Heck Posted May 19, 2006 Share Posted May 19, 2006 Sorry to be so redundant here, but I am getting ready for new shoes on the RT and would like to get a little better mileage out of this set than usual..Am running Metzler Z6 now and getting about 4k out of them with pressures at 38F and 42R riding 1 up with luggage. (Im not a flyweight though- probably could be compared with riding 1 1/2 up). I guess the goal here is to balance tire wear vs sticky in weather..and I do understand all riders are different. Having said that- just looking for personal experience from the members of this great forum...So, a poll is in order .. Link to comment
pipenslippers Posted May 19, 2006 Share Posted May 19, 2006 Used to use Bridgestone 020, then tried Michelin P/P front and P/Road rear. Found to be great in dry and better in wet. Had Z6 on last bike, great in dry, not as good in wet. Now have K1200GT with Bridgestone 020. Seem good wet or dry. Go figure.... Might go back to Michelin next, I think....best in wet (I live in the UK) Link to comment
Scarecrow Posted May 19, 2006 Share Posted May 19, 2006 Very timely! I'll be replacing my front tire in a couple of weeks and was thinking of replacing the Z6 with the 880. I wanted to see what the wisdom of the board was on this topic; the trade off seems to be the harder compound of the 880 versus better handling of the Z6. I'm leaning towards the 880 since I doubt I ride hard enough to notice the difference in performance. What's the thinking out there, oh wise ones? And is it ok to mix tires; 880 on front, Z6 on rear? Link to comment
Paul Mihalka Posted May 20, 2006 Share Posted May 20, 2006 And is it ok to mix tires; 880 on front, Z6 on rear? Not the best combination. If you mix it is better to have the soft one on front and the hard one on rear - but you will survive until the Z6 wears out. Link to comment
johnt650 Posted May 20, 2006 Share Posted May 20, 2006 Avon Azaros have done well for me so far showing acceptable wear at 5,000 miles. Bridgestone 020's gave me the most unusual rear tire wear of anything I've used wearing very poorly on the clutch side of the bike. This is the only rear tire I've used that do not wear uniformly. I have not used any of the Metzlers but was happy with the wear of the Michelin Pilot Roads. Link to comment
Wscott Posted May 21, 2006 Share Posted May 21, 2006 I had a bad experience with the 880's. My front tire felt as though it was floating back and forth. At one point it was scary and seems like I didn't have control of my bike. I have since put the Z6's on and feel very comfortable with these even thought I don't get the milage. Link to comment
twilmotte Posted May 21, 2006 Share Posted May 21, 2006 I had the Pilot Roads for about 9K miles and was happy with the traction and mileage. I was concerned about a weird little groove all around the center, outside perimeter of both tires that Michelin explained as a dividing line between different rubber compounds used in the tire. A few of my friends also had these weird little grooves, but weren't concerned about them. I decided to switch to ME 880s for my current set and I'm happy with the feel (dry and wet) of these so far. I expect to get a little more than 9K on these. I really haven't been able to feel any traction/handling difference between the Michelins and the Metzelers, but then again, I'm somewhat conservative in the twisties. Link to comment
Couchrocket Posted May 21, 2006 Share Posted May 21, 2006 I've run OEM Dunflops... hated them. ME880's which started to growl severly at about 4k miles, but wore like iron, and handled fine for my skill level. Now running Pilot Roads which stick fine, but are very stiff and hard feeling. Handling is fine. I ran a set of Z6's and absolutely loved them. Very confidence inspiring, neutral handling, plush ride. I'm going back to Z6, with the only drawback being the inability to really judge how much meat is left on the rear when it gets to the thin side. I've made up my mind to just trash them at 6k and keep fresh Z6's on the bike. Link to comment
Kenny2 Posted May 22, 2006 Share Posted May 22, 2006 I have had Avons - two sets - got 12,000 mile out of them (Each). Also, the Avons have a road hazard policy, first 1 mm of wear. Great tires, but do get loose on the wet, (dew) center lines and other paints. I am trying the Conti Road Attacks, got 2,000 miles. WOW, rode up through central California; Rt 25, 9, G16 and Cerro Noroeste for a few. The tires stuck to the road and very confident in the turns. I know the mileage is not going to be close to the Avons, but then I am not doing long distance touring I did this past summer. Link to comment
ednowicki Posted May 22, 2006 Share Posted May 22, 2006 I run the OEM dunlops (205 or 220) and like them. I notice that most people switch from the OEM tire to metzler's or something else. Am I missing something? What is wrong with the oem tire? I bought a pair of diablo strada tires (on sale) and will put them on next.. I got them because there was a tire promotion, had good user opinion.. not because I don't like the dunlops. Link to comment
Boffin Posted May 22, 2006 Share Posted May 22, 2006 I run the OEM dunlops (205 or 220) and like them. I notice that most people switch from the OEM tire to metzler's or something else. Am I missing something? What is wrong with the oem tire? I bought a pair of diablo strada tires (on sale) and will put them on next.. I got them because there was a tire promotion, had good user opinion.. not because I don't like the dunlops. The OEM tyre depends on what the factory fitted to your bike. BMW use Dunlop, Metzler, Michelin, Bridgestone and now Continental depending on what comes off the end of the conveyor belt. Andy Link to comment
pipenslippers Posted May 23, 2006 Share Posted May 23, 2006 I run the OEM dunlops (205 or 220) and like them. I notice that most people switch from the OEM tire to metzler's or something else. Am I missing something? What is wrong with the oem tire? I bought a pair of diablo strada tires (on sale) and will put them on next.. I got them because there was a tire promotion, had good user opinion.. not because I don't like the dunlops. I can live with most tyres in the dry, but in the UK we have a fair bit of wet (if you ride all year). If you are riding a lot of curves in the wet you need to have confidence in your tyres when you are leaned over. I think this is pretty subjective, which is why there are so many different recommendations. I like Michelin Pilot Roads or Sports for wet weather. If dry, M6's or 020's are good. At the end of the day it's what inspires confidence for you. Sorry, I know this doesn't really help much. Psychosomatic rocks. Cheers, Brian Link to comment
Martyn Posted May 23, 2006 Share Posted May 23, 2006 Yes, it does rain here in GB, & especially so the last few days. I have been very pleased with Avon Azaro's, with excellent mileage - virtually twice what Metzeler's give me, but I have just changed to Conti Road-Attacks - my first impressions, especially in the wet, are very encouraging. Link to comment
Heck Posted May 28, 2006 Author Share Posted May 28, 2006 The forum users have spoken!! A new Z6 is gracing the front of my RT as of Friday...Got to looking more carefully at the back tire, and didnt need to change it yet. I probably would have gone to the 880s had I changed them both, and still may try a set in the near future- Thanks for all the opinions and wisdom Link to comment
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