View Full Version : Best tyres? Avon v Bridgestone v ??
Got Avon jobs on SV but new so I don't have any experience of them yet; Beenz swears by them. But got BT014's on Daytona 955. Stick to road ok but shed at an alarming rate - only just over 2k on first rear and currently 1k on new tyre but with pretty obvious signs of wear.
Don't want to loose safety grip but could do with getting a few more miles on 'em.
please don't say 'I shouldn't ride so hard' cos that will make me miserable :cry: !!
Anybody got preferences esp for Daytona? Dirtydog - what did you run on your 'tona?
Only tyres I've tried on the SV are the stock 220's, rear lasted maybe 6k, front lasted 8k before it caused me to have an off (at low speed :oops:).
I've now got Z6's front & back, and by god they're good. I'll probably get a new set for the summer, because these will be running low by then.
I also had a play on an R1 at the weekend, not sure what tyres were on it, but I made them fight for grip. I'll find out & post back at some point.
fizzwheel
18-12-06, 11:17 AM
014's are bloody soft and IMHO they are sh*t unless its baking hot summers day. I hate them and I'll never ride a bike with them on again. Robbed me off all my confidence on my GSXR.
I changed to Michellin Pilot Power 2CT's on the GSXR, Grip is about the same as the 014 when its hot, but the grip and feel is much better when its cold / wet. Also the tyre life is much better. I had 1800 miles out of a rear on the GSXR and it was fubar. I'm getting 3000 plus on the rear with the 2CT.
I'm still not 100% happy with them though. Next time I'm going to try the Dunlop Sportmax Qualifier and if I dont like those I'll try the Pirelli Diablo Corsa ( I think ) or the Metzler RaceTech.
Tyres are one of those personal things though so what might dislike, you might like.
Mich Pilots CT2's?
That's what I use on my CBR. Seem grippy enough, predictable and don't seem to be wearing at an alarming rate. Need to keep an eye on the pressures though. They feel awful if you run the pressures outside of the recommended PSI.
I've got avons, but it's too early to tell how good they are.
On my second set on Avon Viper Sports and can't fault them at all. :D
Luckypants
18-12-06, 11:45 AM
I've got avons, but it's too early to tell how good they are.Which Avons?
I've got avons, but it's too early to tell how good they are.Which Avons?
Er um ah er mmmm :oops: caught me out there... so focussed on tyres for the 'tona never thought to look at which Avons on the SV (came with the bike)!!
Thanks guys for info so far, certainly looks as though i should look for an alternative to the BT014's! :) :salut:
STRAMASHER
18-12-06, 12:27 PM
Got a set of Avon Viper Sports on at the mo' and have to say they are not creating much confidence in the wet (really, really fecking wet, all the fecking time).
Quite a pointy profile? So "drops" into turns as oppossed to "rolling".
Could be the pussy of a wet rider tho' :lol:
Save you checking Triumphumphumph, Avon Azaro AV45 and AV46 are on the SV. The turn in quicker than the standard D220s.
When I hed the SV I loved them, the wear rate was about 3.5k (still had plenty of tread but went square) but they worked really well in the wet and the dry. An old work buddy suggested I try them (he has a Blackbird) as I found the D220 OEM SV tyres awfull after 3K (Baph, I guess my riding style is a lot different to yours) still had tread of sorts but total loss of confidence even in the dry.
I'm in the same situation with the Gixer thou with the same Bridgestones, my rear tyre is pretty toast at less 1.8K, tread falls off as you wheel it out of the garage. Not to confidence inspiring either especially in the cold and damp compared to the Avons. Yes I reallise that there is a big power difference but I'm not nuts on the throttle (all the time :wink: ). When properly warm in the dry they are OK though.
Having seen the Avons behave on a blackbird, SV and mac99s' zed thou I guess they should be OK for the grunt of my bike, well the winter anyway.
I'd be happy to try other tyres if suggested, it can be a very expensive mistake to get the wrong ones though. For sure I'll not be sticking (scuse the pun) with the Bridgestones in blighty. 2K out of a tyre that does not inspire confidence is a no no.
Anyone compare Avon Azaros with other tyres with 'spirited' riding? Life/grip etc both good and bad.
I found the D220 OEM SV tyres awfull after 3K (Baph, I guess my riding style is a lot different to yours) still had tread of sorts but total loss of confidence even in the dry.
My 220's were on a brand new bike, first big bike for me. I ran them until they were borderline illegal (both front & back). By the end of life, the back was struggling for grip on exit of corners (which actually felt great so long as I wasn't pushing it too hard), and the front was loosing grip on entry to the corners (which wasn't so good).
If tyres lasted me 3.5k miles before a change, I'd be looking at hiring a limo to get me to work & back, because it'd be cheaper!
[quote="Beenz"]Save you checking Triumphumphumph, Avon Azaro AV45 and AV46 are on the SV.
Oh, :oops:
Just looked at Triumph website they suggest BT010 or Pirelli Dragon Evo or Metz MEZ3. :scratch:
I visited the Avon factory in Melksham last spring, they did enough to inspire me to try a set. I'm usually about two rear tyres to one front. It's taken to now for then both to coincide. I'll be changing the BT020 for Vipers in Jan.
I found the D220 OEM SV tyres awfull after 3K (Baph, I guess my riding style is a lot different to yours) still had tread of sorts but total loss of confidence even in the dry.
My 220's were on a brand new bike, first big bike for me. I ran them until they were borderline illegal (both front & back). By the end of life, the back was struggling for grip on exit of corners (which actually felt great so long as I wasn't pushing it too hard), and the front was loosing grip on entry to the corners (which wasn't so good).
If tyres lasted me 3.5k miles before a change, I'd be looking at hiring a limo to get me to work & back, because it'd be cheaper!
Just different riding styles I guess, I don't use my bike for commuting although I've done a smidgen under 12K since last March on two wheels. If I did I'd probably have used the OEM D220s a tad more. For me the bike is a fun toy that I really enjoy riding a lot, but once confidence starts to fade in tyres they get changed. Not cheap agreed but it keeps my enjoyment level higher.
Oh remember a limo is poo through traffic, a pig to park and has an apalling turning circle :wink:
Oh remember a limo is poo through traffic, a pig to park and has an apalling turning circle :wink:
And not forgetting the mini-bar for the commute home ;)
STRAMASHER
18-12-06, 01:51 PM
I think B014 were a replacement for the 010's?
Had an 014(all the shop had) on the gsx14 and it was too soft( wallow) for such a heavy bike on standard suspension.
I use Avon AV45/46 on it as a compromise for grip/mileage/all rounder 3-4k. Heavy bike and lots of torque warms these sport touring tyres up fast. Keeps a nice profile for longer than the snotty stuff. Think you would be going sideways a lot on a GSXRthou' tho'. 8) :lol:
Avon 45/46 for your trumpet then?
Cheaper than most others so you don't feel as bad razzing the s**t out of them quite as much.
Oh and the rear looks cool-as-feck. Important that. 8)
fizzwheel
18-12-06, 01:51 PM
has an apalling turning circle :wink:
Dunno about yours but so does my Gixxer.
Its horses for courses Baph. I've got two bikes. I use my SV in the winter and for commuting ( when its working ) So its got a set of Z6's on it. The Gixer is my toy so I want something different from it so hence why its got different rubber on it. Not that I can make full use of the sticky rubber on the GSXR, I'm not a good enough rider for that.
I don't want tyres on either bike that dont fill me with confidence.
Fizz, I agree completely about horses for courses. I purposely bought the Z6's because they're a pretty good commuting tyre. I spend most of my time doing distance, but in the summer months I'll be looking at some sort of comprimise, since summer commuting means the A543/A5/A470, winter is A55. But for next summer, I'll probably give the Z6's another shot, since I know what they're like in wet, but not dry yet (but that's entirely subject to a massive over-use of the search function prior to buying new rubber).
Apologies for the slight derail folks :oops:
fizzwheel
18-12-06, 02:06 PM
Z6's IMHO work even better in the dry than they do in the wet. I think Northwind did a track day on a set and they were OK at that to. They are a pretty good tyre by all accounts.
Avon 45/46 for your trumpet then?
oooohhh aaaaaaaaahhhh uummmmmmm, oh I dunno :smt102 . Avons looking good on SV enough to convert Beenz to them on Gixxer, but then Viney reckons on Mich Pilots, Triumph say Pirelli or Metz but Fizz swears by Z6's... :-k
Cheaper than most others so you don't feel as bad razzing the s**t out of them quite as much.
mmmmm, could be the deciding factor! Cheap and razzable :thumbsup: so the kids could have a hot meal this Christmas too!
fizzwheel
18-12-06, 02:48 PM
but Fizz swears by Z6's... :-k
Only as far as the SV is concerned I've got no experience of them on another bike.
You want to ask a Triumph owner you do. Theres a few of them on here. Wait for one of them to come along. A tyre that works on an SV might not work as well on another bike or might not suit your riding style.
but Fizz swears by Z6's... :-k
Only as far as the SV is concerned I've got no experience of them on another bike.
You want to ask a Triumph owner you do. Theres a few of them on here. Wait for one of them to come along. A tyre that works on an SV might not work as well on another bike or might not suit your riding style.
Yeah, you're right Fizz, cheers. Hoping that Dirtydog or one of t'others will come back.
Riding Style? Is that that an optional extra with new tyres?, I'm in desperate need of some of that!! :lol:
but Fizz swears by Z6's... :-k
Only as far as the SV is concerned I've got no experience of them on another bike.
You want to ask a Triumph owner you do. Theres a few of them on here. Wait for one of them to come along. A tyre that works on an SV might not work as well on another bike or might not suit your riding style.
Yeah, you're right Fizz, cheers. Hoping that Dirtydog or one of t'others will come back.
Riding Style? Is that that an optional extra with new tyres?, I'm in desperate need of some of that!! :lol:
The old Avon Roadrunners were great on my old (not Hinckley) Bonneville. :wink:
*doffs flat cap and quietly gets coat*
northwind
18-12-06, 06:33 PM
I had an Avon Azaro, 45 or 46 or whatever it may be, on the back of my SV for a while last winter and hated it, really massively unimpressed compared to the Roadtecs I usually have, and the 020 that came on my other spare wheel. In the wet, it always felt much like the roadtec does when stone cold, no matter how long I'd been riding. It was fine in the dry, no complaints there, but then it was winter so I wasn't really pushing them much. In the snow, though, they're pretty decent for road tyres. I couldn't get the bike out of the driveway with the Roadtec rear last time it snowed :roll:
Z6 is ace for SVs, so's the Roadattack... But not massively sticky (well, very good for a sport touring tyre) and the Trumpet'll be heavier as well as more powerful. If memory serves Rictus has them on his Triple though?
I like Sportec M1s... Nice round progressive profile, which is definately down to taste but it suits me, reasonable lifespan, excellent grip. More or less the equivalent of a Diablo Corsa I believe. The new Sportec M3 is a bit stickier again, and seems to be the equivalent of the Corsa 3. Can't really speak for othe rmanufacturers, when offered the choice I always get Metzeler since that's what I learned on and what I'm used to.
I'm still not 100% happy with them though. Next time I'm going to try the Dunlop Sportmax Qualifier and if I dont like those I'll try the Pirelli Diablo Corsa ( I think ) or the Metzler RaceTech.
Racetec's a very sporty tyre, literally a road legal race tyre... Sportec M3 is more in line with the other ones you've described.
Peter Henry
18-12-06, 06:58 PM
Michelin Pilot Power's for me. Great grip and confidance boosting with only a slight trade off for mileage loss. I think they are a great tyre for those looking for cornering ability and not overly fussed about high mileages.
fizzwheel
18-12-06, 07:19 PM
Sportec M3 is more in line with the other ones you've described.
Is it, ah OK, I'll give them a try then. Thank you.
Sid Squid
18-12-06, 11:57 PM
Got Pirelli Stradas on the SV1000 which is basically the Z6s with a different tread pattern, did a trackday on them and was well impressed - for a sports-tour tyre they give great grip.
You need to know what sort of tyre you want, the Avon 45/46s, 020, Road Attacks, Stradas and the the Z6s are all sports tour tyres, the Viper SS, (which I have on the ZX6, and love - brilliant in the wet too, ask Doug), are sports tyres, as are the 014s and Pilot Powers.
The old Avon Roadrunners were great on my old (not Hinckley) Bonneville. :wink:
*doffs flat cap and quietly gets coat*I had quite a few of those, at the time they were good, (I had them on a Meriden Trumpet too).
Got Pirelli Stradas on the SV1000 which is basically the Z6s with a different tread pattern, did a trackday on them and was well impressed - for a sports-tour tyre they give great grip.
You need to know what sort of tyre you want, the Avon 45/46s, 020, Road Attacks, Stradas and the the Z6s are all sports tour tyres, the Viper SS, (which I have on the ZX6, and love - brilliant in the wet too, ask Doug), are sports tyres, as are the 014s and Pilot Powers.
The old Avon Roadrunners were great on my old (not Hinckley) Bonneville. :wink:
*doffs flat cap and quietly gets coat*I had quite a few of those, at the time they were good, (I had them on a Meriden Trumpet too).
I have the Z6s on my SV1000 and really like them - plenty of grip, even when pushing it two up :twisted:
Luckypants
19-12-06, 09:30 AM
I had an Avon Azaro, 45 or 46 or whatever it may be, on the back of my SV for a while last winter and hated it, really massively unimpressed compared to the Roadtecs I usually have, and the 020 that came on my other spare wheel. In the wet, it always felt much like the roadtec does when stone cold, no matter how long I'd been riding. It was fine in the dry, no complaints there, but then it was winter so I wasn't really pushing them much. In the snow, though, they're pretty decent for road tyres. I couldn't get the bike out of the driveway with the Roadtec rear last time it snowed :roll:I have Avaon Azaros AV 45/46 (Sport Touring compound) on my curvy. I like em. I also got on OK with the original Mez6 that everyone hated so much on the curvy. I believe this is because both the tyres were intended for heavier bikes (e.g. VFR / ST4 etc) than the SV and so never got up to temp. As I ride with pillion and am not slim, I work these tyres a lot harder and so they work for me. Just a thought.
northwind
19-12-06, 06:18 PM
I also got on OK with the original Mez6 that everyone hated so much on the curvy.
Mez4, it was. I wonder what you're comparing the Azaro and Mez4 with? I'd have probably been perfectly happy with the Azaros if I'd never ridden on better.
Luckypants
19-12-06, 11:57 PM
fair point. Other tyres I've tried are Dunlop D202 (OEM) and Bridgestone 020 on my VFR 750 before.
northwind
20-12-06, 12:38 AM
Hum, fair play then, I'd call the 020 better than the Azaro but you've probably got more time on them than I did.
I'd call the 020 better than the Azaro.
So would I. In the dry, there was very little to separate the two, but in damp or wet conditions the 020's were a lot better IMO.
Luckypants
20-12-06, 11:11 AM
I'd call the 020 better than the Azaro.
So would I. In the dry, there was very little to separate the two, but in damp or wet conditions the 020's were a lot better IMO.I'm a wuss, I don't go out much in the wet.
Hmmmmm...... In fact I don't go out much!
For wet weather I would choose either of these three:
Pirelli Diablo Strada's
Metzler Z6's
Continental Road Attacks.
The Strada's are very good in the wet, damp or dry.
The Metzlers for me worked very well in the dry and damp but seemed to loose a lot of grip in proper wet conditions. Don't quite understand how that works when, as Ian has stated, they are basically the same tyre as the Pirelli with a slightly different tread pattern.
The Road Attacks I absolutely love. Work brilliant in all conditions. Unbelievable grip straight away from cold. The only downside I found with these tyres was the wear rate. For some reason I wore the edges of the front tyre down to less than legal in 5000 miles. The rear wore out the centre in about the same time. For someone that can not throw new rubber on every 5000 miles I did not find them very economical.
I am now sticking with the Z6's for the Deauville and the Stradas for the SV.
I found that the Bridgestone 020's were a good tyre and still are, but have found the the others I have listed have gone that little bit further for feel and grip.
I've never tried Avon tyres but have heard plenty of people give good feedback from them.
I have to make sure that I get longevity as well as performance out of the tyres I use, quite simply because I can't afford the more expensive and less longer lasting tyres.
For me Pirelli Diablo Strada's fit the bill the best of all of them.
Racetec's a very sporty tyre, literally a road legal race tyre... Sportec M3 is more in line with the other ones you've described.
I had one of these fitted during a visit to the south of Spain. Due to a few reasons this was the only tyre that I could find to fit the SV rear at the time. By the time I had made the 1500 mile trip back to the UK they were shot. Still they were indeed a good 1500 miles. :twisted:
Looks like Avon are replacing the Azaro ST with the Storm ST (fitting for my bike as it's rained nearly every day since I got it in October).
"The Storm-ST replaces Avon’s Azaro-ST and builds
on its predecessor’s talents."
Anyone have any experience of these? Characteristics compared to the Azaro?
This is the data sheet:
http://www.avon-tyres.co.uk/motorcycle/content/en/pdf/storm.pdf
northwind
27-12-06, 04:39 PM
Looks interesting... Lot of techno-gibberish :)
I have Michelin pilots on my bike and have been using them on my last couple of cars.
I have found them to offer as good or better grip in wet and dry conditions compared with other brands of tyre but they just seem to last a hell of a lot longer.
After 2k miles the Michelins on my 636 don't look like they have worn at all. The stock tyres on my SV were still barely worn at the same mileage but noticeably more worn than these Michelins and the latter have had a harder life.
It has been the same with my cars, they take a lot of punishment, grip like hell and don't seem to wear out.
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