gotta get new rubber

[blackduck]

Im sending out a plea for some feedback from the collective god like creatures
My ST13 (being my first ST) is only some 6000 K old and on stock rubber
so its a newbie just like me
in all that time ive never held full confidence in the tyres honda chose for it
On damp raods it loves to let go which scares the bejeezes out of me
but worst of all the front tyre has a mind of its own and tends to follow every rut or groove
this is a tad un-nerving at high speed
sometimes it just decides to go its own way.
ive checked all the likely factors pressure etc
no good
Ive never experienced it on any other bike ive owned, not even my old tank z13
the solution
new tyres
I hate to throw away good rubber but I just cant risk it anymore - particularly with the dragon on the back
Ive been thinking about road pilots but wouldnt mind some other recommendations based on good experiences
Anything has to be an improvement on what ive got now

stu
 

[Sicman]

Pr3's are great on mine -  Check the dates of manufacture on the tyres you have on - They may have been sitting on a shelf or in a showroom for a long time and be older than you think - If older than 6 years then they are illegal in NSW now 

[Williamson]

My ST1300 was new last August.  Between 0km and the 10K it has on it now I can't fault the OEM tyres.  I don't it's my silky skills ('cause I don't have any).  Perhaps I should ride harder.

[Hendo]

What pressures are you running, I find my bike very sensitive to different tyre pressures , especially the front following grooves.
On my 1100 with BT023's I run 38psi front and 40psi rear if riding 1 up and a bit in the panniers , when i go 2up i increase the pressures 2-3 psi.

There is plenty of information on here if you do a search for tyres

Hendo

[StinkyPete]

I've had up to 18,000 from PR3's and usually run then at 42psi.

[tj189]

PR3 or Angel GT  42PSI

[ST2UP]

Most but not all in here play on PR any things 

[Streak]

I am with tony on this one sounds like old Tyres to me, I have PR3's on my 06 ST1300 and they are fantastic, well worth a try.

[dougcthr]

The stock bridgestones are rubbish!!! If you look at your front tyre you will see the big groove in the centre that loves to grab every rut in the road and follow it like a rail. Throw them away and get the PR3's.  The transformation will be amazing!! I throw my ST around like it a bike half its size with great confidence that the PR3s hold the road well.

It is worth the few hundred dollars outlay.

Cheers,

[blackduck]

PR3's it is then
who am i to argue with the democratic process

and about  42psi for the more portly gent
gotta get the off set valve stems aswell
so who does the best tyre deals in perth

[JC]

I think you'll be better off, getting fresh PR4's. 

The traction problems are probably more to do with what's on the road, rather than what's on your bike.

My 2010 ST13 is still on the original BT020 tyres and grip from these and the BT023 tyres on my CBR1000F has been reliable in the wet and dry. Checkout the chicken strips on my other post.

 

[Lionel]

I get as much mileage out of PR3s as I do with Shenkos on my 2008 ST1300.
The difference is I pay $254.80 for a set of Shenkos (last Wednesday) and $350 for one (rear) PR3 - Cobar, February this year.
I ride like a 66 year old so I don't ride on the edge in wet conditions.
I found the BT020s to be the best tyre on my ST1100s but I understood they went out of production years ago.

[sonicpelican]

Just to pop my 2 bobs worth in I've had the original Bridgestones (ok), Avons Storms (eek! don't go there), Dunlop RoadSmarts (wear far to quickly, less than 4,000 kms), Michelin PR2s (which were great)and now Pirelli Angel GTs.  The Pirelli's are the best yet.  The wear is much more even and there is less feathering on the tread than all the others.  Cornering confidence is up and they've been great in the wet.

Cheers,
Rod.

[tj189]

+1 with Rod, I am now on my second set of Pirelli.  I did have similar experience with the PR3's.  Think I will get the PR4's for the next set though

[Biggles]

PR4s here.  $460 the pair fitted, northside Brissie.
290 kPa = 42 psi seems to give me better than 20,000 kays on the various PRs I've run.
I've read nothing but good about the Pirelli Angels, so if you can find them at a better price, you would be fine with them.

[Malcolm6112]

PR3 rear on the ST, I got just over 25,000k. The front is a PR2 which is starting to show signs of not lasting mush longer.

Got a PR4 GT from America. Loving the feeling. From keeping up with the boy racers, to riding to an RTE. Safe as houses.

 

[blackduck]

  PR4 GT's go on this Saturday
I just couldnt stand it any longer
every rut in the road it wants to follow
well no more
sure ill be spending $600 i hope the dragon never finds out about
but im worth it

[Nigel]

PR4 GT's go on this Saturday
I just couldnt stand it any longer
every rut in the road it wants to follow
well no more
sure ill be spending $600 i hope the dragon never finds out about
but im worth it

Gotta say I did the same when I bought my bike , rear was just OK and the front had a few age cracks in it sooooooooooooooooo new rubber fitted and much much better ride, wise choice.   

[blackduck]

PR4 GT\s fitted and ridden on and what a difference
for those of you that like the old stockers honestly have you tried the PR4
dam near floats on air now
 $650 well spent
and yes i bought them from the local bike tyre shop
buying out of the US is tempting but I like to support the local bloke