OK time to sort some new rubber for the bike. Can't decide whether to stick with Bridgestones or switch to the Metzlers which seem to have a good rep on here and unsurprisingly the website bumpf seems good as well. Before anyone suggests Michelins I want to say that is a definite no go as I have never got on with them either on bikes or cars. So, I'm not that quick on road but I am doing some track riding this year. Grip across the temperature ranges is more important than wear, but I don't want the wear rate that some have seen on the S20s, something that would be basically good for 4000+ miles. Mainly ride in the dry but will have the odd commute etc so has to be able to cope with the rain as well.
Ive got some good mileage out of the S20. About 3-4k and thats with alot of motorway miles. The rear has squared off and getting down to 1mm now and Ill definitely be getting another S20 in a few months. I also dont mind riding in the rain on them.
I normally run a soft tyre on my road blade (08) but last year when I toured the Pyrenees I thought I'd go for something a little harder to last the trip. I generally run Racetecs so I thought the Sportec M5 would be ideal. I managed 2000 miles on the rear before it completely wore out! Replaced it in Pau, southern France with a Pirelli Rosso 2. Very disappointed in the mileage return from the M5 although they were very grippy!
That makes two dude, A Mixture of rides from wet to spirited twisties, I've never had an issue with them, a good all round tyre. They are that forgiving they even keep nails for pets
If your looking at 4000 odd miles, then really you are into sports touring tyre territory. The best sports tyres I personally have tried with good mileage are the Dunlop Sportsmarts (currently at around the 4K mile mark though I do know someone who has murdered them in 2K), and with the Sportsmart 2's have just been released, these may be a good shout.
Ive been running Dunlop Sportsmarts and i gotta say I'm pretty impressed ! They have stood up so far for 3000 miles with loads of motorway and and wet wintery roads and some tarmac terrorism, when the weather has allowed it, until they are peeling, and have stuck like glue and given me nothing but confidence in them !
Pirelli rosso 2 are good tyres, plenty of knee down grip on track and last quite well too I am buying Pirelli supercorsa or Dunlop d212 for this year's track days, but will keep them just for track
currently have bt23 on mine...aprox 5500 miles so far, loads of tread but if I'm honest the feel has gone in the wet! although they may be me getting old. Im going to try the PR3 tho as they have GLOWING reviews here and online, and I need a good wet tyre big time
Well the dangers of browsing ebay got me with a set of S20s for under £200 delivered. At that price I can affors to risk the low mileage.
Doubt you will get any more out of the Rosso2, I usually strip mine in 2k. Most expensive isnt always the best, my latest blade came with Continental Sport Attacks on it and TBH they ain't bad and are lasting better than Rosso2's
I think the Sport Attack is a very underrated tyre! My 08 blade had these on when I bought it second hand. Normally I wouldn't give Continentals a second look but I was quite impressed by these especially in the wet! What's the mileage life like?
Can someone please change the title of this thread to tyre porn It seems like the more of us get bored of the poor weather, the more of us start looking for new rubber. Just wait until you have to bed them in and winter calls your ride off. I've still only done around 60 miles on my PR4's and they've been on a month
