I've seen the stickys for tire changing. What about the tires themselves?

[Beam]

How do you folks pick your rubber? I have a website I trust for my cage tires, but is there something similar for bikes? I searched on the forum, but I can't seem to find a database or review thread.

Edit: This was all spawned by Motorcycle Superstores clearance sale. They have reviews, but I wanted to cross reference if possible.

[tsorfas]

on the street it doesnt matter as much. Track use as many tires as you can to see the ones you are comfortable with and fit you the best.

[nhbubba]

Reputation. Reviews. Price. And most importantly: Eine-menie-minie-moe.

What's this comparo website for car tires??

[jasnmar]

Buy the ones with the coolest name.

[maxim_X]

Any major manufacturer is going to have all sorts of different tires that will do great. Something like a sport touring tire to a trackday/ high performance street tire and everything in between. Some company will produce the best (opinion of course) sport touring tire i.e. Michelin pilot road 3 and others will make a better trackday tire i.e. Dunlop Q3. But, anything from the big manufacturers will be good.

[carsick]

Buy the ones with the coolest name.

No way, you run Kumho Ecsta's too?

[Beam]

Thanks!
I'm learning on an FZ6, and I'm interested in a street tire. Any thoughts on dual compounds? Are they what they claim, or is it snake oil? I am looking at Bridgestone battleaxes. Both because I've used good stuff from them, and the cool name.

Nhbubba- I've gone by the reviews on TireRack for about a decade. They haven't let me down yet. Not all tires have reviews, but the ones that do are great. There are numerical averages for 12 categories per tire (rain handling, snow handling, noise, etc), as well as written reviews. It really helps fill out the picture.

[csmutty]

I'd go with a michelin pilot road 3 or pirelli angel gt.

[nhbubba]

I LOVE my Road 3's. Although I recently cheaped out and started going with Road 2's on the rear. (They don't make a Road 2 front for my application.) From the saddle I cannot tell the difference between the 2's and 3's.

I am a huge fan of the dual compound tires. And I dig the tall profile of the Michelins. The bike tips in really easy.

People say the Road's are limited for track usage. But I must not be fast enough because I really liked them at the track too.

[jasnmar]

No way, you run Kumho Ecsta's too?

Nah, I went big...

Perilli Tupelo Mississippi Martini and Rossi Asti Spumante Corsican Brothers Pizzaria and Bar... err sumpin like that .

[nhbubba]

Michelin Pilot Road 3 is way easier to say. Just an FYI.

[jasnmar]

But I'm not very good at math .

[nhbubba]

Yeah. And I have to confess. It took me a couple years to figure out how to spell 'michelin'.

[breakdirt916]

I buy 'em from craigslist/fleabay

I just search for someone trying to unload a BT-014 in an 18" rear because nobody's modern bike has an 18" rear...allows me to get it pretty cheap. I pay close to retail for the front, and bam...cheap tire set for another 1-1/2 years

[Garandman]

I am a new rider with an FZ6. I will need new tires soon. Don't think I'll be taking any long trips or commuting so it will be for fun rides and maybe I will try these tracks days you all talk about.

You have a bike that takes a moderately common tire size so there are a lot of options. If you go to a tire manufacturer's website, they will list the available tire lines for your bike by intent, from touring to track day use and everything in-between. Then you can decide what looks like the best fit. Do that for a couple of other manufacturers and you'll see that most riders are picking from a fairly short list.

Are you looking for lowest purchase price, best long term value, a tire that will last a few seasons (8-10,000 miles versus 3-4,000), a tire that is good in cold temps and rain (for commuting) or just general tear-assing around?

For a 120/70x17 front and 180/55x17 rear, there is the Michelin Pilot Road series, Conti Sport Attack 2, and many others. I have Conti Road Attack I2's on my V-Strom and Pirelli Diablo Rosso Corsas on the Tiger 1050. Both are relatively unusual for those bikes, but either one (high mileage Sport Tourer tire or a hyper sport/track day tire) might work for you: depends on what your plans are.

[drinkingmymilk]

If you're 90% street bike and under fast yellow paced at the track there is no reason not to go with a sport touring tire like the road 3's or angel gt's. You're wasting time and money buying sport tires and you're lying to yourself if you think you'll out ride them. I know of a few people in this thread who've run an angel in blue group.

[AVI8_636]

I love my 2CTs

For purchasing, I always use revzilla.com. They've price matched each time, ship for free and are incredible for customer service.

[ZX11D]

I run Battlax s2 20 hypersports on my zx. Awsome tire for street use and i hear they are ok for a cou

[G21forme]

If you're 90% street bike and under fast yellow paced at the track there is no reason not to go with a sport touring tire like the road 3's or angel gt's. You're wasting time and money buying sport tires and you're lying to yourself if you think you'll out ride them. I know of a few people in this thread who've run an angel in blue group.

It's also a security blanket for some, myself included I'll spend the money for a little extra sticky and I'm a slow guy.

[DaveZX6r]

No way, you run Kumho Ecsta's too?

Sumitomo htr as p01. ;p

Denniskirk
Bike bandit
Motorcycle superstore
Chaparral racing

There are a few others I hit two bit those are the main ones I frequent when it comes time to buy. I do my research first and pick a couple different ones I'm interested in trying and then buy what's cheapest. Honestly I have been absolutely floored with my bridge stone bt023's I got them for 230 shipped for the set, and they have been awesome! Loads of feedback, lots of grip, quick warm up, and its classed as sport touring tire. Supposed to wear really well and I haven't had any tradeoffs to get that extra life.

[OneCheekRider]

I have a FZ6 as well - used primarily for commuting. After much researching, I found the best all weather, dual compound, long mileage tire, with consistently good reviews, to be the BT-023. I picked up a set for $215 here: http://www.chaparral-racing.com/Prod...330-B-004.aspx Over 6000miles in every condition and I've been extremely impressed and it doesn't even look worn.

Looks like they went up in price a little (I did buy off-season). Any big name brand will do.

Whatever you decide, I'd suggest you buy online with free shipping then have one of our forum members mount them for cheap.

[Dave603]

I ran Dunlop sportmax roadsmarts on my R1 for a cross country trip from NH to WA and they held up surprisingly really well. Just had a bit of a flat spot when i got to WA lol. But being on an FZ6 you could probably get some serious mileage out of them.

[Jaynnus]

I'd go with a michelin pilot road 3 or pirelli angel gt.

This.

The Road 3 has been a great tire for all round riding and disperses water really well.

[2W_Rider]

Today all name brand tires are going to be of great utility /performance - the tires we have today are better than ever, even when compared to those as little as five years ago. A quick comparison of specs /description of various name brands will produce lots of information to help guide your decision.

That being said, you could also do a quick internet search and see if there is a specific forum for your bike (many popular ones have specific forums) and even if it is not the exact same bike a forum of a similar model would work. A perusal of that site will probably turn up lots of recommendations of like riders about tires (this is a very popular subject in all sites) /experiences that they have had that will help you understand how X tire will meet your desires.

Just remember: do not buy a dedicated racing tire and expect it to work in all conditions while lasting forever!

[Petorius]

Charmin UltraSoft. Good feel, good grip, tares easily though