After all the posts here I still can't decide on rubber .
Just about 6000 out of the stock set ( Dunlops ?) .
I run Pilot Powers on all the bikes and get different numbers from them .
The BMW gets about 2500/3000 which is sh!tty for any trip i take . On the third set this season !
I guess I'll just stay with the PP's with the VFR . Plenty of confidence with them on the other bikes .
I did try this last go-round on the K with Avon Storms and did what I usually do with the PP's . So that sucked !!!
If all I get out of a tire is crap ,,,, might as well go with what I'm confident in ??????
Thoughts ?
The Conti Attacks are a REALLY COOL LOOKING TIRE !!!
I've had complete confidence in Metzler. Currently on an MEZ-4 front and an MEZ-6 rear. Got about 2k on the rear and no commuter flat spot. About 3.5k up front with a slight (about 1") flat spot trying to form. Excellent grip even on the twisties. I like them because to me they feel ci=onsistent all the way through the tread down to almost nothing. Dunlops (at least any that I've ever run on because they were cheaper, on sale or out of the Metzlers and I needed some rubber) have a tendancy to get a little "greasy" when you get closer to the wear bars. Especially when the tire is hot and stressed (twisties). Felt the same way when I raced in Hawaii too. Metzlers were consistant and predictable, Dunlops could break loose without much if any warning.
May be attributed to my 1992 VFR or riding style or something else I'm sure, but the above is my impressions based on my personal experience. BTW, never been on slicks by any manufacturer so that doesn't factor into my observations.
I switched to BT021 Bridgestone and I'm delighted, thread on the Michelin Pilot I had were still good for a couple hundred miles but were coming out of balance very quickly (seems to be a recurring characteristic of Michelin towards end of life, I had the front balanced twice in the past 3 months), very annoying, the 021 give the bike quicker reactions, very positive feedback and grip in the twisties, stiff but comfortable on the highway.
On the VFR I had the Perelli Diablo Strada's...I got about 9k miles out of them. I just switched to Conti Road Attacks (I put a set on my R6 and they still have plenty of wear left) but have only had them on for a month. I haven't even worn the whiskers off the front tire and I have put over 1k miles of high speed, hot slab daily. No traction issues what so ever yet but then I don't take my VFR to the track. :thumbsup:
[image: View Post]Bruckner, on Sep 16 2007, 10:34 AM, said:
I switched to BT021 Bridgestone and I'm delighted, thread on the Michelin Pilot I had were still good for a couple hundred miles but were coming out of balance very quickly (seems to be a recurring characteristic of Michelin towards end of life, I had the front balanced twice in the past 3 months), very annoying, the 021 give the bike quicker reactions, very positive feedback and grip in the twisties, stiff but comfortable on the highway.
Regards,
Bruckner totally agree..best tire (o21) I have ever used .... lifespan is great so far...6000 miles on them and and only half gone! Never got close to that before..
I am on the market for a new rear right now. I put 9k on the Stradas now, going to a Corsa III for the rear. The front barely even looks like is has wear. No cupping, still looks great, lots of tread.
I just bought a replacement rear tire as the BT014 has gotten to within 1mm of the wear bars in the center with approximately 3700miles on it. The front is still in good shape, wearing uniformly, and should easily last as long as the 2nd rear.
I liked the available traction, outstanding in the dry or wet, but I would liked to have gotten better wear.
Unless you're using the VFR on the track or really railing in the twisties on it, I don't see the benefit of mounting Pilot Powers instead of Pilot Roads or the newer dual compound Pilots intro'd this year. Better traction is always a good thing, but the other tires should still provide decent grip AND higher mileage.
BTW, I love the Conti Road Attacks I've had on my '04 for the last 4 months and ~7000 miles. And still at least 1k-2k of tread left on the rear tire and maybe twice that on the front. BUT...I don't have much to compare them to, other than the already 1/2-worn OEM Bridgestones that were on the bike when I bought it. Compared to those, however, the Conti's absolutely rock.
[image: View Post]TimC, on Sep 17 2007, 09:32 AM, said:
Unless you're using the VFR on the track or really railing in the twisties on it, I don't see the benefit of mounting Pilot Powers instead of Pilot Roads or the newer dual compound Pilots intro'd this year. Better traction is always a good thing, but the other tires should still provide decent grip AND higher mileage.
I think Pilot Roads suc at least for my intended use(twisties) for me I have Never been on a vegger feeling tire period when even slightly pushed and the flat profile requires much higher steering effort than I like.
I do plan to try a set of the New Pilot Road "2" or whatever their calling them, they look to have Power type profiles and have woop'ed up on all the other ST tires in recent test.
Of course my riding tends to be different that what most VFR's riders venture towards, so your opinions may very! :rolleyes:
As you can see, there are tons of different options and opinions on the tires. I cast another vote for the BT-021s. I've had mine now for almost 3500 miles. I love them, lightyears ahead of the 020s that came stock. I tried to get a set of Pilot Road 2s, but they still aren't available here stateside. The 021s use simular technology to have a dual compound rear tire.
I have 12 miles on my BT021's....so I am qualified to judge right?
I came off a set of Pilot Sports that I had slabbed square. It was amazing the difference in handling the new tires have given. I am sure any new tire would have been the same, but i went with the BT021 for 2 reasons.
#1. Texas has no curves, and I commute daily. I needed a longer wearing tire and liked the reviews on the BT021
#2. Pilot road fronts weren't available when I needed them(immediatly). I had threads showing on the rear, had to replace asap.
Next time, no matter the tire, I buy in advance. I paid $35 for the road hazard guarantee...we shall see if I need it(of course I won't)....total out the door was $355 for the pair for mounting, balancing, new valve stems, tire disposal, Road Hazard, Tax, etc.
After reading this, and basically every other tire thread, I decided to purchase the Conti road attack, which I was able to purchase for $218 shipped to my door. Thanks guys.
[image: View Post]nuts930, on Sep 24 2007, 03:16 PM, said:
After reading this, and basically every other tire thread, I decided to purchase the Conti road attack, which I was able to purchase for $218 shipped to my door. Thanks guys.
Can you tell me where you bought those from? Thanks. It's great price.
I've had Metz Z4, BT020, BT014 and last two sets were Mich Pilot Powers.
I don't ride that aggressive. I'll get at least 8,000 miles on a set of PP's. I like their feel and grip (dry and wet). I'll probably stay with the PP's for a while.
Y'all's wimps! I been riding the stockers since dealership day.... though admittedly, I slab it most of the time.... 11.5km time for a new front! :thumbsup: It will be a set of BT021's, I hope they don't cup too bad like the OEM 020's have/did...
[image: View Post]VFRForLife, on Sep 24 2007, 10:02 PM, said:
[image: View Post]nuts930, on Sep 24 2007, 03:16 PM, said:
After reading this, and basically every other tire thread, I decided to purchase the Conti road attack, which I was able to purchase for $218 shipped to my door. Thanks guys.
Can you tell me where you bought those from? Thanks. It's great price.
www.ridedirect.com They seem to have good prices and anything over $200 has free shipping.