Hi, all.

I gathered together a list of the current (I hope) popular motorcycle tires. There are some new ones available since we did our first tire poll last year.

If your favorite is not on the list, please feel free to post a message here and tell us what it is.

Thanks! -bg

9000 miles on the Avon Storms! Excellent dry and wet and warm-up quickly. No cupping and center tread still on rear tire! OEM Bridgestones BT 014 were vaporized and or cupped under 4000 miles. New Avon Ultra Storms on order at this time. Hoping they will be as good or better than the Storms, if that's possible.

PaulAB

I've had a chance to put some miles on the Conti Road Attacks on my busa. They been some of the best handling, quickest turning yet most stable tires I've ever ran on a bike. Way more impressed than I expected to be when I bought them. They aren't going to be the longest lasting, but considering the abuse they get, they are handling like a supersport tire and are going to last substantially longer Plus they are the first motorcycle tires I've ever had (and I've owned MANY bikes) that didn't lose any air pressure while parked over the winter Overall I'm blown away by them....and I didn't expect to like them that much. A+ in my book. I still have a set of Pilot Road 2's to try tho. And I need to continue putting miles on the Avon storm rear on the 14 as well. I'll give feedback on those as the time comes.

Hi, Bad.

I had the Road Attacks on for a while as well. They're a great tire. Currently on the Michelin Power Pures. Pirelli Angel STs were also good. -bg

Hey BG , I've heard some very good things about the Angel ST's One thing I did read somewhere...maybe even here, is that Michelin is having at least some of their bike tires made in thailand now. Not sure how thats going to affect quality. I've always been a BIG fan of Michelin on my bikes and cars. I have a brand new set of pre thailand (lol) Pilot Road 2's waiting to be installed on one of my bikes. I'm expecting big things out of them

Hi, Bad.

Yes, I heard about the Thailand thing here in the forums, I think. Hoping they do a good job with them over there. Seems like there are several excellent tires to choose from nowadays. You might consider trying the Power Pure at some point. They use some sort of new technology, and are substantially lighter than the others. -bg

I have used the Shinko 5 & 3 and like both for certain riding situations.

Just ordered a set pilot road 2's to replace the stock tires. Getting them installed Wednesday. Cant wait to check them out. I here nothing but good with them other than first couple hundred miles they are slippery

Ok I voted for the Q2's. I've run the pilot road 2's for awhile and liked them.

If the Q2's give me decent mileage though I'll have to stick with them. The way they grip, turn in and hold a line at full tilt is really good.

storms at the moment, best all round tyre I've used, will go for ultra next as I buy tyres 3 at a time.
B-A

For general, all around good street tires I always go with the Pilot Road 2s. They will grip all the way to the edge of the tire, and still give me 5000 miles of wear. For a full sport tire, regular Pilot Powers, or BT-016s (what I'm using for track tires at the moment). Haven't tried the newer Q2s yet, but now that they've brought their prices in line with everyone else, I'll give them a shot next spring.

I just had a new set of michelin pilot road 2's spooned on, I have heard nothing but good things about them, guess I'll find out. I have never tried a so called "sport touring tire" before, I have always run a pure performance tire. I loved the pilot power line of tires, I just got tired of spending $400.00 every summer for tires.

I have always been a Michelin Man. I'm now trying out the Michelin Power Pure.

Be interesting to see what everyone thinks of the Power Pures here. They're not getting very good reviews over on the Busa forum.

I've been running the Pilot Road 2's now for the past 3k miles and, although they're touted as a "sport touring" tire, I'd have to say they lean more toward the sport side because of their unbelievable grip around the corners. For me, they're definitely a confidence-inspiring do-it-all, durable tire that won't break your budget. A big all around for me. I'll probably end up getting another set when these are done.

HillbillyTom,

What do they say about them? I've heard nothing but good things about them please let me know so i can see both sides pro's and con's.

Thanks,

HillbillyTom

A general twitchy, unstable feeling on the edge of the tire. Mind you, a lot of the reports are coming from the race track and very fast twisties.
Lot of the same people who are not liking them have been using Pilot 2CTs, some were coming from Bridgestones. What they are saying is that they are feeling strange things out on the edge where you DON"T want to feel strange things.
Some debate going on with air pressures too. Seems the lighter casing may be requiring higher pressures than what everyone is used to using.

Some debate going on with air pressures too. Seems the lighter casing may be requiring higher pressures than what everyone is used to using.

For the Power Pure's, I was told to use 34 front, 35 rear (track day at Miller; 80 degree temp) by the Michelin guy. Is that what folks are talking about using? -bg

Yes, actually that's pretty close to what the people who DO like them are saying they are using. Maybe a lb or 2 more even. As for street, most people are going up to max pressure (42-42) to get more comfortable with them.
Main complaint (went back and re-read one of the threads), a general lack of a "planted" feel. A lot were saying they were getting greasier than normal when hot. Once again, that may have something to do with running too low of air pressure and them getting too hot. I was shooting for 35-36lbs HOT at the track for BT-016s. They seemed to work/feel quite well there, but I'm thinking the Pures probably wouldn't.
But, we have to take into consideration "feel" in general. What "feels" good to one, may not to another. I'm used to rough, uneven roads, with tar snakes and big tar patches in the lanes, so the bike moving around is normal to me. If someone is used to nice smooth pavement, a wiggle might be heart stopping.
I'd advise for anyone curious, to try them and make your own opinion as to whether they are good for you or not. All part of the fun of motorcycles.

One thing that impressed me was that the Michelin guy at Miller said they are using Power Pure's on the Yamaha Champions School bikes, and they have their choice among any of the Michelin tires, including the Pilot Road 2 and the 2CT. Maybe they're better on the track than on the street?

I think I was told 34/35 PSI cold. -bg

Just put on some new tires today and can't wait to try them out. Michelin pilot power 2ct. The stock rear tire was down to the wear marks at 2050 miles. The front still looked good but I replaced that one also. The last two rides I had some shaking in the handlebars when i let go of both of them. I wonder if the new front tire will fix that or perhaps it is my givi hard bags causing the shake. For what it is worth the michelin tire guys said the tread compound for the center of the tire was the same softness of the side on the Pilot Road 2 CT.

about 400 miles on my pilot power 2ct. Like them so far but my experience level with sport bike tires is ummm nil. Running 38/40 psi and the tire never seems to get really warm but that is probably due to colder temps 55-65F this fall. The turn in seems to require more effort then the stock tires but I ran 42 psi in those. Chicken strips are still there however they are smaller and I feel more confident in the new set then the stock tires. The head shake when I let go of both clip ons is gone.

My 2007 came with Bridgestone BT014's. I got about 5500 miles on these. I switched to BR021's for 2 sets and got 10000 miles both front and rear. On a third set of BT021's my front tire is worn out at 7000 and the rear would make 10000 again. I don't know why the front has worn out early this time. Same riding and breaking habits.

I am going to switch to the Michellin Pilot Road 2's now and see how they work since they seem to be popular according to the poll.

air pressure plays a big part in tire wear, I noticed on mine I lose more air in the front than the back so I check both tires 1-3 times a week. Low air = fast tire wear. Or you just got a front on the lower end of the quality scale.

Pilot Road 2 !, That is one great tire, Just got over 10,000 miles. This is the 3rd set of these i have had on the 14, And wouldn't think of any other brand. Love the other Pilots as well, But this is the best all around tire for street riding. It may even save your ass one day, As they have mine.