Tyre Choice help. Posted this in another forum didn't get much back.

[jambo]

Originally Posted by Stu

I've always wondered about this phrase.
I'm no Rossi but I bet you any money I could skid the front or back wheel of any (non ABS) bike.

I would love to be able to go into a corner at any speed and rely on your guarantee that my tyres will not let go.

Well given Rossi & Co run out of grip on hot tracks, running slicks, at the correct temperature, I think it's safe to say there's no tyre that you can rely on to never let go.

Should you feel like riding with any consideration for conditions or finesse at all, however, modern tyres are epic. You can now buy sports touring tyres that will last for 10,000 miles to the pair (I've managed this more than once from a rear) and still let you run in the middle of the intermediate pack at track days. You can get your knee down in the wet on them too should you have the surface, heat and testicles (I don't, but I've got rid of rear chicken strips in the wet at Brands)

More than one racer commented that the (now old-hat) BT020s had more grip than slicks did in the late 80s. That's just incredible.

Having ridden on some less than wonderful tyres in the past (bridgestone exedra crossply anyone?) I am continually impressed at the grip offered by long-life road tyres.

Jambo

Edit: To the OP, Essential Rubber will patch a puncture professionally for not much money if the tyres have life left.

[Taipan]

Originally Posted by Stu

I've always wondered about this phrase.
I'm no Rossi but I bet you any money I could skid the front or back wheel of any (non ABS) bike.

I would love to be able to go into a corner at any speed and rely on your guarantee that my tyres will not let go.

Cocking a corner up or bad braking isn't neccessarily down to tyre grip though is it, thats more rider error. Of course you can overpower a tyre that way but what I mean is few people reach the limits of a tyres capable grip on the road. Not saying no one does but it'll only be a few.

A sort of example. A mate of mine will spend whatever amount needed to get the lastest MCN best buy grippiest tyre ever. He'll tell me every time how superb they are and grip like nothing on he has ever ridden with before. He has never set the sag on his bike and its woefully undersprung for his bulk. Yet he wont go and get his suspension set up professionally saying it doesn't need it as the bike handles superbly. He only needs Pilot roads if he had his bike set up properly.

[Stu]

Originally Posted by jambo

I think it's safe to say there's no tyre that you can rely on to never let go.

This I can agree with

Edit: To the OP, Essential Rubber will patch a puncture professionally for not much money if the tyres have life left.

Not if you've put a can of tyreweld in it to get there though.

[Stu]

Originally Posted by Taipan

Cocking a corner up or bad braking isn't neccessarily down to tyre grip though is it, thats more rider error.

I can agree with this

Of course you can overpower a tyre that way but what I mean is few people reach the limits of a tyres capable grip on the road. Not saying no one does but it'll only be a few.

This I'm not so sure about,
1) A large number of accidents must be related to loss of tyre grip at some point
2) Every ride I have I am concerned about my tyre grip, especially in the wet, maybe my concern is misplaced and I am no where near the limit?

im also concerned about my tire grip specialy on my maxis sportmax? (i think they are that model). they are usless in the wet i look like haydon sliding a corner but going in a straight line (they are that bad in the wet).

on the other hand they are brill in the dry and grip realy well, i have gotten the front to slide thogh in the dry on hot tires but i think thats more down to the bike and its suspension limit (note the back dident slide with a gsxr 1000 shock)

will be trying avon storms (for the wet months) then puting the maxis back on in the dry just to use them up. also will be geting a free part worn bt016 front tire for a track day when i get round to it obviously will get a back (bt016) to.

and i have to say tire choice is mostly down to preferece and riding style, im prey agressive so maybe the maxxis are ok in the wet for comuting and stuf

Well 220quid later I riden away with the dulop roadsmart. Both front And back. so none of my previous choices but hey ho. If I find them to be exceptionaly sticky or slippy I'll post a thread with a review. Anyone who maybe in the same what-do-I-don't-I get and wants to know more about how they handle just let me know.

[5hort5]

I would be interested in how you get on with the roadsmarts, I'm planning to change the sun baked poo hoops commonly know as Z4's as soon as I have the cash, god only knows why this curvy still has them on. The road pilot 2's I had on my pointy were great so it'll be one or the other.

Originally Posted by 5hort5

I would be interested in how you get on with the roadsmarts, I'm planning to change the sun baked poo hoops commonly know as Z4's as soon as I have the cash, god only knows why this curvy still has them on. The road pilot 2's I had on my pointy were great so it'll be one or the other.

Well having had them for last week which had pretty much everything weather wise thrown at me i must say i was very happy with these. Grip really well and hug the corners very nicely.
Problem is my sv is my first "proper" bike and i had brand new Bridgstones on when i bought it. Its hard to compare the Dunlops to these as i was an inexperienced rider before so was still getting to grips (no pun intended) with how it ran.
So to compare the two would be wrong as i cant really speak about how good-or-not the b/stones where.
However i'm very happy with the Dunlops and feel that commuting throughout the winter on these shouldn't be a problem. In the terrretial rain last week they certainly didn't feel like how the B/stones where. Loads more grip without slip.

I've just ordered a set of Maxxis Sport/Tourers(£120 off Ebay) for £120,local guy wants £40 for fitting.Its almost xmas so getting dear ones are out the question


Will post a thread or add to one to say how good/bad they are.

Originally Posted by Aquila

I've just ordered a set of Maxxis Sport/Tourers(£120 off Ebay) for £120,local guy wants £40 for fitting.Its almost xmas so getting dear ones are out the question


Will post a thread or add to one to say how good/bad they are.

there not supermaxx are they ??? good in the dry but awful in the wet, especialy if its a bit greasy