Hi All Looking to get some new tyres for my 954 and am looking for a little help in deciding, I've read (on here and other sites) that you cant go wrong with Bridgestone, Pirelli, Dunlop, Michelin, Conti but with the same breath slating them all. Now I'm new to the blade, it's my first ltr bike having traded up from a T/Cat 600, (had conti motions on that no issues). I'm looking for a good all rounder, grippy wet and dry, mainly for touring/road riding. I'm no Lorenzo but I'm not the slowest either but looking for something to give confidence and last more than 10 minutes. Appreciate your advice, good, bad and indifferent but I find taking tyre advice from someone trying to sell you tyres invariably ends with you being pushed into buying either what they've got excess stock of, what they can make the most money on or what costs the most. I know none of these reasons guarantees the best tyres but advice from users of these tyres generally gives a more informed opinion. The can of worms is now open!! Cheers chaps
Metzeler M5 mate…been using them since they came out. Great wear in the middle for the boring straight stuff, and soft on the sides… great in the wet too. You've opened a can of worms here lol.
I would def go for Bridgestone bt023 tyres. Will do anything and good in wet and last ages. I have ridden through everything on them and had no issues - you have to push them very, very hard to let them give way on road in the dry or even track - trust me on that. Gone through snow, rain, landslides, floods sleet etc and the Nurburgring, trackbacks etc. You can expect 6k plus from a rear tyre.
I think the fast road thread says it all dude everyone has there favourites its about reading up and just getting on with it .i need tyres and even spoke with the ladies on the Northwest breakfast and my head is still mangled .Jimbo really likes his new Bridgestones so just chip away pick one and at least you know it won't be the biggest mistake you will make because come another two thousand miles you will be asking the same question.lol
here we go again!! lol ive had quite a few but these have all been good - in my personal opinion of course!! : 2ct's - old hat, still great, cheap, brilliant all rounder Rosso Corsas - good in dry, not so good in wet. BT016's Pros - cheap, v good tyre Sportsmarts - not as good as the hype, still great, brilliant all rounder - slightly better than 2ct's. felt a little unstable proper (serious piss taking) pushing them on track and road. Bridgestone S20's - only unsed in wet / damp so far. at the mo im very very impressed, if they wear ok and offer comparable dry grip, i have a new fav road tyre!! havent tried the BT023's but my pal bruce (does more miles in all conditions inc ring time, td's, touring etc than anybody i know) says they are "epic" and he only saves that word for the pyrenees! lol dont really pay attention to miles / tyre but none of the above have made me think - Wow, my rear has gone in 1k! which i've had a few times before.... hope that helps....
The Pilot Road 3's have served me well, shipmate. Having said that I really fancy a go on the S20's like JV's got. I've heard they're gleaming.
Pilot road 3 best in wet by far ! I've done three track days and covered 3500 fastish miles the rear is thinning in the middle but the fronts like new
Have a look at the his showing a BT023 in use - note first pic from end of day - tyre had done about 4k I think. Must upload video of me riding through the sludge in the tunnel after the road slide shut the road while thousands of tons of debris was cleared from it.
Cheers for all the replies guys, I think based on what I've read here, heard elsewhere and personal research I think I'm leaning to either the Metzeler M5 or the BT023. Also heard some noise about the Dunlop Qualifiers as well. Mixed reports about the Corsas so I think that's narrowed it down enough for me. Cheers again chaps
I always ran BT021s on my suzukis due to a few big trips every year and wanting good mileage and good wet grip but also good enough in the dry to chuck the bike around. Moved onto roadsmarts on the 600rr and especially in the dry they offered much more grip. Dunno what the roadsmart 2s are like never tried them. hope it helps
A thumbs up for Dunlop Sportsmarts. Very happy with them in the wet and dry, although previously I had the S20s and I rated them highly too, just not the mileage. I did have a few slips in the wet on the S20s and find the Sportsmarts give a more progressive feel so you know when the griplimit is approaching. Hope that helps
soon as money allows I think Im going to give the S20 a try, lie the idea of a wet/dry tyre with good life. Used to love BT010 and O16 on me RRV so maybe biased, but hoping for the same confidence/tyre life combo
If you're after a tyre a try with excellent life and wet/dry combo I'd seriously recommend the Sportsmarts over the S20. I've had both and the Sportsmarts last easily twice as long as the S20s did. 2500miles tops from an S20 rear and not much more from the front, but the current Sportsmarts are still nowhere near needing replacement after 4500 miles! That's my two pence worth. I'm definitely not slating the S20s as I found them superb, but for me the Sportsmarts work a little better in the wet and hugely outlast in terms of lifespan. Cost comparison they are similar; maybe a few quid more for a set of Sportsmarts however, but long term you'll save money going with the Dunlops. Sam
