Another tire thread

When I bought my VFR,the previous owner installed a brand new front tire as per our negotiation.I didn't specify what kind of tire,just that a new one be mounted.He put on a Metzeler Roadtec Z6 front.
I rode it around for a while with the new Roadtec on the front and the old Metzeler (which was the origional tire) on the rear.It still had decent tread on it but it began to bother me that the tires didn't match and that the rear tire was so old.(I found it would spin easily and i figured it must be dried out and hard).
So of course,I bought a new Metzeler Roadtec Z6 rear tire and was happy that I had brand new matching rubber front and rear.
About all I knew about tires was that they were round and black,new ones were better than old ones,that touring tires were harder and longer lasting than supersport tires,and that these Metzelers had a cool tread pattern.
Then I discovered this forum,read up a bit on tires, and realized that there was a whole lot more to learn about these mysterious round black rim protecters then i had realised.
I saw a lot of opinions regarding a lot of tires,but don't remember anybody expressing an oponion specifically on the Roadtec Z6.
So...What about them??? Anybody else got them???Are they good???Are they shit???Are they strictly a touring tire,or do they have any sporting credentials???
Fire away:ear:

 

Do not worry,you have one of the best sport touring tire.

 

I have Roadtec Z6s on my 4th gen. I have had nothing but good experience with Metzeler. On my light cruiser in the late 80s through early 90s, I had poor longevity experience with stock Bridgestones and moved on to ME88s for the next two sets. Nice combo of life and stick. Apples/Oranges equipment from the VFR but....
Same goes for the Z6s. They have about 3000 miles on them without issue. I have to say that my wet riding with them is limited. I'll copy and paste my tire history here from a thread from last year.

Stock Dunlop D207 - Very grippy tire with relativley short heat up time. I tore them up in my first season and looked for something with more longevity. I don't ride this aggressively anymore, but am not interested in replacing tires flat-spotted from my commute either.

Avon (model??? ) - Sport touring rubber...thought it was the answer to my need for more miles. Ended up they were too hard of a compound and were relatively slow to get to temperature. Hated them in cold weather and wet conditions, as I would occasionally get the rear end loose when exiting corners, but never low-sided. Also had a very round profile and were heavier than the Dunlops and took a bit more motivation to fall into a turn. I couldn't wait for them to wear out so I could move on.

Metzler MEZ2 - Ahhhhh. Just right. Good grip for my occasional 7/10 riding style and great longevity. My second set of these now ready for retirement, I would like to get into something that will commute as well and not give me any pucker factor when I decide to attack a few corners now and again.

 

Interesting,I had problems only with bridgestone(bt 020).I just installed new model Dunlop Roadsmart but I have to wait at least one month we still have winter here.

 

Well I have a set of Z6's on the 97 for the last 2.5 years with a little over 6,000 miles on them.

Here is my impression.

In warm weather there is plenty of grip. However, for anything that gets a bit more agressive I have to run 30-32psi in the front and back tire to assist with grip. The track day I did was on the Z6's. Now they got a bit cooked, but for a beginner they worked fine. I only had one slide and it was my fault, not the tires. I am not saying they are a track day tire. I am just saying for a medum paced beginner with NESBA, they were enough.

My two complaints are they take a bit to warm up fully, and you will slide if you don't let them warm and they seem to loose grip in colder weather.

I think the best way to sum up the Z6's is they are a great street tire for the person who likes a ride through the twistys but has to commute or face some significant straight line riding. I've gotten my money out of them.

If this description fits you, you will be happy.

BZ

 

Anyone have any experience or knowledge of the Perlli Diablo Stradas? I'm thinking about those for my new spring sneakers.....

 

I had pirelli dragon and they where very good but two of my friends have strada´s (vfr,fz1) and they are saying it´s wery good choice(good grip,last long enough,short warming time)sounds almost like no brainier.

 

Perfect answer - many thanks

 

I can't decide to go with the Pirelli Strada or the Michelin Pilot Road has anyone had both or know how they compare?

 

Not to add more food for thought, I run the Pirelli Diablo Corsa :biggrin:

 

I did read a write up on the new pilot road 2, and it received great reviews all around. Not sure if these are already on the market - I just received my Chapparal "big book" catalog and they only feature the first gen pilot road....

 

I am having a bit of trouble finding the road 2 models locally- as later this week the weather should be improved (low 40's and no snow) I plan to get a set of Pilot Power, and then perhaps replace the rear with a Road 2 in a few months. I like the idea of sticky up front.

 

Pilot Road 2s

I was able to get a set of PR 2s in Sept '07. So far, I have around 3,200 miles on them and they still have another 2,000+ miles on them easily, I'm guessing. The mileage so far is a mix of twisties and riding on the slab....probably 2,000 miles on the slab. I ride aggressive in the twisties when I can and ride a lot back and forth to work. I love the tires. They feel very good on the bike, good feedback and the dual compound sticks very well when leaned over. They did excellent in a thunderstorm at 80 mph. I give them high marks, but I will try the Pirelli Diablo Stradas next to compare them. Someone on the forum didn't like the PR 2s, since they ride mostly twisties and they said they wore down on the sides too quickly for them. They aren't cheap at around $315 a set when I bought them. As I understood last fall, the Pilot Roads (1st gen) were all sold out and no one had them, but perhaps a few warehouses have a few.

 

I've been checking around, and have found that Motorcycle Superstore has the best pricing around http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com. I priced out a complete set of Diablo Stradas (120/180) at $233 including free shipping; a comparable set of Pilot Road 2's looks to be around $285 - free shipping as well. That's better than what I'm seeing on eBay.

 

In every tire pair front tire is softer.Do not get me wrong I always like front(golden tire) softer but within the brand-D207F,D220R......PP F,PR2 R is OK.

 

I just purchased my 99 VFR. I have an SV650 though and am on my second set of Michelin Pilot Roads. I liked them alot. Plenty of grip for me and they lasted over 6000 miles each. They handled well and rode smooth. In bad weather they are exeptional, rain- dirt roads etc.
I know, I know the VFR is not a dirtbike...

 

I have the Z4's that came with my new 07 VFR. So far they seem ok. What is the difference between the Z6 and the Z4? And sorry to hijack the Thread, but, should I be in a hurry to upgrade them to something else?

 

I' ve been running Pirelli Diablos for a while and really like them, though wish I could get better longevity from the rear (usually 4-5k miles, max). They seem to compliment the VFR very well. They (rear Diablos) do not like extra weight and high summer temps in combination, which is how I ride much of the time, touring with a full load of camping gear. Traction is excellent, especially at elevated (street, not track) speeds.

I may try a Diablo Strada rear with regular Diablo front, as I tend to be fairly easy (smooth) on the throttle exiting corners and in no hurry to high-side on the street.

Tire wear varies greatly with riding style, load, temps, road surfaces and tire pressures. Lots of really great tires on the market now, so I often buy what's on sale. I don't kid myself thinking I'll get great traction and 10,000 miles from a m/c tire, at least on my VFR.

Some of the tires I've used on '96 and '00 VFR:

Dunlop 202 (stock on '96), 204 (stock on '00), 207, 208, 220

Metzler Mez2, Mez3 (race rear), MEZ4, M1

Bridgestone BT-020

Pirelli Diablos

Avon Azaros (the original)

Edited to add MEZ4