Need Tires

[raydog]

Excuse me Mr. MyMaster, you're going on a big ride in the morning and it's after 11...now get to bed! Raydog

 

[Mr Bogus]

I am also going to buy a No-Mar tire changing machine, ($976) tired of getting bent over the work bench for $60+ every time I have tires that need changed... can some shop owner tell me why bike owners get screwed over like that for tire mounting and balancing?

 

[mymaster]

Excuse me Mr. MyMaster, you're going on a big ride in the morning and it's after 11...now get to bed!            Raydog

Excuse me Mr Raydog, how come I have this feeling your more jacked-up than me? I'm going to guess no more than 4-hrs of sleep for you.

 

[PR111]

You also need to look at mounting/balancing of the tire.

You may find a good deal on the internet, but if you have to pay $50/tire for mounting/balancing it may not be a good deal. Local shops usually give you a cheaper rate for mounting balancing if you buy their tires.

I've been looking for a few weeks - ask some of the guys here, they got tired fo my whining - and finally found cyclegear had a sale $199/set + tax + $20ea mount/balance + Tire Stem for Qualifiers. If you don't need it now, start shopping on the net and locally - ask some of the sponsors here what their prices are too...  

I can mount them myself, I just need the tires.  I may need to get them ballanced somewhere, but I can mount em.

Balancing is the easy part.  Motorcycle tires only require static balancing, finding the heavy side and adding weights to the opposite of it.

Also, given what you said about the type of riding you do, I think the BT-021 will be right up your alley.  I am impressed by the Pilot Powers though: great grip and decent mileage.

 

[JrGMan]

I would forget about Pilot Powers for the type of riding you describe. My experience and that of people I know seems to be that you get about 3K from a rear on a big bike. Mine went away faster than that on on my FJR1300 but I do like the grip. Bought a set for my "sons" CBR600 and it really feels velcro'd to the asphalt on both lower speed turns and hi speed sweepers. I recently posted asking about Continental Road Attacks but didn't get a whole lot of feedback although I found a tremendous write up on Canyonchasers.net Let us know what you buy and how they work out for you.

 

[kromdom]

Since I have an 80-mile roundtrip daily commute, mileage was my primary criteria. Went with BT-021, local bike store had it in stock for a great price, got a break on labor cost for install also.

 

[semi]

for that kind of riding, you might also want to take a look at the Pirelli Diablo Strada's...plenty of grip but also good mileage and handle well in cold/wet weather

 

[Mr Bogus]

for that kind of riding, you might also want to take a look at the Pirelli Diablo Strada's...plenty of grip but also good mileage and handle well in cold/wet weather

have you run them yet? I had a metzler tec3 and it went for a long run on mileage (6K and had more left) It was starting to get a bit greasy feeling is all and that is when I went to the corsa 3

 

[Zoinks!]

Anyone have an oppinion on the pilot sport hpx? HPX They say they're based on the pilot sport design, but I haven't heard anything about the pilot sport either. Lol. Just curious. It's a pretty good price, I like the tread pattern, and from what the description says, it sounds pretty decent. Of course, they are tryin to sell me the tire. . .

 

[semi]

for that kind of riding, you might also want to take a look at the Pirelli Diablo Strada's...plenty of grip but also good mileage and handle well in cold/wet weather

have you run them yet?  I had a metzler tec3 and it went for a long run on mileage (6K and had more left) It was starting to get a bit greasy feeling is all and that is when I went to the corsa 3

my current set is my second rear and first front...had 3500 on the first rear when i picked up a nail...it had plenty of tread left (others that have used them reported 6-7000 miles out of the rear tire)...i have ridden in the Utah desert, Eureka Springs twisties, way too much highway slab, sun, rain, pavement, gravel, sand, etc. and haven't had any issues except for that nail...Pirelli doesn't recommend them for track days (of course) but anyone except those who use the highway for a full-out racetrack shouldn't have any problems...pic of mine with approximately 3500 miles on it

 

[BlkDrgnZ28]

+1 on the cycle gear they usually have pretty good sales once every month or so and the 20$ dollar mounting pretty nice too

 

[el stumpo]

You also need to look at mounting/balancing of the tire.

You may find a good deal on the internet, but if you have to pay $50/tire for mounting/balancing it may not be a good deal. Local shops usually give you a cheaper rate for mounting balancing if you buy their tires.

I've been looking for a few weeks - ask some of the guys here, they got tired fo my whining - and finally found cyclegear had a sale $199/set + tax + $20ea mount/balance + Tire Stem for Qualifiers. If you don't need it now, start shopping on the net and locally - ask some of the sponsors here what their prices are too...

I can mount them myself, I just need the tires. I may need to get them ballanced somewhere, but I can mount em.

If you can mount them, a local cyclegear store will balance for free (at least the one in Raleigh, NC does). How are you changing yours? Do you have a machine? Or using the press?

 

[el stumpo]

I am also going to buy a No-Mar tire changing machine, ($976) tired of getting bent over the work bench for $60+ every time I have tires that need changed... can some shop owner tell me why bike owners get screwed over like that for tire mounting and balancing?

I think we get screwed because we don't have a lot of options.

Wish you were closer, would go in with you on the changer..

 

[Mr Bogus]

I am also going to buy a No-Mar tire changing machine, ($976) tired of getting bent over the work bench for $60+ every time I have tires that need changed... can some shop owner tell me why bike owners get screwed over like that for tire mounting and balancing?

I think we get screwed because we don't have a lot of options.

Wish you were closer, would go in with you on the changer..

the joy of the open market and free enterprise! Guess I can start doing pairs for $40 and pay for the machine and save the guys 20-25 bucks...

 

[TIMMYDUCK]

Anyone have an oppinion on the pilot sport hpx?  HPX  They say they're based on the pilot sport design, but I haven't heard anything about the pilot sport either.  Lol.  Just curious.  It's a pretty good price, I like the tread pattern, and from what the description says, it sounds pretty decent.  Of course, they are tryin to sell me the tire. . .

I ran HPx's up until the Pilot Powers came out.

The PP is a better tire and actually last 25% more.

Did not think they were still making the HPX so check the manufacture date, they could be left over stock.

 

[Zoinks!]

Anyone have an oppinion on the pilot sport hpx?  HPX  They say they're based on the pilot sport design, but I haven't heard anything about the pilot sport either.  Lol.  Just curious.  It's a pretty good price, I like the tread pattern, and from what the description says, it sounds pretty decent.  Of course, they are tryin to sell me the tire. . .

I ran HPx's up until the Pilot Powers came out.

The PP is a better tire and actually last 25% more.

Did not think they were still making the HPX so check the manufacture date, they could be left over stock.

Thanks for the heads up. If they don't even last as long as the PP I sure as heck don't want em. It's my understanding from what I've heard from some of the other guys the PP only lasts about 3000 miles, and with my 30 mile one way commute to work with the busa being my main transportation I need something that's gonna last a while. But I don't want something hard cause I do some mountain runs and stuff on the weekends. Looks like the bt021 is probably gonna be goin back on there. Good performance, I've got 6000 miles on it right now with a little left, and I've also been happy with the wet traction.

 

[Zoinks!]

You also need to look at mounting/balancing of the tire.

You may find a good deal on the internet, but if you have to pay $50/tire for mounting/balancing it may not be a good deal. Local shops usually give you a cheaper rate for mounting balancing if you buy their tires.

I've been looking for a few weeks - ask some of the guys here, they got tired fo my whining - and finally found cyclegear had a sale $199/set + tax + $20ea mount/balance + Tire Stem for Qualifiers. If you don't need it now, start shopping on the net and locally - ask some of the sponsors here what their prices are too...  

I can mount them myself, I just need the tires.  I may need to get them ballanced somewhere, but I can mount em.

If you can mount them, a local cyclegear store will balance for free (at  least the one in Raleigh, NC does). How are you changing yours? Do you have a machine? Or using the press?

I have a machine. I work at a chevrolet/caddilac dealer. I'm a service tech there, so I can use the tire changer we have. I know it's not specifically for motorcycle wheels/tires but it still works. 4 of the other guys I work with ride and they all use it to change their's. As long as you're careful with it, it works fine. I also have a cycle gear shop about 25 min. from my house, so hopefully they'll ballance for free like you said!

 

[bigoltool]

Thanks for all the help guys. I now have a pretty good selection of places to start looking. And to answer bigoltool's question a little better. I ride alone, mostly cruising, but I do like the twisties. But the majority is cruising. I have a 30 mile one way commute to work, so that's where most of the miles come from. Highway riding back and forth to work and a lot of just cruisin and a little more spirited riding on the weekends. I know I can't have something that's gonna perform really well AND last a long time, but I don't want something that's gonna wear out in 3000 miles. So far I've gotten 6000 out of the bridgstones and I've got a tiny bit left. That suits me pretty well. As long as I can get 6-8000 out of em I'll be happy. So basically, something that will perform well and last about 6-8000 miles.

Your riding doesn't sound too dissimilar to mine. The fact that you got 6000 out of a set of BT56's is remarkable to me. My stock rear was shot in less than 3000 miles. I can personally recommend the setup I have on the bike now to get to your goal of 6000-8000 miles to the set. I have a Metzeler Sportec M3 front paired with a Roadtec Z6 rear. Some don't like mixing tires like this but I have almost 7000 miles on this combo now and am a believer. The rear 190 is about 10mm narrower than the BT56 so turn in is sprightly. To get it much snappier you would have to go to a 180 rear I think. My only problem is that I am out of sync on my tire changes and my rear is due for replacement and the front is about half way through its lifecycle.

 

[Mr Bogus]

I almost always get 2 rears to 1 front.. that is also the rear I ran.. I think 8-9K is not out of the question on the tire

 

[Busa204]

http://www.sportbiketracktime.com/shop/index.html?catalog18_0.html


Set of Pilot Powers 2CT for 285 shipped to your door. Very fast shipping.