So… I’ve got the ER-6 and it’s ok so far other than the tyres. I’ve never got along well with the BT-020s and changed them on my previous bike as well.
What’s the best all round commuter tyre that will give good grip in the wet and warm up fairly quick?
I’ve normally gone for Michelin Pilot Road 2CTs, but these are quite pricey and since I don’t plan to be doing any track days with this bike, I wondered if there were any more reasonably priced options out there.
Also, can anyone advise if having tyres fitted somewhere like Essential Rubber will affect my warranty at all ?
i went with the piot powers cause they heat up really quickly and they grip really well wet and dry. you know all those videos of people crashing near home? mostly due to cold tyres. spend a little more and get the powers
The road version of the powers will last longer, they call it the Pilot Road 2CT. Excellent tyre, heats up fast, keeps the heat well and grips very well. Have had 6000 miles from rear on my ZX6R.
I’m pretty sure that’s what I had on my old bike. I’ve just been reading about the Pilot Power 2CT, but I’m positive I had the Road 2CT which stuck like crazy.
They were just a bit pricey, but I think that still might be the way to go. I’m really not confident on the current tyres, and feeling the front slide a little this morning has done nothing to inspire more confidence Same road, same conditions, different bike, but it behaved exactly the same as the old one before I replaced the tyres on that.
I’ve always liked the BT020’s but they’re very hard to get hold of now. I tried the new BT021’s and didn’t like them. The front tyre wore very unevenly and was down to it’s tread limits in just 5,500 miles…
I’ve gone for a set of Avon Storms this time, and I’m very impressed with them. They’re very good in the wet and haven’t showed any sign of squaring off yet. I use them for every day commuting and scratching at the weekend.
I got mine from FWR - £196 fitted ride in / ride out.
Avon Storms are great - I usually use Viper Sports - brilliant grip wet or dry, never felt as if the tyre was going to get away from me in the dry.I fitted a storm rear last week, and it’s almost as grippy in the dry, better in the wet and will last a whole lot longer.
I run dunlop sportmax tyre’s… I’ve got a sportmax qualifer on the front and a roadsmart on the rear. I did have qualifiers on both, but i decided for the winter to put a bit more of a longer lasting tyre on the rear.
I’ve had cracking mileage out of my dunlops and would recommend them.
Another vote for the Avons from me. I had them on the VFR and my CBR6 before that, great in the wet and excellent mileage, but changed to Bridgestones when I had a flat one weekend and there wasn’t much else available. Not overly impressed and won’t use them again. Haven’t tried the new Dunlop Roadsmart but they’re getting a good press and the Pilot Road 2 have a lot of happy users on the VFR forum, so I’d say one of those three is your best bet.
I’ve got Dunlop Roadsmarts on as recommended by Essential Rubber. couple of thousands miles in and they are great, hardly any wear, epic grip even in this torrential rain and give real confidence on a fast ride with plenty of lean. a good balance for both commuting and scratching i’d say.