Street Tire, Dual Compound Suggestions / Experience Needed...

Hello All, I am going to replace my mismatched tires soon(used up track day diablo front, recent "Vee Rubber" rear) on my 2002 VFR. I am now primarily commuting. I sometimes have my Wife 2up. I sometime bring work gear but not a lot. I do ride the canyons, but not to the degree where I am peg grinding, etc... I do not foresee track days, but, I may do a couple this year, again not Rossi balls or lean angles.  I know that the major manufacturers all offer new/recent dual compound "street" tires. I am open to any brand per se, but favor Michelin, Dunlop and Continental, generally. I am in the USA so please advise with items available here. Thanks in advance and let the opinions begin....

You will find most here favor the Michelin Pilot Road 2 or 3. They are generally the same tire, but choose the 3 if wet riding is your thing. There are other positive reviews of the other brands, but in my opinion, the Michelins wear the longest.

Well, hopefully your tire compounds will not be "dueling" or you may have a tire that's fighting itself!  Pun aside, you didn't specify what is most important to you in your tire choice other than the type of riding (commuting).  One man's commuting could be another man's inner city race track.  If you are talking about dry pavement, mostly tame cornering in a metro area, I'm not sure you would get your money's worth out of a Pilot Road 2.  You could probably save a few bucks and try a ContiMotion, as some here have liked those.  My go to set up is PP front and PR2 rear, but I am mostly geared towards doing twisty roads in Arkansas.  Don't even bother with the PP2CT.

Right, Dual compound. I commute mostly on dry, freeways. Then onto surface streets. The Canyons are twistalicious... I do like the Michelin products.

Right, Dual compound. I commute mostly on dry, freeways. Then onto surface streets. The Canyons are twistalicious... I do like the Michelin products.

Well, if $240-260 is what you were planning on spending, I think the PP front and PR2 rear is hard to beat.  They should wear out about the same time...

If you don't mind putting on a new rear with a used front, then PR2 front will last twice as long as a PP front.

^^
That's a great combo! Not strictly a commuter, but more of a set that will "survive" commuting and get you out into the twisties with plenty of grip and confidence. Same with the Bridgestone BT023, although you didn't list 'Stones as a go to option.

I do double life the fronts, typically. So PR2 front and rear makes sense.  I am not opposed to the Bridgestones, I just have not run them on this bike.

i recently went into a quest of looking for new rubbers, i did a lot of research, i mean LOTS of research, i found my best choise on the michelin PR 2, most people online here and in other forums recommend them. There are also the PR 3, but most people say PR2 are good enough for the cash, a dealer told me PR3 are same as PR2 but better on the wet, i dont usually ride on the wet all the time so PR2 will do fine,

in case you decide on the PR2 here is the buyier i got them from, he had the lowest price i could find online

http://myworld.ebay....=p2047675.l2559

The PR2 v. PR3 difference appears, to my layman eye, the 3 has more sipes cut/molded into it for better water evacuation. I am leaning towards the ContiMotions. I have read good reviews here and web searching. Also, they are very inexpensive, however, nearly all the rider reviews claim great longevity and excellent quality. So, I think I am going that route, I'm a cheap bastard...

PacMan, I took my bike to my tire dealer after coming off a trip to the Dragon/Skyway. For most of my riding was on the way to and back, he looked at my tires and told me the PR3 is the best bet (2 would work) and I don't ride much in the wet, but I will go for the 3 anyway. From what I found, you will get enough grip in the twisties but the best mileage overall.