It's almost the end of the season, but I wanted to ask for some input on tires for my 954 because the rear is smoked. I'm going to run through a couple different brands that I've ran and want to hear some pros and cons of any/all that you may have ran as well:

I have Bridgestone Battlax's on the 954 right now... I really like them; nice solid feel, stable, and very responsive... the main issue that I have is their short tread life, more specifically, center tread life.

Michelin Pilot Powers - had them on my first bike (f4i)... they were OK but exhibited some strange turn in characteristics... although this is slightly biased because they were improperly mounted from the previous owner and had a slow leak. They (obviously) didn't (and wouldn't) feel as responsive as my next set of tires.

Metzeler Sportec M-1 - I really liked these tires as well... on the same level as the Battlax's. Good turn in characteristics, stable, predictable, and they seem to really last in terms of tread life.

What does everyone think? I would like to hear about Pirelli Corsa's, Dunlop 208's, and/or any other tires that you may have ran or are running.

Thanks for those of you that have voted for me in the September Ride Of The Month voting, and for your help with this!

 

Pirelli diablos are my first and last choice for tires - FRONT AND REAR - i go with the regualr diablo's it's 70% street and 30% track, the corsa's are 70 track and 30 street so they are one step softer, try the pirelli's diablos, u will be thankful u did!

good luck, nice bike by the way

 

dunlop 208 - yuck

 

I also have run the Diablo's (on a '96 ZX7R) and really liked them, nice and sticky. The only problem is they wore out quick, approx 4500km's and the rear was pretty much done if I remember correctly but that's the sacrifice for a soft, sticky tire.

 

i got about 4500 - 5000 also, but i think that is respectable.. and the tires.. u can get online - ebay for like 150 - 190/50/17 so not to bad . two a seaon.. i can handle that

 

Pilot Power work well for me. i bought mine a couple of months ago. I am just getting used to the 954, but tires work well for me. I don't really know about the life yet. I had the battlax on my f2 and it always seemed if you took a tight corner the front would push. I have heard the same from some guys at the local bike night. I hope this tid bit will help you get the best tires for your bike.

 

What tire pressure are you all running on front and rear?

 

I have a new (only 700kms on it) Battlax on my front and also find it "pushes" in tight corners as well. I won't be buying Battlax again and am actually thinking of using it as a trade toward either a Pirelli Diablo or Michelin Pilot. On the rear I have a Dunlop 208 which is ok so I'll probably wait till it's worn out and then match it to whatever I decide to go with on the front.

Before you guy's flame me about mis-matched tires you should know the bike was like that when I got it almost 3 weeks ago. I agree, I would prefer to run the same make and model of tire front and rear but since my season ends in a month or so it isn't worth doing anything until next season.