| Author | Message | ||
     Rek |
I've been browsing the KV for information on tires w/out a lot of success. A couple of posts praising Michelin and Metzler for lasting 4K miles, but that's it. I've had my S3 for less than a year, gone through two complete sets of tires, 2500 miles on the Dunlops and 3500 on a set of Maxxis. Both looked *decent* when they failed along the roadside in the middle of BFE. My VStrom riding friend claims to get 10K miles out of a set of Metzler tires. Is he full of it? (wouldn't be suprised if he was...) I need to find a more durable brand of tire even if they're not as "sticky" as some brands. I use the bike mostly for work and will likely have 15-20K miles added to the odometer by season's end. If I have to replace the tires every 3K miles any cost-saving on fuel is totally wasted on rubber. Any suggestions? Rob | ||
| Reepicheep |
Based on what you describe, I would recommend MeZ6 (or the MeZ4 if you can still find them) Metzlers. What is the failure mode of the old tires? If they are not worn out, or not gotten some sort of cut from some rude external object, they should not be failing. What inflation are you running? Doing track days or anything? | ||
| Buellish |
I get 7 to 8 thousand miles out of Metzler Z6 Roadtecs. | ||
| Rek |
Both tires suffered rock punctures. The Dunlop was so thin that it couldn't be repaired. I plugged the Maxxis and inflated it w/ C02 along the road, made it the 80 miles home but it was flat again the next AM. I've been running 42lbs and have never even seen a race track before. Most of our roads out here are chip-sealed w/ gravel and that could be aiding the wear problems. Also they're mostly very straight and so the centers are paper-thin while the edges appear nearly new. (edit) Looks like I'll give the Metzlers a try when this set is worn out next month (June should net close to 4500 miles). Rob (Message edited by rek on May 31, 2005) | ||
| Thansesxb9rs |
Rob, try the continental road attacks, they seem to be a long lasting decent handling sport touring tire. I have about 2K miles on mine with very little wear. And I will not be getting new tires for my trip to Montana next month, these tires are supposed to last 12k but I am still testing that. | ||
| Tom_b |
I just replaced a set of Metzler Me4's. Real good tires, and still have some wear left, put a little over 5,000 miles on them. would be able to do more if I hadn't been doing burnouts  | ||
| Cowboy |
I have used 9 rears in 36000 mi. I have tried many different tires. I have found the metzler road tecs are best suited for the X1 , on the Texas roads of crushed rock | ||
| Bcordb3 |
Michelin Road Pilots are a good way to go. | ||
| Kevyn |
I had 5500 on a Pirelli Dragon Evo when the cord started peaking through the center. Having a great time with Metzler Z6's. Feel better than the Pirelli's. ...but then again, it's a Duc SSie... | ||
| Cataract2 |
Running Pirelli Scrops right now and got about 8K out of it before the wear bar was gone. Going with the same tire for round 2. Might switch to the Dunlops 220. Heard some getting lot's of miles out of those. | ||
| Reepicheep |
I was not fond of the D220. I tried one as a rear on the Cyclone. It was OK, but wore faster then the Z6, and was downright hazardous until it warmed up (sliding all over the place). It also failed early (strip peeled off the center about 1000 miles before the tire otherwise would have been toast). The profile was fine, but flopped more into turns, especially as it started to wear (unlike the Metzler, which rolls over into them). The Scorpion Syncs on my 9sx seem to be even better then the Metzlers RoadTech (Z6). I think they probably wear just a shade quicker, but stick better both wet and dry. And look cooler  I do notice that the Scorpions do tend to get small cuts in the tread more often. Nothing down to the cords, but noticable. The biggest one (maybe half an inch wide), I used a trick a bicycle buddy told me about, and cleaned it out and superglued it to keep it from spreading. It probably would have been fine left alone as well, but is doing well. Note that this won't fix a broken thread, it just makes those small shallow cuts look less alarming. I'll be going with another set of the Scorpion Syncs for the 9sx, I really like them. My second choice would be the Z6 though, especially on something like a S3 or M2. | ||
| Steve_mackay |
I'll 2nd the Scorpion Syncs... I put a set on my '98 S3T about 2000 miles ago. They warm up fast, and turn in quicker than the previous Dunlop 207s. They are better in every aspect so far to the previous 207s I had. | ||
| Cataract2 |
Hm, never noticed and cuts in mine. I'll keep an eye on them. | ||
| Fullpower |
Metzeler Z6. | ||
| Reepicheep |
It may be just me also, I take that bike *everywhere*, and am not at all shy about gravel / dirt / whatever. Nothing abusive (no jumps or trails, heck only accidental wheelies), but if a shortcut calls for some gravel I won't hesitate to consider it. We are on a neighborhood with a lot of new construction, so I have to run the gauntlet a couple of times a day as well. | ||
| Gentleman_jon |
Here is an idea. Michelin Pilot Power on the front, The newly announced Michelin Pilot Road on the rear. Not as sticky as the Pilot Powers, but I am guessing that they are as sticky as the Dunlop 207's and will last a lot longer. Both should wear out about the same time, say 8000 miles or so. Of course this is just a guess as the tires have just been announced. | ||
| 2000m2 |
I am very happy with m Metzler MeZ4's. They are wearing very well after about 2k miles and handle just fine in the corners. | ||
| M2nc |
I just rode home on a striped D207 @ 5700 miles. The problem I have is when traveling on the Buell, interstate's speed eat up the tires. What is a good tire that can handle 70+mph all day?  | ||
| M1combat |
I would third or fourth the MEZ6 recommendation. | ||
| Mfell2112 |
Bridgestone BT-020 or is it 25? Shane T-bolt can tell you how well those hold up. I think he told me 10,000 miles on his S3T. Mike | ||
| Henrik |
MeZ6 would be a good choice without giving up much in grip. I've always liked the MeZ4, and the MeZ6 is supposedly an upgrade. Henrik | ||
| Ceejay |
I have to fifth or sixth that MEZ6. I have a set on my M2 and while I only have about a 1000 miles on them, they don't show any wear and I have been camping once and ride on a lot of tar and chip also. | ||
| Twowheeldream |
I just bought a set of Pirelli Diablo Strada's for my 97 S3. Waiting for them to be delivered. I'll try to keep everyone updated... Have one question though.... anyone else have bad luck with nails or screws in the back tire? anything you can do? I don't plug tires, they say not to go over 80mph when you do, and i do that too often to have to worry about it in the back of my mind. I dont like buying a new tire every 2 months because i pick up a nail, sux big time.  | ||
| Reepicheep |
If you have them professionally patched from the inside, and there is no evidence of significant cord damage (i.e. small clean hole from a nail, rather then a big slice or ragged hole from a screw), I don't think there is any reason not to patch, especially on the rear. Probably half the rears I have ever run were running patches, one had two, no problems. I never run much over 100mph though, and spend very little time over 85 or so, and don't pull stupid stunts like long rolling stoppies. | ||
| Mbsween |
I have around 6k on Pilot Roads. (bike is a 2001 X1) Nowhere near the wear bars yet. I had D208s prior. I'd say the traction is similar, the Dunlops had better feel in my opinion. But I'm finding I can push the front pretty good with the michelins. I liked the 208s, but I was getting tired of changing tires twice a season, and I live in upstate NY! So I can without a doubt, vouch for the performance of either tire in snow, they both suck!  | ||
| Tom_b |
I just put Pilot roads on my x-1 to replace my Metzler Me4's. While the Pilots are good tires I liked the Metzlers all around feel better. Will probably go with metzler me6 next time. Still have the old metzlers for spares or a when a friend may need a good used one. | ||
| Jeremy_02_x1 |
Anybody tried the Continental Conti-Force or Conti-Force Road Attacks? I called a smaller local Harley-kinda-wannabe shop and they have outfitted some of their customers on sportbikes with these tires and they report positive feedback on them. Anybody heard anything on these? | ||
| Jeremy_02_x1 |
Oh, heres another good topic: Favorite places to buy tires cheap, online or off. I have been looking pretty hard on http://www.mawonline.com/. Their prices seem decent. Share your favorites. | ||
| Cowboy |
I tried them and they were gone after 2500 miles they dont have much rubber on them the tread is realy shallow. | ||
| Genes3t |
I went through 2 set of dunlop in 7k and 1 set of pilot road that went 5k I put a set of Avon Azaro-ST in Sep.for running the ridge.I ride 2 up alot run 38#in front 42# rear. Have 7k on the Avons and love them} |
