In an earlier post I pointed out that I bought my 1000F with Michelin race tires on it (120/70, 180/55). They seem ok except I've had a couple of "moments" when the front washed out a little on a hot day and a soft road and again when I encountered a little sand on the road (all at low speed while turning). I'm wondering if tires with a little more tread would be better for my conditions (rural farm country - everything from asphalt to gravel roads). The Michelins are just about like slicks and really don't have much in the way of grooves to perhaps channel away some of the stuff I encounter.

Recently, I helped a friend buy a Triumph Trophy 1200 that had metzler Z6 tires. Of course the trophy is quite different from a 1000F, but I couldn't help notice the easier steering especially at slow speeds. What do you guys think of the metzlers - do they handle well on the 1000F, do they wear well?

thanks,

Pat

 

I have to drive on gravel also. I drive on about 1.8 miles going and then again when I come back home. It really takes the joy out of riding while I am home from school. I have Avon 45/46 on my bike, and I really like them.

 

I have the Metzeler Z6 Roadtec on now. I like them.
Had the Sportec M1 before that. I did not like them. They did what other sport tires did. They got slippery on days over 95*F.
Yep! More tread is better for every day riding. They work better in the rain. (The Roadtec front tire has been redesigned this year with a center grove for the rain.)
Years ago, I had Dunlop Roadmaster TT tires that had agressive treads. When following my friends into corners that had sand washed on the road from the rain, I would fly by them on the inside. They don't make the Roadmaster anymore.
Pick a tire for the majority of the type of riding you will be doing is my thing.
A sport tire will not last long. A shame to spend $ on tires that you are not using to the fullest.
Sport Touring tires last longer and have better grip in all around conditions.
Touring tires-I'm not going there.

https://cbrforum.com/m_130793/tm.htm

 

well...race tires also take more time to heat up and heat cycles kills them.

maybe try a road/sport tire...like diablo stradas or the like...

just watch the gravel...no tire will do well with that on asphalt.

 

I'm now on my second set of Bridgestone Battlax BT020.
I would recommend them to anyone.

 

I used the BT020 the previous to seasons and got about 11,000 miles out of them and was not impressed with them, mostly from handeling. This season I'm on the Avon Azaro's and I love them. They seem to have pretty good grip and iniciate turns really well and smooth (where the BT's wherent that smooth in the twisties).
TimBucTwo I had the Sportec M1 as well and didn't like them for our bikes, plus the tread live was short just one season.

 

I'm running Metzler RoadTec Z6's on mine right now and am happy with them. Switched from Dunlop 502 (508? don't remember) and found that the Z6 seems to take a little more effort to roll into a turn. Haven't ridden them in the rain yet so can't speak to how they handle that. They handle gravel/dirt roads well, there was some front end hunting on deep loose gravel, that's to be expected. Can't speak to wear yet as I only have 800 miles or so on them.

There's a thread about Z6's a down from here you might want to look at.

 

Gone thru a few rears and one front (go figure haha) of battlax on my 03 954 and just went Michelin Pilot and HOLY FUKMERUNNIN! The tip in response and hold is great thru all sorts of ****ty road surfaces...'cept maybe sand - notsomuch. However they dont make much wider than 195. At least not yet.

 

I use Michelin Pilot Road. Thin it's a very good tire for this kind of bike !!! Good feeling and long wear on them. Just went to France on them, and I have no complaints. Road on german autobahn, mountain backroads with and without pillion and luggage. Did both perfect !

 

Farmer, glad to hear those race tires arn't work'n out!!!!!!!!! It means your still alive, to realize it!!!!!!!!!! Powers rock!!!!!!! and my azaros do too, but they are a step down, to powers. Diablos are good... corsa's and strada... I put a azarro sp on the front of my 1000f to sharp'n the turn in a bit, st rear... very happy. Check those tire preassures reg too. Sport touring tires, are usualy the best set up, esp. for a 550+ lb bike. I haven't been able to over ride mine, and I blast regularly. Clean and free, Ripp'n