ever get warm enough to have the kind of grip a rider expects.

They also heat cycle out unlike street tires and may grip one day and be a slippery as ice the next.