I know this is one of those "don't ask" questions
 

i need a tire recomendation!

searching has been spotty

i've got pilot sprorts i think they're original (is this what they came from the factory with in 99???) the bike has 6500 miles on it (3k by me in the past 2 months) and the rear is getting pretty worn

basically, i'm looking for a tire that will get me around 10K,

stickiness is not as important as longevity, but i'd still like something that won't send me sliding all over the place

a good "sport touring" tire is what i'm looking for

Metzler ME6?
Michelin Pilot Road?
Pirelli Diablo Stradas??

i'm just looking to see what you guys have used and what kind of riding you do and your milage...........

PRoads- ~11K, stick well in dry or wet. i have no chicken strips on rear, 1/8" up front.

In the sport-touring market right now, the Pilot Roads, Z6s, and Avon ST's are all well liked. Bridgestone BT020s are fine too, but a step down, although they're very aggressively priced. Dunlops D205s were well-liked by many (including me) but their D220 replacement hasn't fared as well.

Your bike didn't come with Pilot Sports since they weren't even being sold in 99. Most 99s came with Bridgestone BT56s, 57s, and 58s.

Unless you're taking it VERY easy, 10K out of rear isn't realistic. Assuming your originals were replaced by the previous owner at around half your current mileage, you're only getting about 3,250 miles out of a rear now and going to sport-touring rubber is only going to get you another 50% or so of tire mileage. So you'll probably get 5K or so out of a sport-touring tire. If you want the best miileage, I'd go with the Avons which might go 6K or more depending on how much you push them.

- Mark

If you want the best miileage, I'd go with the Avons which might go 6K or more depending on how much you push them.

hey mark- how's 6K out of the Avons better mileage than 10 or 11K out of the PRoads?

10K..hmmm...pumped to, say 50lbs, straight roads, always stay under the speed limit, ease away from those stop signs...
WTF, who gets 10K (one person has confessed!) out of tires on an S...???
Metz Z-6, Dunlop 208, I 'spect the Stradas realistically for a descent ride figure 5-7K on the front max. before they turn to crap.
8K or more rear..yeah maybe 10K but your pushin' it...
Replace them both, unless you're looking for squeezing evere pence outta your tires (I've done it!), but if you want quality time and a warm and fuzzy feeling, do both...
now go and get the skins...

If you can get 10 or 11k out of the Pilot Roads, I'd go with them. I love the Continental RoadAttack's - stick as well as the M1 in the dry and stick better than anything I've ever had on a BMW in the wet. 7 or 8,000 would be about the max though.

bikerfish, you're getting 11K out of your PR's which is comendable but atypical, IMHO. I got 4.5K out of my PRs. The original poster is getting 3.5K out of his Pilot Sports, so I sincerely doubt he's going to get 3x the mileage by going to PRs.

I monitor a lot of forums that talk about tires, and I'm convinced that the mileage champ at the moment is the Avons.

- Mark

Rapid- if you've ever ridden with me, you'd know that "50lbs, straight roads, always stay under the speed limit, ease away from those stop signs..." is not exactly my style.
see my big fat chicken strip?? yeah, neither do i! http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1115768755.jpg
i ran my last pair on the Dragon, rt 64 in GA, Wolf Pen Gap, the Cherahola- and a bunch of other nasty sick sheet. very nice tire.
i tried BT020s after, and was glad when they wore out at 8K and i could get them off the bike! now i'm back on PRoads, and quite happy with them.

Bikerfish,
What is the small metal bar around your fairing at the rear. Never seen that before. Also I like your stealth plate holder I just put mine on last week.
Regards,
Lane

Ventura Rack system. nice deal. http://www.cycleventure.com/products/pack_system/index.htm
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1115775870.jpg with the grab handle attached.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1115775938.jpg in touring mode with a Mag's Bag strapped to the small rack.

Thanks man.
I hope to be in your neck of the woods in a month or two. I need a x/country ride bad. It`s been two years. I called the ranger station @ Mt evans today, the window to ride is not very long june-sept. I`ve been to Independence pass but Its only 12,000, mt. evans @ 14200 now that`s a mountain. Years ago when I was in to flying the airplane I was flying could not climb that high. The faa says you need oxygen if you are going to fly that high.

Later,
Lane

gimme a shout once you know when you're coming. i'm at the base of Rocky Mntn Nat'l Park in Loveland. Trail Ridge Road goes over 2 ,miles up- it's the highest paved through road in the USA. plus, the Top of The Rockies Rally is July 14-17th, and a bunch of Pelican Bros. will be heading over there.http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1115781865.jpg

I'm at 12k on my Z4s and would guess they are 65% worn.

Then again I had a ZX-11D and the rear went at 8 years and 14k miles. ON A ZX-11D!

Light rider,
-Eff

I have the new Diablo status right now,so far so good, steering is light and neutral.I have not yet tried them in the rain.
I always liked the more triangular cross section on the front that the dunlops have, just steers better.
I regularly get 10,000kilometers on rears easily, 42psi.

Any updates on the Dunlop 220's? I really liked the 207's except for wear. I see 220's on the 1100ST on my dealer's floor.

bikerfish, dude, it's the lighter air up there! everyone knows you get better tyre wear at high altitudes...

ceptin' that last set was done up in CT, WV and GA, and many low points in between.

gawdawful personal question to ask...what pressures do you run 'fish???

randy- i usually keep it around 38R/35F. will go a tad more when in touring mode, what with the extra weight and all. seems to give a good balance between ride compliance, longevity and traction.

I ended up buying the Conti Road Attacks (good tires) because when comparing the Michelin Sport to the Michelin Road it seemed a lot had complained that the road tire lasted about as long as the sport, or 3,500 - 4,000 miles.

And forget the Metzler for mileage.

There were a lot of discussions about this before.