| Author | Message | ||
     Cowboycop419 |
Okay... Its that time, I'm rapidly approaching my first rear tire change 7000 miles on the original Dunlop D616s on my 06 Uly (XB12X) and have only had the bike for about 1000 miles so I'm not sure how they would feel new. I like the way the tires feel for the most part but they seem to take a while to really warm up and unless there's snow and ice on the ground I ride all the way through winter (average high temps around 45). So I'm asking you experienced Uly owners... stick with the D616 or has anyone found something better? Suggestions? | ||
| Froggy |
Yes, having no tires is better than a D616. The D616 is so terrible I heard a rumor that Bill Gates is trying to buy out Dunlop just so he can discontinue the tire then shred them up and package the remains as celebration confetti to ship with Windows 8. Get Pirelli Scorpion Trails if you hit the dirt, Pirelli Angels if you slab it, Pirelli Corsa III if you track it. | ||
| Buewulf |
I am a fan of the D616 for off-pavement excursions. It has decent grip in the loose stuff and a thick carcass that resists puncture (and also increases your warm-up time). It is also the best tire I've every ridden on in the rain... not that I like getting caught in the rain, but you never know. They exceed my cornering abilities (not saying much), so I am happy with their street characteristics as well. My rear lasts 5K. How did you get 7? Pirelli Scorpion Syncs warm up quickly but are too thin to really take off the street reliably in my opinion. Probably a better option than the Dunlop if you are a street-only rider. | ||
| Ratbuell |
And ignore everything Froggy says. He hates my Garmin Quest II, too!  I run D616 on my '06, and love 'em. I, too, ride year round. On pavement. Off pavement. Snow. Rain. Wet grass. Big honkin' rocks and large gravel. You name it. 26k miles on 616's and I wouldn't change 'em until they come up with a dual-compound version of the same tread for higher miles (I get about 5k out of a rear). And they run stuff like The Dragon just fine, fully loaded, with no problems.  | ||
| Kellaupat |
User review on bikebandit.com is ALL 5 star ratings for the D616. Pretty impressive. I have Strada's on my bike now, but want to go back to a more dirt oriented tire on my next change. I think I am going to go with the Dunlops. | ||
| Itileman |
Going to end up getting about 6.5k out of my rear Avon Distanzia. Front should go 10k or better. Really like them for what I do - lots of 2 lane mountain twisties, dirt, gravel, rocks and a little slab. The 160 fits the rear fine. | ||
| Mikef5000 |
Pirelli's for the win! And they're on sale at MotorcycleSuperstore.com right now too. Enter M320-PIRELLITEN for an additional 10% off. | ||
| Bdrag |
Mikef5000 My next sets on its way since yesterday. Went and bought a damn 2010 rear wheel tonight so the new tires will go straight on a new rear wheel. I am likin the Trails on the rear so far. Thats what I run on my strom as well for years now. Can't wait to see what a matching set feels like. I am running the Angel on the front still. Its gettin great milage up front. BDRAG | ||
| Skinstains |
Try the Conti TKC 80 for off road. It works OK and lasts pretty well on the slab too. | ||
| Cyclonedon |
I run Dunlop D616's and love them! Good traction and they wear great too! I usually change the rear at the 10,000 mile mark but the last one picked-up a nail in the side and I only got a little over 7,000 miles 0n that one. | ||
| Conchop |
I like Michelin PR2's. | ||
| Tiltcylinder |
The Pirelli Angel ST's seem to be great, have the same mileage on them (5,300 or so) that I had on the Diablo's when they were worn out. The Angels are only about 30% worn away so far. They're keepers. | ||
| Cowboycop419 |
I picked up the bike at 6000 miles, the center was fairly flat, not too bad though. I'm guessing he was pretty gentile when it came to using all the torque the bike has to offer plus he looked to be a pretty light dude. I'm sure that all played into the tire life. | ||
| Cowboycop419 |
Ratbuell: Okay, thats the second time I've seen you mention the Dragon so I looked it up... HOLY CRAP that looks freakin AWESOME!!! Reminds me of Palomar in San Diego county (I'm an Okee transplant and seriously miss my CA twisties). I am definately foreseeing a trip out that way just to ride that sweet piece of road! Maybe ride the TAT back to OK since the original trail is only 3 miles north of my house... sounding like the beginning of a thought... | ||
| Mnrider |
I'm on my 3rd 616 and like them just fine.There doesn't seem to be any other choices in our size that is all road enough for me. My last one only lasted 4k though,I think I need to back off on the throttle a bit! | ||
| Ratbuell |
Cowboy - check out the threads for Buelltoberfest 4. You still have a week and a half to get there  (and yes...The Dragon is probably my least favorite road for the weekend - they're ALL good down there!) | ||
| Tootal |
Ratbuell, I'm heading down to Georgia on Monday to visit my friends there and then I'll go over to TWO on Thursday. I ordered that cot you showed me, should be here tomorrow. Looking forward to a good night sleep, although I hear the moonshine helps a lot!! As far as tires, I've run Dunlops, Synch's, Metzeler R6's and I just put on the RP2's. Synchs worked off road decent but are thin. Great on the street. The Metzeler's were even better on the street. I am looking forward to seeing how the Michelins do. The Dunlops are the best off road IMO but not the street. Any of the others was better on the street. (Message edited by tootal on October 07, 2010) | ||
| Pkman |
The D616 is the best tire I have experienced in the rain and the worst off road in mud. They worked great on the Dragon in cold weather but slid quite a bit on a racetrack in 90+ degree weather this summer. On the street they feel great and I've never had problems with head shake except when I had them aired down to 20 psi for gravel. They did surprisingly well on gravel and hardpack in Colorado. | ||
| Los5445 |
I have to put in my 2 cents. I had Pirelli Scorpion Synch on my 07, the rear lasted about 8K and the front (down to the threads) lasted 12 K. I have a D616 on the rear and its OK but at 5K seems to have worn quickly. I think I'm going to try a scorpion trail rear next. I changed the front to an Avon Distanza and am happy so far. | ||
| Los5445 |
I should add that my wife has D616s front and rear on her XB12SSX (SS with a Uly seat assembly). She is happy with the tires but shes a pixie little thing and has only put 4K on the bike. | ||
| Ratbuell |
Yeah, I typically get 5k out of a rear. I have found, though, that the heavier I run (overloaded bags, 2-up), the rear wears MUCH faster. I reallyreallyREALLY wish they'd do the same tread in a dual compound! | ||
| Jphish |
I have run Distanzias, scorpion Syncs, D616 & PR2s. I like all but Syncs - had too many flats - carcass way too thin for any nonpaved roads. D616s wander a bit, but better as they warm up, pretty good all road tire. Distanzias are a fine, sticky, SM tire & are good on dirt/gravel roads as well, but not great mileage. The PR2s are a GREAT road (not dirt) tire. Excellent wet or dry, sticky cornering, stable handling &...I got 12K out of a rear and 16K on front!! I think possibly the best all around tarmac tire currently available for the Uly. Havent tried the Angels - so I wont comment - but others seem to like 'em. | ||
| Froggy |
I cringe at the thought of a 616 lasting even longer. | ||
| Armymedic |
Dunlop Roadsmarts. | ||
| Jphish |
Got the RoadSmarts on the ST - pretty fine rubber. But Still think the PR2s have the edge, when one considers mileage AND performance. | ||
| Dynasport |
I have the Angels on my XT. They came stock on it. My rear tire is toasted at about 8500 miles. The front looks pretty good. I have been pretty happy with them, but I don't have much to compare them to. | ||
| Union_man |
I ride 90/10 Street...PR2s are great! I like the way they feel, and they have worn like steel. I am shopping tires now too. I am going to buy a different brand this time, just to try something new. The next set will surely be dual compound. Zero complaints with the PR2s. 10,XXX + miles on the rear and it is mostly worn out. Front tire is is about the same condition and lasted twice as long as the rear did. | ||
| Bluzm2 |
After much wringing of hands and gnashing of teeth, I ordered a set of D616's today. They should be here Tuesday... The seemed like the best "in between" tire. Mostly street, a bit of gravel. I guess we'll see. | ||
| Barker |
Pilot Power 2CT front Pilot Road 2CT rear I like the feel of the Pilot Power 2CT front and the long lasting and never ran out of grip Pilot Road 2CT on the rear. | ||
| Whisperstealth |
I'm at 9,850 miles on my rear roadsmart. Got another 300/400 miles maybe. I'm a big guy, and haul a lot of gear. That said, I've been wanting to try the PR2's and the Perelli trails. | ||
| Windrider |
" I cringe at the thought of a 616 lasting even longer. " No Froggy, tell us how your really feel about the D616. I burned through one set of them and swore to never try them again but the Pirellis make me cry when I pay for them, so my resolve is weakening and the Scorps are about gone again..... | ||
| Fltwistygirl |
9 k hard miles on the Angels before the rear tire toasted. During those miles, bike was loaded down, ridden 2 up in all kinds of funky weather on super slabs and non-paved middle of BFE Northern Minnesota roads. Tires never missed a beat, hubby just ordered another set just in time for my birthday. Nothing says "I love you" like a new pair of sticky tires! |
