I'm looking for some input on Front tire options on my 954. I have Michelin Pilot Powers on it front and rear.(120/70, 190/50) I love the rear tire for grip longevity etc. However I am having issues with the front. I spent over 20 years on the Angeles Crest riding Sport bikes along with 4 seasons of Superbike Roadracing in SoCal in the years from '72 to '92. In those days in the canyons I would wear out about 2 front tires to one rear tire. The tires would be thrashed edge to edge front and rear. My style was to turn in fairly agressively and push the front end to scrub speed to the apex and then accelerate out to get back to the pace we would run. I took 19 years off from riding to raise a family and have come back this year with the 954.

I know I'm older and less bolder but I can't seem to get the feel I want out of the front end to turn in like I was used to. I understand the quicker steering geometry of modern bikes compared to days of yore. However I am hopeful that a front tire with a rounder profile than the Michelin would slow the tip in a bit while I work on getting the feel back. I don't know if the Pirelli's or Dunlops etc. might suit me better.

Any suggestions would be welcome.

Thanks guys.

 

The Michelin is definately pointer of the name brands and I find a quicker turnin. I ran 2CTs and Power Race on the track for a year or so when I tracked the 954, still use Michelins on it but it is street only now. I use Bridgestone BT003RS on one of the other race bikes, rounder profile but an excellent grippy tire.

I will say also having raced in the early 80s, there's just a world of difference between my old 83 Interceptor and today's bikes. Took me about a year to get used to the huge difference at the pace I used to run when I got back on track.

 

Thanks RandyJoy for the input. Yeah the 83 interceptor's 16 inch wheel could be tricky. Lot's of people lost the front end on those, and the 600 Ninjas. Glad you survived it :>)

The quick turnin and feeling of falling into the turn is a bit disconcerting. On the track I think with time I could explore the feel and get used to it. I can't say I have had it get away from me yet but it doesn't make me feel confident either. For the street I would like to tame it down a bit. I suspected the Bridgestone might have a rounder profile. Do you think it would match up alright with the Michelin rear ?

 

The pirelli corsa III is probably what you want. I had to push it to turn in, but I never had to worry about loosing the front. I replaced them with the PP 2cts. I don't think they make the corsa 3 anymore and it was replaced by the rosso, but you can probably still find them.

 

LOL, I barely survived...lots of surprised tucking back then.

I can't personally address the mixing of the two tires, I've always matched my tires, but have know several riders that had the BT003RS front and a 2CT rear and seemed to do fine (street only).

And like moosestang said, the Pirellis are also good choices.

As an aside, one of Michelin's front competition Power Ones is called a "V", which is even pointier than their standard PP or 2CT. That's what I run on my 600, and it really drops into the turns.

 

Thanks guys. I really appreciate the feedback. I'm going to look into what is available this week. They're both about the same price online. I'll let you know how it goes. I don't remember ever mixing and matching tires either. I'll give it a shot and if it doesn't feel good I can always list the Michelins as a set on Craigslist. They are practically in new condition, less than 500 miles.