Tire Advice Needed

Depending on how much riding you plan to do before parking it for winter, I'd change out the front for the pr2.

Or get new f/r and not worry about it.

If you are done for this year I'd just wait and watch for winter tire deals.

Are there any special winter tire deals? If so, will wait and grab new rubber.

Thanks guys for your input, I appreciate the help.

I don't do used tires. Learned that lesson the hard way. Fresh rubber is much cheaper than new plastic, and leather no matter how you figure it.

Listen to this man ^   Just put new rubbers on and be done with it.

I would never ever mix and match tires from different mfr's.  Nothing wrong with a supersport front tire with a sport touring rear if it's the same tire mfr. and family of tires.

Depending on how much riding you plan to do before parking it for winter, I'd change out the front for the pr2.

Or get new f/r and not worry about it.

If you are done for this year I'd just wait and watch for winter tire deals.

Are there any special winter tire deals? If so, will wait and grab new rubber.

Thanks guys for your input, I appreciate the help.

I posted a good deal on Pilot Powers in the bargain section.  $199 shipped.  For that price I'm not concerned with the faster wear.  Bridgestone usually has the best winter deals on Sport touring tires but keep an eye out as this is the time of year to score.

Pilot Road 2 tires are on sale right now through Motorcycle Superstore.  I would put a new set on and be done.  I love my PR2s.  New tires feel so good.

fwiw, compared to my new Dunlop Q3's, I'm surprised how well my previous tires, the BT016's really compare, I wouldn't have a problem going back to them.

Faran,

Unless I missed it, you have not said anything about how your VFR's handling feels with the tires that are already mounted. Since you say you're not a particularly aggressive rider, if your motorcycle's handling feels fine to you why not just keep riding until those tires wear out since even they're only four years' old and nether neither appears to be in bad shape-at least to me.

Don't forget that that unless you're willing and have the tools to do the labor required to mount and balance tires yourself, a significant part of the cost of replacing motorcycle tires is due to the labor required. For that reason alone I would not consider spending the $$ to pay someone to mount a set of motorcycle tires with 5k miles on them, for as others have suggested used tires pose a risk and for me it would be a waste spending the money for labor to mount a set of tires which most likely have less than 1/2 of their useful lives remaining,

So if your motorcycles handles reasonably well with the tires currently mounted, I'd just keep riding on them during the off-season while looking for a good deal on a set of new replacements which you could have mounted when the riding season resumes next year. Meanwhile, in case you pick up a nail over the winter you could consider swapping the damaged rubber with one the used PR II's you already have.

I don't do used tires. Learned that lesson the hard way. Fresh rubber is much cheaper than new plastic, and leather no matter how you figure it.

Listen to this man ^   Just put new rubbers on and be done with it.

I would never ever mix and match tires from different mfr's.  Nothing wrong with a supersport front tire with a sport touring rear if it's the same tire mfr. and family of tires.

Depending on how much riding you plan to do before parking it for winter, I'd change out the front for the pr2.

Or get new f/r and not worry about it.

If you are done for this year I'd just wait and watch for winter tire deals.

Are there any special winter tire deals? If so, will wait and grab new rubber.

Thanks guys for your input, I appreciate the help.

I posted a good deal on Pilot Powers in the bargain section.  $199 shipped.  For that price I'm not concerned with the faster wear.  Bridgestone usually has the best winter deals on Sport touring tires but keep an eye out as this is the time of year to score.

Yes, I have already made up my mind to buy 'New' rubber. I am looking for a deal on Angel GT, as I just need a front one. How long is the life of PP, I am well aware it all depends on the rider, roads, riding conditions and all. But in general?

Pilot Road 2 tires are on sale right now through Motorcycle Superstore.  I would put a new set on and be done.  I love my PR2s.  New tires feel so good.

Thank you Sir. Let me check the price on PR2s. If it's better than Conti Motion, I am all into it :)

fwiw, compared to my new Dunlop Q3's, I'm surprised how well my previous tires, the BT016's really compare, I wouldn't have a problem going back to them.

So BT016's were better than Q3's?

Faran,

Unless I missed it, you have not said anything about how your VFR's handling feels with the tires that are already mounted. Since you say you're not a particularly aggressive rider, if your motorcycle's handling feels fine to you why not just keep riding until those tires wear out since even they're only four years' old and nether neither appears to be in bad shape-at least to me.

Don't forget that that unless you're willing and have the tools to do the labor required to mount and balance tires yourself, a significant part of the cost of replacing motorcycle tires is due to the labor required. For that reason alone I would not consider spending the $$ to pay someone to mount a set of motorcycle tires with 5k miles on them, for as others have suggested used tires pose a risk and for me it would be a waste spending the money for labor to mount a set of tires which most likely have less than 1/2 of their useful lives remaining,

So if your motorcycles handles reasonably well with the tires currently mounted, I'd just keep riding on them during the off-season while looking for a good deal on a set of new replacements which you could have mounted when the riding season resumes next year. Meanwhile, in case you pick up a nail over the winter you could consider swapping the damaged rubber with one the used PR II's you already have.

Very solid advice and suggestion, honestly kinda skill level I have, I don't feel any difference at all. For me, bike handling is good. Current tires on the bike are from DOT 2011, actually only 3 years old with lots of tread.

I am going to look for deals on the tires, sorry, still trying to learn navigate the site.  In the meantime, please feel free to share any tire deals.

Thanks again everyone.

fwiw, compared to my new Dunlop Q3's, I'm surprised how well my previous tires, the BT016's really compare, I wouldn't have a problem going back to them.

So BT016's were better than Q3's?

I am confused on this as well ^^^.  Q3s are the best sport tires made for combination of neutral feel, sticking like glue, price, and mileage, IMHO.

For a relatively calm riding style in the OP, I would mount NEW sport touring tires and be done with it.  The combination of old (more than 3 years) AND worn is like playing with fire.   If you only go through a set of tires every couple of years, your used tires will be worn out when they are 5-6 years old, which is dangerous.

Bridgestone T30s are a fantastic combination of inexpensive (less than Pirelli GTs or PR2s), neutral feel, stick well for all but the most aggressive riding styles, and long lasting.  This will optimize your dollars, time of installation, age of tires, safety, and riding style.

I will throw my .02 in.

I love Michelin!

With that said, I put Road Smart II on my Y2KVFR. It is my two up bike with all the luggage.

The Road Smart II have been some of the best tires I have every put on a bike.

I am at about 2K miles and there is plenty of meat left. My buddy runs them on his FJR and get 6K.

Sure 6K doesn't seem a lot to some of you but is for the type of riding we do in our location. With this in mind you may be able to get 10K-12K from a set.

As for used tires... There is a reason why I give them away.

Conti-Motions are not the best tire for longevity. They do stick well for the cheap price tag, but then so do Shinko's.

To tell ya the truth I think if people learned how to ride skiddish tires and develop a feel of traction levels, they'd be better off longer term. Like being color blind  /Traction blind falls on the same handicap when it comes to being in control of your environment. You can put riders on the best tires available and they still have issues.

Ive always been of the opinion, that you need to have the feel of a woman to really discern different levels of traction.

To tell ya the truth I think if people learned how to ride skiddish tires and develop a feel of traction levels, they'd be better off longer term. Like being color blind  /Traction blind falls on the same handicap when it comes to being in control of your environment. You can put riders on the best tires available and they still have issues.

Ive always been of the opinion, that you need to have the feel of a woman to really discern different levels of traction.

That's so true and I agree with every single thing mentioned in your post :happy:

At least for now and future, I have learned one lesson from this thread-No used tires, I might be wrong, but cheaper/newer rubber is still better than old one.

I am gonna look for tire deals during winter and replace next riding season.

Thanks for all of your help and guidance everyone. :cheerleader:

Here is my suggestion.
Ship all those used tires to me and I will test each and every mile on them and report back which choice you should have made.
I will be more then happy to do this at no cost to you other than shipping because you are a fellow member!

BR

I appreciate your offer and thanks for it!!

I am not in R&D, so I am good without any testing :cool:

Here is my suggestion.
Ship all those used tires to me and I will test each and every mile on them and report back which choice you should have made.
I will be more then happy to do this at no cost to you other than shipping because you are a fellow member!
BR

I appreciate your offer and thanks for it!!
 
I am not in R&D, so I am good without any testing :cool:

40 sets? That's a lot!!!!

I have already got rid of Michelins, only have '2' which are on the bike and I can gladly ride the bike to you, maybe you can watch me test them? :goofy:

40 sets? That's a lot!!!!
 
I have already got rid of Michelins, only have '2' which are on the bike and I can gladly ride the bike to you, maybe you can watch me test them? :goofy:

Thank you sir, I appreciate the offer. I might actually come during Spring.

That's heck a lot of money, but again all these toys are money pits! :D

What's the secret of you having so many miles on original engine? Maybe I can follow your footsteps or this man: http://www.sport-tou...ml#.VDILmWM3yKs

 My 94 will hit the 230K mark soon. You would never know it if I swapped the meters other than the slop in the front calipers.

 I had my 98 apart over the summer due to a transmission issue. Wear parts in the engine looked barely broken in at 74K.

 Just ride it...

 Pilot Powers are one of the best deals going in tires. Cheap, predictable, and sticky. What else do you need?

I do have 105k miles on it so far and only avg 2.5 k/set until switching to my current PP/PR2 combo which avg me around 3.5k/set.

3.5K out of a PP front!!!??? Have you become sensible in your old age?

 My 94 will hit the 230K mark soon. You would never know it if I swapped the meters other than the slop in the front calipers.

 I had my 98 apart over the summer due to a transmission issue. Wear parts in the engine looked barely broken in at 74K.

 Just ride it...

 Pilot Powers are one of the best deals going in tires. Cheap, predictable, and sticky. What else do you need?

Now, that's VERY VERY impressive!!!

Thanks for your tip and advice about used tires, as well as PPs.