Tires for the 6th gen..

Alright, I did try searching but did not uncover enough info that was for our generation.

I have an '04 with about 4400 miles. AFAIK it is still on the OEM tires. I am taking a trip to CA from Wyoming in a few weeks (bout 2800 miles round trip). Should I be worried about the tires? The rear is starting to look a little worn in the middle.

If I do need new tires, what is the best website for motorcycle tires nowadays? I haven't had to buy tires for a sportbike in over 5 years. Also, what tire would you recommend for me? I don't really tear it up on my VFR unless I go into the mountains. I probably need a tire that is 70% mileage, 30% sporty... hope that makes sense. Thanks for your help.

 

Pilot Road-2's!!

Low prices lately everywhere including: Product Listing - Michelin

VFRMike.

 

I bought a set of the Pilot Road 2's after reading many recommendations here and elsewhere.

Was able to pick them up with free shipping from Motorcycle Parts, Discount Motorcycle Tires, Motorcycle Gear, & Motorcycle Accessories | Jake Wilson for $222.xx total. Getting them mounted next week.

 

The oem stock tires blow and at the age you are describing you should change even if you are not taking a trip.
Now what tire you go with is largely up to you. More touring/ commuting get a sport tour tire. If you hit it harder more often get a sport tire. Considering that you still are riding the stockers and are going on a trip i would recommend the bridgestone bt021 for a inexpensive good tire. The follow on model is the bt023 same deal tho.
It is a very good tire and will allow for plenty of good curves. It is a dual compund and will give decent mileage.

I like motorcycle super store for my tires. Competitive prices may not always be lowest but the price service combo is great. Free shipping over one hundred dollars.

I ride more sport and like fresh rubber on my bike. I ride the bridgestone bt016 or the michelin pilot power 2cts (The sportier brother of the power road 2ct)

There are lots to choose from. All Very good tires and will make a good choice. Pirelli angels, michelin pilot road 2cts, conti road attacks etc....

 

after a few scary rides in the rain, i switched over to dunlop roadsmart tires. they are sport touring tires and i feel handle much better than the stock tires on dry roads and especially on wet ones. maybe it is something you could look into.

Dunlop TireROADSMART

YouTube - Introductiontest DUNLOP Sportmax Roadsmart

 

I have a set of Conti Sport Attacks with about 1000 miles of road under them. Love 'em.

 

Its difficult to comment on whether you need to change or not as you don't say what tires you have at the moment, how you ride, or indeed what 6th gen you ride - the ABS models seem to be rather kinder to tires. Certainly I check my tires daily. Most tires have tread wear depth indicators, but these only show when you MUST replace your tires. Personally I won't hesitate to dump a part worn tire if it starts to feel nervous or at all squirmy - only you can tell if you have reached that stage.

In Europe the OEM fit is the old Bridgestone BT021 series, which in touring mode will easily do 10,000 miles, and have excellent wet weather manners. They have effectively been replaced with the BT023 tire which offers similar edge grip but have an even longer lasting central strip offering possibly an extra couple of thousand miles on average tire life. I have been using them now for a few months riding lots of mountain passes in the Alps, and have been very impressed by the way they settle into bends instantly and feel totally planted.

Long straight motorway runs can square off any tire. Hence its worth weaving/rolling the bike from side to side occasionally to prevent the tire squaring off. Sadly if your tires already have a visible flat profile then its probably too late, as you will find it requires more and more effort to roll smoothly into and out of sharp corners.

As others have said, when it comes to tire choice it really depends on how you ride and what you use the bike for. The Michelin Pilot Road 2's are pretty good for more enthusiastic road use, and can handle an occasional track day bashing.

Hopefully folks your side of the pond, will know where to get the best all round deal. But one word of warning if you decide to change your tires PLEASE take it easy until the tires are scrubbed in - http://www.lifford-cooke.com/motorbiking/documents/newtyres.pdf

Hope that helps and let us know what you decide to do!

 

Thanks for the replies everyone. I will probably go with the Pilot Road 2's. I am still wondering if I need to go with the 2CT versions or not.

 

i use to work in the motorcycle industry here in australia, have an 02 viffer, need good mileage but also i ride pretty hard, so i need something that is gonna stick - rain hail or shine.

i am currently running a Michelin Pilot Power front and michelin Pilot Road 2ct rear - this combination works very very well together in all weather.

if u buy a matching pair u will find that the rear genrally wears quicker than the front. not really an issue, but by buying a Sport front and a GOOD sport touring rear they will wear together and you will have to change them at the same time.
i have used bridgestones (bt015 front and bt021 rear) before and here in Perth West Aust they were great in the summer heat, but in my experience not so good in the wet. the michelin pairing i use is good in all weather and even on cold roads are very confidence inspiring.
I am going to try Mechelin Pilot Pure's next, but i am very, very happy with the pilot power front & pilot road 2ct rr. although now i have such good tyres on i find myself pushing harder and finding the limits of the rear tyres grip sometimes.

The_Head - u deffinately want a 2CT tyre on the rear - good milage in the centre and great grip opn the sides of the tyre - perfect for commuting, touring and scratching!!!!

 

I have run 3 sets of Conti Road Attacks since I purchased my 06 VFR in 06. I had no issues with them at all other than the rear tire was done by 4,700 miles, front lasted to about 7k.

Never did burn outs just enjoy the mountain twisty roads of Pennsylvania. Well it was time for new rubber again – VFR World contributors to the rescue.

Two weeks ago I purchased and installed Michelin Pilot Road 2 from “JakeWilson.com” rear - $133 front - $110 and EBC HH Sintered brake pads front and rear.

Road about 400 miles this weekend and tires and pads worked flawlessly. Road with 3 other VFR’s and one 600 RR. One leg of the Pa. route was 125 from Pine Grove heading north into Shamokin. This leg of the ride had it all; from “U turn” turns to switchbacks, off camber, sweeping turns, banked turns (hard braking) and a 3 mile straight, all nestled in the Pennsylvania Mountains.

Many on VFR World recommended the EBC HH and they are a great addition to my ride and would recommend to anyone on two wheels. Thanks VFR writers and contributors.

No, I don’t work for any of the above mentioned companies but I do drive a F150 FWD and I have slept at a motel 6. (once)

 

On to my 2nd set of Michelin R2s and highly recommend them through expirience, and as Shazazz2 mentioned the R2s have very low wear rate in the centre and great grip on the edges.

Mind the R2s and Dunlop Roadsmarts have been on the market for a few years and the new ST kid on the block is the Metzeler Roadtec Z8 Interacts.


Has anyone tried out the Z8s yet ?

 

Head - I can't speak about the other tires, so I'll keep my comments to the Pilot Road 2CT. (My bike had new Dunlops when I bought it, but didn't know what I was missing until I got new rubber).

You said you're looking for mostly mileage, with some sport. You should be able to get 6,000 miles on the rear tire, possibly more, and at least 8K or so on the front. Take a look at this link:

Michelin Motorcycle Tires

You'll see that the sides are a much softer compound on the 2CT, helping in those corners, while the center is a bit more firm, providing you with a longer life.

If you like to measure grip by "chicken strips"... I don't have any.

I've found the PR2CT to be a good tire for my riding. I'm probably about 70/30 sport/touring, but I also don't feel like replacing tires every 2500-3000 miles. These tires have worked great for me; smooth (i.e. vibration in the handle bars at any speed) and handle well, and warm up pretty quick. I have about 3000 miles on mine, with no signs of wearing. Limited rain exposure, but they seemed to hold up fine.

For what its worth, one of the guys I often ride with has about 7500 on his tires (6th Gen). He uses it for commuting, but can also tear it up on the back roads. His rear tire is just beginning to show some signs or squaring off, but still has good tread left.

Good luck with your purchase and ride safe on your trip.

 

I have Mich Pilot Road 2's on my '07. I have ~4k on them now and they're NOT really showing it. I don't have any weird or uneven wear on either front or back as well. Hoping to get another 4K out of them before I need to pony up for new rubber. For me, I commute 3-5 days a week and then spend a couple of hours on the weekends in the twisties. So I'd say 80% freeway, 20% twisties.

I've been looking at this issue trying to get as much info as I can before that fitful day arrives. I've seen reference to the new Avon Storm 2 Ultras as being direct competitors to the PR2's and maybe a better choice for commuters. Anyone here have any experience w/'em?

 

Yes, if you go pilot roads get the 2ct. It is dual compound. The BT021 or 023 are also dual compound. Harder compound int he middle softer on the edges. Bridgestone uses a tripple compound on some of their tires. Other tire mfgs use a single compound but different tire carcases to do most of the fkexing to provide grip. It is a serious science and takes a bit to digest.

You have compounds, multi compounds, different carcass types, profile differences, different weights, different tread paterns, etc..

If you chose anything recommended above it willbe a decent tire and will be a good place to start or to end if you so chose.

In short anything is better than oem stock crap. Get off of it asap.
Then get out and enjoy that bike.

 

My current 2nd set of R2s have 10,600miles on the front and 8700miles on the Rear and still have no problem pacing briskly riden Gixxers and Blades on BT16s through the tight twisties, mind will even though they are still legal will replace them just prior to my next road trip next month.

 

Are you saying they blow out because of age (in this case 6 years) or miles? I have '07 Metzeler ME Z4s and they are about 3 years old with 5,200 miles. Getting sort of a flat spot in the middle since it takes a bit of slab to get to the curvy stuff from where I am. Okay to go another few K?

 

Floyd - he said the stock tires "blow" - not blow out. BIG difference, sir! The stock tires on the OP's bike were probably some cheesey Dunlop that are way outdated.

Any tire could have a blow out - new or old. Of course, the laws of probability say an older tire is more likely to fail.

As for your tires being 3 years old, the term old may be relative to what sort of temperatures they are exposed too (high heat?), any winter/outside storage, etc. Personally, at 3 years, I'd start to have my doubts about the tire (i.e. dry rot), and if financially feasible for you, I'd look to replace. I'm sure there are plenty of people who have rode on tires much older, but I'm just throwing in my $.02

 

I think I am going to try out a set of Q2's... they are 179.99 a set right now.

 

The Dunlop Q2s, Metzler M5 and the Pirelli Rosso all look like good future choices. And one of the three will be on my bike next tire change.

I stand by my suggestion of the Bridgestone BT021/23 because they are a good tire bargin for the ST rider. QThe mich PR2CT is good as well.

 

I meant they blow as in they SUCK. Didn't mean to cause any undue concern. It is just that the oem crap that came on these bike is not very good and most certainly do not represent what the tire mfgs that provide them a capable of making.

I had those Metzlers on my bike and got good mileage out of them. I hated them.

Start researching now so you will have your selection picked out whe. You need to make your purchase.