| Author | Message | ||
     Sonomacyclone |
i just recently bought a used 99 cyclone. she needs a new set of tires. this is my first sport bike so i need to get some insight regarding tire choices. first a little background... the bike is primarily used as a daily commuter - about 80+ miles round trip. on the weekends, once or twice a month, i get together with a group of riders and take off on the beautiful roads of northern california. we're pretty tame, so i'm not looking for super high performance tires. my main consideration in tires is mileage. with the miles that i commute, i don't want to go thru 3 or 4 sets of tires a year. previously, i ran dual composite bridgestones on my standard style bikes and loved them. i was told by the local dealership that i would probably want to stay with "205's" which run stock on the buells. the place i buy my tires dosen't have 205's - they have 207's. my questions are these: does anyone make a dual composite tire that fits the buell? what does 205/207 equate to in a tire and how much difference is there between the two types? can anyone recommend an all around tire for the buell that will get decent mileage for commuting, and won't suffer performance on the occasions that i decide to 'get after it' a little. thanks for your input. | ||
| Shot_Gun |
The 207's are a good tire and should last about 5 to 6K (my own experince) After 2 sets of them I went to the 205's they are good tires in the rain but in cold climate they lack adheasion under severe deress. They have been up graded to a new model(can't remember the name but you can find it in the knowledege vault under tires.) My 205's have about 6900 miles on them and I have about 40% wear left. As for the new model I haven't tried them. I will probably go back to the 207's after these wear out. Just my $0.02 Oh yea my main concern was milage too untill I high sided due to lack of traction. It cost me($1600) so saving the $170 doesn't seem so hot now. SG | ||
| Djkaplan |
The only advice I have is not straying from the 120/70 and 170/60 tire sizes if you are running stock wheels. I just installed a set of 207s. I am only getting 6k max out of them (running them to the cords!). | ||
| Raymaines |
My M2 came stock with Dunlop 205's and I never felt secure, especially in the front and especially in the rain. I replaced both tires at 10,000 miles with Bridgestone 010's and fell in love! I've got 6,000 miles on the 010's and the rear tire looks like it might last another 1,500 miles or so, the front will last much longer. I really like the feel of the softer tires but they arn't lasting long enough to please me. I think I'll replace the rear tire with a Bridestone 020 (equlivent to Dunlop 205) when it's gone. FWIW, most of my riding is on straight and level roads. God bless the guys that live on ultra twisty mountain roads but I ain't one of 'um. My tires get a flat spot in the middle long before the edges are even scuffed in properly. I vote that you get a "soft" front tire (Dunlop 207 or B010 or whatever) and a "sport tour" rear tire like the D205 or B020. As always, YMMV. | ||
| Ken01mp |
i only got 5k out of my stock 205, and i hated it, they suck. dunlops are a cheap japanese tire. if you dont mind ponying up the $$, look into Avon's Azaro II lineup. they use a "variable Belt Density" meaning the belts are closer in the middle for more stait line stability and more spaced on the outside for a more forgiving contact patch. Avons are made in the US or England, depending on the model, it may not matter to you, but it does to me. a new Azaro II will run you a little better than 150, but last 6k or better and handle like you need them to on the weekend. im not a big fan of bridgestones either, just an opinion. Metzler makes a sportec tire that is a dual composite tire, and ive heard good things, but they get spendy too. my last thoughts- "you get what you pay for" "some things in life are worth the money" "theres a lot riding on your tires" Ken | ||
| Spike |
I have the new Metzeler Sportec M-1's on my M2 and they are amazing. I didn't think tires would make that much of a difference. Very little warm up time, quicker turn-in, wonderful stability, and big stoppies. My only complaint is that there's noticable wear down the center of the rear after only 3k miles. The stock D205 did the same thing, but I saw over 8k miles from the rear. In the Metzeler's defense, I did run all the way to Daytona and back (~1500mi) and I have been running them at 30-32psi. I'll probably try something a little harder next time around, maybe Dragon Evos or AV45 Azaros. If anyone is interested, the June issue of Sport Rider has a pretty good tire test. Also, check out discountmotorcycletire.com. They had the best price I could find on the Metzelers and they contact you within 24 hours if your order does not get shipped for any reason. Mike L. '99 Cyclone | ||
| Kevyn |
Metzeler Sportec M-1... Like Ken said, "There's a lot riding on your tires" | ||
| Dynarider |
I thought Dunlops were made in the USA? I believe they have some relationship with Goodyear. I had the Dunlop 207 on my X1, only got 4800 miles out of it. Switched to a 205 just to get a mileage comparison, maybe try Bridgestones next. | ||
| Raymaines |
Here are some links to tire (Tyre) tests done by Motor Cycle News. Objective data is always so much better than somebody’s half baked, semi educated opinion. It’s all good reading but check the last link for sure. Dare to be different Rubber you can rely on Middleweight tyres taken to the edge In pursuit of the best And especially: Tyres tested like never before |
