Tires for my new bike

So I got that '98 VFR 800. So far its a great bike but it does need a new front tire. It has a Continental on the front and a ~85% Bridgestone on the back. Should I go with the same series tire on the front? Or research the tire I want for future riding and go with that?

 

I typically buy whatever tires are cheapest within reason. Over the last year or so I've found Bridgestone BT-021's to be at good prices, rears lasting ~8k, and no matter how hard I try they will not slide around turns (when properly inflated).

 

in general you cant go wrong with modern rubber. I would change both tires to match. Folks seem to like Pirelli (Diablo and Diablo Strada), Bridgestone (BT 14,15,16), Michelin (Pilot Road, 2C) and Metzlers (a pirelli variant), although in the last 2 years Dunlop has come on strong. Take a gander at this: http://www.cycleworld.com/assets/download/2009_tirestudy_download.pdf

and here is a recent review http://www.conti-moto.sk/PS TESTSIEGER SPORT ATTACK ENGLISH.pdf

as mentioned, there are as many opinions on brands as there are members of this board, so do some homework and ask specific questions once you narrow your choices

some good deals on closeouts are available at (with reviews)
Street Bike Tires and Sportbike Tires at Motorcycle Tire Superstore

 

Great Scott, I just fell right into this one.
It just so happens I have also decided to replace the worn and misshapen tires on my 2001, and low and behold here is a current thread!

This is my first sport tourer, I have run pirelli super corsas and metzler mz1's recently on a gsxr600 and was very satisfied with both. But would like to get better mileage from my new tires.

So of the tires mentioned that people seem to like, which are good for medium/fast cornering in the mountains, long stretches of freeway, rain and still provide enough mileage to get me across the US and back (6k miles).
Let me know if I'm asking for too much.

 

if you like DCIII/Supercorsa, why not stick with a sure thing. Diablo (regulars) and Diablo Rossos are the shiznit.

 

michellin pilot power 2ct.

 

I have 2 VFR's & have had 5 tires on them. Those 5 are:

Dunlop D204K = Absolutely horendous POS. I wouldn't put them on a riding lawnmower. They don't make them any longer so you don't have to worry about suffering thru trying them yourself.

Continental Road Attack = A great tire IF & ONLY IF sporty riding with touring is mixed in. If you are full sport rider, you need to look elsewhere. Should you choose these, you will easily be able to get 6000 out of a set. They are very neutral & stable. They heat up fast & hold a line very well. Rain is nothing more than a minor annoyance with the RA. The only warning I would give is when they do wear out, they wear out right freaking now. I was riding along & the front simply stopped performing. It just stopped be a good tire & started freaking me out in turns. Were I to switch back to Continental's I would run a Sport Attack front with a Road Attack rear.
Continental Conti Sport Attack-Hypersport Radial Front Tire - Street Bike - Motorcycle Superstore
Continental Conti Road Attack-Sport Mileage Radial Rear Tire - Street Bike - Motorcycle Superstore

Bridgestone BattleAx BT-016 = A truly great tire if sport riding is your thing. If you are an aggressive rider, chances are, you will love these things. They give almost insane levels of feedback. I have never ridden on a tire that talks to the rider like the BT-016 does. It will grip as well as anything out there. The only bad thing I can say about them is they are very nervous on center. The tire doesn't like to stay straight up. It wants to & will almost beg you to turn. They are on my Wife's VFR & she has no complaint other than the aforementioned on center stability.
Bridgestone Battlax BT-016 Rear Tire - Street Bike - Motorcycle Superstore

Metzeler Sportec M3 = A pretty darn good tire. I have them on my VFR & just broke them in today with 210 hard miles. They were very nerve wracking during the break in but now are a very good tire. They have great levels of feed back, no where near as tactile as the BT-016 but they are adequate for most situations. It will hold a line very well whether in a turn or straight up & down. It was 70f+ today so the heating up process wasn't an issue but my previous experience with other Metzeler tires leads me to believe that they will heat up fairly quickly. The only real downside I can think of is they start complaining back to the rider as you approach max lean angles. They don't run out of grip, they just don't like being leaned as much as the BT-016 or the DCIII I will describe next. If you are a sporty rider leaning to full on sport riding, you will probably love the M3.
Metzeler Sportec M3 Supersport Rear Tire - Street Bike - Motorcycle Superstore

That leaves me with the best tire I've ever ridden on, the Pirelli Diablo Corsa III = Simply put, these tires freaking rock. I have nothing other than price & mileage to complain about. You would be lucky to get 4500 out of a rear. I got a rear flat at 3200 miles & the rear was about 75% baked. The front was OK but was definitely showing it's age. Other than those two things, I have nothing bad to say about them. They heat up fast, they are rock solid at lean & only slightly nervous on center. Any full sport tire will be nervous on center. That's the price you pay to have a tire that turns in at the slightest thought. You will run out of lean angle before you run out of grip. Pin the wrist coming out of a turn & it stays hooked & goes to where ever you are looking. They have been updated & are now called the Diablo Rosso Corsa. I haven't ridden on the new ones but I will switch back to Pirelli when I BBQ my Metzelers. Simply put, if you are a full on sport rider, get the Pirelli. You will not believe you are on the same bike.
Pirelli Diablo Corsa III Rear Tire - Street Bike - Motorcycle Superstore
Pirelli Diablo Rosso Corsa Rear Tire - Street Bike - Motorcycle Superstore

Enjoy.

KC-10 FE out...
lane: :usa2:

 

Sounds like the Continentals are the tire for me.
Thanks.

 

I have Conti Road Attacks on my 07 currently. I am semi-aggressive in the twisties, and do some touring, and I have absolutely no complaints with these tires. The rear is nearly due for replacement at 8K; front still has plenty of miles left in it.

 

Do you think the front would go another 8k?
I ask because I am considering using the sport/ road F/R combo. I dont like the idea of messing with the engineers plans but I dont make enough money to throw away good rubber either. If mixing and matching compounds means the front and rear tires get replaced every 6-8k and dont screw up the handling I'm in. However, if I can get the front to last through two rears that would save me some dough.

And now comes the question of the road attack 2... Continental Tyres UK

 

Oh just great... I am home sick and spending too much time on the internet.

Anyone have any experience with the pirelli angel ST yet? Pirelli Angel ST Tire Review

 

I was running Continental road attacks and almost got two rear tires out of one front tire...I think I got about 11000 miles out of the front. The Conti's are great tires for the price but Motorcycle Helmets & Gear - Buy Shoei, Arai Helmets and More is running a great deal on the Pirelli Angel ST's. I put a set of those Pirelli's on my vfr and man what a great tire. Traction is great (wet and dry), heat up time is minimal, and they just inspire confidence. The Conti's are still great tires and full price vs full price on Pirelli's I'd have to go with the Conti's but at $260 for a set of the Pirelli's delivered to your door...you just can't beat it. If you can get $260 together it's going to be the best money you've ever spent on tires.

Pirelli Angel ST EMS Tire Package Specials Competition Accessories

 

Pirelli does not make a rear Angel ST for the 4th gen , they only a front .

 

That sucks dude but this guy has a 5th gen

 

really? they have them in a 170/60
Pirelli Angel Sport Touring Rear Tire - Street Bike - Motorcycle Superstore

 

I no longer have the email, but I contacted Continental about a SA on the front with a RA on the rear & the rep said there would be no issues. He said the only things you would notice would be quicker turn in and faster front tire wear.

KC-10 FE out...
lane: :usa2: