HELP TYRE CHOISE FOR R104

[fat boy]

need new tyres for YZFR104 have dunlop sportmax 190/50/17back 120/70/17front does it matter if you mix brands up front/back do certain brands suit certain bikes only really need front tyre but will replace both

[TurboR1]

Pilot powers front and rear...
burn the Dunlops... not fit for shopping trollies

[sucka]

Will be interesting to see what people say on the subject of mixing different brands of tyres Keith.

Personally I think it would be fine.

Was considering mixing up the front and rear myself, albeit with same brand tyres. I currently run dunlop 209 qualifiers front and rear but after having the front let go on me on the track (was pushing it bloody hard!) I thought I'd replace it with a dunlop 208GP medium track tyre as I've heard they have a bit more grip. No grip issues with the rear qualifier so I'm happy to stick with it. Anyone got any thoughts on that idea?

Turbo you've bagged dunlops a few times now, what experiences have you had with em that lead you to form such a poor opinion of em?

[Nath]

I'm with Robin on this one, the factory Dunlops were absolute shite... The R1 just destroys them... Notice the new models seem to be coming out with Pirelli's.. I think this was the biggest complaint from all that reviewed the bike.

Sucka, I think you guys are talking about different tyres though, Robin (I believe) is talking about the shitty sportmax that come from the factory and you are talking about qualifiers... Not tried them so I cant comment but I hear they are pretty popular now days.

+1 for the Pilot powers, Last longer than the Pirelli's (In my experience) and perform just as well if not better, They have been around for a couple of years now so no doubt there have been some new developments in tyre technology

Although I haven't bought any new tyres for a while so there may or may not be better options.

Don't stress too much about mixing and matching if you dont need to replace both, but fronts are relatively cheap and you will typically go though a couple of rears before you need to replace it.

[Arwon]

PIRELLI
say no more.. quality, won't let you down, great feedback.

[shrike]

+1 for Pirelli. I LOVE the Supercorsa Pro I got on the back of the RSV recently.

Metzeler as well, as they're basically the same shit.

Hornet's liking his Dunlop Qualifier, and after a couple brief stints on it, I can see why...

Pilot Powers I've heard are good for street, but if you do a few track days, I'd steer clear. I've heard of too many people saying that they just "unstick" when least expected to even risk thinking about them on the track.

[Nath]

Pilot Powers I've heard are good for street, but if you do a few track days, I'd steer clear. I've heard of too many people saying that they just "unstick" when least expected to even risk thinking about them on the track.
[/b]

I can't see this being anything other than rider error, plenty of people do middle to low 60's on them with no problems, they are a great tyre but they wont make you ride any better..

Here is an example; Fastgirls Thread And thats even with the front tyre on backwards..Maybe she can confirm that her recent PB was done on them of if she has started using slicks.

[shrike]

Anything's possible, Nath.

This was but 1 recent thread I've seen on the subject.

http://www.apriliaforum.com/forums/s...d.php?t=101649

Tyres are a contentious issue as they're a very subjective thing. what someone loves in a certain tyre, another will hate. What aspects make one rider quick will slow another down. And, of course, each bike will react differently to the tyre as well...

Summed up very well int his post on page 2:

http://www.apriliaforum.com/forums/showpos...mp;postcount=43

[Davo]

Hey Keith

Dragon SuperCorsa Pro!!!

Wonderfull tyres, very sticky. Excelent for those country blats

Just let them heat up properly and take it easy in the wet.

I use them for racing and road use, can't fault them

Your bike will handle differently with them on, you will feel it turns in quicker as the tyre has a more conical shape as to round with the powers. (see pictures)

Pirelli (note: looks like a 180 rear but it was the best pic I could find )
Michelin


Davo

Ps. You still haven't posted the pic's from our last country run grrr

[Nath]

Tyres are a contentious issue as they're a very subjective thing. what someone loves in a certain tyre, another will hate. What aspects make one rider quick will slow another down. And, of course, each bike will react differently to the tyre as well...
[/b]

Agreed I'm sure we could find a thread bagging every tyre ever made if we could be bothered looking..

All performance tyres currently available are fucking mint.. I'm more if the opinion that if they don't work for you its probably more your bike setup that anything else. It's not like anyone thinks about adjusting their suspension when going from a hard to a soft compound (or at all for that matter... they come out right from the factory don't they )...

For the OP, Get a price on Pirelli, Michelin and Dunlop, see which one you can get the best deal on and go for that, if they dont work for you or feel weird get someone to look at your bike setup. If you do a lot of riding and commuting then get a harder tyre such as the Michelin, if you dont care about milage and just want the stickiest mofo you can and are willing to pay for it then maybe the Pirelli or the Dunlop qualifier, my experience between the Pirelli Corsa/Super Corsa had lasted 1/2 the distance of the Michelin YMMV. I dont think you'll go wrong with any of the current popular tyres mentioned here.

[Hewie]

I run Bridgestone BT002 Racing ... awesome in the dry .. bit slippery in the wet .. but nothing you cant get use too.

I like to keep the same brand .. but am happy to get different compounds/styles front to rear.

But the choice is yours. You just have to find the tyre that suits you.

[#30]

any tyre you choose is going to be better than the dunlops you have so pick any brand......

[robwas]

Bridgestone BT 015's that came standard on the Blade were a good tyre but I couldn't get them locally so I chose BT 002's. worked well on Sunday at Barbagallo but I don't think they are going to last long.
I think any of the sports tyres are capable of handling most conditions better than most riders so I would make the choice on the type of riding you do.
A soft sports tyre is wasted if you commute every day and a sports touring compound is not good if you are pushing it hard sometimes.
I ran Bridgestone Maccadams on my VTR and had agreat run out of them but most people said I was mad and they were shit but I found the bikes limitations were found long before the tyres were.
Good luck with your choice cos they are not acheap item to replace every couple of months.

[Desmo]

Pilot Powers.
Absolutely great tyre.

[Mattis]

+1 for the Pilot Powers, got one on the back of the blade and it has been nothing short of awesome, will definitely be getting them again next time I need tyre/s on a bike. Great tyre in the wet and good for the odd track day as well.

Pity they don't make them in a 16" though, poor old blade has to make do with a pilot sport on the front atm

[Warp Speed]

Without doubt the best tyre I have ever run on the Fireblade is the Metzler Racetec.

Current front tyre is on the 3rd rear (10,000kms) - its dual compound and the sides are actually worn more than the middle

I have been running a Metzler Sportec M1 on the rear with round 4-5,000kms out of it. I don't commute only do country runs. Pirelli own Metzler and I have mixed and matched them fine in the past

Pretty well tried every brand - Pirelli Dragon corsa's are also awesome. Got 3,200 km out of a rear Pilot Power and aquaplanned big time in the wet. The current Bridgestones are great as per the K6 I rode recently.

One thing to watch for is the thickness of the tyre carcass in the center when worn. Pirelli Diablo Corsa's/Pilot Powers/Dunlop Qualifiers end up paper thin at the center Heat build up is enormous when the tyre is at its wear limit on a summer country run - scary thoughts.

To most riders it wouldn't make much difference using any of the brands of street tyre now available. But Keith I know you like your country runs and probably do the odd track day in the future so its more important to get it right

Keep on with the homework

Cheers Warpy

[smeghead]

.. just put another Pirelli Corsa III dual compound on the rear.

Put front & rear pair on about 4-5 months ago and they stick like the proverbial but 2 sesions of Barbagello's righthanders (plus usual road stuff) toasted the RHS of rear tyre; centre of tyre was almost new, LHS moderatedly worn.

Now these buggers aren't cheap ($320 TF but I look at it like an insurance policy; I want a tyre that stands the best chance of keeping my arse in the seat and off the tarmac.

I've found that once worn, even with reasonably low pressures I use due to the stiff carcass, the contact patch shrinks qucikly as the carcass doesn't deform like a good cushion of rubber. When fresh they will let go if really provoked but do so fairly gently, when worn they go a bit faster (as I found out Sundays MCRC) but still happy to grip if you ease up a tad.

Front one looks like it will last another 2 rears which prob means I could push the frontend a lot harder at the track.

Luv 'em (cept for the $$$)

[quattro750]

I don't have high hp bikes so this is of limited help Keith.

Pilot Power's work tremendously well on both the 748 and 749. readily cut 69's on the 749 with them and there is more to go yet. I like them as road tyres because I find them predictable in the wet and the last rear on the 749 lasted 5000km.

good value for money if you throw in the odd trackday. have ridden in Europe on pirelli SC pros and they gripped so well that I scraped the centre stand on the multistrada! not much mileage tho.

IMHO any of the quality sport tyres will suit you. good luck

q

[fat boy]

need new tyres for YZFR104 have dunlop sportmax 190/50/17back 120/70/17front does it matter if you mix brands up front/back do certain brands suit certain bikes only really need front tyre but will replace both
[/b]

thanks everyone that replied i do have a lot to consider, country run is mostly what i do but will be going on the track on the 30th so i will be making up my mind befor then thank everyone

[Triple Treat]

I'm with Robin on this one, the factory Dunlops were absolute shite... The R1 just destroys them... Notice the new models seem to be coming out with Pirelli's.. I think this was the biggest complaint from all that reviewed the bike.

Sucka, I think you guys are talking about different tyres though, Robin (I believe) is talking about the shitty sportmax that come from the factory and you are talking about qualifiers... Not tried them so I cant comment but I hear they are pretty popular now days.

[/b]

Spot on, two different tyres.

I think the Qualifiers are great, very sticky but they need to be warm, 1st couple of streets and corners their slippery as.