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Your Latest/Best Tire Recommendations

  • Thread starter Thread starter MelodicMetalGod
  • Start date Start date
My riding style is "spirited" in the twisties so hopefully I'm qualified to answer a question on sticky tires. :D

Bias ply- my vote goes for the Pirelli Sport Demon. Great grip wet and dry, cold or hot weather. Neutral handling. The profile is nice and oval so holds a line very nicely in a corner. Doesn't complain when you add more lean angle midcorner. The front provides lots of feedback and the sticky compound improves braking.

Radial- my vote would go for the Michelin Pilot Power. Same compound Michelin used for their 2003 MotoGP race tires. INSANE grip in the wet or dry once warm, you'll be dragging knee long before these tires lose grip once up to operating temperature. Long lasting too, the last rear made it to 6000 miles before going off. The front tire grip makes for quick braking. Triangular profile, these tires fall into corners faster and change direction faster than the Pirellis but once you've set your line they're quite neutral steering. Quick warmup (as in a couple of miles), albeit a bit loosey goosey when cold. However, I rode to work this morning in 39 degree temps and grip wasn't an issue as I let the tires warm before pushing them.

The stickiest sport tires with the widest selection nowadays are radials so the biggest bang for the buck IMO is to put new rims on your bike so you can run sport radials...

120 front and a 150 or 160 rear with some sticky modern radial rubber on a 550 would be a fantastic improvement...
 
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bwringer said:
For maximum traction and feel, get the Pirelli Sport Demons.

End of discussion.
Click to expand...

tkent02 said:
Who has used both Sport Demons and Road Riders on the same bike???

I have used the Avons and they are great but are the Pirellis better?

How about at cold temps, on crappy, rough roads with sandy wet spots from melting snow?

Some tires excel in colder temps, some in hotter temps. I'd go with the ones that work in the cold.
Click to expand...

Too bad Brian didn't expound further in this thread (though he's done it before and if you search you'll probably find his earlier comments) - I believe he's used most of the listed tires and he is as "spirited" a rider as I've ever met. He likes and uses the Avons but as I recall he stated the Pirellis are a bit less "squirrelly" and more predictable in the twisties.

Perhaps he will come back to comment further or link to his earlier statements.

I'm on my second set of Sport Demons and love 'em! They literally transformed the performance of my 1100G.

Regards,
 
I think Brian rated the Avons about 99.5% against a pirelli 100% in the twisties... for me the chance that they will last at least 30% longer probably more & are a bit cheaper I can live without the .5%!! :D

Also it means I'm supporting the brits rather than the Italians...! :lol:
 
doctorgonzo said:
Yeah, $45 front and $55 back is remove wheel, install tire, balance and re-install. I have no way to balance, and at this point and as many long hours as I have put in on this bike, ready to have somebody else do it, be done in a couple hours (they say "while you wait") and drive away. Especially since I have shaftie and it would be first time pull that unit off the wheel.
Click to expand...

If you have a pair of sawhorses or a bunch of milkcrates, or anything that lets you support each end of the axle with the tire spinning in between you have everything you need to balance. And if you take just a bit of care it will be every bit as well balanced as anything coming out of the dealership. I get them to less than the smallest size lead piece (1/4 ounce) with two sawhorses and nothing else.

The only hard part of the tire changing is breaking the bead.
Someone here showed a clever easy setup using a car and some 2x4s
I've heard a suggestion to try a carpenter' wood clamp too.

I built a bead breaker out of 2x4s that didn't need a car ...
After that it was easy.
Woulda done the car thingy if it were posted back then

Of course if you'd rather spend money than time ... thats another story ...
I'm not trying to change your mind as much as tell you that though its tedious, its actually fairly easy (and yep I have a shafty too)
(Btw, make sure the dealership actually greases the splines if they do it)

On the other hand again ... if you are going to ride sticky tires hard ... your gonna wear out lots of them ...:-D
You're going to be feeding the dealer a LOT of tire changing money.
Money you could spend on better tires \\:D/
 
I probably will try it on my own at some point, just not this set. After carb re-build and jet, new coils, new wiring harness, etc... I am ready to spend the time riding instead of fumbling through it this time.
 
doctorgonzo said:
I probably will try it on my own at some point, just not this set. After carb re-build and jet, new coils, new wiring harness, etc... I am ready to spend the time riding instead of fumbling through it this time.
Click to expand...

You can fumble through it quicker than the trip to the dealer and waiting for them to screw you over.
 
tkent02 said:
The $100 you mention will more than pay for that Harbor Fright tire machine.
You need to grease your splines anyway.
Click to expand...

Eh? A balancing machine or a bead breaker / installer? You've got me thinking about changing my own tires now, instead of just getting the wheels off.
 
Dogma said:
Eh? A balancing machine or a bead breaker / installer? You've got me thinking about changing my own tires now, instead of just getting the wheels off.
Click to expand...

Bead breaker and Tire taker offer/puter oner...

Costs about forty bucks and the motorcycle attachment was about thirty...
I just looked at their website and it doesn't come up?
Maybe they discontinued it?
You can remove and replace a tire in about a minute by yourself.
It works like the kind in the shop except you provide the power with your arms.


Still have to balance by hand, but if your bike comes with wheel bearings and an axle you have all the equipment you need to balance.
 
Thanks for all the feedback so far. Great dialogue of experience and opinion!

My riding style isn't all that "spirited" right now, but that's very intentional due to the tires that I've got currently - my best estimation/read is that they're 5 years old! :shock: They're virtually new in terms of tread and there are no signs of compromised carcass, but I just can't get to agressive on these tires since they're probably hard as a rock just due to age.

I think I'll go with the Pirelli Sport Demons! Woohoo! Ron Ayers has the right sizes for about $95 front and $100 rear. I've never changed my own tires, so I'll probably have my local dealer do the job. They charge $145 to "out the door" for two tires. If I buy the tires from them, they'll cut that price to $125 and give me 15% discount on the tire cost. That puts me in the range of about $325 for all new rubber. Sound reasonable?
 
Dont forget the Elite III Dunlops

Dont forget the Elite III Dunlops

I currently have the Demons on my 1000 and just put a set of the Elite III's on my 1100 for this season. I was following Brian last weekend on our early season "scouting trip" for the BC ride and for low 40's temps the III's were very stable and felt sticky. Although they only had 23 miles on them when I started after about 100 miles I started to push them a little bit and they wanted more. IMO either tire would be plenty sticky for most riders but the Elite III"s are supposed to get more tread life and that is why I gave them a try. As I recall Brian said he got over 10,000 miles out of a set of the Elites when they made them in sizes to fit his bike. The Elites do not have a large range of sizes available but if they make ones to fit your bike I would strongly consider them.
 
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tkent02 said:
Probably both made under license in China by now.
Click to expand...

Nope, the Avons clearly have made in Britain stamped on them. This sort of highly automated process with reasonably large freight costs is often more cost effective done domestically.

Cheaper than the Pirelli's too. $150 a set for my bike.

Dan :)
 
MelodicMetalGod said:
Thanks for all the feedback so far. Great dialogue of experience and opinion!

My riding style isn't all that "spirited" right now, but that's very intentional due to the tires that I've got currently - my best estimation/read is that they're 5 years old! :shock: They're virtually new in terms of tread and there are no signs of compromised carcass, but I just can't get to agressive on these tires since they're probably hard as a rock just due to age.

I think I'll go with the Pirelli Sport Demons! Woohoo! Ron Ayers has the right sizes for about $95 front and $100 rear. I've never changed my own tires, so I'll probably have my local dealer do the job. They charge $145 to "out the door" for two tires. If I buy the tires from them, they'll cut that price to $125 and give me 15% discount on the tire cost. That puts me in the range of about $325 for all new rubber. Sound reasonable?
Click to expand...

$160 for two new Avons sounds reasonable.
But if you don't want to try it you can probably find a local shop too do tires a lot cheaper than a dealer, there's a guy here that does two for $25 or so.
 
My attitude these days is to preserve my 26 year old pride and joy (the Katana, my wife has "products" to address that issue) for as long as I can and to help in that cause I no longer factor in the price of a tyre. Give me the best tyre for the job it has to do. Not always easy but thanks to the helpful people here at GSR that process can be fast tracked, ha ha he he he. Thanks to replies from an earlier post regarding tyres Iam going with the Pirelli Sport Demons for my 82 1100 Kat. When they've done some miles I'll let you know how they perform.
 
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I've installed the Sport Demons myself on my GS750E and they didn't need balancing. Pirelli is Italian but the tires are made in Brazil. Love the way they handle.
 
twr1776 said:
I currently have the Demons on my 1000 and just put a set of the Elite III's on my 1100 for this season. I was following Brian last weekend on our early season "scouting trip" for the BC ride and for low 40's temps the III's were very stable and felt sticky. Although they only had 23 miles on them when I started after about 100 miles I started to push them a little bit and they wanted more. IMO either tire would be plenty sticky for most riders but the Elite III"s are supposed to get more tread life and that is why I gave them a try. As I recall Brian said he got over 10,000 miles out of a set of the Elites when they made them in sizes to fit his bike. The Elites do not have a large range of sizes available but if they make ones to fit your bike I would strongly consider them.
Click to expand...

Looks like it's more touring than sport and it doesn't come in sizes for my bike, so I'll stick with the Demons. Thanks for the suggestion!
 
Shin-Ken 1074 said:
My attitude these days is to preserve my 26 year old pride and joy (the Katana, my wife has "products" to address that issue) for as long as I can and to help in that cause I no longer factor in the price of a tyre. Give me the best tyre for the job it has to do. Not always easy but thanks to the helpful people here at GSR that process can be fast tracked, ha ha he he he. Thanks to replies from an earlier post regarding tyres Iam going with the Pirelli Sport Demons for my 82 1100 Kat. When they've done some miles I'll let you know how they perform.
Click to expand...

Well said! My main goal is to give myself every opportunity to maintain traction. A bit more $$$ spent is a small fee to afford oneself a greater advantage in what may be the most critical part of any motorcycle for both fun and safety.
 
I had forgotten to add "CHEAP LIFE INSURANCE!" Glad somebody touched on that point. $160 Avons (good as they are) versus $195 Sport Demons and I'll gladly spend the slight $35 difference in cost for ANY edge in grip and performance.

Regards,
 
tkent02 said:
Bead breaker and Tire taker offer/puter oner...

Costs about forty bucks and the motorcycle attachment was about thirty...
I just looked at their website and it doesn't come up?
Maybe they discontinued it?
You can remove and replace a tire in about a minute by yourself.
It works like the kind in the shop except you provide the power with your arms.


Still have to balance by hand, but if your bike comes with wheel bearings and an axle you have all the equipment you need to balance.
Click to expand...

I got my bike used without a toolkit, where's the best place to buy an axle and wheel bearings ???




Oh wait ...
 
Planecrazy said:
I had forgotten to add "CHEAP LIFE INSURANCE!" Glad somebody touched on that point. $160 Avons (good as they are) versus $195 Sport Demons and I'll gladly spend the slight $35 difference in cost for ANY edge in grip and performance.

Regards,
Click to expand...

But is there a difference, and which is better in my application?
Sport Demons may be better if going all out in the twisties, while the Road riders may be better in my world, which is not quite that fast but making sparks with the pegs occasionally, and very likely to hit all kinds of things in the road, spots of water, sand, gravel, mud, snow, cowschit, maybe even some oil here and there?
Also having to brake fairly hard in fairly sharp corners due to deer, elk and the occasional moose...
How it feels turning in or shaving two tenths off my lap time is of no concern to me as long as it does what I expect it to every time.

On the two GS 750s that I tried them on the Road Riders were great when hitting these things, have not tried the Sport Demons...
I'll stick with what I know unless someone convinces me otherwise.
 
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