www.boxertrix.com

I have just reached the point where my Z6's need replacing (7000 miles) due to squaring off. Good up to 5500. Don't like 020's very much. Too hard. Anyone have experience of the competition? or should I just stick to Z6's. Are Pilot Powers too sporty for sports touring? I have the 5inch rear wheel so I am limited to a 170 rear.

cc mac wrote:I have just reached the point where my Z6's need replacing (7000 miles) due to squaring off. Good up to 5500. Don't like 020's very much. Too hard. Anyone have experience of the competition? or should I just stick to Z6's. Are Pilot Powers too sporty for sports touring? I have the 5inch rear wheel so I am limited to a 170 rear.

Stand back, stand back!!

Tyre user extraordiniare coming through, stand back there, I say!



020 : iffy feedback, square too easily, propensity to loose grip very quickly and without warning for no reason.

Z6 : Good feedback, don't square to quickly, grippy in the wet while retaining feedback, difficult to judge wear though due to lack of tread across centre (have suddenly gone down to belts before now).

Diablo Strada : Virtually the same as Z6's, just slightly less so - feedback isn't quite as good, grip is same, wet-grip and feedback is slightly less (more "remote" feeling), don't square off badly, tread goes nearer to centre though so easier to tell when worn out.

Continental Road Attack : Lovely grip and feedback in all weathers - on a par with the Z6, but about half the life. (or less!)

Michelin Pilot Sport : Great in the dry, crap in the wet, not terribly long lasted.


Metzeler M1 Sportec will mix with a Z6 rear very nicely btw (not sure about in the wet though).

Bear in mind these are MY impressions and tyres feel different to every user.

2 peneth;

Sport touring = Pilot Roads

Sports = 014s

Personally:

Michelin Hi-Sports - came on the bike when I bought it. Not too bad, but mileage was crap (4K). Pilots are better.
Continental ContiForce - not bad, cheap, good in most conditions. Last 3.5K!!
Z6 - can't comment, as only done 1K or so on them, but they've been good so far.
Pilot Roads - personal favourite. Good grip, wet or dry, and the most stable tyre I've used so far. Only drawback is they're damned expensive (£40 more than the Z6s). Got 6.5K out of my last set, which I like.

I was on 4k on my pilot roads before I got a double puncture and I changed them. They were well on the way tio 6k plus otherwise.

Pilot roads win everytime.They are one of the true all rounders.
Z6 and stradas don't get my vote cos of the lack of tread across the middle.
Because of this they tend to square off.
I think anything softer like an 014/M1/Diablo is a bit of a waste on the S.
I'm currently using older macadam 90/100.They take some beating!
Bailey.

Bailey,


Pilot Roads good in the wet??


Rgds, Rob

Rob B wrote:Bailey,


Pilot Roads good in the wet??


Rgds, Rob

They are excellent;have a very high Silica content and well desigend tread pattern which makes riding in the wet impressive.
Bailey.

Z6's are hard to beat generally , wet or dry but never got anywhere near 7k miles
Currently have Dunlop 220st's (180 rear ) mainly due to price . Slide around a lot more than z6's but seem to be lasting better.
Nigel B

Thanks for your feedback. I think I will give the Pilot Roads a go as we are approaching autumn/winter. I will pay the extra this time around. Can't get Road Attacks in a 170 size, oh well.

cc mac wrote: Can't get Road Attacks in a 170 size, oh well.

I'm very surprised at that - give Terry a bell at Micheldever or FWR and I'd reckon they'll have them. The only size I've not seen them in is for the earlier R259 Boxers ie 1100R/RS/RT which have a 160/60ZR18 rear.

Talking of M'dever (shameless plug btw) had a pair of Roadtecs fitted week ago saturday: ride in/ride out 120/70 & 180/55 for 172 quid. Spot on.

I'd agree with Bailey re using sportier hoops on an S - I'm not the fastest rider in the world but those who know me would say I don't exactly hang about. Remember, these new generation sport-touring tyres (Z6's/Pilot Roads etc etc) proable have more grip than sports tyres did 5 years ago - and they last a hell of a lot longer too.

bigblackfalco wrote:Z6 and stradas don't get my vote cos of the lack of tread across the middle.
Because of this they tend to square off.
Bailey.

You've lost me here mate. How does putting more rubber (i.e. less tread) on the middle of a tyre make them square off more quickly?

Paul

Paul wrote:

bigblackfalco wrote:Z6 and stradas don't get my vote cos of the lack of tread across the middle.
Because of this they tend to square off.
Bailey.

You've lost me here mate. How does putting more rubber (i.e. less tread) on the middle of a tyre make them square off more quickly?

Paul

Maybe I didn't word that very well;it's more the way they are designed with the solid strip in the middle of the tread pattern.Wear tends to be accentuated where the side tread starts.
I prefer a continuous spread of tread/groove which makes the tyre wear more progressively.
This is more apparent in wet conditions where the water is not being dispersed by the tread;i found it's easier to lock up/aquaplane with these tyres.
Is that clearer?
Bailey.

I think anything softer like an 014/M1/Diablo is a bit of a waste on the S.

I got the heads to touch down using 014s. Sticky as treacle toffee. I like them a lot!

That said - Pilot Roads are going on for the winter.

bigblackfalco wrote:Is that clearer?
Bailey.

Thank you Dr. B.

Paul