Usually I'm pretty good at selecting my own tires but lately I've ben hitting a lot of road blocks.
After a happy releationship with Bridgestone BT023's, the couple shops I have spoken to cannot get them in the stock 170 rear size any longer.
So I'm looking at their replacements (The T30) but they only come in a GT spec for the 170 rear.
Looked into the Michelin PR4's and it's the same problem. GT spec only for the 170 size rear. (even though I can't find a 170 rear on the Michelin site)
A friend I have that works at a shop is offering an amazing deal on a set of Dunlop Q3's, but no 170 size. Only the 180 rear and I don't think I should go that large on the stock 4th gen rear wheel.
Are the GT spec tires a bad idea for a 4th gen that is never burdened with a heavy rider, heavy luggage, or a passenger?
I am using the Michelin Pilot Road 2 rear in 170 along with the Pilot Power front. It's older tech but still way good. And bonus is that it is cheaper than the latest PR4 would be. Check pricing at CanadasMotorcycle.ca.
Man! I am about to get flamed over this one... :mellow:
Upgrade to the fifth/sixth gen wheel.
I personally feel the 180/55-17 feels much better under the bike.
With minor modification the wheel fits perfectly and the tire selection is almost unlimited.
I would do this if I could find a good, cheap one. :wink:
Unfortunatley they aren't all available or able to ship to Canada. That list shows a tire that I said in my OP I can't get up here.
Man! I am about to get flamed over this one... :mellow:
Upgrade to the fifth/sixth gen wheel.
No affordable 3rd, 5th, or 6th gen wheels available. Ebay is too expensive and locals want too much. Conversion rate for US funds is awful atm. Looking at atleast an extra $300usd....most likely more.
auggius, thanks for the suggestion. Yeah the PR4's are almost twice the price as the Bridgestone T30's. Crazy!
I'll check that website you linked too. Thanks. :cool:
I have PR2's on my 1998 VFR and 1990 Hawk GT with VFR 5spoke rear wheel and F2 front. They are perfect. Could you not ride to a shop in the states and have them mounted at a shop? I use 180 on the VFR and 170 on the Hawk rear.
I have Bridgestone s-20's on my 97, love them, on my third set. Dual compound front, triple rear.
When they first came out I put a set on my VF1000R and took it to Calf and back and they transformed the bike.
For some reason I cannot post a link, but if you go to CanadasMotorcycle.ca and enter S20 in the search box they will come up. They offer the S-20 Evo also but that does not come in a 170. The prices, adjusted for exchange rates are close to what I pay here in the US.
Both PR2 and Rosso are available on that CanadianMotorcycle.ca site, but I hope you have somewhere cheaper to buy them. Those prices, it might be cheaper to buy in US and ship to Canada.
Yeah we have higher prices for alot of things up here in Canada. (except Health Care :wink: )
...and alot of US based companies won't ship tires up here.
I don't mind paying to get decent rubber. It's important. I'm just hoping to make an informed descision.
If I can get a set of BT023's I'd be happy. (as long as they weren't GT spec) I have good expierences with plain old BT023's in stock sizes.
I'd go with the T30's but they only make the 170's in GT spec.
Same deal with the PR4's. They have my size in GT or Trail.
**Actually! I just read on the Michelin site that they do NOT recommend GT tires for not GT bikes. So that's that solved. I wonder what the Trail spec tires are for? They are advertised as: "The Trail tire that’s designed entirely for road use." :unsure:
I'm definitely in the market for more of a Sport Touring tire
I have PR4 gt's on my bike and so far they have been fantastic,I wouldn't think twice about getting them again.
How long have you had them?
I've had them for a few weeks now.I don't ride really aggressive but I can't see there being any problem,you might feel any bumps or imperfections of the road a bit more but that's nit-picking.
I also do my fair share of twisties,probably the same ones as you even.
I am doing the same thing right now...best set I have found for the 4th gen stock wheel size is a T30 GT and S20 Evo front on Jake Wilson for $202 USD delivered.
I know the 4th gen is not a heavy VFR but as Gr8VFR mentioned the VFR is not a light supersport bike either.
After reading the description from Bridgestone on the GT carcass I think we will go with these but I really want a set of Q3's in 170 rear.
I am doing the same thing right now...best set I have found for the 4th gen stock wheel size is a T30 GT and S20 Evo front on Jake Wilson for $202 USD delivered.
I know the 4th gen is not a heavy VFR but as Gr8VFR mentioned the VFR is not a light supersport bike either.
After reading the description from Bridgestone on the GT carcass I think we will go with these but I really want a set of Q3's in 170 rear.
yeah I heard about the S20 combo with the T30's. I dunnoh.....I think I might go straight T30's....even with a GT rear.
The Q3's in our size would be nice though.
I have PR4 gt's on my bike and so far they have been fantastic,I wouldn't think twice about getting them again.
How long have you had them?
I've had them for a few weeks now.I don't ride really aggressive but I can't see there being any problem,you might feel any bumps or imperfections of the road a bit more but that's nit-picking.
I also do my fair share of twisties,probably the same ones as you even.
Yeah, we probably do ride the same roads. lol!
I hear good things about the PR3/4's but they are much much more expensive than the T30's. Funny enough I recieved an e-mail response from Michelin and they recommended the Pilot Powers. :wacko:
Why the :wacko: for pilot powers? They work. Think the faster guys would wear 2 rears to a front. Hence running a PR2 rear with the PP front.
Yoshi I think the :wacko: was because he stated how much he liked the BT023 in a previous post so he is looking for a good value ST tire like the T30 instead of just putting on a cheaper Michelin like the PP instead of the PR4.
That is my take on it anyway. I actually like the T30's as much or more than the PR4 and they are much less expensive.
Why the :wacko: for pilot powers? They work. Think the faster guys would wear 2 rears to a front. Hence running a PR2 rear with the PP front.
Yoshi I think the :wacko: was because he stated how much he liked the BT023 in a previous post so he is looking for a good value ST tire like the T30 instead of just putting on a cheaper Michelin like the PP instead of the PR4.
That is my take on it anyway. I actually like the T30's as much or more than the PR4 and they are much less expensive.
Yup! That's why I made the face. It was a confused reaction, like "For real?!".
Because most companies are suggesting Sport Touring Tires as well as more sporty sticky tires. The Michelin rep just ignored all my questions about the GT spec tires and the Pilot Road brands and just said "we recommend the Michelin Pilot Power tires for your Honda motorcycle."
They have the following sport touring tires in 170/60-17
Bridgestone T30 GT: $133
Dunlop Roadsmart II: $162
Conti RoadAttack2: $208
Metzeler Roadtec Z8: $180
Michelin Pilot Road 2: $160
Michelin Pilot Road 3: $175
Michelin Pilot Road 4 GT: $192
Pirelli Angel GT: $178
Avon Storm 2 Ultra: $172
You're certainly not starved for choice!
I shop at Canada's Motorcycle rather than buying out of the US lately. With the Canadian dollar so weak, the local guys are in a good spot to be competitive on pricing. Very often, you now pay the same or less for products locally. Being in BC, Pete's shipping charges are expensive and CM's shipping is free. Since you're in Ontario, Pete's might be a good option for you.
To be honest, I can't see there being any problem using a GT-spec tire on your bike. The VFR isn't a featherweight and if you feel the rear is too hard or harsh, you can always try playing with tire pressures.
You left out the Shenko 009! :P That's what came on my "new" 97. I feel every road surface imperfection in the curves but otherwise they worked for the month it took me to decide on replacements. They've gone 5000mi and the rear is flatted just about down to the wear indicators. The front still has tons of tread but has feathering. Less than $200/set if you're feeling cheap with overall good reviews.
I've ordered Pirelli Angel GT's and will post when installed and ridden. Hope they're not too harsh.
I've used those and they're not half bad but I really consider them more of a 'touring' tire rather than 'sport touring'. Kind of like the Metzeler ME880 Marathon.
The thing is, I got my set of T30s for $200 with a rebate, making them a far better choice on a budget. IMO. :)
The problem with the Shinko's in general is that they are presented as a bargain option to current new tech tires (and they used to be) but now they are only about $30 a set less than the current tech Bridgestone T30 which is an amazing tire.
The Shinko Raven 009 definitely deserves a mention for the 4th gen. It's a decent tire.
I've had Bridgestone BT-021s (old tire - I know), Michelin PR, Conti Road Attacks, and finally bit the bullet by putting on Shinkos which I was very skeptical of. I have about 800 miles on the Raven 009s, and I really like them for all-around riding. Yes, they are of an older tire technology, but the profile of the tire is very predictable. I have been impressed so far. Looks like the set will hold up well, and the feedback is not too shabby. The only downside, at least to me, of the Shinko Raven 009: I do not like the front tread design- the center groove. Put there to displace water I'm sure, it just seems to me that it's odd and it looks funky.
I did not have good experience w/ the Bridgestone I recall. Lasted about 4k miles, and not because of the tire wear, but the front tire did some sort of cord separation, and I replaced the set.
End of thread · 31 posts recoveredWayback Machine snapshot 14 Apr 2016