Tyres for '09 Z1000

[esie]

So, what tyres are you guys running on your Z? This is my first change of tyres on the '09 Z1000, the stock Dunlop is down to the wear markers after 5,500kms. I can't say I have been too impressed with the tyre.
On my '04 Z750, after the stock Bridgies, which inspired absolutely no confidence, I had Shinko 003s in soft (which I really liked), then 003's in ultrasoft (which I didn't like as much), then Metzler M3's for about 800kms before I sold the bike, I liked them, but I was still getting used to the feel of them.

I am not an aggressive rider, nor overly fast. I don't commute on the bike, and use it for playing in the hills on the weekend. Any suggestions?

[Wattie]

Michelin pilot Powers.

or the new Power Pure .

But honestly, if you stick to the major brands, there are no bad tyres.

[Jonno]

I'm having a great run out of Bridgestone BT 023's.

Last 4 type choices have been:
Pilot power front 2ct rear.
Conti sports front and rear.
Pilots again.
BT 023

Now I'm not trying to start another tyre great debate, I know there are many Michelin fans here but I have not been pleased at all which I won't go into here. Tyres are really rider preference, what you feel is right is what it is about imo.

Then again my riding behaviour is basically high kms road use and spirited cornering so in the order of preference I would place the BT023 first, then Conti's, Michelin.

I hear shinkos are really good ie "cricket bat pattern" for the type of use you have mentioned, Michelin would also be an ok choice mainly for the feel and feedback being only a 3ply construction.

Anyway that's my opinion others have theirs.

If you want to talk about this more pm me.

[Wattie]

if you want milate, the Michelin pilot road 2's are the go.

But you need to decide if you want a sprots tyre or a sports touring tyre.

The BT023 is a sports touring tyre isnt it?

[Jonno]

I had roads which didn't get the wear I expected and was suggested, in fact they wore that badly I threw them away at 4k rear and 1.5k front being a power. Put it this way every set of
Michelin I have had in the last 7 years have let me down in one way or another on 3 bikes, I gave the last sets a go on a high recommendation from someone who has my respect.

Again disappointment at strange wear patterns,punctures, and no confidence.

023 is definatly a sport touring tyre, but it does well very well on the sports side of things, take it from me.

I don't usually bang on about one tyre over another but these have impressed me with feel, handling and grip at all speeds and conditions and of course good wearing over the whole tread to the edges.

Remember I am using these on a 16 year old 9r that weights the same as a tug boat and I do about 900 kms a week on average in all weather, commuting, off-road , long distance and hard twisty riding.

Put it this way, pegs scraping and a few little slides and I am confident doing it. Which I can't say for the previous sets, pilots got too squirmy ( amongst other issues) and Conti is hard to feel the front and I had to rely on trust.

I have tried different pressures, suspension settings to no avail, where the 023 it doesn't seem to matter what's going on, good alrounder.

Once again this purely my own preferences, and once I learn to ride it may be very different.

[Jonno]

And I think I got sucked into a long winded debate, sorry Esie.

[smithy5]

+ 1 what Jonno said................

I have always been a Bridgy fan... I had the 020's and 021's on the ZZR1100 and could not fault them. Very even wearing, great grip in the wet and in corners, a great alround sport touring tyre. I got caught out away from home once and had to put the Pilot Powers on, very dissapointed! I lost confidence in corners and they don't wear as good....

On the 10R I had the Dunlop Sportmax, which were a pretty good tyre, but being a bridgy fan, when the time came, I replaced them with the 016's. Being a sports tyre, I found the 016's wore quickly on the edges and left plenty in the middle, which caused three surfaces on the tyre (middle and two edges) the bike would drop sharply as soon as I got off the middle, which wasn't good.

I bought my current ride, the 14, with new Pilot Powers already on it and they have lasted about 4,000 klms. Not impressed at all. I am now up for more tyres and will be going back to Bridgy's sports touring tyres 023's...............

[Strika]

I raced on Dunflops then Bridgerocks. I loved them both. I hated Michelins. They used to spit me off all the time without warning! But, then I tried a set of Pilot Road 2's. Despite some others negative opinions of them, I have not used a road tyre which has such a good balance of grip in the wet or dry, great feel, fantastic feedback, rock solid stability and excellent life!

Pilot powers delivered me around 3500-5000klms from a rear. Bridgies even less, Dunlops somewhere in the middle. All grip great, all feel great, all are good in the wet, all have smooth transitions, but, the Pilot Road 2's do all that and last twice as long!!! As for punctures, I have done 60,000+ klms on them and NEVER had a puncture. I must be lucky hey! I run them on a ZRX1200 which weighs a few kg's too.

[Jonno]

I knew you would chime in

That's why I say its horses for corses, what you find suits you might be this or that. Opinions are like ........... everyone's got one.

[Damon Z1000]

I have only ever had Pilot Powers, then a set of Conti Sport Attacks came up at the right price. you know who you are.

Problem is Powers never let go EVER but Conti rear let go on Sunday morning, same sort of place, same sort of gas, good fun with the wide bars but a bit of a brown undie moment.

When these have gone it will be back to the Powers or Pures for me.

[Chitchats]

Michelin pilot Powers.

or the new Power Pure .

But honestly, if you stick to the major brands, there are no bad tyres.

if you want milate, the Michelin pilot road 2's are the go.

But you need to decide if you want a sprots tyre or a sports touring tyre.

The BT023 is a sports touring tyre isnt it?

+ 1 ive had pilot powers great grip no worries, now currently on Michelin pilot road 2 as i do commute doing 160ks a day and ive had no dramas, and yes i hit twistys in that commute. I will not look past these now. Depends on budget and how hard you push though.

Good luck

[z900/zx9]

Duane was thinking about tyres for his z1000 not so long ago and after a lot of people said go pilot roads etc he went for dunlop roadsmarts
I know what he thinks about them but why dont you send him a pm and get it fron the horses mouth so to speak

[Duane]

I've done over 20,000km since I bought my 09 z1000 in may last year. I'm onto my second roadsmart rear and about to replace the front as i've managed to scollop it.

I wont be buying any other type of tyre, The roadsmarts being a long life tyre have really impressed me. They don't need time to warm up compared to others i've ridden on. In the rain they really shine and give you a hell of a lot of confidence and the benefit for me as I commute is that I get about 10,000km out of a set (and I'm not a slow poke around town).

I will mention though, as they get to the end of their life (past roadworthy) you do have to take some care. I've found myself with the back lit up over taking cars on the freeway. But that's just me being tight and getting every last bit out of the tyre before changing it.

However, being that you just use yours on the weekend and probably don't care as much about mileage. They may not be for you, but honestly, when they're in their prime <10,000km with my riding style, I can't fault them.

Cheers to z900/zx9 for putting me onto them.

[dilligaf]

interesting. just replaced a roadsmart front after 11,000k cause it scalloped.
gone for the 023. have a 021 on the rear and its done 6000k and there's still a
bit left in it.

[esie]

Thanks for your input everyone. I am leaning towards giving the Conti Road Attacks a go. Duane, Jeff runs the Roadsmarts on his bike as he commutes daily, and he also things highly of them.