I've read a sportrider magazine that compared all the top-pick sportbike tires. The Metzelers were in the top 3 for performance, wear and price (being low priced that is). I have a good friend of mine that rides a 150 mile round trip every day to work and back. He put Metzeler M3's (or something) on there, and 7000 miles later, he still has them (granted, there is a nasty flat spot, but there's still a lot of tire left).

Even though people don't like them, I have a Dunlop Qualifier rear tire (not the stickiest tires), but I have about 3000 miles on it, and it still has a LOT of tire left in it. I'm going to get either the Michelin PP's or Metzeler's next. Still contemplating over it.

Hope this helps........anyone remember that link to that sportrider article? I read it on one of these forums.

ALSO.......make sure to sand your tires before you go out in them! Take some 200 or so grit sandpaper and lightly sand off the surface of the tires. There's an oil-ish residue on them from storage that will send you down if you take a corner. New, cold tires are VERY slippery. Sanding off that slick layer of whatever it is helps tremendously.

 

Sandpaper? Or.....he could just do a short burn out Sandpaper: thats to much work for me whe it just takes a blip of the gas? I personaly don't even burn out I just take it easy for a little while I love having ne tires they look so nice

 

Pilot power Front
Pilot Road Rear

I personally run Powers but if your just commuting use the (Road) for the rear, and something stickier for the front (Power/Sport).

I have a friend using this combo for years and loves it. And he rides to the edges all the time.

Todd

 

I use Qualifiers on my RR, but only because I get a serious price break on them. Problem is they don't last for crap. Here is one at just under 1000 miles on mine..... You can see how it is chunking on the left side....



My preference is Pilot Powers for the RR and Stradas for the Aprilia.

They ONLY way to get rid of that is to get heat in them. If sanding makes you feel better, go for it, but heat is the only way, so get out and ride it!

 

What are good websight to get the michelin pilot's ? what is the normal price and what is a good price to pay for them?

 

Im the original poster of this thread and i got my tire from http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/. I didnt order the Michelin but i did order a Pirelli tire. They had pretty good prices compared to some of the other sites i looked at. Also the shippind was pretty reasonable. You do get charged like 5 dollars extra for package size, but thats understandable. I placed my order and within 24 hours my order had been shipped. Hopefully that helps some.

 

Yep. Sandpaper. Just go lightly over the entire surface of the tire until it's scrubbed up pretty good. That oil-ish coating will come right off (and not scare the s**t out of you around a corner.) Burnouts work, but it's hard to burnout the entire surface of the tire.

Nope. By riding it, the road surface is acting as "sandpaper", scrubbing away the oily coating over newer tires. (but you're still left with the edges of the tires that still have the residue on them.) So yes, riding it does help, but heat is NOT the only thing that gets rid of this stuff. If that were the case, all I would have to do is get a blow-dryer on them, right?

Honestly though, a couple of racers at the track gave me this little tip after I asked what one of them was doing with sandpaper and their tires. He said they just installed them, and is roughing them up. I asked why and he told me about the oily-residue stuff.

I take it they knew what they were talking about, so I help by passing on the helpful tip to others.

 

Thanks Blue Fox,

I got my new tire installed and decided to prevent any accidents involving the new tire i would take your advice. It worked the same as rubbing the surface off on the road. Nice tip, its greatly appreciated.

 

No problem man. Glad I could help.