| Author | Message | ||
     Sniperbuell |
Hey guys kinda new here. I just bought Bertha my Firebolt a couple months ago and I need to replace the Dunlop Sportmaxx' on it because the rear is down past the wear bars. What tire would guys recommend me putting on? I really would like more stick than the Dunlops and I don't mind too much about replacing like every 4,000 miles so long as they're nice and sticky. I was looking at the Michelin Pilot Power 2CTs, but I'm just not sure. Any recommendations/experiences are much appreciated! | ||
| Nillaice |
New here? ... WELCOME!!! i think cycle gear still has the sale for a set of pirelli diablos for 200 + tax and ~$25 mount/balance each wheel i've heard good things about the 2CT's. good mileage and traction shinko's will loose their profile/shape and give you crap-tastic handling. tho, i've found them to be just fine for commuting. and 'cuz you are new, the following might be worth your time to read: usually you can get double the mileage of a front tire than that of a rear. balancing should be done with the wheels as is; don't let them tell you that you need to take off your rotor and pulley. you can find your self paying way too much for mount and balance, especially if you buy tires elsewhere than the shop, and don't take the wheels off the bike at home and bring them in seperately. and when it's all said and done; make sure the tires are installed the right direction. (an arrow written in sharpie on the rotors is a nice reminder) | ||
| Ducbsa |
+1 on the Mich Pilot Road 2CT's. | ||
| Froggy |
The Pilot Power 2CT is probably the worst tire you can possibly put on a Buell. Terrible traction, even worse in the wet, terrible life, take forever to warm up, will make your speedometer wrong, and makes the front end act weird. Pirelli Angel ST and Pirelli Scorpion Trail are my current pick for tires even though they aren't full on sport tires like the Pilot Power 2CT. Full on sport tires are a waste on the street, and really should be saved for those who regularly do track days. The reduced life and long warmup times aren't worth the potentially marginal improvement in dry grip. | ||
| Nillaice |
and now i have heard bad things about the 2CT's  | ||
| Froggy |
Problem with saying 2CT's is that Mich overuses the term. They have a 2CT variant for just about every tire they offer. Pilot Power 2CT is garbage, other models probably fair better. | ||
| Kdogshirow |
My Buddy put a set of Pilot Power Pure tires on his 03 XB12R , and I was shocked at how good they were , that bike really handled well . I was very impressed and would buy a set of the Pilot Power Pure tires for my bike next . They are one of the lightest tires out there . As for the other Pilot tires , I dont know.... | ||
| Hodakaharold |
I thought the Michelin Pilot Power 2CTs were excellent value on wear and handled well, I was replacing tires every 2,500 to 3,000 miles until I went with the Michelin. | ||
| Sniperbuell |
Yeah I went to the local Buell/HD dealer today just to see what pricing was there (known these guys for like 12 years now, half the shop guys ride Buells) and they gave me a $530 quote for Pilot Power 2CTs mounted and balanced and put on the bike. Add a 20% discount, but I still feel like that's a lot of money. I was contemplating going with the Power Pures, but I think I ride in the rain too often for those to make sense, I also ride down to the freezing temps until it snows. | ||
| Ducbsa |
I'm sure glad I like Pilot Roads, not those awful Pilot Powers!  | ||
| Reepicheep |
Scorpion Syncs were my go-to tire for the 9sx. Really nice on the strack, street, or gravel. A remarkably balanced tire. The only down side is the carcass, when they are worn it is (literally) paper thin. So don't push them in terms of wear. Or go with the Scorpion Trails for a thicker (but heavier) carcass. For the Uly, it just ate the syncs too quickly. I'm running the Pilot Road 2's right now, and really like them. Not as good in grass / gravel as the syncs, but they appear to be lasting a lot longer (which was my main goal). I drug a peg for the first time on the Uly for the first time on the Franklin (for real, not just by having a crappy body position) and they never slipped at all (aside from tar snake squirms, but I don't think any tire can avoid that). Maybe I'll try the scorpion trails after I wear out the PR2's. I suspect I'd be happy with either. | ||
| Eaglerider |
Pilot Road 3 is on sale at about the same price as others... | ||
| B00stzx3 |
Pilot Pure 2CT. Like krazy glue in the twisties and turn in like a moped. | ||
| Danylos |
Just Put Diablo Rosso Corsa's on my 9r and love them!!!! such a world of difference and so much better than the d207's that were previously on the bike | ||
| Memphis |
Try the pirelli super corsa sp! Night and day difference from the corsa 3. Super sticky, best feed back I've ever felt, and warms up instantly. Only down side is tire life, only last 3 or 4 k if you ride hard. Read the reviews on them. | ||
| Eretromicin |
Michelin Pilot Road2 2CT's are really good. I've tried Dunlop and Pirelli tires and neither comes even close to the Michelins... | ||
| Xb12randy |
I'll second the Pilot Road 2's. I went thru several Diablo's and dual compound diablos in less then 2000 miles each. The Buell is HARD on rubber with all the TQ they make. I just bought a Ducati Hypermotard 1100 and it had 2ct Pilot Powers on it. They sucked. Took forever to warm up just inspired very little confidence. I replaced them yesterday wtih Pilot Road 2's. Also don't get the new Pilot Road 3's they are meant for wet weather riding and have a much softer rubber compound. You'll eat them up in no time flat unless you live in england  and it's raining non stop | ||
| Forerunner |
Pirelli Diablo Supercorsa SC:  Nels | ||
| Greg_e |
I have Pilot Power on both ends and they seem to really stick and give a lot of confidence. I don't think life is going to be very long though so I'll probably try one of the 2ct compounds next time | ||
| Fast1075 |
I recently installed a set of BT-016. They are very confidence inspiring. Good turn in (not as good as the Michelin however), hold the line very well and stick like glue. The front is wearing a bit faster than expected, but has good feel and grips well even under heavy braking. In order, The Corsa III was good and sticky, but you had to lever the bike into a turn. The Q2 was very good, but short lived and they cut easily. The Pilot Power was also very good, with good turn in and good grip, but would get a bit twitchy at times. But they wore evenly and lasted 3,600 miles. | ||
| Glitch |
Pilot Power 2CT is garbage, other models probably fair better. Getting the suspension set up was a bear! Even then you have to change if you're running on rough stuff, or twisted stuff. Big hassle, more than it's worth. Other models fairing well? No, at least not with the R1. It's just as much of a hassle. | ||
| Sniperbuell |
I ended up ordering a set of Bridgestone Battlax Bt-003s and I'm having them installed on Wednesday. I'll let you guys know what my impressions are of them. Pretty excited | ||
| Midknyte |
look forward to, and hate reading these threads sometimes... replaced my original Dunlops (finally) with Pilot Power 2CT's. vast improvement to me... | ||
| Bads1 |
Hmmm ran Pilots on all my Buell's were great and the feedback was exceptional. I have them on my CBR and like quite few on Honda forums say nothing but good. Froggy has his opinion and they can vary | ||
| Sniperbuell |
Well the Bridgestones ran great while the bike was still good. Ended up touching a reflective center line while leaned over a bit and the bike went down and silly me, I hadn't put frame pucks on so now the frame is scratched and the bike is considered a total loss. I'm picking up another 9R this weekend though and will be throwing my old set of wheels with the Bridgestones back on to to give them a proper testing. During my time on the BT003s they were extremely confidence inspiring and really really easy to break-in. Turn-in wasn't quite as crisp as I would have liked, but it was very smooth and linear which for me is more important than crispness.Wheelies are easier now too with the stickier compound compared to the Dunlops. | ||
| Djohnk |
These two : http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/2/29/393/1486 0/ITEM/Continental-TKC-80-Twinduro-Dual-Sport-Rear -Tire.aspx?SiteID=CSE_Gbase_14860&WT.mc_ID=80003&z mam=88421133&zmas=1&zmac=45&zmap=14860 http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/2/29/393/1485 8/ITEM/Continental-TKC-80-Twinduro-Dual-Sport-Fron t-Tire.aspx?WT.ac=RichAutoComplete I wonder how they would look on a Firebolt? Anyway, they are coming out soon in the right size, I am sure they will go on some Uly's when they are available. | ||
| Aschem |
Very happy with my Pirelli Angel ST tires on my 07 STT. | ||
| Fast1075 |
I have a new S20 Bridgestone due in tomorrow. If the hurricane stays away, I will give it a proper test Sunday. | ||
| Limelight |
I just got a pair of Mich Pilot Road 3s with the sipes. Wow! They just stick. Even in tropical storm downpours they just stick. | ||
| Diablobrian |
Pirelli Diablo corsa is my choice. They warm up quickly and since I'm not a commuter I'll take the trade-offs in wear for the grip I get from these tires. Oh, and my handle has nothing to do with the tires, although it is a kinda cool coincidence. | ||
| Sticks |
Had a screw in my Road II rear tire. Thought about just getting a new rear Road II. Got Bridgestone BT-016 something or others for less than just the rear Michelin. They are great so far. They are praised for their wet grip. Not that it ever rains in Washington. Well, starting tomorrow it does. I really like them so far $199. a set. | ||
| Greg_e |
Why are the Pilot Power 2CT so much worse than the Pilot Power tires? I have the regular Powers on my 9R and they stick like glue and look like I should get around 4000 out of the rear. To say they inspire confidence would be an understatement. |
