skierd
skierd Dork
10/18/11 7:13 p.m.

I'm just about at the wear bars front and rear on the new-to-me sumo wheels, so its tire time. I know nothing about street motorcycle tires. Long wearing is my #1 priority, I rarely push it on the street and with winter coming I don't see me going to the track before spring, when this set of tires will be worn out anyways. Price is important too, trying to keep it under $200 for the set and better if its under $150 hence ignoring the Distanzia's...

I'm probably going to keep riding all winter, so I'm also debating just getting a 90/10 dual sport tire like the Shinko 705 or a 50/50 tire like the 244 to better deal with the sand, salt, slush, and other accumulated crap thats already starting to infect the roads again.

Also thinking about the Duro HF918's as they're cheap at ~$120 a set. Or just getting another stock BT090 rear and using the barely worn front I have in the basement. Or the Continental SM or Sport Touring tires (Go or Motion). Or I dunno, help?

Stock tire size is 110/70-17 front and 140/70-17 rear, not a ton of room for more on either end. 120/70-17's and 150/60 and 150/70's fit respectively, depending on the rear tire, but raise the front and either raise or lower the rear (and gearing) respectively. For my WR250X...

alex
alex SuperDork
10/18/11 9:00 p.m.

I'd go 120/70-17 in front just for more options. And you really don't need more than a 140 rear, but if 150 gets you more options, go for it.

Honestly, as light as that bike is, you'll probably see good mileage out of a street sport tire. My personal favorites are Michelin Pilot Powers, but I don't know off hand if they come in 140s or 150s. Otherwise, I think you'll get huge mileage out of sport touring rubber.

I don't have any first hand experience with the Chinese brands, positive or negative. I can say that I've had no good experience with Dunlop rubber.

MitchellC
MitchellC Dork
10/18/11 11:08 p.m.

I have Michelin Pilot Roads, which are known for their longevity without compromising performance too much. They are definitely not sport tires, though. They are also pretty good in the rain. They are not cheap, though; the front was about $110, and the back $130, I think. I didn't pay too much attention.

skierd
skierd Dork
10/19/11 9:19 a.m.

Funny, I've had nothing but good experience with Dunlop (dirt and dual sport) tires.

The more I look the more I see recommendations for the Pilot Powers and Pilot Roads. Gotta wait a few weeks still before I can really afford to order so they're on the list too.

alex
alex SuperDork
10/19/11 10:24 p.m.

My issue with Dunlop sport rubber is that it tends to get hard/slick way too early in its lifespan. I had a set of D616s on my TL streetfighter that I liked for all their blocky quirkiness. But within 7k miles they were dangerously slick in cold/wet conditions. Your mileage, of course, may vary.

skierd
skierd Dork
10/20/11 1:32 a.m.

I've never had a rear motorcycle tire usably last 7k so I'd be estatic if the replacements did lol. Best I've managed for a rear tire was the Dunlop D606 dual sport knob, miked about 7k out of it with the cords showing in the center.

Ordered a Bridgestone BT-003 RS tonight. Supposed to be the replacement for the stock BT090, stickier but longer wearing due to a harder tread compound dead center. Hopefully being somewhat softer helps in winter too. Couldn't bring myself to go back to knobs, waste the front tire I have in the basement, or much with taller or shorter than stock tires this time around...

alex
alex SuperDork
10/20/11 2:21 p.m.

I'm guesstimating that mileage, and I'm probably way off. That bike doesn't have a speedo or odo (or any guages, for that matter).

Regardless, good choice on those Bridgestones. I've been hearing good things.

You'll need to log in to post.

Our Preferred Partners
HiQrRlaYm3OETlhr5Fme9E1Z2Y2dmTRu9QrZEgS8CXNFaSwm8zN9Zq32xHJ9jQRX