New tire

[qarnaj]

My back tire is getting rather bald and I'm looking for some advice for a replacement. My requirements are a mix of good grip and good mileage. I'd rather go with a compromise than hit the far end of either spectrum.

As far as my riding habits go, I absolutely love to lean the sh!t out of the bike, but don't have that many twisties in the area to play with.

 

[Charlesbusa]

Pilot powers & Meztler sportec M1s are great tires.

 

[BigBSBusa]

I like my Pirelli Diablos. Got to try them in wet and dry conditions this weekend and they stuck. Didn't take long to warm up either.

 

[ALLshow.NOgo]

+1 for Diablos had them on the Katana and Busa felt great!

 

[CorrodedAlien]

Continental Force MAX... I am on my second set on Smaug and they are a good comprimise and they cost a lot lees than most. They are made for the big bikes w/ extra to hold up w/ the wieght, speed, and torque of the Busa...

 

[CouchRocket]

Ive got Pirelli Diablos as well. I had the Powers last time and I think I barely made 2000 miles. I dig the diablos but they are a lil pricey.

 

[Rycardo]

I love my Sportec M1, the best.

 

[Toyz]

I had pilot powers on my gsxr 600 and now on the Hayabusa. Although the did not grip very well last night when I hit an oil slick taking a left turn, almost lost it. Other than oil it's a good tire.

 

[busabrother]

You may want to try the Continental Conti Attack. They are VERY nice. I like them even better than my conti forces of which i had 3 sets.

 

[mjn]

If you are still running the battlax on the front and it is still good....just put on another B56. I have no complaints with mine...except that when it is worn down like it is now....it spins REALLY easy!

I do not like mixing brands...if you are gonna change, change both.

 

[Busa_05]

If you are still running the battlax on the front and it is still good....just put on another B56.  I have no complaints with mine...except that when it is worn down like it is now....it spins REALLY easy!  

I do not like mixing brands...if you are gonna change, change both.

I agree 100%. My front tire was still pretty good, but I changed both.

I just put Pirelli Diablos on and I think I really like 'em. You can really just pour the bike right into corners and it felt pretty stable...didn't feel any looseness in the rear end. They scrubbed up pretty quick too. I got mine new online for $249.00 including shipping. Still had the parts unlimited stickers on 'em.

 

[qarnaj]

I'm liking the reviews on the Continentals. Anyone have a good place to order from online?

Didn't know about not mixing brands, thanks for the advice. I'll have to check the front and see how much wear it has left.

 

[Charlesbusa]

I've always mixed brands and put on one tire at a time. Unless you're a racer or push your bike to its cornering limits(dragg'in knee) you don't need to have matched tires. Just don't have a harder compound tire in the front.

 

[Ludicrous Speed]

Q,

check out the tires at Phillips in C'dale. He has a decent selection and not bad prices. You won't get internet prices, but then you have to find someone local to mount them. Most places around here won't mess with tires you didn't buy from them in the first place.

 

[qarnaj]

I actually ordered one from Cycle Tech in C'dale yesterday. Ran me $140 + tax and they said about $18 to mount and balance if I brought the wheel in. About $20 more than I found it for online, but the guys over there have been good to me for years. I don't mind spending a few extra bucks at a place like that.

On a funnier note: for those who haven't been there, Cycle Tech is mainly a rat bike shop and about the polar opposite of a dealership. Crammed full of non-running bikes in various stages of disrepair, some of which I've seen there for years. Dirty, smoky, and most of the guys that I see there obviously don't believe in things like soap and water (I'm not going to mention the mechanics). Nevertheless, they're good guys who helped me out a lot during my broke, rat bike riding college days.

Anyhow, the clientelle there yesterday was a cut below normal. I'm pretty sure a couple of the guys (and I use the term loosely) had either just escaped from prison or were in town as extras for the next Mad Max movie. Jim asked me what I was riding these days, and when I told him 'a Hayabusa' his eyes got really big. His response was "And you haven't killed yourself?!?" At that point the shop emptied as everybody went out to ooh and aah over the busa.

Needless to say, I turned down everybody who asked to take it for a test ride.

 

[busa_boy_69]

All I can say man is Pilot Powers all the way!!!!
I bought mine the first week they were out and put em on my busa with about 6,500 miles on it. I just hit 14,000 the other day and they still have about a 1/2 the life left on em. They have quick warm up time and grip like you wouldn't believe. Excellent cornering capabilities. I would recommend these 10 times over. I am replacing my back tire next spring with another one. I am totally glad I took the chance and tried them

 

[reddwarf]

Qarnaj, what was the mileage on your tires and were they the OEM Battlax's? Got 3k on mine and just trying to figure how much longer I have left on them.

-Ed

 

[qarnaj]

Yeah, they are the Battlax's. Right now I'm at 5600 miles. The front is still good, lots of tread left on it. The sides of the back have plenty of grip left and a little bit at the edge that is still brand new.

The center of the back is getting really smooth. (Stupid straight roads!) and has broke free a few times when braking.

 

[qarnaj]

Pic 1 of the back

 

[qarnaj]

Pic 2