| Author | Message | ||
     Justinwmac |
I have to get my first rear tire soon. I currently have the manual approved dunlop tires on the front and rear but i need a new rear. I ride to work everyday in north cali. but like to hit some curves. What do you all think i should get. | ||
| Greg_e |
Probably one of the dual compound tires like maybe a Pilot Power 2ct. Would be best to replace both, sometime you can get odd things running different manufacturers or models of tire between the two ends. That said do what you want if you switch brands. | ||
| Jeylux |
I'm running a Michelin Pilot 3 on the rear of my XB9. I like it a lot. I have about 3k miles on it this year. Mostly expressways, and they hold up to those well. And corner carving when I find 'em. So far no issues. | ||
| Jbolt |
+1 for pilot power 2ct's I just put those on my 12R about 1800 miles ago. I like'm a lot and I'm going to buy them again. | ||
| Nobuell |
I have used the Dunlop Roadsmart tires for the last two changes. I got around 9K on the rear with some miles to spare. I like to replace both but the front could have gone another 5K. They have proven to be great handling tires on the back roads with a neutral feel. Very good in the rain. | ||
| Terrys1980 |
Pilot Road 3. No need for for PP2's unless you do an occasional track day. Most people do not push their bikes hard enough to really require a 2 compound tire. | ||
| Sifo |
I've been very happy with Pilot Road 2 tires. I just mounted my third set. I got 23K miles on the second set. Those tires got to ride from Chicago to the Dragon 3 times! I've found them to be an incredible value with very good performance. The Pilot Road 3 if you ride much rain at all. I couldn't get them when I needed tires though. The PR2 is still very competent in the wet though. If I were riding track days then I would choose a different tire. | ||
| Chessm |
for commuting i would +1 what everyone says about the pilot road 2s or 3s. i have those on my CR now (had them on the XB before)and they last for miles AND ive never had the tires hold me back on aggressive twisty rides. i can keep up with anyone on roads like skaggs or 36 with pilot roads. also do touring on those tires. ive got 3K+ miles on them on the CR now and they still look really good. they lasted 10K on the XB. | ||
| Iamarchangel |
This will upset a few people: match your front for now. When you've worn that tire, the front will probably be ready to change as well and you can get a new set. I didn't like the stock Dunlops at all so my real suggestion would be to get a set of real tires now. Pilot Road 2 are great. Conti RA are fun. Do you want mileage or fun? | ||
| Jbolt |
Sorry, I didn't specify. I would also change both so they match. I've never had too much luck with dunlops. But if you can only get one, yes, match the front...for now. | ||
| Gunut75 |
I'm spoonin a set of Michelin PR3 tires on today. I'll have a set of Conti RA2s on the shelf for the next set. If these Michelins last as long as Sifo says, I'm going to put the RA2 tores in a plastic bag. They're gonna be on the shelf for a while. | ||
| Sifo |
In 45K miles of riding my bike has only had 3 sets of tires. The original Dunlops, and PR2s twice (just started the 3rd set at 45K). I'll let you guys figure the math. I think we all know the approx. life span of the Dunlops. It takes about 500 miles just to wear the injection molding "hairs" off the center of the tires! They seem to grip just fine leaned over to use the entire tire too. Great tire for sport touring use. I can see where serious knee draggers may choose something else though. For them I might suggest the Pilot Pure.  | ||
| Lostartist |
how important is it to match the front and rear tire? | ||
| Gentleman_jon |
+10 on the Michelin Pilot Roads. Great handling tire, good wear, some guys have even done track days on them. They handle much better than the original Dunlops that came with the Buells, and last much longer. Matching the front and rear tire is a must if you want good handling. If one considers how much one saves running one front through the life of two rear tires , its about fifty bucks. It wasn't worth it to me. I tried it once, had bad handling for an entire season. Not doing that again. The reason I bought a Buell in the first place was for the handling. | ||
| Lostartist |
eh, okay then, I'll deal with it for the 7 turns I get to do on my way to work and back. next time I'll change both. | ||
| Froggy |
Not really important. I've had no problems running a Michelin not street legal race tire on the front with a Pirelli touring tire on the rear. Your mileage may vary. | ||
| Andymnelson |
With a race tire on front and a touring tire on rear....your mileage most certainly WILL vary!  | ||
| Mesozoic |
I've been running Bridgestone BT016 and would probably spring for them again. | ||
| Justinwmac |
Wow thanks for all the help. I dont care about matching just need a good tire. I do alot of highway driving in Cali but also like to take some curves (nothing Crazy) but nice fun time... | ||
| Gentleman_jon |
Perhaps a bit of clarification might be in order here. Tire selection is a very personal thing, and everyone has their own requirements and preferences. Whether or not one chooses to replace a worn rear tire with a new pair, a new matching rear tire, or a similar rear tire depends on three things: 1. How aggressively one rides. 2. Economic factors 3. Safety. For the aggressive street and occasional track day rider, nothing but fresh, top of the line sport tires, changed as pairs, will do, (or will even be allowed on some tracks). My personal favorite for this duty is the Michelin Pilot Pures, which have been very favorably reviewed elsewhere. For the commuter, tires like the Michelin Pilot Road 3, or the Dunlop Roadsmart, are great tires, offer good life, and surprisingly good handling, rather better that pure sport tires of just a few years ago. (Anyone remember the Dunlop 207's that were mounted on the first XB's:-). Replacing the rear tire and leaving the front unchanged is a common practice, and the effect of reduced handling most likely will not make a big difference for the commuter. Even mismatching brands, as long as the general type and size is similar normally won't lead to big problems. However, that should not be taken to mean that any old rubber is " good enough". There are safety issues involved of which one should be aware. Normally mixing bias and radial tires should not be attempted unless specifically approved for the application by the manufacturer, which is rarely done, (but it does happen). because the handling characteristics and be quite different, especially when ridding aggressively. Similarly, one should normally avoid the temptation to run race "takeoff"s, that is to say, racing tires that have been used at the track, but still have some life left in them. The reason for this is that race tires are meant to be run at much more elevated temperatures, and used for a limited number of heat cycles, so that in many cases they more offer less performance when used on the street. Like anything else in life, one pays one's money and takes one's chances. Bottom Line: For fast street riding, it's matched pairs of top of the line sport tires: Pilot Pure's are my choice of the moment. For sport touring and commuting, it's the new sport touring tires like the Pilot Roads or Roadsmarts. For economy, one can change just the rear tire if the front is still looking good, performance in the twisties will be slightly compromised. Before spooning on some real bargain tires perhaps one should pause and consider if the money saved is really worth the difference in performance and safety. Just my .02¢ | ||
| Mesafirebolt |
I've been running Shinko's for 5 years now, 3 diff sets. All fine handling and economy wise. about 9,000 miles on each set. | ||
| Xb12randy |
I went thru 2 rear diablo's and the second one was the 2ct tire in less then 7000miles. Buells are tuff on rear rubber if you have a heavy right wrist LOL. I went to a set of Pilot Road 2's at this sites suggestion and they have been SOLID so far. NO noticeable wear after 2000 miles and they stick just fine for my meager skill set. | ||
| Noone1569 |
I'm stuck in this debate, too. I blasted through two rears of the Dunlop 208's at around 6500 miles total for both rears. I've got around 3500 on my Corsa II and it's damn near shot, same for the front, but that looks like it may have about 3000 more on it. I do a lot of commuting, some semi-aggressive riding, and a bit of very aggressive street riding. I'm not sure what to go with. I've read that the Pilot 2ct should fit my need. Suggestions. | ||
| Marksm |
My OEM Sych lasted 15K, the Pirelli Angel I tried next, only 5K. Now trying a Shinko Raven. Having it mounted this evening. I think next I will try the Pilot Powers. |
