| Author | Message | ||
     Dynasport |
My Ulysses XT came with Pirelli Angels and I have stuck with them, although I seem to have issues with the front tires cupping. But on a trip this summer I had a flat on my rear tire and the only replacement I could get was a Michelin Power 2CT, which everyone told me was a great tire. But since getting the new rear tire, the front has cupped again and the 2CT has squared off. As a result the rear feels like it is going to let go every time I lean over. It has scared me several times. So, even though I've got lots of tread on the front and rear left, I'm going to replace both front and rear. What tires do you guys recommend? I am hoping for something with good wet and dry handling that also wears well. Thanks. | ||
| Froggy |
Pirelli Angel GT front and rear here, it is the only tire I run on my bikes now. Cupping means you are not running with enough pressure. | ||
| Xbimmer |
I'm going back to Dunlop RoadSmarts. Currently riding on a Bridgestone BT023 front and Michelin Pilot Road 2 rear, I usually don't mix tires but got a great deal on the PR2 and the 023 had a lot of life left. Solo run 34f/36r but several weekend 2-up trips this summer grossly overloaded I ran 36f/40r, the combo has always performed better than the 023 set although the PR2 is almost finished at 7.5K and the 023 is pretty triangular at 15K. Put on the front Dunlop RS2 couple weeks ago, it's fantastic so far. New rear should arrive today and I was going to stretch the PR2 another 500 miles this w/e but I had to pull the rear wheel bearings yesterday, they were feeling a little notchy finally. Got almost 50K on those like the originals so I guess I got my money's worth. Can't wait to try the set of Dunlops, I really liked the two sets of originals I'd run and the rears lasted 9K, this Michelin wouldn't have made it to 8K but the 2-up trips have been abusive to be fair. Agreed, tire pressure monitoring is everything. | ||
| Xbimmer |
Killer prices and super fast shipping to KA from these guys: https://www.jakewilson.com/p/1173/34767/Dunlop-Spo rtmax-Roadsmart-II-Sport-Touring-Radial-Rear-Motor cycle-Tire Until somebody better comes along this is where I'm buying tires. | ||
| Ratbuell |
I run 38/40 (solo/commuting) or 38/42 (loaded) front/rear, always. Never cupped a D616 and now that I've switched the Uly to PR3s they perform equally well, with excellent treadwear. | ||
| Etennuly |
I went to running 40 front and rear to cure some slight cupping on the front. Worked out great thus far. I am going to the PR3's next time. I have a PR1 on the rear at this time. It is wearing flat in the center because I have just not been twisting it up enough. If you commute without rounding the tires on corners, the single compound tires certainly can wear a center flat area that makes transitions into corners testy. | ||
| Tootal |
My Pirelli Trails front still has a little tread in the middle and totally shot on the sides. I mean slick! So the dual compound does make them last a lot longer. Never seen a front tire wear that long in the middle! | ||
| Fotoguzzi |
I was not too happy with the last Angel rear going worn at 5k..then got a roofing nail, I had to plug it on the side of the freeway, was feeling good and got on it- threw the plug and I had to wobble off to the side and get behind a barrier to plug it again (the traffic was crazy & fast>< I35W) front Angel lasted 7.5k Last fall I put on PR4's and tho not much time on them I like A LOT! more than the Pirelli's .. not sure on my memory but I think delivered the pair was $332. from Denniskirk.com | ||
| Nobuell |
I currently have michlin PR3 on the front and rear. They provide the lightest fell of any tires previously used. The wear to date has been great. I have almost 60k miles and have tried almost every major brand. The PR3s are the best to date. The powers are a much softer compound designed for sport bikes. You will not get the longevity available with the PR3. | ||
| Dynasport |
Thanks guys. I have been running higher than owner's manual recommended pressures due to cupping issues on my first set of tires. But when I put the 2CT on the rear I went back to owner's manual recommended pressures of 34/36. When I took a long trip I upped the pressures a bit and still got cupping. But the squared off 2CT in the rear is really disconcerting. At times it feels like the tire pressure is way low, but it is not. it bums me out because there is lots of tread left on the tire. | ||
| Callawegian |
Thanks to all of you for this thought provoking conversation. For years me and my 06 Uly have suffered from tire cupping issues. I was attesting this issue to all of the slabbing I was doing commuting to work. I will increase my air pressures when the temps in the Show-Me state increase enough to ride again. | ||
| Uly_man |
A Michelin Pilot Power 2CT tire is a waste of time and money on this bike and IT WILL FLAT OFF VERY quickly with highway use. The one to use is the Michelin Pilot 2CT (3 or 4) and not the Power version which has a softer mid section than the normal Pilot version IE For race work. | ||
| Ratbuell |
That's the pilot ROAD2 or ROAD3 (or now the road4). "Road" is the important part of the name. | ||
| Uly_man |
Yep. The Road version. A dam good tire. | ||
| Mark_weiss |
In a pinch I tried a Dunlop RoadSmart on my '08. I disliked the tire from the very beginning and was not sad when I punctured the tire for the third time and threw it away. That tire always felt loose and twice led me to inspect my rear wheel bearings. Since the RS I've been running Dunlop Q2s taken off of my trackday bike. I'm averaging about 5k from a rear tire and over 8k on the fronts. No cupping issues at all, run at Buell recommended 34/36 psi. Minimal experience with wet grip out here in the desert though. We did have a rainy track day a couple of years ago and I had no issues on the R6. | ||
| Xbimmer |
^^^ Well that's how it is with tire preferences. I never had any issues with the original RoadSmarts including commuting in the mountains Spring '10 with snow and runoff and that sandy crap they spread on the roads up there. It's a sport touring tire and for my skills (and enthusiasm) a Q2's qualities would be a waste of money. I'm hoping that the RoadSmart 2's work as least as well for me. The rear in particular has a sectional profile that I don't recall the original having, reminds me of the Pilot Power being peaked in the center, the sides run very flat all the way to the edge without any rounded drop off. I hope that doesn't translate to less highway mileage because that's why I like these kinds of tires, my Holy Grail is the 10K rear. Everybody has their favorites and IMO all the multi-compound I've tried are excellent overall and served me well. There are guys here who love D616's and 009 Ravens which are tires I'd never go near again but they work for them and that's what counts. I was ready to try the newest Bridgestone T30 but the new prices on the RS2's was too good to pass up. Merry Christmas and hope some of you guys get some new tires under the tree.  | ||
| New12r |
Riding style has more to do with your tires than the tires themselves. I have tried many, and the only ones to give me more than 2k on the rear are Michelin pilot roads. That said, I ride like a donkey hole, lots of aggressive acceleration and wheelies, lots of wheelies. | ||
| Yo_barry |
I'll just chip in on another tire (tyre)... Metzler Tourance Next I put a set on a few months ago, really happy with the handling in both wet and dry. They are also very stable on unimproved roads, ie not paved. I had to replace the rear at about 4800 miles due to a puncture. I think the rear might have lasted for 6000 miles although it was squared off at 4800 miles. Had Dunlop D616 prior. I think I'll try Froggy and Rat's recommendation on tire pressures. I've been running 34/36. | ||
| Uly_man |
"I think I'll try Froggy and Rat's recommendation on tire pressures. I've been running 34/36". On a bike, for those that do not know, correct tire pressure is a real BIG deal and something it took me "many a year" to understand why it is the case. I would also have had a better riding experience and saved some money as well. So for those that want and/ or need to know, read on. The first thing to know is that a tire can loose a very small amount of air over a period of time, even if you cannot find any leaks, and on bikes that handle as well as a Uly this can effect its handling a little. This is part of the reason for checking them before a ride. I can tell drop of as little as 2 psi on my Uly. It is not dangerous it just makes for a better ride if it is right. Next is that the STANDING cold tire pressures can change even on the same day. As an example it can be less on a cold morning and more on a warm afternoon. And that difference can be a LOT. Maybe as much as 5 psi if not more. There are many types of tire you can buy. All with different and/or mixed compounds but more importantly is the differing profiles they can have. A more "pointy" profile tire can feel VERY "flighty" on a bike which it may not suit or for a rider which is not looking for that sort of handling characteristic. The trick is to find the tire you like for what you want it to do IE Handling, wet weather, wear, feedback, etc. Ok so lets say, as an example, you have fitted a set of PR2s. For my weight/ style I use 36F/ 38R but YOU may wish otherwise. Whatever you have do not make changes of more than 2 psi at any one point, ONLY once they are HOT and ONLY checking them with a GOOD pressure gauge. Once you have found the "hot" pressures you like then check them cold and THEN add or subtract to that on PRESENT ambient air conditions with COLD tires. Yes none of that is a perfect solution and a pain in the ass to get right but that's bikes for you. Also you have NO HOPE IN THE WORLD of getting the best out of the superb suspension of your Uly unless the tire pressures are right in the first place. Oh, the other bit? A set of tires will wear to the riders STYLE. The problem is that they become a MATCHED wear pattern on front and rear. You CAN run an old front with a new rear but this can effect how the bike will FEEL on the road. Also the thinner a tire gets the more likely you will get a puncture. |
