Help with new tyres please.

[quickchick]

After my trip to the Oxley in February, I'll be up for a new set of tyres.

Currently I have the Bridgestone BT014s on it and haven't had any problems. They seem to have worn well as my bike has 7500kms on it.

Just wondering what you guys think I should buy for my next set of tyres.

Bear in my mind that my baby is my weekend toy for having fun in the twisties. I will be doing a track day every two months (hopefully) this year as well.

I have one friend who swears by Bridgestone and I know there are the BT014s, BT012s and BT002s. He has a ZX10 and has the 002s on his. He suggests I step up to the 012s which are a little grippier than the 014s.

I have another friend who swears by Michelin. I know there are the Pilot Powers but are there any others?

Are there any other makes or brands of tyres that you prefer?

Thanks for your help peeps.

Cheers,

[SCREAMIN9]

I guess that would depend on what type of riding you do, really. If ya go for lots of mountain/twisty road rides, a michelin PP is good, but if ya do some commuting/touring, may I suggest a Bridgestone combo of: Front:014, rear 020


Thx,
Natalie

[Pabs]

Quickchik
check this discussion from the other day.
http://www.ksrc-au.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=7295
I would say go with you can afford and what you know.
ps
I ride with Michelins which I like very much.
& I think the Metzelers are still on special in Sydney area.(better ring around)

[Gosling1]

On your bike, for the type of riding you have suggested, you want Pilot Powers........at least try a set........

[Strika]

Having a small amount of experience with an 05 636, I would encourage you to keep running the Bridgestones. One thing if you are a little new to bikes or have not done too much riding, the Bridgestones are a far more forgiving tyre than the Michelins. I have used both to their fullest potential and can tell you from experience that the Bridgies will grease up and drift where the Michelin will just let go without too much warning. thats My .000025 cents worth!

P.S. If you ride hard then a 002 Bridgestone front with an 014 rear is a mighty nice combo! 32 front 36 rear. Drop to 30 and 34 for winter, unless wet then go to 36 fr n 42 rear.

[swabio-ACT]

On your bike, for the type of riding you have suggested, you want Pilot Powers........at least try a set........

I am wiv you Gos man!

I have an '05 6r and hated the 014's, thought they were vague in the feedback dept. I have switched to the Powers and have not been happier! Although I only got 6500km out of my bridgies and they were very shagged by that stage!

[Strika]

On your bike, for the type of riding you have suggested, you want Pilot Powers........at least try a set........

I am wiv you Gos man!

I have an '05 6r and hated the 014's, thought they were vague in the feedback dept. I have switched to the Powers and have not been happier! Although I only got 6500km out of my bridgies and they were very shagged by that stage!

Thats really odd, as I found they had brilliant feedback. Matter of fact they are near on as good as the 002 race tyre for on the limit feedback. I could paste the living hell out of them on the track and they would hang for at least 6-7 laps. Thats as good as my race tyres get. On the road I did not have one slide on the 014's. And they were good from cold too. I will put a set on the Hornet when I wear out the OEM tyres!

Sometimes pressure can really change the way a tyre works.

[swabio-ACT]

yeah, I think tyres are such a subjective matter also what works for someone doesn't always work for someone else. But glad you like 'em

[Gosling1]

.....Sometimes pressure can really change the way a tyre works...

there is so much to be learned from those 10 simple words.......the only word I would remove is sometimes ........

I love talking tyres..........you get really good *feedback* from everyone concerned *groans at the pisspoor analogy*

[swabio-ACT]

I have also found that the powers give much better cold weather grip too. And that comes from commuting in a canberra winter! minus 5 anyone? that sorts out the cold temp grip quickly, and i found the power was much better than the 014 in those early mornings! I commuted all winter on my bike !

[Strika]

yeah, I think tyres are such a subjective matter also what works for someone doesn't always work for someone else. But glad you like 'em

Don't include me in that. I never ever said tyres were subjective. What I have found is that on the road I can pretty much ride on whatever tyres as long as they are not perished or worn out. I have enough confidence to get around grip problems and feedback issues. But not all people are that way inclined, and quite often suggesting a tyre with a little more forgiveness is a far safer reccommendation. Even the most avid lover of pilots will tell you they are vicous when they let go. You may well be a skilled rider as you certainly sound as though you know what your doing, but not all are mick doohan esque in their experience. As suggested by a post questioning tyres.

[Gosling1]

I'll vouch for Swabio's ability. I reckon he should be spend some time on a racetrack actually, and that is not something I say lightly.

So how vicious are the Pilots when they let go ? I have only rattled up about 800km so far, only a *couple* of good fangs, but without exception they have handled everything the 12 can throw at them without once feeling *loose* or *about to let go* ???

I know the stock Dunlop 208's were a bit loose

[swabio-ACT]

When I say that they are subective, i mean in that each persons riding styles are different, and that suits differing types and mix of tyre. All I am doing is commenting on my 'PERSONAL' experience with the bridgie 014's as fitted OEM to the 05/06 ZX6R.

You may feel, and it is obvious that you do, totally different to me regarding the tyres. Which is fine, i am not criticising you or taking the piss out of you for that. All i am doing is pointing out how I personally found them.

I haven't had the displeasure of having the pilot's let go, and have thrown a fair bit at them, they do get a little squirelly out of some of the corners when I really get on it. Again, personally i find them to be a better tyre. I found the Bridgies were a much easier tyre to have break away, and they did that to me a few times, both cold and after a bit of spirited riding. In the warm they were much better, but in the cold they honestly sucked. they were all over the shop, and I am talking about opposite lock moments when being very gentle on them, whereas the powers were much less prone to break away, on the same roads under the same crappy cold temperature ranging from -9 to a whopping 1 or two degrees.

[swabio-ACT]

What I have found is that on the road I can pretty much ride on whatever tyres as long as they are not perished or worn out. I have enough confidence to get around grip problems and feedback issues.

I'd prefer to ride on tyres that provide better feedback / grip than give myself the additional challenge of reduced feedback, grip

again IMHO tyres are very subjective! As generally everyone has their favourite tyre choice, and not everyone chooses the same tyre for the identical type of riding to be done!

Personally, I am probably gonna give the pilot power race in Medium a crack next, or a Diablo Corsa, when the front on the power goes!

Mileage I also find to be better on the power

[Gosling1]

.... I could paste the living hell out of them on the track and they would hang for at least 6-7 laps. Thats as good as my race tyres get. ....

.....but not all are Mick Doohan esque in their experience....

not suggesting for a moment that you are comparing yourself to Mick Doohan mate