Kawasaki Sportsbike Riders Club - Australia - Online Forum

Thats right, its that time again......

I had some metzelers on there when i first bought the bike, replaced them with the BT19 front and BT20 back.... I have been reasonably rough with them, and they have lasted Ok...ish.....and have always had the grip I was expecting.... I was hoping to get some more milage out them but hey...

Now it is time to buy tires again and am not sure which to go for.... Barring some good advice I will go with the BT20's again...

Had a shop around for tires, so far all the dealers have had the following...

$285 Bridgestone BT20 (sports touring)
$270 Dunlop 220 (supposedly sports touring)
$296 Pilot Road (sports touring)

(price is for Rear only) Seems expensive... Im sure I only paid $250 for my tire last time... or close to that....

Only tried the Bridgies and the Michies
Pilots were way better than the 20's.... and are still on my ZX7R
The Pilots on my 12R got replaced with 012SS (semi track Bridgie) and they are only a little better than the (road biased) Pilots but are scalloping.

From talks (and experience to date) I believe the Pilots to "let go: while the Bridgies and Dunlops drift.
IF you are from a dirt background go the "slippy" ones, if you dont like the bike to move around go the grip....

(WOW that even made sense to me )

If you go the bridgies don't get a 020 front - they're not nice.
I liked by 012/020 f/r combo on the 9, though dave#3 didn't like the same combo
hth
ty

ty wrote:If you go the bridgies don't get a 020 front - they're not nice.

I got a BT19F front from memory...

The Dunlops have the least grip of that lot, and I wasn't exactly impressed by the front one. The Michelins are nice, and the rears seem to last longer than the Bridgestones. Also a little more grip.

I'd probably be satisfied with the Bridgestones, but I'd pick the Michelins. They're worth the extra.

Ended up getting a Pilot Power rear (new front tire in 2 weeks)...

mate whether u go bridgies or michelin, they are both good tyres.

either way u cant lose. BT020 is good for the milage u do.

I'm not sure if the powers will hold up for the milage.

You'd have to go a "Power" Front then champ & they are'nt anywhere near economical.

Isn't it fun when you come home with something you hadn't even considered buying IMHO Grip is WAY Under rated anyway ... it's only money. You'll love the Powers after the Touring Bridgies.

Pontikat wrote:You'd have to go a "Power" Front then champ & they are'nt anywhere near economical.

Isn't it fun when you come home with something you hadn't even considered buying IMHO Grip is WAY Under rated anyway ... it's only money. You'll love the Powers after the Touring Bridgies.

Yeah, im going with the power fronts...

Just this one time I want to have some awesome tires.... Just to see what its like...

I have always bought the sensible balance between durability and rideability..... I wanna see how all you lucky non-commuters like...

I'm a Commuter too Champ. It's not as bad for us Brisvegans IF your prepared to give up Half a day to get a pair of tyres Fitted .

Enjoy the Pilot Powers .. oh & dont rule out Fitting a Pilot RACE front if they work together. Even better is the Race.

I have to admit that this back tire is very confidence inspiring..... after the spur yesterday I now have less than 2-4mm of kishy strips left.... The profile seems to be a bit rounder than the BT20's allowing for more confidence in the corner... Cant wait to put the front tire on now....

Damn I cant wait to meet you Ponti I dont think I have seen you post one piece of shit yet (oh except 9's are beter than 12's).
It took me 40years, too many stacks and a lot of pain and lost skin and bone to learn your tyres should be the ONLY contact with the road (OK and your kneesliders, hmmm and elbows if you are EBoz).
The tightars in me still wont let me run track rubber good for 1000K but the first time your bike hits the deck due to lack of traction all savings have been lost
I also wanted to add that in the weather we are coming in to (DAMN Warwick) you will find the stickier your rubber the greater the difference from cold to warm too
If you have stepped off "harder" rubber the change can catch you out.

Out of your range of tyres posted I have only tried the Dunlops - it's a love hate thing.

I hate the profile, doesn't inspire confidence in corners

I find the dry grip level average

The grip in the wet in fairly good

I love the Ks I can get out of these tyres. 17,000 from a rear and will probably be over 30 from this front.

I think I'm going to try shinkos next - I will get nowhere near the Ks, but at half the price I can afford moer grip.

Well, got the front put on yesterday..... I have to admit, jumping from the BT19F (120/65-17) to the power of the same profile I am so far not happy.... whether this is just because ive moved from an old tire to a brand new one I dont know.....

I am hoping its like buying new shoes.... it takes time to get used to them.... With the new powers It feels like I have to do more work to get the bike to come out of the corner.... It tips in easy enough but doesnt steer because of it, so I have to do a bit more work to get it to round the corner..... and then I have to do some more work to get it up straight again on the exit....

Perhaps I will feel better about them after the spur....

mate i thinks it simple physics.

The pilot has a larger angle on the tyre which makes it tip in easily but when u have to straighten up its harder correcting that angle with gravity appling pull down force.

Actually, just gas it it and she'll straighten up quicker