Exactly. I'd love the luxury of having a shedload of NEW tyres to try out like journalists get to play with. Some have said the 55 is less stable than the 50. Haven't noticed that. I'll not go back to a 50.
Had a new Bridgestone S20 on the back of mine, and it rained just before I left the dealer. Although the road then seemed dry I took about 50m before the backend was round by my left hip, then I was on the Tarmac with the bike sliding down the road. So as to how long to scrub them in, I'll let you know next time
I had the 55 on my 2011 ABS and had no issues ....but have gone back to a 50 profile for 2 reasons (1) I felt no benefit and it felt ( to me) that I liked the 50 better and rode better with it and also the owner of SMD TYRES who has done it all with TT bikes and the test for fast bikes / PB all over Europe and he reckons that the fact Honda pend millions on development of the machines with a 50 tyre then why change .I know some here love them and say they tip in better but it may be lack of experience in " not getting it" or maybe just maybe not swallowing the hype and the 50 is ok ,either way I have a set of Metzler K3s with 600 miles on them with 55 profile in the garage awaiting a bid and local collection .
Oh dear, is your bike back together now ? And on the 50 v 55 did someone not post a link on the forum That was saying honda themselves said you can use a 50 or 55
While on the topic of tyres- I'm putting a new roadsmart 2 on the rear of the blade, the front RS2 is still good for another 3/4K miles, the new one will obviously be nice and round and the existing front is slightly flat spotted in the middle. Will it handle weird??
It won't be too bad you may feel the shoulder a little when leaning if it is pretty flat. It's usually putting power thought the rear that flattens it quicker than the front would tend to. If the front looks like its squaring off then change it ASAP to match the rear
I'm running battlax bto16 and people slag them off but I get on quite well , had my first proper outing today did the local run round Milton Keynes 400000000 roundabouts !!! Safe to say I did 80 mile ish and I'm down to about 4-6 mm on the rear and near on sidewall front a few snotters but nothing serious until Cadwell next month , what tyre shall I get next (pair) I like sticky and fancy learning to scratch on the blade!!!!
Phantom, I believe it was Blackdevil who put up a link from Michelin Germany who aproved a few tyres in 55. The Power, Power 2ct and Pure if memory serves.
I guess I answered my own question today....not run in until you gradually wear the edge away.have 80 miles done and done a fast right hander on the dundrod circuit and not only was my knee sliding on the road but also the back end as it had let go.turned in lifted my knee and prepared for take-off.back end caught grip and I was spat airborne still gripping the bars.thankfully I landed on the tank looking at the front wheel, I think I have slightly managed to crack the fairing and the mirror cover is a bit broke(nothing glue wont fix). so had to do another couple of laps to try and see if the rear was going to let go again or if it was dirt...not sure as I didnt get right to the edge again.thought trying to on the same corner would be tempting fate.
yup I had visions of and off and a fella was killed there not so long ago on a 09 blade in the exact same corner, it has big fence posts on the outside so its a no no for an off. just have to try and break in the right hand side now and prove to myself its the road and not the tyre :s
On the powers mate.it surprised me it let go so easy which Makes me think it was the road because not more than a Corner earlier I was trying to get the opposite elbow Down and the bike didnt budge a mm. Heres a phone pic
Well picked my bike up last tuesday, same day straight into local tyre shop and slapped a set of Pilot road 3's on her. 55 on the back seems to work well
