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Tires

I must not be as perceptive as other riders, but I never noticed a difference in "feel" between tires. Given, on this bike it was just the Diablos and now the GTs but I can't really tell a difference. Guess I'll just have to keep putting miles on it and trying new tires :-D
 
The only thing I definitively "notice" with tires, is their wear tendencies, and a "ballpark" amount of grip. It's easy to tell something like a Diablo Rosso from an Angel, simply for the fact they're made for totally different purposes. I put so many miles on in a year, it wouldn't make sense to use anything that isn't sport touring. Tires are just tires, and I'll buy the cheapest name-brand ones that wear evenly.
 
I didn't think the Scorpions were bad until I started my over-confident shenanigans on the PR3's. I could power slide the Scorps pretty could coming out of turns. After scrubbing the PR3's in, they were like glue and still are after almost 3K miles. The Scorps were just bad luck - 2 rear blow outs and one of them filleted my rear hugger when the giant piece of highway shrapnel lodged into the rubber and spun at 80+ mph.

Don't discount history. Most of us that have been riding for a while had that one set of just ***** tires that you couldn't get off fast enough. That's why it would take an obscene amount of coaxing for me to buy Bridgestone.

Dunlops have always done me right. Usually can't afford the best rated Pirelli's. I want the holy grail in bike tires: good on the highway, can scratch, affordable and last. Certainly not gonna buy anything without the dual compound while it's in commuter duty.
 
best tire on road for me is Michelin PP3 (Pilot Power)

only disadvantage and reason why i change to diablo rosso 3 - michelin rear tyre seems to be too small compared to front tyre, so that DTC operates much too early - have to switch off it on track otherwise it regulates too early and up to no power when accelerating out of turns
 
I've purchased a number of PR3s, and two sets of PR4s for my previous bike. The PR3 front does indeed wobble. The PR4 rear loses grip when applying full power in turns.

My experience with multiple sets of Dunlop Roadsmart 2 is much better, with excellent grip in every corner situation.

No Chicken Strips with the RS2.

P1010876-X3.jpg


So, buying the previous generation of the Roadsmart is a value priced option, offering excellent grip and long life. Stiff tire for installation though.

I still offer the thought that the newest generation of sports touring tire, with the long life and refined performance, may be the best value.

1000-Miles-1-770x408.jpg


"... independent tests performed by Texas Test Fleet found that the Dunlop Roadsmart III lasted over 12,000 miles, which was 3,000 miles more than the Michelin Pilot Road 4 GT. They also tested the Roadsmart III handling versus Michelin Pilot Road 4 and found that after 3,000 miles on each tire design, the Roadsmart III showed a significant performance edge in several categories, including wet and dry traction, steering response and compliance. The testing also revealed that the Roadsmart III held its performance superiority over its considerably longer lifespan."
 
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I really wasn't fond of the PR3 either. It felt unstable on the highway, similar to how Bridgestone BT45's are - they tend to wander around. I've only ridden the RS2 on a friend's bike. It felt great, and he has really praised it.

Can't help but wonder when I see someone claiming 10 to 15 thousand miles on a tire. They obviously aren't riding the tire anywhere near its limits... are they really qualified to evaluate it? The most I've ever gotten out of a tire was 6 thousand and that was just a lot of highway.

Tires are definitely a personal thing. A lot of people LOVE the Angel GT. Another one I just remembered is the Dunlop Q3, which a lot of people also love. It feels dead to me as well.
 
Can't help but wonder when I see someone claiming 10 to 15 thousand miles on a tire. They obviously aren't riding the tire anywhere near its limits... are they really qualified to evaluate it? .

Well, they are qualified to review for the huge portion of the riding public that are out there Gliding. You know, like Harley names their bikes. Fat Glide, Portly Glide, Can't Turn Glide, etc... The ones holding up RVs and semis on two lane roads.

For those of us who consume multiple sets of tires each year, their reviews are a relative thing. They say 12,000 miles, I think 5,000 miles.

I look to the European magazines for reviews that are meaningful. Why not the American magazines? Well, I find the Euro writers far more critical, generally.

That's why I posted the link to the MCN video review.

Oil, tires, etc... are personal opinion purchases. However, my comments on the PR3 are based on experience with multiple PR3 purchases.
 
This is the final ranking of the supersport tyre test with lap times and final vote on a scale of 1-10:

1. METZELER SPORTECâ„¢ M7 RR | 2:09.46 | 8.9/10

2. Pirelli DIABLO ROSSOâ„¢ III | 2:10.12 | 8.2/10

3. Continental SportAttack3 | 2:11.81 | 7.6/10

4. Bridgestone Battlax S21 | 2:10.83 | 7.2/10

5. Dunlop SportSmart 2 | 2:15.02 | 6.1/10

6. Michelin Pilot Power 3 | 2:16.12 | 5.9/10
 
MCN Sports Touring comparo:

Looking for comfort, wet traction, dry traction, turning, fast warm-up and long lasting.

#1 Metzeler Roadtec 01 - 9.8/10
#2 Metzeler Roadtec Z8 - 9/10
#3 Bridgestone T30 Evo - 8.1/10 Good All Round
#4 Dunlop RoadSmart III - 7.7/10 Good All Round
#5 Continental RoadAttack 2 Evo - 7.5 More touring tire
#6 Michelin Pilot Road 4 - 7.2/10 Touring tire - Good for cold wet weather.
 
As much as I do love the M7RR, I am a little suspect that Metzelers and Pirelli's won both comparisons. The test was set up and evaluation sheet made by Pirelli.
 
Well, this time I've selected off the list by getting the Continental TKC-70s.

Titlow Hill Road, Mattole Road, Orr Compote Road, Skaggs Springs Road, Underwood Road, etc... here I come. Hope everything is repaired in time.
 
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I have been looking at those and are still undecided for my new front to go with the Karoo 3 on the back.
 
Hello All
Got my 15 Hyperstrada two months ago.It had only covered 3000 miles from new. Its now at 5500 miles and I love it!
Tyres were knackered at 5k and I have put the new Dunlop Roadsmart 3's on.
Had the Roadsmart 2's on a Ktm and these feel just as good
Cheers
 
Why not a TCK80 Mike?
Actually after looking at sizes the TCK80 is the only knobby option. I don't see a Shinko that will fit the rear without going to a smaller tire size.

I have nothing against the TCK80, I've read a lot of good stuff about them. They'll probably work well in the muddy + rocky landscape of my state.

I'm also curious about these MT 60 since Ducati is putting them on the Scrambler.
https://www.pirelli.com/tyres/en-ww/motorcycle/all-tyres/sheet/mt-60-rs#/size-range
They come in the right sizes too.
 
Actually after looking at sizes the TCK80 is the only knobby option. I don't see a Shinko that will fit the rear without going to a smaller tire size.

I have nothing against the TCK80, I've read a lot of good stuff about them. They'll probably work well in the muddy + rocky landscape of my state.

I'm also curious about these MT 60 since Ducati is putting them on the Scrambler.
https://www.pirelli.com/tyres/en-ww/motorcycle/all-tyres/sheet/mt-60-rs#/size-range
They come in the right sizes too.

Plenty of TKC80 off-road knowledge here. Worth a search.
 
Plenty of TKC80 off-road knowledge here. Worth a search.

I've been busy reading up. Learning tons of stuff already from the knowledgable folks here.
I have to admit that forgetting practicality for a second the TKC80 is the most badass looking option available.
I'm not finding much about it 's performance in sand though. I don't need to worry much about it here in PA but I'm told the Jersey Pine Barrens have mile after mile of great fire roads but they are mostly sand. And the Barrens are closer to where I live than the mountains upstate too.