Which Tyres Are Better??

[SAMMY650]

Hi,

I need new tyres on my sv650, currently running on Bridgestone Battlax BT020 which i've not had a problem with but am tempted by either Bridgestone BT021 or Michelin Pilot Road2....anyone one got either of these fitted/used them? I'm slightly swayed by the fact that Bridgestone thrashed the competition in gps this year.

[Viney]

Its all down to opinion to be honest. By all accounts they are both excellent tyres.

I used to run 020's then went to a different brand and didnt like them. Wht would be good is someone thats gone from 020's to the PR2's for a good opinion. If you are unsure, then stick with the 021's.

Thats my 2p's worth. I run Metz Z6(f) Diablo Strada(r)

[Tim in Belgium]

What ever you do, do not go for black round ones, they are evil. Not constructive I know.

I'm off for 208RRs next, my mate used to get 3k out of them ragging an R6, so it should be similar or better on the SV and that grip has to be phenomenal (note I have breathed on suspension). Z6/ stradas are good but consider the Michelin Pilot Road 2CTs, sound like graet tyres.

PS try the tyre section, loads of opinions going round there!

[Spanner Man]

Morning all.

You can't go wrong with Continental Road Attacks, Z6's. or Pilot Road 2's. My customers seem to rate them all above Bt020's or BT021's.

Cheers.

[benny8ball]

I think both tyres you mentioned would be fine and I would decide which of them by looking at prices rather than gp results - the road legal sports touring tyres are nothing like slicks on a 200 hp + gp bike.

[MeridiaNx]

No idea about the Bridgestone, but despite lack of performance in GPs I am absolutely delighted with the Michelin PR2s I have been running for approx. 5k miles so far.

Excellent grip, great from cold, absolutely fan-bloody-tastic in the wet. They make a wet day's riding an absolute breeze, and I'm convinced they've saved me in a couple of wobbles that other tyres would've had me off. So all round from me a massive two thumbs up.

Had Z6s previously FWIW, great tyre, but I think the PR2s are a step up again. Wouldn't hesitate to recommend them.

[northwind]

Pilot Road 2s are fairly expensive it seems... I'll probably go with 021s next time, Bridgestone really know how to make sports touring tyres- the 020 wasn't that much worse than a Roadtec etc despite coming out years earlier, after all. But I've got a set of Stradas to kill first, which are also extremely good tyres.

[MeridiaNx]

Out of interest Northy, what do you consider to be expensive for a set of tyres? If I remember rightly I got my PR2s for £185 there or thereabouts.

[northwind]

You can get a pair of Stradas for £145... Would have been £155 fitted last time I was shopping. Or £165 for 021s, also fitted. I'm kind of assuming your £185 was fitted?

[ejohnh]

I've done about 4k on my PR2s and they have been brilliant. No squaring off that I can see and still got a shedload of tread on the back too...

One of the WRC riders I was out with last thursday had battlax tyres. The rear was well squared off with half of my mileage. I paid £213 fitted.