Well, I bit the bullet and finally put a long overdue set of new tires on the VFR. I bought my '02 used with 3K miles and it still had the OEM tires on the bike -- Metzler Z4's. I put another 5K on them and the wear bars finally started to show and there was a good 2 1/2 - 3 inch "flat ridge" across the middle. I ride fairly hard and have always felt pretty confident on the Z4's but after reading all of the tire posts I began to wonder what I was missing.
After reading everything I could about tires for the VFR on this forum and a few other sites, I narrowed my top choices to the Pilot Powers and the Metzler Z6's. Both seem to have a very loyal following and among the many good choices, those two tires seemed to crop up the most. I made up my mind to get the Z6's but was persuaded to try the Pilot Powers.
A friend of mine owns a custom bike shop and ordered the tires for me at cost. They arrived yesterday so I jacked up the bike and removed the wheels (thanks to the how-to secion of VFRD), and took them and the new tires to a local sportbike shop to get them mounted and balanced. Got them back today, mounted the wheels back on, but only had about an hour to ride to try them out.
All I can say is WOW!!! I figured there would be some difference in how the bike would feel/handle with the new rubber, but not that much. A world of difference! It feels like the bike dropped 100 lbs. Turn-in is lightning fast compared to the old set and I'm dying to get out to the twisties and scrub them in real good. Didn't have time to get to my favorite roads and only scrubbed to within an inch of the edge. If first impressions are meaningful -- I think I'm sold.
VFRbeliever, Jul 29 2006, 03:46 PM Well, I bit the bullet and finally put a long overdue set of new tires on the VFR. I bought my '02 used with 3K miles and it still had the OEM tires on the bike -- Metzler Z4's. I put another 5K on them and the wear bars finally started to show and there was a good 2 1/2 - 3 inch "flat ridge" across the middle. I ride fairly hard and have always felt pretty confident on the Z4's but after reading all of the tire posts I began to wonder what I was missing.
After reading everything I could about tires for the VFR on this forum and a few other sites, I narrowed my top choices to the Pilot Powers and the Metzler Z6's. Both seem to have a very loyal following and among the many good choices, those two tires seemed to crop up the most. I made up my mind to get the Z6's but was persuaded to try the Pilot Powers.
A friend of mine owns a custom bike shop and ordered the tires for me at cost. They arrived yesterday so I jacked up the bike and removed the wheels (thanks to the how-to secion of VFRD), and took them and the new tires to a local sportbike shop to get them mounted and balanced. Got them back today, mounted the wheels back on, but only had about an hour to ride to try them out.
All I can say is WOW!!! I figured there would be some difference in how the bike would feel/handle with the new rubber, but not that much. A world of difference! It feels like the bike dropped 100 lbs. Turn-in is lightning fast compared to the old set and I'm dying to get out to the twisties and scrub them in real good. Didn't have time to get to my favorite roads and only scrubbed to within an inch of the edge. If first impressions are meaningful -- I think I'm sold.
A happy customer.
going from a z4 front to a Z6 , is a real transformation and still provides good tire life.
When it comes to a bike like a sport bike I don't really worry about mileage like some do. My thinking is that with sports vehicles, "If you can't afford the tires and higher maintenance costs you can't afford the ride."
I wound up with the Pilot Powers. I would've gone for the Sport but I think I'll consider those for my next set.
We went riding yesterday and I had grip all over the place. I found myself routinely scraping pegs. I don't necessarily like doing that, BTW, I guess I have to get used to it.
I have been pleasantly surprised by how well my bike leans, sticks and grips. Like someone said, it feels like I took a weight off my bike.
baileyrock, Jul 30 2006, 01:25 PM I still haven't found anything that grips better and last longer than the Powers(sport tire)! I would be on them if I did! fing02.gif
The 'Powers have transformed my bike, too!! I figured if Baileyrock and Slammer liked them, they'd probably be good enough for me!!
I love them!! My riding partner and I did about 150 miles yesterday on twisties in Napa, and he just gets left behind on his Monster now. He is definately getting tired of seeing mt rear PP, lol!! He's should be getting a new set next week!!
Been running a BT020 on rear and BT014 on front. Getting 8500 miles to a set. I'm not a very aggressive rider. Been thinking about going with Pilot Roads or Powers. Going on a 2 week 6000 mile ride in Oct. I know the Pilot Roads would make the milage ok. What about the Powers?
ki-speed, Jul 30 2006, 02:40 PM Been running a BT020 on rear and BT014 on front. Getting 8500 miles to a set. I'm not a very aggressive rider. Been thinking about going with Pilot Roads or Powers. Going on a 2 week 6000 mile ride in Oct. I know the Pilot Roads would make the milage ok. What about the Powers?
Thanks,
Mark
Mark, you get aprox. 3 1/2 times more miles from a set of tires than I do. I got 2500 miles out of a 020, and 2200 from a Power, so I would guess you should get 7000 from a Power based on your use vs mine. unsure.gif
baileyrock, Jul 30 2006, 10:25 AM I still haven't found anything that grips better and last longer than the Powers(sport tire)! I would be on them if I did! fing02.gif
Me too fing02.gif
More mileage than any other sport tire I've used and feel great.
Pilot powers are my Favorite pic right now too. I had 208s before these and must say that i will neve go back. I love the feel and the stick i get with the Pilot Powers!
First ride out with about 45 miles on them and had them scrubbed side to side with no stripes left on the rear and only 3/4 inch or so on the fronts. SOLID and planted with ease of changing lines during the turn. Decreasing radius is no prob now!
I just replaced my Dunlop OEM POS tires that were all worn out with Pilot Powers too, HOT DOG! what a difference. Luckily my shop had them in stock. I too was deciding between them and the Z6, only the Pilots were in stock, decision made! let the carving begin! beer.gif
Got out for about an hour today on some fairly twisty roads and a couple of long sweeping on-ramps. The Powers are light years ahead of the Z4's I had. Confidence inspiring!
Agree, have had Pilot Powers Front & Rear on the VFR since May 2004, thought about the new M3's last change but decided to stick with the Powers as wet or dry cannot fault them, last rear had 4625 miles on it, may have had a few hundred miles left but replaced as picked up a shard of glass in it.
John451, Aug 11 2006, 03:22 PM Agree, have had Pilot Powers Front & Rear on the VFR since May 2004, thought about the new M3's last change but decided to stick with the Powers as wet or dry cannot fault them, last rear had 4625 miles on it, may have had a few hundred miles left but replaced as picked up a shard of glass in it.
I have been switching off between Powers and the M3s, probably done 3 sets of each. I am going to be putting some powers on for a track day in a few weeks and I am think I am going to stick with Powers from now on.
jeremy556, Aug 11 2006, 04:57 PM I have been switching off between Powers and the M3s, probably done 3 sets of each. I am going to be putting some powers on for a track day in a few weeks and I am think I am going to stick with Powers from now on.
Whats your opinion between the two Jeremy? stick, mileage, etc. beer.gif
I ran M1's for several sets and they seemed to work just fine. When it was time for new tires my local shop expert twisted my arm to try some Powers instead.
WOW!!!
It was a hugh change for the better in every way! Smooter turn in and much more confident mid corner! The rear tire is now edge to edge with no drama at all. (3/4" strips before even when puckered)
My baby has a set of 208's that the original owner replaced from the Dealer that sold him the bike. It is a 2001 but had only 10,3xx miles when i picked it up end of March. Although there are prolly about 2,500 left in the tires I am going to mount some PP's before we go to the Gap next month.
I gotta see what I am missing. Never have been a Dunlop fan.
I bought my VFR used with stock tires, and switched to PP's.
I had to adjust how I was taking corners. ..with the PP's steering was so much sharper, and at first I found myself turning in too hard & early. Definitely felt like a new bike. In comparison, riding on the old tires felt like someone let the air out of them.
Now I need new tires for my Crossfire...cheapest ones on tirerack are $225/ea. Ouch.
Whats your opinion between the two Jeremy? stick, mileage, etc. beer.gif
My comparison isn't great because I am always going from worn out tires to new. I think they are very similar in all areas, I think turn in feel is a little better on the Powers, maybe because of the sharper profile? I have also been having issues with wet traction on the M3s but I can't be certain whether it is the tire or surface conditions.
slaps76, Aug 12 2006, 08:54 AM I had to adjust how I was taking corners. ..with the PP's steering was so much sharper, and at first I found myself turning in too hard & early.
I initially found that also, the OEM D204's felt vague and slippery like butter in comparison.
I bought my bike with Metzeler Z6's installed and rode them quite a while. I then changed over to PP's and the differences were definitely worth the change-over. I LOVE the profile, hence the turn in, and havejust convinced a friend of mine on his 4th gen to try them out too.... Our first night with his new PP's, we were able to scuff them VERY nicely... with our little section of roads we know, he now has NO chicken strips as of the first night of riding..hehe...
It was a hugh change for the better in every way! Smooter turn in and much more confident mid corner!
I know I love my PP's, but there has got to be something cool about having SMOOTER turn-in... goofy.gif
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End of thread · 30 posts recoveredWayback Machine snapshot 19 Oct 2006