Tyres!!!

[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.

Originally Posted by 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

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.

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.

Originally Posted by 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.

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.

Originally Posted by BigApe

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


Diablo Strada



Metzler Z6

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

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.

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]

Originally Posted by northwind

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?

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/motorcyc...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.