sportbike riders - tire choice?

HMP

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Curious what the sportbike riders on here like as far as tires go.
Im wanting something with some grip on the sides (nothing crazy soft, im a street rider), but also long-lasting center.
Ive used a lot of Michelin Pilot Power tires in the past, but just curious what yall like as Im needing a new set for my 1125R soon
 
I loved the Michelin PP2s on my XB12S which i just sold
 
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I ran the Michelin Power Supersport on my RC8R
 
Michelin road series. You will not outride them on the road. PP's are great but I would only get 1k-15 out of them. Last tire I road on was a Road 3,,I count usually get at least 4 out of them. That with a heavy bike and heat rider
The tires and bike are better than you. Just have to believe.
 
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I run Michelin's on everything, cars, motorcycle and bicycle.
 
I'm a Bridgestone Battlax fan as well. However, I think there are a lot of good street tires out there that give good performance and durability...... as long as the rider has some self-control and doesn't do burnouts all the time.:D
 
I dont do burnouts
I dont ride super aggressive, but I do want to make sure they'll stick ok on a backroad
But most of my riding is 10mph over the speed limit and back and forth to work etc
 
The pilot powers have good stick, but what I never liked about them is when they let go they let go hard. You're past the limit/scare the crap outta you. I ran Dunlops on the FZR1000 most of the time because they would warn you before throwing you down. That bike was stupid fast. 130mph was just above idle. Regardless, usually replacing both tires at 5000 miles.
I run Dunlops on the Goldwing. Forget which ones it's what Dunlop makes for 'wings. Hard tire buy handles well within the parameters of a Goldwing, which handle better than you think. Replace both at 5000 miles.
I run Bridgestone 003rs on the supermoto bike. The tires on it are worn on the outside and have lots of meat left in the middle. :D That bike handles like a cat on carpet and admittedly, I put the soft shoes on that one. Lucky to get 2500 miles/set. But these are nice sticky tires that won't break the bank.

The mountains will eat your tires though..doesn't matter what bike you got. On my SM bike the front always wears out before the rear. So my mileage might be less than what you guys can get.
I guess I prefer the dunlops on the bigger bikes, as they seem to 'communicate' better as you reach the edge.
 
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I always wanted stick over mileage and price... a couple of sets of tires was worth the savings of a funeral. I rode hard on the corners... they would be frayed and had plenty of rubber in the middle. 421, 181 and Tail are hard on tires if you push them, but the Michelin PPs always seemed to stick better than the others... they just felt like velcro.
 
I always wanted stick over mileage and price... a couple of sets of tires was worth the savings of a funeral. I rode hard on the corners... they would be frayed and had plenty of rubber in the middle. 421, 181 and Tail are hard on tires if you push them, but the Michelin PPs always seemed to stick better than the others... they just felt like velcro.

The Michelin Power Supersports (formerly Power One) were like being riveted to the road. I have gotten hot into a couple corners and just leaned in hard and they grabbed the road well. They're definitely not cheap, but you can push them hard as long as you have a clean road.

The RC8R would chew through them though, even with the slipper clutch, I would routinely trash a set every 1200-1500 miles.
 
The Michelin Power Supersports (formerly Power One) were like being riveted to the road. I have gotten hot into a couple corners and just leaned in hard and they grabbed the road well. They're definitely not cheap, but you can push them hard as long as you have a clean road.

The RC8R would chew through them though, even with the slipper clutch, I would routinely trash a set every 1200-1500 miles.

Slipper Clutch indeed will chew them up and with the differences in road type and speed of each, there really is no way to adjust like you would on a track....

But you hit the nail on the head about getting into a hot jam and having that extra grip to make it through!
 
Pilot power is great. Pilot power 2ct was good. I’ve found them to be quick to warm up, good in wet, and very predictable. They do wear faster. SS tire.

Most of the Pilot Road 2-5 are very good and probably better suited for your needs. Better mileage. Probably an decent sport touring tire will do you fine. Modern sport touring tires are amazing and plenty sticky to grind your pegs off.

I’m trying the Bridgestone S21 right now. Feels good in front but need to put on a rear soon to really give an opinion on them.
 
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Pilot power is great. Pilot power 2ct was good. I’ve found them to be quick to warm up, good in wet, and very predictable. They do wear faster. SS tire.

Most of the Pilot Road 2-5 are very good and probably better suited for your needs. Better mileage. Probably an decent sport touring tire will do you fine. Modern sport touring tires are amazing and plenty sticky to grind your pegs off.

I’m trying the Bridgestone S21 right now. Feels good in front but need to put on a rear soon to really give an opinion on them.

Maybe a pilor road is what I need then.

I just dont blast around like I did a decade ago. I ride spirited here and there, but never super fast
 
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Also, the set Im about to take off are about 6 year old pilot powers...so Im accustomed to an old tire. A new sport touring tire will probably be great


Where do yall like to get tires from? Best prices online?
 
I have run Pilot Road 2's, 3's, 4's and now the 4GT. The GT is built for heavy sport touring/touring bikes. My ST is a little over 700 pounds. Michelin now makes a PR5 but not in a GT version. I've had good luck with the entire PR line. I even ran across some leftover PR3's at a shop on clearance that I got for $75 each! I would buy some more of those if I could find any, even if they are older than they say you should use.
 
I have run Pilot Road 2's, 3's, 4's and now the 4GT. The GT is built for heavy sport touring/touring bikes. My ST is a little over 700 pounds. Michelin now makes a PR5 but not in a GT version. I've had good luck with the entire PR line. I even ran across some leftover PR3's at a shop on clearance that I got for $75 each! I would buy some more of those if I could find any, even if they are older than they say you should use.

have you ran the PR on a sportbike?

Im looking online and I see 2s and 5s listed, what difference are we looking at here?
 
I dont ride super aggressive, but I do want to make sure they'll stick ok on a backroad
But most of my riding is 10mph over the speed limit and back and forth to work etc

Remember the rule of thumb when considering speed limits.

I was told the signs in yellow are only recommended limits for upcoming curves. But, when on a bike, double the number and add 10. That's how fast you should take the curve.

:D
 
Maybe a pilor road is what I need then.

I just dont blast around like I did a decade ago. I ride spirited here and there, but never super fast

Just avoid the original Pilot Road. Personally I hated those. But the PR2 is very good and will do everything you need, imo. Plenty of grip in all conditions for even a very brisk pace.

As SPST says, it hard to go wrong with any of the Pilot Road 2 and up. Don’t get something designed for a super heavy bike as he points out as it might be stiffer than you need.
 
have you ran the PR on a sportbike?

Im looking online and I see 2s and 5s listed, what difference are we looking at here?

I was a Dunlop guy back in my sport bike days, mid eighties to early nineties. I switched to Michelin's when I got into long distance sport touring. My first sport touring tires were bias play Bridgestone Ecedra and I also used some BT021and BT023. But once I used the PR2's I was hooked.
As far as differences in the PR line I think it's mainly tread design and newer compounds. I got just as much mileage out of PR2's as any of the others and have never had any problems with grip, wet or dry, with any of them.
 
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Just avoid the original Pilot Road. Personally I hated those. But the PR2 is very good and will do everything you need, imo. Plenty of grip in all conditions for even a very brisk pace.

As SPST says, it hard to go wrong with any of the Pilot Road 2 and up. Don’t get something designed for a super heavy bike as he points out as it might be stiffer than you need.
are various models of the PR line designated for heavier bikes etc? Or can I just get a PR2 and be done?
 
are various models of the PR line designated for heavier bikes etc? Or can I just get a PR2 and be done?

Just get PR2 and be done. You’ll be pleased for sure.
 
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are various models of the PR line designated for heavier bikes etc? Or can I just get a PR2 and be done?

I don't think they make the PR2 or 3 anymore, at least not in the size I need. You can probably still find a PR3 but I don't think you will find a 2.
 
I was always a Bridgestone Battlax fan until I swapped over to Dunlop Q3+. More grip and more tire life. Get way more miles out of the Dunlops than the Bridgestones. It was a tossup after some thorough research this last set between the Dunlops and the Michelin Pilot Road 4's. I've been so pleased with the Dunlops now I can't imagine switching.
 
Any modern road tire is better than anyone on this forum. I've totaled 6 sportbikes. All but one was because of something I done. Never because of a tire not sticking. I had got to the point where I was using a Shinko on the front instead of a PP. the only difference I could tell was about 20 bucks.
 
Any modern road tire is better than anyone on this forum. I've totaled 6 sportbikes. All but one was because of something I done. Never because of a tire not sticking. I had got to the point where I was using a Shinko on the front instead of a PP. the only difference I could tell was about 20 bucks.

I aim for mileage. So although grip might be comparable, at first, Shinko isn't getting you no where near the miles. I prefer to spend bit more upfront and not have to replace tires as often.
 
I aim for mileage. So although grip might be comparable, at first, Shinko isn't getting you no where near the miles. I prefer to spend bit more upfront and not have to replace tires as often.

I would run Roads 2-3 on the back. I would get about 4K on them. . On the rear I tried Bridgestone, Goodyear, Metzler, Shinko, Pirellis and Michelins on the back. The Michilins just lasted longer for me. After getting 1200-1500 on PP's that broke me,
250lb rider and 500+ bike.
I had a harbor freight tire changer. I even stopped balancing them.
 
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Based on your riding you need a great tire, good mileage, and shed water. I recommend Michelin Pilot Road 4. I’ve had others but like these best. If I was riding mountain curves it would be a sticky tire. I ride these on curves also. These are on my FZ6 Yamaha.

upload_2019-3-12_17-32-23.jpeg
 
Just ordered a set of Pilot Road 2 from RevZilla (they had the cheapest price and free shipping, beating Amazon even)

Now to get the front and rear stands from dad's house so I can get these wheels off to switch out the tires!
 
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So I got these on, the Pilot Road 2
Took first ride last night

Interesting that the tread design is reversed for the front. I thought they were being put on backwards at first, but the directional arrows were correct
 
So I got these on, the Pilot Road 2
Took first ride last night

Interesting that the tread design is reversed for the front. I thought they were being put on backwards at first, but the directional arrows were correct

So what do you think?
 
They ride fine, Im working my way up to more spirited riding, getting a feel for it all
 
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