Bandit Alley

MODEL SPECIFIC => SUZUKI BANDIT 250 & 400 => Topic started by: Krautwagen on July 06, 2005, 10:38:40 PM

Title: Tire options and where to get them?
Post by: Krautwagen on July 06, 2005, 10:38:40 PM
So far I've decided on going with a 160-60-17 and a 110-70-17 setup.

I've looked at the Metzler M-1's (Good price, and grip, but how's the treadlife?), and the Avon AV45/46.  I like that the Avon's are advertised as a high treadlife tire, but they are a bit more expensive...

So how's the life of the M-1's and are there any other brands out there to look at?

(Local shop has M-1's for $135/105)
Title: Tire options and where to get them?
Post by: Red01 on July 07, 2005, 12:21:11 AM
M1's are a sporting tire. The Avons you mention are sport-touring tires. The M1's will be stickier, the Avons will last longer.
Title: Tire options and where to get them?
Post by: millsi1 on July 07, 2005, 04:40:14 PM
ive got pilot powers in thos sizes and couldnt be happier they are just as good on the bandit as they are on my 1000!
Title: Tire options and where to get them?
Post by: PitterB4 on July 07, 2005, 07:12:27 PM
I'd love to see a comparo of the Powers v. the M1s.  I'm getting one or the other next.
Title: Tire options and where to get them?
Post by: millsi1 on July 07, 2005, 09:26:03 PM
i scrape every thing with the powers and there is bout 2mm chicken strip left. they also grip really really well when cold. have put 3000kms on them so far
Title: Tire options and where to get them?
Post by: Garyola on July 08, 2005, 12:26:20 AM
I've put powers on my 400 for the track and they work great. I'm very happy with this rubber.

G
Title: Tire options and where to get them?
Post by: gsxr400 racer on July 08, 2005, 12:54:40 AM
avons no mater what are super sticky!
Title: Tire options and where to get them?
Post by: gsxr400 racer on July 08, 2005, 12:55:20 AM
bridgestones hasd got to have some good tires tires to!
Title: Tire options and where to get them?
Post by: b4cruz on July 08, 2005, 02:03:02 AM
when i was shopping
i found dunlop gt501
and michelin pilot road
@ chaparral a little over $100 each
they seemed to be the top tires
for life and handling according to reviews

only has the BMW bikes but its got lots of tires
http://www.conary.org/bmwtire/

i found this random article too
http://www.canyonchasers.net/reviews/accessories/metzeler.php
Title: Tire options and where to get them?
Post by: todius on July 08, 2005, 05:09:33 PM
I have Avon AV45/46's on my B600 and they are great for spirited riding and highway use.  Treadlife has been very good so far... about 6k on the rear with some noticeable wear, but alot of life left.. I'm guessing the rear will last about 10k.   {As a comparison, the SportecM1 I used previously on the B6 lasted about 8k on the rear, and was marginally stickier.}   The front is worn minimally.  My riding is about 60% highway, 40% twisties.


As an aside, I'm thinking about trying a set of Shinko Podium 006's on the B4 .  Shinko bought out Yokohama's motorcycle tire division and has begun releasing tires of their own.   I have seen mixed reviews on the tires (some swear by them, some say they are akin to Cheng Shen's, but I like to try things for myself, and at their price, it's not too hard to give them a shot... )  

http://store.azmusa.com/shink-006.html
Title: Tire options and where to get them?
Post by: PitterB4 on July 12, 2005, 09:30:12 AM
Well, I can get M1's delivered to my door for less than two bills.  (Click Here (http://arizonamoto.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Store_Code=SWMT&Category_Code=M1)).  I think that's where I'm headed next.
Title: Tire options and where to get them?
Post by: scooter trash on July 12, 2005, 11:31:23 AM
This is from the book of : “Old Timer Wisdom”.
 
Traction, mileage, cost it all comes down to this. How do you ride? If you are on the edge even a little bit go soft. You won’t get great mileage but you will possibly not have to pay doctor bills and repair bills, which I guarantee you, will be more expensive than a new set of tires.
If you are aggressive in the rain you don’t even have a choice. You have to go soft. I prefer to buy tires not body parts and medical bills.

This has been a public service announcement from an old guy that rides on the edge.
Title: Tire options and where to get them?
Post by: Thief400 on July 12, 2005, 01:18:33 PM
Quote from: "scooter trash"
This is from the book of : “Old Timer Wisdom”.
 
Traction, mileage, cost it all comes down to this. How do you ride? If you are on the edge even a little bit go soft. You won’t get great mileage but you will possibly not have to pay doctor bills and repair bills, which I guarantee you, will be more expensive than a new set of tires.
If you are aggressive in the rain you don’t even have a choice. You have to go soft. I prefer to buy tires not body parts and medical bills.

This has been a public service announcement from an old guy that rides on the edge.


I second that !!!!!!!

I'm running Pirelli Dragon's 01 and 02 which I can't get any more:(
Very sticky and perdictable 2 things I hold in high regard the way I ride
Title: Tire options and where to get them?
Post by: Krautwagen on July 13, 2005, 02:13:45 AM
Quote from: "scooter trash"
This is from the book of : “Old Timer Wisdom”.
 
Traction, mileage, cost it all comes down to this. How do you ride? If you are on the edge even a little bit go soft. You won’t get great mileage but you will possibly not have to pay doctor bills and repair bills, which I guarantee you, will be more expensive than a new set of tires.
If you are aggressive in the rain you don’t even have a choice. You have to go soft. I prefer to buy tires not body parts and medical bills.

This has been a public service announcement from an old guy that rides on the edge.



Great reply  :grin:

This is basically my line of thinking...  Which is why I went with the M1's...  I don't push it that hard, and don't really ride in the rain, but it's better to have the traction there when you need it.
Title: Tire options and where to get them?
Post by: interfuse on July 13, 2005, 12:45:50 PM
Quote from: "Krautwagen"


Great reply  :grin:

This is basically my line of thinking...  Which is why I went with the M1's...  I don't push it that hard, and don't really ride in the rain, but it's better to have the traction there when you need it.


I have an m1 on the front and love it. Can't wait to switch the rear...
Title: Tire options and where to get them?
Post by: D7 on July 14, 2005, 03:45:46 PM
When I first changed my tires, I can't really remember what they were, I think Avon or B/stones, but whatever they were they were awful, mostly with the front (that felt unstable when tipping it in). I went for Dunlops in the end, and later changed to GPR70's for the extra grip, and touch wood, they've been spot on. I tend to push the front a bit hard, but it copes really well, but the rear one wears out less than the front (surely that's back to front), and still has loads of surface in the middle of the tire, but less on the sides (surely that's BTF as well?)

Anyway, despite liking'em, I was toying with the idea of a change as tire production is on the up, and getting better 'n better, so it's interesting what your saying. Has Pirelli brought out a new tire for our bikes in the Diablo range. They seem to be winning a lot of the road races over here, so they might be worth a go??

D
Title: Tire options and where to get them?
Post by: Krautwagen on July 15, 2005, 12:54:13 AM
My brother is running Diablo's on his R6 and he love's them...  Metzeler is owned by Pirelli.  I wonder if the rubber compounds are the same...