Bandit Alley
MODEL SPECIFIC => BIG BANDIT BANTER => Topic started by: Elmojo on March 14, 2005, 01:07:03 AM
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Hi All,
My '02 B12S is gonna need new rubber soon. :banana:
I have the horrible Mac 90's now, and the headshake that seems to be part of the Macadam package.
I wanted to get everyone's opinion as to which tire company should get my money.
I mostly ride to work (25mi. each way) and do some backroad slaloming with my buddies. No track days, no burnouts, no wheelies. Okay, a few wheelies, but only when absolutely 'necessary' :wink:
Please weigh in on the poll and feel free to post any additional comments or suggestions, including where to buy!
Thanks in advance!
Mike P.
Silver '02 B12s
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I added a few more tires to your list to make it a better poll. The Z6 and Roadtec are the same, so I deleted one.
I voted for what's currently on my bike (Pilot Roads), but the only other one on the list I have any experience with is the Bridgestone BT020 rear (had a BT010 front). Performance between the BT020 rear and PR was similar, as was life expectancy. The BT010 did start to cup near the end of it's life and lasted as long as as the BT020 rear. The PR front easily outlasted the rear, but probably won't live thru two rears... maybe 1.5? Have to wait and see.
The only other one on the list that really interests me is the Avon Azaro.
For clarification, the ST45 is a front tire, the ST46 a rear.
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BT020 front and rear here...
I likem' better than the stock macadam 90x's that came stock.
I chose BT020 because the shop had them in stock and mounted while I waited. They turned out good, so I stuck with BT020. Didn't really feel like spending money on testing others after the BT experience, though I've heard good stories about plenty of other brands.
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I've run the BT54, (good tire, but discontinued), Dunlop D205, and currently have the MEZ1's on. My favorite is the D205. Sticky enough for aggressive riding, and last pretty well.
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I just changed from the Avon Azaro's to the metz's z6 just to try something different. Can't fault the Avons in the dry they stuck like s**t to a blanket but i was a bit wary in the wet but that could just be me i hate the wet, can't say much about the z6 just yet cause the afternoon i got them fitted it started to rain :sad: just typical for this country.
Glad to see the z6 in front on the poll hopefully i made a good choice
Robbie
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got the 020 rear first to replace a bt56 I lost to a nail. Tire was half shot at 2500 miles anyway. Got 6000 out of the 020 and it wasn't shot when I replaced it. Front was wiped and I wanted a fresh set. Feel is good wet or dry and wear seems to be great so far. The harder compound in the center really seems to make a big difference vs the bt56 I had at the start.
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As everyone wears out tyres differently - you know different weight, pillions, luggage and riding 'style', road conditions etc etc etc. What works for one may not work for another.
But, in my case, I've loved the MEZ4 (now roadtecZ6) on the rear and an M1 on the front - although I'm now looking for another front I'll probably stick with the M1 up front.
While the M1 on the rear was absolutely fantastic it wore out in under 8000km (5000miles). Whereas the MEZ4 has been on for around 2500km and shows little sign of wear. I haven't lost much, if anything, in the way of tyre performance either. The M1 on the front has around 11000km on it and has another couple of thou left in it.
Bear in mind that going by the 'chicken strips' I appear to be pretty harsh on rears and fairly gentle on fronts. I've got around 5-10mm (.197 - .394 inch) on the rear depending on how long it's been since I had a play and around 20-30mm (.787 - 1.18 inch) on the front.
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Having last week just replaced my well worn Shinko 009 160/60/17 rear on my G1 B6. I can honestly say I am rapped to the eye teeth :bigok: , with its grip (wet and dry) and wear. As a part time courier I can not afford to be changing tyres every 3 weeks, so it was pleasing to get 23,500 km or just over 14,800 miles. I am currently using a MEZ4 on the front, and its the front thats the weak link. The reason for using the MEZ4 is Shinko as yet do not make a 110/60 or70/17. but I am toying with the idea that next time I am due for a new front of fitting a 120/60/17 shinko 005. The coding on these tyres are 009 Hardest. 005 Medium 003 Soft and you guys state side can get a 001 super soft drag tyre. :beers:
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Hey Mick, I'll have to have a look at that rear tyre of yours on the weekend.
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I'm running Me-Z4 front & rear in stock sizes. So far I have nothing bad to say about them. :beers:
Steve
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I'm really liking the Avons I have on my b12. They warm up quickly and have great grip. I had Dunlop 208s before and they just wore out too fast for me, although they were super sticky.
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I like the Metz Sportec M1's. They are a little more tire than I need for roadwork, but they do nicely for track days and that's about all I do with the Bandit anymore. I bought a new set today 110 front, 160 rear for $243 mounted and balanced at Marietta Motorsports.
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Im currently running a mich pilot sport front and a mic pilot road rear . Im wondering if I wanna spring for something stickier for the rally ? I do love the m1's , but they dont last long . :grin:
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I run BT010 front and rear. Currently have about 5K on the rear and 7K on the front. Rear still in good shape, front has maybe 1K left, starting to cup slightly.
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Metz MZ4's front and rear. replaced the rear @ 9k and the front will probably go most of the way until july. Great tires sticky wet or dry, but guess I'll have to go with the 6's next time.
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I'm running Z6 front and rear but will put an M1 front and Z6 rear before the rally. I thought the front end would slide out alittle when leaned far but I haven't been in a temperture over 50 degrees yet with them yet.
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My last 2 sets were Continetal attacks,they were priced right. And most of all they stick well in both wet and dry conditions (within reason). And I do'nt drive like normal sane pepole either.
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bridgestone bt14. love em excellent grip, wet, dry, or cold!
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I just put a set of BT014s on my R1. Haven't really had a chance to try them out yet. Was not real happy with the OEM Dunlop D218s that came on the One. Got less than 5K miles on the rear and I'm not a hard rider.
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Good to see BanditAlley is back online. :beers:
Too bad that the original posts are not back too...
My Macadams were cupped after 3k. Just got Z6's for both front and rear.
I went with the Z6's becase of the good wet/cold performance and the more aggressive profile.
I thought about the Perelli Diablo Stratas, but no one had them in stock in the Denver area...
Interesting too, more wear on the left than the right.
I thought maybe my bike was out of whack somehow, but it's just that we drive on the right here in the states and actually put more miles on the left side...
Here's the article I found about tire wear:
http://www.rattlebars.com/valkfaq/tirewear/
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Just got a new set of Conti Road attacks, sweet tires! I can't believe how much better the ride is and how much traction is there. I hope that I get good mileage out of them, dealer said that they wear nicely.
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Just put about 1300 miles on my z6s.
I really like these tires, the profile make leaning the bike quicker and more comfortable ("confidence inspiring"). Much better than those macadams...
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1. Michelin Pilot Powers
2. Pirelli Diablo Stradas.
New technology, baby.
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dude, the avons are wicked. You get wayyyyy more tread on them. I had the Bridgestones before them, the bridgestone front wore out about the same time as the rear, which was about 4000 km. They are frickin brutal tires. I've put about 5000km on the avons I have now, and they are definitely good for another 5, if not more. They are great in the dry and wet, don't let people tell you otherwise. Oh, and I'm not the easiest on tires; pretty well do anything you can to em, I use the whole tire- theres a reason they're called "chicken" strips.
Kalan
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I have the horrible Mac 90's now, and the headshake that seems to be part of the Macadam package.
Did you always have that problem. I remember the last time I had a michelin in the rear on my other bike. It worked great until it got close to the wear limit and then I started to notice problems. I personally like my macadams and have a pilot road on the back now. I put about 2800 miles on my bike in 1 1/2 weeks and my rear looks barely touched and gave me great confidence.
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I had it on mine when it was new with the Mac90 from ~2500 miles until I replaced it. Mine didn't shake bad, just couldn't ride it hands-free and you could certainly feel it vibe riding one-handed. New skins cured it immediately!
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I put a set of Pilot Roads on 9000 miles ago and proceeded to travel 8300 miles on vacation that included slab, mountains, rain, hail and whatever else there was between Jordan,Ny, the West Coast an dback in 3 weeks. The tires were fantastic. Unfortunately the 1500 miles of slab from Denver home squared the back one off pretty well. I was especially happy with the way they handled on wet mountain roads. I never felt them slip and had now worries.
I had a friend suggest that next time I install a Pilot Power front and see what I thought.
I believe that with my normal style of riding here in Upstate NY I would get 11 to 12000 miles out of a set o fthese. :motorsmile:
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Bridgestone Battlax BT-014 (BT-56 / BT-010 update)
Good grip. Rear is lasting 11000 km, but won't go for another thousand.
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I hear a lot of complaints about the Mac 90's. Mine has the Mac 100's and after 7000 miles, I can't find anything to complain about. Even at high speeds, I don't notice any of the instability that seems to be associated with the Mac 90's. However, when it comes time to replace them, I'm going to try Pirelli's to see if I'm missing anything by not having "more expensive" tires.
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I'm only gonna say this ONCE more.
(Heheh... yeah, right)
The stock macrapadams suck. Aftermarket tires are the SINGLE BIGGEST IMPROVEMENT you can make on the BANDIT.
Any questions?
I thought not. :wink: