Dual-compound tires
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I had an 020 rear and 010 front on my VFR when I traded it in. They were decent for regular riding and actually kept me under better behavior in the twisties...
The Z6's are getting good reviews...
However, I won't be running dual-compound (sport touring) tires anymore. It was fine when I had a seperate commuting/touring and twistie machine, but now that my Tuono is both the tourer and twistie machine, I cannot put tires on it that offer inferior grip...
That bike will be running Diablos or Diablo Corsas until Pirelli quits making them. I was considering trying a set of Pilot Powers, but have already read enough bad stuff about them that I've decided to pass and keep using what I already know works awesome...
I am truly convinced that NO tire works better with no heat than the Diablo line. Running tires on the street that require heat is just dumb, IMHO.
The Z6's are getting good reviews...
However, I won't be running dual-compound (sport touring) tires anymore. It was fine when I had a seperate commuting/touring and twistie machine, but now that my Tuono is both the tourer and twistie machine, I cannot put tires on it that offer inferior grip...
That bike will be running Diablos or Diablo Corsas until Pirelli quits making them. I was considering trying a set of Pilot Powers, but have already read enough bad stuff about them that I've decided to pass and keep using what I already know works awesome...
I am truly convinced that NO tire works better with no heat than the Diablo line. Running tires on the street that require heat is just dumb, IMHO.
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Im looking at probably some metzler Z4's for my Kat next spring.. but current stock rubber, barracuda, makes me WAY to nervous.. 
Shan, what didnt you like about them ?
Shan, what didnt you like about them ?
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I just put a new set of Metzeler Sport Tech's on my Honda. Friends ask why I put hi-performance tires on a 600 pound bike. It's the main reason I can keep up with their 400 pound bikes in the twisties. Plus, most of my riding is on the streets where traction is most important. Only got 6,500 miles on my last set, but it was worth it.
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Only thing I have to add to the tire conversation is that some tires go better with some bikes, and vice versa. Always a good idea to check your model specific forums or email lists to see what a lot of people reccommend.
Not sure that I agree. But I'm not in the mood to argue your false claim... There is such things as a cruiser tire, touring tire and sport tire. But that does not mean you have to run that bike specific kind or that they are better because the manufacturer says so. Look at the Yam Warrior...it is a cruiser that has sport tires on it. Tires come down to rider intelligence and how much you want to spend. If a tire can fit the rim it is useable. I have used many different kinds if tires on many kinds of bikes. :luck:pickle.of.doom said:
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I know my Kat can only go "so big" a tire on the rear, there just isnt that much room between the swing arms at all..
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If most sport tires only last 6,000 miles, and someone rides 12,000 miles a year, that's two sets of tires in one year. That's extra time and money. No wonder people are looking to put harder, longer-lasting tires on their bikes. But I'll put up with it for the extra performance of softer tires.
I used to change my own tires. But I'm too old for that now, and the wife and neighbors doen't like to hear the cussing. I take off the wheel and bring it down to the shop. Saves some bucks and I check the pads when I have it out. Plus I can do an accurate alignment.
I used to change my own tires. But I'm too old for that now, and the wife and neighbors doen't like to hear the cussing. I take off the wheel and bring it down to the shop. Saves some bucks and I check the pads when I have it out. Plus I can do an accurate alignment.
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The miles definately aren't worth the added un-security that you get with the harder compound. Soft tires are the only way to go! The last thing you want is to have a tire slip out from under you in a full lean...
I'm sure Twisty can tell you more about this...
I'm sure Twisty can tell you more about this...
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im probably gonna have to go and get some of these pilots or something comparable if Im gonna do a track day..no way im doing it on the rubber I have now..
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Hey, who am I kidding. I was down to the wear bars at 5,500.No Worries said:
Still had some thread in the center, but the sides were bald. I was just too lazy and cheap. Finally ordered new tires from South West Moto, a site I read about in a thread in TWF. What a difference new tires make.
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Go with Metzler Z6'sNeed4Speed750 said:Im looking at probably some metzler Z4's for my Kat next spring.. but current stock rubber, barracuda, makes me WAY to nervous..
Shan, what didnt you like about them ?
Night and day difference in handling.4k - 5k+ on a set of super sport tires? WOW. I wish I could manage that!!! Unfortunately, there's just no way. I pushed a set of standard Diablos to 5k one time. They were completely and totally shot. All tires only take so many heat cycles. Though I don't usually run long and twisty enough roads to put my tires through a heat cycle on the street, it does happen occasionally...
Diablos don't take many full heat cycles. That's their biggest disadvantage. Diablo Corsas, on the other hand, take heat cycles better than any other tire I've ever seen. But, like I said, I get about 1800 miles out of a set on the Tuono. The set on there now is just past the wear bar on the left, at the wear bar on the right, and still respectable tread in the center. :thumbs: I got about 1000 miles out of them when on my Gix 6, but that was due to track days...
N4S, why do you care that you can only put so wide of a tire on the Kat? Is it due to the fact you'd have a wider range of tires to choose from? A 150 or 160 is PLENTY wide enough for a Kat.
Diablos don't take many full heat cycles. That's their biggest disadvantage. Diablo Corsas, on the other hand, take heat cycles better than any other tire I've ever seen. But, like I said, I get about 1800 miles out of a set on the Tuono. The set on there now is just past the wear bar on the left, at the wear bar on the right, and still respectable tread in the center. :thumbs: I got about 1000 miles out of them when on my Gix 6, but that was due to track days...
N4S, why do you care that you can only put so wide of a tire on the Kat? Is it due to the fact you'd have a wider range of tires to choose from? A 150 or 160 is PLENTY wide enough for a Kat.
I like to ride to there is noting left. And In michigan we dont have many twisty roads. I think we have 8 all to gather. On my race bike I get about 200 miles out of set of tires..and by then they are soup. That equals one day or so of racing. I did try to ride 2 days on a set...Needless to say that is how I learned to power slide so well. My stones should have came off when I got back from the GAP (800 miles) but middles were cool. So I left them on.stevnmd said:
Corsas are made more for the Track and have a WAY softer compound than normal DOT tire. They are so soft that when you go to a race school or a track day they will tell to put 5 to 8 pounds more air in them due to how soft they are. So I don't doubt that they burnt that fast. I think if they were on bigger HP bike they would have not lasted that long. You should try the straight "Diablo", that is harder compound tire and WILL last you 4 to 5k. Or try putting some more air in you tires. I had a set of Dunlop GP Stars on my TL and they lasted a whole month. :seeya:
There is a pilot tire made for your KAT.
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Archimedes had a proof for motorcycle tire footprints, 2,000 years before motorcycles were invented. And I've read that some superbikes handle better with 180's instead of 190's (easier to throw side to side). Tire type, and even diameter are more important than width.stevnmd said:
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