Tires

[jollyroger]

Howdy all-yep-new tires again.This set-New Pirelli Angel ST's..........went for a good ride today-temp was around 45 degrees.I'll keep it short(after that long winded last post!)THE ABSOLUTE BEST TIRES I've ever had.These things are just AWESOME.WAY better than my "old" Stradas-by a mile!!!Just great feeling.Neutral-totally.Turn in-perfecto-quick,solid.Grip-perfecto-reliable!Now for the topper-...........SMOOTH AS GLASS! I'm tellin ya-these things are just "unbelieveable".Planted in every situation I ran er through.Road irregularities-virtually non-existent.These tires rock!My bike has never felt this smooth on any tires-new or used.Very good investment methinks!!!Pirelli gets the win on these new sport-touring buns!!!WoHoooo!

[Hammerhead]

How much for the pair, mounted and balanced? My 021s have quite a way to go, but I will probably try something new next set.

[jollyroger]

Hey Hammer!-you'll LOVE these tires!!!Front,$116.00-$32.00 mounting.Rear-$167.00-free shipping.Removed my rear wheel and they replaced the rear for $20.00.(Motorcycle Superstore-3 days from them to my door.)They DID NOT NEED wheel weights(Another reason I LOVE pirellis!)

[cjd223]

I may have to try some when the tires I just ordered wear out. I got a set of Mich. Pilot Power 2CT that should arrive Friday. I paid $289 del.

[DEK]

You'ed be hard pressed to convince me that they're any better than Pilot Road II's!!

[pt1400]

Originally Posted by DEK

You'ed be hard pressed to convince me that they're any better than Pilot Road II's!!

How's the mileage, turn in, and over all feel of the PR II's. I'm in a quandry between them and the BT-021's. I'm told the PR IIs are better in the rain but the 21s have better mileage and shock absorbtion.

I currently run the BT-016s in the 190/55 instead of the 190/50's and love them to death. Got about 4200 miles out of the rear. I love the turn in, feedback, and grip the 16s give me compared to the stock stones they give us but I'm doing to have to start doing a little more commuting with my freight train.

[Mike P]

I'm on my 3rd consecutive set of PRII's on two bikes. The 14 stockers didn't last 4k, I've got about 5k on the PRII's at the moment. I'll probably try the Power 2CT's next just to see if the grip is even better, wear will not be as good as the Roads I know but......

[jollyroger]

Dumb Question maybe,but......How do you guys know if one tire is gripping better than another,aside from one or the other obviously slipping?I mean,do you guys have some sort of "test" you put em through to see if they're gonna slip?Forgive my stupidity-I honestly am wondering.

[Mike P]

Originally Posted by jollyroger

Dumb Question maybe,but......How do you guys know if one tire is gripping better than another,aside from one or the other obviously slipping?I mean,do you guys have some sort of "test" you put em through to see if they're gonna slip?Forgive my stupidity-I honestly am wondering.

I dunno, it's just one of those things. With the stockers, I could tell the front was pushing and the rear slipping out under harder motor braking.

As far as telling which tires do better I can not honestly answer that question and I don't think anyone would be able to answer that question on the street.

[Hammerhead]

If you can test different tires on the same roads under the same conditions, you may be able to notice discernable differences. Other than that, it's just a matter of how they feel under you and how much confidence they inspire. I can tell the difference bertween a good tire and a bad one and a sticky sport tire and a harder, more touring oriented one. Most of the time, the mileage figures bear out what my butt tells me.

[jollyroger]

[sAdam]

i'm a newb, but my first ride with a pilot road 2 on the back and the stock bt-014 on the front, i leaned further and went faster than ever before, hung off a bit and felt way more confident.

i wore my little michelin man's hand off. i'm gonna try to at least cut his head off this summer.

i'm totally sold on the PR2's

[Buckwheat]

...just wait until you put a PRII on the front!


That back PR2 tire helps you get into the turns better and that new front is going to let you carry a whole lot more speed (thru the corner)...






.

[BlueBomber14]

I am running the Pirelli Diablos on the 14 and found them to be very confidence inspiring, to quote another. I had Avons on my FJ1200 and my riding buddy runs the same tire on his ZX12R. I cant keep the rear planted and he has no trouble at all with his he loves it. I can kick the rear end out and power-slide it at low speeds almost at will with a little gas and a slight turn, his sticks great?? better suspension setup?, ten years of traction enginerring?? same tire different results.

I will not hesitate for a second to buy set #3 for it when needed but have no problem trying another brand to compare. Given the short road life of a performance tire it's not to big a deal to experiment to see what works best for you and your bike setup. To many variables for one persons experience to dictate another person buying a tire,... weight, riding style, bike setup, power mods,.. etc etc etc. Of course in general there are elite performance tires and there are not so elite tires the prII's and the new BT's and Pirellis all fall into a more elite "road tire class" but you have to try them to know for sure there right for you and your riding style and setup.

[audioboyz]

I bought a used Z1000 a few years ago with Pilot Powers.I know apples to oranges.They stuck like glue then I put a Pilot Road then a Stinko 003.Never the same.I got an 09 Zx-14 with 2400 mi and a pretty wasted rear tire.I got the flies out and just put the Muzzy slipons map even though I got 2 Bros slipons.Whoa!!Nice low end.It got up to 49 degrees here in Pittsburgh.Anyway
the Motorcycle Super store dropped the PP tires from 189 to 129 for the rear and 103 to 89 for the front.I'm buying.Harbour Freight has a bead breaker and ballancer for about 120.Also can get wheel weights and no scratch weight remover from nomarscratch.com for about 20.I made a front axle tool by buying 2 22mm nuts and a 22mm bolt from Lowes.So I can do both Powers and have all the equipment for under 370 bucks.
Craig

[Buckwheat]

Hats off to you sir for changing & balancing your own tires.

I also use the regular pilot powers, but on my Speed Triple. They're great for sport riding on the street. The centers wear quickly, but that bike also spends most of it's time in corners. Not so great on the track where they don't get the opportunity to cool down via 80mph pacing in the straights.

[cjd223]

You can use a NAPA 13/16" 1/2" drive spark plug socket for an axle wrench. Just remove the rubber insert and stick the extension in. Fits perfectly.

[audioboyz]

I just ordered a PP2 rear for $144.99 delivered from the Motorcycle Superstore.Should get it next Wednesday.
Craig

[audioboyz]

Check out Harbour Freight for the bead breaker and balancer.$120 including shipping.I've used the bead breaker before,works great.It's actually a tire changer.It's the bottom half.You have to order the motor cycle extension.But I don't recommend it as it scratches wheels.I rather use spoons.I have a nice Sears air compressor so might as well do it myself.
Craig

[Speedy14]

Originally Posted by jollyroger

Hey Hammer!-you'll LOVE these tires!!!Front,$116.00-$32.00 mounting.Rear-$167.00-free shipping.Removed my rear wheel and they replaced the rear for $20.00.(Motorcycle Superstore-3 days from them to my door.)They DID NOT NEED wheel weights(Another reason I LOVE pirellis!)

What do you mean they didnt require wheel weights? Do the new Pirellis self balance themselves? Maybe you got lucky on the tire p[lacement on the rim but all tires and all rims have a heavy spot.

Inquiring minds want to know? <Speedy><