Changing tyres!!!

Originally Posted by fizzwheel

As for choice.... Personally Z6's, but I've not tried the Pilot Road 2's. But I have tried the next tyre up in that range, the 2CT which I thought was pretty good.

Fizz, I don't believe that 2CT is a different model, in fact it's the name of the technology in the new run of Michelin tyres though I don't know if it's copyrighted. We shall see when other manufacturers come out with similar.

It stands, I think, for 2 Compound Tyre, and refers to the harder central, softer edge compound they've been using on MotoGP tyres for a while now. So Michelin's Pilot Road 2 AND Pilot Race both have 2CT after them.......I think.

Anyway, I went from stocks to Z6s last year following the positive stuff on here. Then just gone onto Pilot Road 2s and done over 1k on them so far. I'm not the greatest at describing, or that experienced at comparing so I couldn't give any advice on which of the 2 are 'better'. IMO they are both good, much better than stock, and both have good wet grip. Can't comment on the longevity of the Michelins so not sure if 2CT really does what it says on the tin.

Both are excellent though, maybe up to you on looks/price? (Michelins look better I think)

EDIT: Oh sod it, it's happened again. My post time is stuck at 2.26 for some reason, it did this in another thread as well. Hence why I'm now 1st poster it seems.

[Rich]

How easy is it? My rear needs changing and i've heard lots of conflicting comments about changing from good to bad, so just wondered how easy it would be for a numpty to change a tyre?

And is it worth just changing the rear, or do i change both front and back and be done with it. At the moment i have the dunlop 220's on it and they are ok but not the best as you all know.

Also i would like some Pilot 2's but im not sure so many out there, does anyone have any suggestions about tyres they recommend? I hear Z6's are good but with so many new ones comming out all the time i was wondering if opinions have changed?

[fizzwheel]

You're going to need a bead breaker, PM Northwind I think he does his own tyres.

Personally if you have the cash, now the rear is shot, then change the front for something else to. If not then change just the rear. Now its getting warmer you might want to think about something grippier with better feedback for the fun summer months.

As for choice.... Personally Z6's, but I've not tried the Pilot Road 2's. But I have tried the next tyre up in that range, the 2CT which I thought was pretty good.

I think any of the current crop of current tyres will be OK to be honest.

[Rich]

Cheers Fizz, i thought i might need a bead breaker.

Yeh i thought with decent summer days coming it would be nice to have some decent boots on the bike!! Will think about changing for the Z6's i think, all i've heard about them is good.

z6's feel light years ahead of the 220's. Even when you're scrubbing them in! I've thought about fitting my own but I'll need bead breakers, tyre levers and a balancer, not to forget new valves. ABBA make all those bit for around £150ish. In the end brought an ABBA stand and take the loose wheels and get charged about £10 fitting for the pair.

[Rich]

In the end i opted for the Metzeler Z6's and had them changed during the 7500k service. Decided that i wasn't up to changing them myself, V & J Superbikes did a great job not a mark on the bike, and my rim tape is unblemished. .

So scrubbing them in didn't take long, a run to Cheddar Gorge and then on the Bridgwater road to Minehead sorted that out. My god what a difference, at first i wasn't that convinced that they were as good as everyone was saying but i put that down to being cautious.

Tonight was lovely so i decided to go on my usual road the A358 to try and notice any difference and OMG what a difference a set of tyres can make. Warming up is almost instant compared to the D220's, this gave me more confidence from the off.

Riding the same road as i got so used to on the D220's i was supprised to find myself cruising around sweeping bends at 70-80 and on one occasion i noticed a 90 (kmh ), and the tight corners i was throwing the bike in like it was a 125. These tyres make cornering so much easier and when i came to one of my favourite corners i dropped the bike in at about 70 and scrappeeee goes my peg .

With that my knee slider got scraped on the top edge, i wasn't even trying to get my knee down i think the shock of scraping my peg through my leg out scraping my slider. . It's not that impresive but just shows how far you can push these tyres, and i didn't even think i was pushing that hard really. It took me the best part of the 7500k on the D220's to get my chicken stripes down to a decent size, now on the Z6's 200miles in i have none at all ..

So for those about to change tyres and fancy abit more grip try these i don't think you'll be dissapointed. Yet to try them in the wet, no dought they'll preform just as everyone has said.

So with that, my thanks to the SV site, and all you guys out there that have given advice. I have a set of tyres im now extremely happy with. Love the org. And without them i'd be still on those darn D220's!!!

Now check out my comparison of the Z6 to the PR2s again (I know you already read it, but read it again with experience of the Z6's fresh in your mind)

You like the way the Z6's grip? You'll LOVE the PR2s!!

i have road attacks which i like, but am tempted to try the Z6s next, but i do like the road attacks.

Originally Posted by MeridiaNx

Fizz, I don't believe that 2CT is a different model, in fact it's the name of the technology in the new run of Michelin tyres though I don't know if it's copyrighted. We shall see when other manufacturers come out with similar.

It stands, I think, for 2 Compound Tyre, and refers to the harder central, softer edge compound they've been using on MotoGP tyres for a while now. So Michelin's Pilot Road 2 AND Pilot Race both have 2CT after them.......I think.

I think you're both kinda correct, 2CT does stand for 2 compound technology. Pilot Road 2's have 2 compounds, but I think Fizz is on about the Pilot Power 2CT's (to give them their full name) which are named to differentiate them from the Pilot Power tyres (without the technology).

Anyway, back on track, I had the stock tyres and am more happy with the contis, tempted to give the PR2's a try next after all the rave reviews by magazines and Baph.

[Rich]

Originally Posted by Baph

Now check out my comparison of the Z6 to the PR2s again (I know you already read it, but read it again with experience of the Z6's fresh in your mind)

You like the way the Z6's grip? You'll LOVE the PR2s!!

I've read it again and it makes more sense now since riding on the Z6's. By the time i do come to change again though, there will be another type of tyre out no dought, for now i'm more than happy with my rubber!!!