What brand tyres are you running now"

[Gadget]

My 2 cents worth.

When I bought the ST1300 last December it had an oversize Bridgestone on the front and a Shinko on the rear.  Two weeks later in the wet, the Shinko totally lost grip  and then high-sided me down the Gateway motorway.     I wasn't pushing hard and wasn't making any sudden changes in direction.  Speed was somewhere between 80 and 85 km/h.   

Needless to say,  as I ride every week day to and from work all weather, I went looking for tyres with good wet grip.  A work colleague who has at least 17 bikes and races on weekends for fun on track days, recommeded Michelin PR3's as he had put them on his Hyabusa after a set of Shinkos, (which he took off after only 5 laps at Willowbank, because he couldn't get the 'busa to turn in).   He showed me the pair that had 5,000 km from a trip from QLD the the Vic Alps (two-up) and back again with hardly any signs of wear.

After putting them on, I am so impressed I can see my putting anything else on unless they stop making them.  The grip is so much better and the handling is vastly improved.   

I've also noticed a very nice dry line behind bikes fitted with the PR3's, which instills confidence they are doing their job. 

I certainly hope I get at least half the life out of mine that Diesel gets, but I'm primarily interested grip in both Wet and Dry conditions.

I've had them on now for about 4,000 km and can barely see any wear on them at all.  Love 'em!! 

With inflation that 2 cents is probably up to 4 now.

Cheers,
Gadget.

 

[Poppy Dave]

I voted OTHER as I had Metzlers on at the time.

When I got the bike it had Bridgestone BT 20's on it and I liked them, got near on 18,000 out of them.

I then put Metzler Z6 ? on and got close to 14,000 but the bike started to get a bit loose on the back end recently so I thought I'd go back to the Bridgestones, BT23's this time. (Quoted $480 fitted and balanced).

Been reading some posts about tyres over the past few weeks and due to really good recommendations I've just put on a pair of Michelin PR3's. Cost $535 fitted and balanced from Tyres for Bikes in Victoria Park.

The guy who fitted them said that he's had some great feed-back about them lasting longer and behaving themselves on the road both wet and dry, I'll wait and see.

Take care all and lets hope that whatever tyres you're using, they do their job well,

Dave

[Biggles]

Been reading some posts about tyres over the past few weeks and due to really good recommendations I've just put on a pair of Michelin PR3's. Cost $535 fitted and balanced from Tyres for Bikes in Victoria Park.

The guy who fitted them said that he's had some great feed-back about them lasting longer and behaving themselves on the road both wet and dry, I'll wait and see.

Take care all and lets hope that whatever tyres you're using, they do their job well,

Dave

Don't want to break you heart, but I put a pair of PR3s on a week ago- $435  fitted.  I believe Diesel managed to get the same for $400 from the same dealer.

Maybe the freight to WA adds $100!

But then Perth is closer to Spain where they're made than Brissie.

Apart from that, I'm also loving the PR3s.  The bike just drops straight into any turn I ask for.  They're supposed to be road-safe straight away without needing to scrub off the mould release agent.  I didn't test that aspect.

[Diesel]

Been reading some posts about tyres over the past few weeks and due to really good recommendations I've just put on a pair of Michelin PR3's. Cost $535 fitted and balanced from Tyres for Bikes in Victoria Park.

The guy who fitted them said that he's had some great feed-back about them lasting longer and behaving themselves on the road both wet and dry, I'll wait and see.

You'll love 'em Dave and I'd be very surprised to hear different. The extra $$$ you paid will be well made up anyways.

We'd love to hear your impressions of them.

I am about to change to my new front PR3 at the end of this month. I put (the PR2) on at 62,000km (documented) and when I rode into my garage today after a beer with Tipsy - I've got 90,485km on the clock - ON THE SAME TYRE!!!!       

It's tired now and needs replacing - but it has had a long and distinguished career. It will retire with honours! I will post a pic of it tomorrow.

Cheers, Diesel

[Malcolm6112]

I've done over 10K on a PR2/PR3 combo. Both front and rear hardly show any wear.

Mantastic tyres.

 

[Nh478m]

After getting this newer bike still shod with original type Bridgestones, I'll never go back to any others. The Avons I used to run were horribly noisy and the front didn't feel at all well planted with more than 39/40 psi in and then it was always twitchy.

I'm finding the 020s to be quiet, firm and solidly planted.

PJ

PJ

[Maverick75]

6k on a front PR3 with minimal wear so far and great grip (and I'm hard on tyres, ride a fair bit of dirt too). Just put an Avon Storm Ultra 2 on the back and feels good, will see how that wears. (ST11)

[saaz]

From my experience the Storm 2 should be good for 13.000kms plus on the rear. The original storm did not last as long as the Azzaro it replaced.

[Maverick75]

These mileages were unheard of when I had my old ST. I was flat out getting 7k out of the BT020s. Amazing that tyre technology could come that far in 7 years.

[Tipsy]

  py
 Well I am running PR3's both front and rear on the 1100 and man do they hang on. but in reality as long as they are round /black & sticky to road then its dont matter....
but is a serious thing 
Tipsy ....

[tj189]

just added the Avon Storm 2 to the bike, with a big ride coming up it will be a good test for them (and me)

[Dennisgw]

Just fitted a pair of 023's in standard 1100 sizes.  The front went on easy but the rear was a bit of a bugger, seems like the side walls are pretty stiff.

Interesting to see the difference in height between a (new) 160/70/17 and a (worn) 170/60/17 - looks like roughly 3.5cm.  If you add 1cm due to wear on the 170 tyre, that's still about 2.5cm.  I'll be interested to see how these tyre sizes affect handling - but I can say the bike is noticeably easier to get on to the centre stand!

Should cut your RPM for a given speed, but not affect the accuracy of your speedo, assuming those figures are for the rear only.
As for getting STs on their centre-stand, don't get me started!  Even Goldwings are easier!

Come on Biggles, even a short arse like me can do it!!     

[STeveo]

Re centre stand, don't try to lift the bike, put all your weight down on the centrestand handle and it will roll back onto the stand. I never use the folding side handle, just the passenger grab rail.

 

[Sabie]

Pirelli Angels on the front and a battaxe 23 on the rear. When worn I'll change the rear to a Pirelli Angel. So far I'm impressed with the ride and handling of the Pirelli.

[Brock]

New PR3 just fitted at Tyres for Bikes (Vic Park)

[Poppy Dave]

Good choise Brock, I'm sure you'll be as pleased as I am with mine.




Dave                                       

[Turtle]

Hey Brock what size pr3 did you put on the St1100 was it a rear ?

[Brock]

170/60 ZR 17, what else?????

 

[STeveo]

Had Dunlop Roadsmart 2 fitted today (front and rear) at just over $400 fitted. Got 13,254km out of last Roadsmart rear and happy with its performance (centre still usable but no tread left on sides after Dorrigo ride). Will be interested to see if the '2' wears and better.


 

[Dennisgw]

Tried the Metzeler Z8 rear/Z6 front combination only to have issues with the bike.
Yesteday we tried fitting a replacement Z8 on the rear with a slight improvement. Now back to a Bridgestone 023 on the rear and Voila!, the bike is back to what one would expect an ST to be like.
End result, Metzeler Z6 front and Bridgestone 023 on the rear.

[Diesel]

Tried the Metzeler Z8 rear/Z6 front combination only to have issues with the bike.
Yesteday we tried fitting a replacement Z8 on the rear with a slight improvement. Now back to a Bridgestone 023 on the rear and Voila!, the bike is back to what one would expect an ST to be like.
End result, Metzeler Z6 front and Bridgestone 023 on the rear.

The Met Z8 (could have been the Z6 though) got a pretty decent upgrade around 14 months ago and went from a tyre much like you have described here, to a real beaut - apparently.

I wonder if you received one of the earlier generation ones Dennis, as punters are giving glowing reports these days for the new Z8?

Cheers, Diesel

[Diesel]

I voted OTHER as I had Metzlers on at the time.

When I got the bike it had Bridgestone BT 20's on it and I liked them, got near on 18,000 out of them.

I then put Metzler Z6 ? on and got close to 14,000 but the bike started to get a bit loose on the back end recently so I thought I'd go back to the Bridgestones, BT23's this time. (Quoted $480 fitted and balanced).

Been reading some posts about tyres over the past few weeks and due to really good recommendations I've just put on a pair of Michelin PR3's. Cost $535 fitted and balanced from Tyres for Bikes in Victoria Park.

The guy who fitted them said that he's had some great feed-back about them lasting longer and behaving themselves on the road both wet and dry, I'll wait and see.

Take care all and lets hope that whatever tyres you're using, they do their job well,

Dave

Any updates for us Dave?

[Dennisgw]

The Met Z8 (could have been the Z6 though) got a pretty decent upgrade around 14 months ago and went from a tyre much like you have described here, to a real beaut - apparently.

I wonder if you received one of the earlier generation ones Dennis, as punters are giving glowing reports these days for the new Z8?

Cheers, Diesel

Never know Diesel, YoungOne also had the same problem and I believe that his was solved with another Z8. The replacement Z8 on mine reduced the effect, though did not fix it entirely.
Pity though, I really liked riding on the Metzeler if I could stay above 100kmh.

For now I will stay with the combination I have. This is the first time I have strayed from Bridgestone, across 2 ST1100s and 3 Blackbirds, so maybe there is a message there somewhere.

Cheers
Dennis

[Streak]

The Met Z8 (could have been the Z6 though) got a pretty decent upgrade around 14 months ago and went from a tyre much like you have described here, to a real beaut - apparently.

I wonder if you received one of the earlier generation ones Dennis, as punters are giving glowing reports these days for the new Z8?

Cheers, Diesel

Never know Diesel, YoungOne also had the same problem and I believe that his was solved with another Z8. The replacement Z8 on mine reduced the effect, though did not fix it entirely.
Pity though, I really liked riding on the Metzeler if I could stay above 100kmh.

For now I will stay with the combination I have. This is the first time I have strayed from Bridgestone, across 2 ST1100s and 3 Blackbirds, so maybe there is a message there somewhere.

Cheers
Dennis

i have read countless stories about tyres that do this and that...every tyre place i talk to about the ST1100, they say Bridgestone, what do i run, bridgestone, and well i have never had a problem 

As i knock on wood, i will say that i am happy running what is recommended.


Cheers

Graham

[Dennisgw]

i have read countless stories about tyres that do this and that...every tyre place i talk to about the ST1100, they say Bridgestone, what do i run, bridgestone, and well i have never had a problem 

As i knock on wood, i will say that i am happy running what is recommended.


Cheers

Graham

Why didn't you tell me that before I bought the Metzelers Streak??