Advice on tyres please
 

I passed my test a month ago and my sv650s 2003 needs a set of new tyres.
I've tried to research as much as I can but was wondering if anyone could help me!?
Most of my riding is either a short commute to work or a good ride once a week just on normal roads and country roads.
I won't be doing track days ect or riding in the rain, just general riding .
Any advice would be great. Thanks

Re: Advice on tyres please
 

Everyone will have different views on their all round tyre choice.

A lot of people (including myself) find the Michelin PR range extremely good for all round use though. Either PR3s or 4s would be fine.

Re: Advice on tyres please
 

Most of the big brands will be fine for you. Even with many years experience some of us cannot really tell the difference but everyone has their favourites. I like the feel of the Michelin Pilot Road 3's on my bike and with the mk4's now out you may get a good deal on the 3's. New tyres feel great compared to worn ones so whatever choice you make you'll probably enjoy them.

Re: Advice on tyres please
 

Michelin PR serine is a safe bet.
There's a £30 refund deal on at the moment.
You can search for a dealer in your area.
Pirreli Angle also and you can find good deals on them.

Re: Advice on tyres please
 

Most sport touring tyres will do,last longer & plenty of grip for your weekend blast.I fitted Avon Storm 2 this time & for under £200 feel great!

Re: Advice on tyres please
 

I put Avon Storm2 on mine too and they made a huge difference. And unfortunately no matter how much you plan not to ride in the rain it still happens!

Re: Advice on tyres please
 

Currently on my second set of continental Motions, cheap and grippy, really like them

Re: Advice on tyres please
 

PR4... simples.

if you do get caught in the rain (its the UK) you want something that works well. the PR4's are superb rain or shine.

Re: Advice on tyres please
 

Any of the modern sports touring tyres will do you right, but my personal preference would be for the Michelin Pilot Road 4's, although the previous gen 3s are pretty capable too. As far as I know nothing beats them in the wet (you will get caught in the wet at some point). I've run the Continental Conti Motions and they're okay, I've written a full review in the tyres section but my feeling is that they are a budget tyre with a price to reflect, nothing wrong with them just a bit outdated so it's up to you and your wallet. I've used Bridgestone BT21s too and wouldn't recommend them, especially for a new rider, as they're a bit unpredictable and can catch you out when you start to get some confidence with them.

Re: Advice on tyres please
 

To be honest. Your be pushed to buy a pants tyre if you stick with a name brand.

Re: Advice on tyres please
 

Agree brand name tyres you cant really go wrong, up to date tyre technology is fantastic.
For me it would be Pirelli Diablo Rosso's.

Re: Advice on tyres please
 

I went with the pilot road 3s , found a good deal online , the pair for £166 delivered.
I can notice the difference straight away especially as my previous were really square!

Re: Advice on tyres please
 

New tyres always feel better than the old rubber they replace, that's why I do as many miles as I can so I can keep getting that new tyre feel:p Glad you like them as tyres your brain think are good can make all the difference, now go wear them out!

Re: Advice on tyres please
 

I've used Avon Storm 2 Ultras for the last couple of replacements, but this time opted for Pilot Road 3's as well, they seem to offer more reliable cornering to me, but this could be the new tyre syndrome nutstatin mentions

Re: Advice on tyres please
 

nope its not new tyre syndrome. the PR3's are light years ahead of the Storms. there is nothing wrong with the storms and they are a very capable tyre or should i say used to be till they messed with the compound to which i found that they would spin up in the wet easy.

Re: Advice on tyres please
 

Agreed, I found nothing bad about the storms, apart from 1 front tyre which was faulty and replaced under warranty (that was weird, tyre felt out of balance the whole time).

For the 50 quid or so price difference between a set of Storms and the Michelins, it'd be Michelins every time for me now

Re: Advice on tyres please
 

New tyres are without a doubt nicer to ride on.
I always try to use as much of the tyre shoulders as I can because I'm a tight bugger and paid for all of the tread!
I have used Bridgestone T30's and both sets have lasted 11k and would have gone another thou if winter wasn't looming and I was sure they could shift the water. Grip is more than enough for the SV and have never had the spinning up I had with my inherited Pirellis in the wet. Thought about Pilot 4 and may try them next time. It is true that you tend to go with a tyre you're familiar with and have some experience of its limit (haven't found it yet!) and longevity.

Re: Advice on tyres please
 

I got Avon Storm 2 Ultras for £180 fitted and I love them so far, rain or shine and I have more confidence in them than my old Michelin Pilot Roads. People have quoted very good mileage out of them too

Re: Advice on tyres please
 

something i noticed with the PR4 rear. it still feels round even when the crown has gone and its squared off and i never noticed that riding on marbles transition point usually associated with a square tyre. still think the PR3's feel better grip in the wet

Re: Advice on tyres please
 

What sort of mileage do you get from Pilots?
Tyre replacement every two years is painful enough already!

Re: Advice on tyres please
 

I'm getting about 8,000 miles from a rear PR4 and 10,000 from a front, so that's five sets every two years...

Re: Advice on tyres please
 

I got about 8,000 out on mine (Pilot Road 1) but that was with over 3,000 motorway miles so they flattened off, the edges still had loads of life. Also a fair amount of vigorous riding

Re: Advice on tyres please
 

Avon 3D Ultra range is worth a look.

Re: Advice on tyres please
 

On my 3rd set of Diablos, they're a great tyre but the rear won't give me more than 4k miles.

Re: Advice on tyres please
 

around 5k but i dont hang about and the roads up here are made of sandpaper texture tarmac.

Advice on tyres please
 

Avid supporter of the PR4s. 11k from the rear and 13k from the front. Rocking anakee 3s now though and I'm getting better mileage too.

Will probably go back to the PRs for the next set.


Sent via the medium of interpretative dance.

Re: Advice on tyres please
 

That's more like it!
I prefer having to change the oil more often than my tyres!

My bike jacket does have a built in vicar's dog collar and it's always Sunday when I'm out and about (honest officer).