Tyres!!!

[Alpinestarhero]

Need new tyres. Not happy with whats on it (Metzelers?!) so looking at bridgestone BT014's (i think?)

Has anyone got these fitted? How are they? DO they have a good (slow) wear rate (specialy on the center part)? What about grip in wet and greasy conditions? Im getting all sorts of slides at the moment :?

Matt

[BILLY]

I'm running Dunlop Qualifiers atm awesome grip wet or dry they warm up very quickly as for mileage not sure yet, I've put about 1500 miles on them and there's still loads of tread left and no sign of squaring off 8)

[mattSV]

Which Metz have you got at the moment - Z6 Roadtecs or Conti Roads are great all round tyres - loads of grip wet or dry, and good wear.

[Kate]

I can recommend diablo strada's. Excellent tyres.

[fizzwheel]

What sort of Metzler ? Its important. The MEZ4 that were fitted as standard to the curvey SV are by all accounts made of plastic and utterly useless. If you've got these then wear them out and then replace with something else.

The latest generation Metzler Z6 are a great IMHO tyre for the SV. Also have a look at the Continental Road Attack they also seem to suit the bike well. But I havent tried these.

Now onto the 014, remember this is just my experience of them tyres are a very personal choice. Also remember my experience of the 014 is on my GSXR which has a little more power than your SV does. :wink:

The 014 is a sporty soft tyre, the dont wear well. They also wear down really quickly in the middle and loose their shape and become square quite fast if your doing a lot of dual carriageway / motorway work. I havent tried them on a SV, but I had a set on my GSXR when I first got it and the rear was toast when I say toast I mean illegal after 1800 miles. They are unbelievably soft, I'm not a riding god, but I do when its safe like to have a play, I remember coming back from one such ride in the summer and the tyre having little "marbles" of rubber on the edges and when I rubbed my hand over the back tyre the rubber was rolling off it on the palm of my hand. They were good on scorching hot days or when I could ride the bike hard to keep the heat in them, but the real thing that put me off them was if I got stuck in traffic or it was a warm day instead of hot and the tyres didnt have much heat in them god they were horrible, really vague and I couldnt get any feeling from them. They are IMHO utter rubbish when its wet. They really robbed me of my confidence. I had a few fornt end slides and also a couple of spin ups of the rear without any warning that the tyre was going to let go whatsoever.

If you want stickyness with long life, then have a look at the Michellin Pilot Power 2CT, I've got 3000 plus miles out of a rear on my GSXR on one of these. also the Dunlop Sportmax Qualifer seems to get good reviews as well.

Remember this is just MY experience of the tyres your looking to fit, I know alot of people who like the 014 tyre but I've also spoken to people who have had simialr experiences to me. The only way your going to know if you like them or not is to try them. Also remember its very very slippery at the moment so you might find different tyres also slip and slide to.

HTH

[weazelz]

bt-14's are great sporty, summer tyres, but not so good in the cold/wet. they're pretty soft too, so you're going to square them off pretty rapidly

if you want some winter bridgestone's, get bt-20's

[Alpinestarhero]

Ah, thanks everyone! I'll change my desicion then. I think i got MEZ4's at the moment, crappy crap crappididy do.

Fizz - many thanks, that was a good comprehensive reply! I think i'll go with the mich or dunlops then; i dont have a great deal of money so cant be changing tyres every 5mins!

Off i go to raid the piggy-bank...

Matt

[fizzwheel]

TBH I'd get a pair of Metz Z6's, they really are bloody brilliant and they are a damn site cheaper than the Dunlops or Michellins are going to be. The continental road attacks are cheaper again and either set of tyres is probably going to last longer that the Michellins or Dunlops will.

IMHO having sticky rubber on your bike at this time of year is a total waste of time you'll wont enjoy the extra grip they can give as you will I expect struggle to get heat into them. IMHO you'd be better off with something like the Z6 or Road Attack and save your money for sticky tyres in the summer when you can really get the benefit from them.

[netsurfer]

I've got a pair of Conti's on my SV and, to be honest I find they are far from grippy in the wet (not rain, just wet roads)

I've played around a bit with pressures and it helped a bit, however I would hope that changing to another brand of tyre would improve the grip in the wet. Could just be they are squared off a bit - dosent look like it though. I've just bought the bike recently so dont know what they were like when new (rear is approx 1/4 worn and front is almost new)

They are so bad, that on my last outing I thought I had a flat rear.. it was all over the place.

I'm not saying dont buy Continental's - just ask around a bit before parting with your hard earned.

Pete

[mattSV]

TBH I'd get a pair of Metz Z6's, they really are bloody brilliant and they are a damn site cheaper than the Dunlops or Michellins are going to be. The continental road attacks are cheaper again and either set of tyres is probably going to last longer that the Michellins or Dunlops will.

IMHO having sticky rubber on your bike at this time of year is a total waste of time you'll wont enjoy the extra grip they can give as you will I expect struggle to get heat into them. IMHO you'd be better off with something like the Z6 or Road Attack and save your money for sticky tyres in the summer when you can really get the benefit from them.

I would fully agree with Fizz - I have used Z6s for the past 2 1/2 years on my SV1000 and have been very happy with them - as those on the Norf/Sarf run last year might remember, I don't exactly hang around either :wink: I would be more than happy to do a track day on them - IMHO they give the best mix of grip/feedback/wear for me both in the wet and dry

I had the Mez Z4s on my old curvy and they were absolute ****e - I had absolutely no confidence with them at all.

[diamond]

Another vote for Z6's here as well, i can't fault them in any way. I do around about 115 miles a day on mine in all weathers and they have never done anything to make me doubt them or want to change them.

[Razor]

I hate Dunlops, running Diablos at the mo which rock, but might try MEZ6 for next set of hoops. The Metzlers have just had too much praise on here to be crap dontcha think?

[Stig]

You know the Diablo Strada's and the Metzler Z6's are pretty much the exact same tyre.


Diablo Strada

http://www.motorradonline.de/fm/186/pirelli.jpg

Metzler Z6

http://www.af1racing.com/store/ProdImages/st/Metzeler_z6.jpg

[BILLY]

I hate Dunlops, running Diablos at the mo which rock, but might try MEZ6 for next set of hoops. The Metzlers have just had too much praise on here to be crap dontcha think?
Try the Qualifiers they will change your mind!! 8)

[Baph]

TBH I'd get a pair of Metz Z6's, they really are bloody brilliant and they are a damn site cheaper than the Dunlops or Michellins are going to be.
Amen to that!

Bare in mind though, that I have only ridden on the stock 220's that were fitted when I bought my K6 new, and then the Z6's that I bought for her. Blimey there's a difference. The Z6's are so comfortable in winter commutes that I won't be looking for anything different come summer time (I'll be needing a new set by then).

I also ran a Z6 rear and 220 front, which for a time was absolutely fantastic. This lasted around 500 miles though (a week!), as the front was reaching it's end of life.

I'm in the same boat, raiding the piggy bank to pay for stuff for the bike, and partly because of this ran both front & rear to the legal limit before changing. That led to lots of hairy stuff like the back end stepping out on me (it was a major power slide that convinced me to take a day off work to get the rear sorted). I'm also attributing part of my only fall on the SV to a lack of grip on the front (but it was mostly me being a numpty), so please (everyone) think carefully before putting off buying new feet!

I certainly won't be running tyres that close to the limit again.

[furrybean]

TBH I'd get a pair of Metz Z6's, they really are bloody brilliant and they are a damn site cheaper than the Dunlops or Michellins are going to be.
Amen to that!

Bare in mind though, that I have only ridden on the stock 220's that were fitted when I bought my K6 new, and then the Z6's that I bought for her. Blimey there's a difference. The Z6's are so comfortable in winter commutes that I won't be looking for anything different come summer time (I'll be needing a new set by then).

I also ran a Z6 rear and 220 front, which for a time was absolutely fantastic. This lasted around 500 miles though (a week!), as the front was reaching it's end of life.

I'm in the same boat, raiding the piggy bank to pay for stuff for the bike, and partly because of this ran both front & rear to the legal limit before changing. That led to lots of hairy stuff like the back end stepping out on me (it was a major power slide that convinced me to take a day off work to get the rear sorted). I'm also attributing part of my only fall on the SV to a lack of grip on the front (but it was mostly me being a numpty), so please (everyone) think carefully before putting off buying new feet!

I certainly won't be running tyres that close to the limit again.

So you reckon 220's on the front are okay with a Z6 on the back. I've got 3.5k on my stock tyres and the rear is squaring off :oops: but the front seems to be okay. Shame to waste the front but I never thought of having one of each.

[fizzwheel]

So you reckon 220's on the front are okay with a Z6 on the back.

That IMHO is a poor idea. Especially at this time of year with the roads being so slippery. For the sake of a few quid change both and stick to a matched pair. The Z6 IIRC is designed to work front and rear together. Its something to do with the tread pattern. As the Z6 is pretty slick in the middle of the rear, the front is designed to shift water to clear a path for the rear.

Anyway thats just what I'd do. I know some people do mix and match its just that I prefer not to. You takes your money you takes your choice. Ask yourself how much value you put on staying in one piece.

[furrybean]

Good point. I was saving for a pair in the spring but this thread had me thinking otherwise. Thanks for the advise Fizz

[Tim in Belgium]

Had a great time this summer on Pirelli Diablo Stradas (the Z6 twin), did four track days, nicely marbled and no chicken strips, trips round the alps, went to the Vosges in the rain. Had the rear spin up on me twice, once overtaking in the rain (me being kack handed) and once coming out of a hairpin at Lydden (again me being kack handed and having the pegs grind out a little too much). Got just about 5k out of the rear, but most riding has been pretty fast, with a few long motorway slogs thrown in. And a lot of the roads I was riding on were pretty abrasive surfaces.

Will be going for them for the next tyre until I improve the SVs's suspension and brakes.

[diamond]

Z6's are great tyres i'll never look any where else for my SV tyres. Really confidence inspiring in the wet, I've just worn a front Z6 out riding through winter, only on the right hand side tho, plenty of tread on the middle. Rear was still ok. :lol:

The dealer replaced it with a bridgestone 014 when it was in for some other work, when i went to pick the bike up i refused to accept it until they put a Z6 on the front to match the back. Riding with mismatched tyres is not something i would do. But each to his own.

[northwind]

Z6's are really, really good... Road Attacks also good, but I prefer Roadtecs, they don't tear up when hot like Road Attacks seem to (I spent 5 laps of a trackday chasing a CBR600, eventually passed him when his Roadattacks went off- I had a Sportec on the front to be fair, but when we pulled in his were absolutely melted, mine were barely marbled.) But there's a good price difference.

[Demonz]

I'm running Dunlop Qualifiers atm awesome grip wet or dry they warm up very quickly as for mileage not sure yet, I've put about 1500 miles on them and there's still loads of tread left and no sign of squaring off 8) Mixed reviews on these - I didnt like them in the damp and found them difficult to warm up/stick compared to the Race Rep 208s which they have now replaced. Others have sworn by them though and they should last a while - ideal for weekend rides and commuting I should expect.

[Jamesv]

Just had a pair of Z6 fitted after using Avon azaros. The Z6 is a fantastic tyre with great grip and composure. It also has massively improved braking feel at both ends and boosted my overall confidence levels.

The only trade off i can see is that you have to work the bike more to get it down and back up on tight bends.

Overall, a superb tyre and wish i had made the change earlier.

James

2005 SV650s, ohlins front and rear, gilles variobars

[northwind]

Yeah, I don't see what people see in the Azaros... I had a rear on for a while and it was more or less completely **** in the wet, IMO. Good in snow though, with its tractor tread :)

Might try the new Storms next, Avon designs tend to be great when new- just that they go on for too long.

[Beenz]

Yeah, I don't see what people see in the Azaros... I had a rear on for a while and it was more or less completely **** in the wet, IMO. Good in snow though, with its tractor tread :)

Might try the new Storms next, Avon designs tend to be great when new- just that they go on for too long.

I guess a lot of this is down to different riding styles n stuff. Personally I loved the Azaros when I had my pointy SV. I'm also a tad on the heavy side so maybe that made a difference as well. I liked the way it fell into bends easier. I used to get a good (as in safe) 3.5K out of a rear.

Now the 014 Bridgestones, its almost as if Fizz was reading my mind. The description of those is spot on. 1.8K and the rear is a rolling pin. Great at first in the warm (when warmed up) but you have to work them hard to get the best out of em. They also take an age to warm up. OK I've got a silly bike but 1.8K from a rear that does not inspire confidence after 1300 miles is worrying.

[skint]

You know the Diablo Strada's and the Metzler Z6's are pretty much the exact same tyre.


Diablo Strada

http://www.motorradonline.de/fm/186/pirelli.jpg

Metzler Z6

http://www.af1racing.com/store/ProdImages/st/Metzeler_z6.jpg

One and the same company but whether that infuences design, compounds etc? :smt102

I like the 014s but as already said the wear rate is expensive. May consider 020's for harder wearing.

It does depend on riding style. I used BT's on my FZR600 some 10 years ago (can't remember model) which served well but then I rode every day in all weathers so style was constant. Now I'm more of a wimpy weekend warm weather rider, so tend to go hell for leather when I get the chance to ride so there is a lot of scrubbing of the tyres.

I posted something like this a while back and reading both posts seems to suggest that choice is largely down to personal preference; how you expect the bike to perform, what feels good for you and so on. I find chosing a tyre scary and will generally keep to what I've had before but now have to watch the pennies too, so a change for me is looming :? .

I would suggest taking more notice of the people you have ridden with, how they ride and their confidence and see if that mirrors your own style. :)

[Tim in Belgium]

Guy who sold me my Diablo stradas said it was the same carcass and compound as the Z6, just slightly different tread. Good to know as the Pirelli's were 80 euro cheaper there at the time so he saved me some cash when he didn't have to.

[RingDing]

Might try the new Storms next, Avon designs tend to be great when new- just that they go on for too long.

I was thinking the same. Plus my LBS gets a better deal on Avons. I've had no problem with the Z6's apart from they seem to be loosing their profile quite quickly. The press speak for the Storns sounds like the carcass is designed to reduce the loss of profile.

Anyone seen any reviews on the Storms yet?

[thumper]

is the avon storm a sports touring tyre , and the azaro's mentioned are they the s"ST"s if so i have them on my gsx and love them , i was thinking of them for the sv , also do we leave the sizes as they are or bigger on the back???

:?:

[RingDing]

The Storm ST is a sports touring tyre, see here:
http://www.avon-tyres.co.uk/motorcycle/?page=tyres&method=showtyre&id=25

So is the Azaro ST, it's just a bit out of date these days.

I'd always fit the recommended size.

[RingDing]

Found this 'review' here: http://www.biketyrestore.com/site.asp?id=27




November 2006.
Review by Motorcycle Journalist and TV Presenter Chris "Mossy" Moss.
Product : Avon Storm-ST Sports/Touring Tyres
It’s not often that I’m happy when the weather is as unpredictable as it has been this month. But with the job of testing Avon’s new sports touring tyre, the Storm ST, having the climate of virtually all four seasons in just three weeks suited me perfectly.

The tyre has been designed to cope with a variety of uses as well as weather conditions, and to test the full range of performance the Avons are capable of, I had them fitted to a Kawasaki ZX-6R. That way I could test the Storms at both normal speeds and under the duress of much faster riding - something the supersport bike is easily able to help you achieve.

Luckily things started well with the sun and fairly decent temperatures allowing me to test the sporting side of the tyres’ ability in confidence. And confidence is precisely what the Storm STs generated from the word go.

Grip is not in question, and though these tyres are not pure sports tyres, their adhesion under power, heavy braking and in corners is more than I could ever need on the road. And with a nice consistent and neutral feel to the way they steer, they are very predictable tyres overall. The Kawasaki is a hugely capable bike, with both an excellent engine and chassis to generate very high performance, but the Storms contain it all superbly.

Stability is also a very strong point and even deliberately running over cat’s eyes and white lines couldn’t fluster the quick-steering ZX-6R. Warm up times are very quick too - another very useful and confidence-inspiring feature.

However, the way the Storms coped with this week’s much poorer weather is what’s impressed me most about the tyres. Much colder temperatures and even heavy rain couldn’t cause a dip in my confidence in the Avons. And though getting up to start riding at 7am to check out how well the tyres could deal with adversity wasn’t my idea of an ideal start to the day, the Avons were obviously keener than me.

They performed brilliantly with their Super-Rich Silica compound and tread clearly helping them to feel really secure on the wet roads. And that didn’t matter whether I was on a motorway, back road or in town. After only doing around 500 test miles so far, my impressions are only early ones, but my experience certainly gives me the feeling that I’ll remain very keen on them for much longer.

I’m aiming to do a lot more miles on the Kawasaki and check out the Avons still further. Hopefully I’ll then know how well they wear and how the Kawasaki handles once they’ve worn.

I haven’t been a fan of Avon tyres in recent years, but my experience with the Storm STs is definitely starting to change that view. So far at least, I’ve been highly impressed with the British firm’s latest offering.