Sporty touring tires
 

Ok, its about time for new rubber on the Buell.

Currently running Pilot powers, get about 6,500 miles/set with those, but they always wear funny and give me vibrations toward the end of their life, so I'm looking for a change.

Anyone have experience with any of the following tires? Mileage/lifespan? Traction in the wet and cold?

Bridgestone Battlax BT-016
Bridgestone Battlax BT-023 (and BT-023GT, not sure the difference :idk:)
Pirelli Angel ST
Conti Road Attack

I do mostly commuting on the straight flat ND roads, but still want a sticky tire for when I do ham fist it through a corner/on ramp, or get out in the twisties of lakes country. If I can get 7k out of the set I'm good with it.

Give me your opinions and experiences.

6500 out of powers, pfft, you are doing it wrong. They should only last at most 3k.

I have always heard good things about the road 2s.

I put a pair on my bike about 1,200 miles ago and so far I've been very impressed with them.

Oh, and any sweet deals on them! Seems that Pilot Powers are the cheapest around, with the BT-016's just a bit more. Conti's are damned expensive!

I still have plenty left on the sides too! Just the center is about gone... Hmmmm, how to ride at a 50* angle all the time...

I'm wondering about the funny wear and vibes from them too, also being a michelin. :idk:

Front's always cup really bad with the PP's.

Yeah, I had them on the Buell for the x-country trip... Didn't get a chance to completely scrub them in before it took a shit on me... got 'em down to about 1/4" of strips and put about 2000 miles on them... they still looked brand new...

I'd strongly consider them again when I go to buy tires next time...

I've had zero issues with them in that department. Actually, zero issues with them at all. They stick to the road very well and there's almost no wear on them so far.

011 Verge. http://www.shinkotireusa.com/product/product.php?id=70

Just a suggestion. :tremble:


I've enjoyed my 010 Apex tires. Damn things worked well carving up Arkansas and they balanced VERY well. One weight up front and non on the rear.

Don't buy the 016s expecting mileage they are really soft, you might see that kinda mileage out of the front but definitely not the rear

Has anyone run the Angel's? About the same money for them or the Road 2's...

I have Angels. Haven't had them long enough to comment on longevity yet. The did just fine traction wise at the Gap this spring though. I plan on taking them to the track sometime this fall. I have heard that PP's last longer though.

That would be pretty pathetic as the Angels are supposed to be the sport touring tire (replacing the Strada) while PP's are a sport tire.
Granted, it does seem that most Pirelli's wear faster than comparable tires of other brands in the same category, while providing similar to slightly better traction.

Fuck..6500 miles? I'm lucky to get 4 months 1000 miles outta my race tires on the street.

I would try Diablos for your type of riding or maybe even do a BT016 front and BT014 rear. You should run a sticker front and just let the rear kick out if need be. Trying to get 6500 miles outta a set of street tires all while expecting 60% lean angle grip isn't going to happen.

I just got under 3000 miles on a rear Diablo. The 12 has a healthy appetite for fuel and rubber:lol:

But see I don't ride nearly hard enough to need a race tire. Never had the PP's slip on me unless there was sand/gravel or something else on the road.
If it weren't for the funny wear issue on the front, I'd stick with them, but I just don't like how they always start cupping so bad.

Try riding around Laramie, WY. It's so windy there, you can be riding straight and still be leaned way over. Just watch out when you go behind a hill and the wind's blocked--you'll scoot over into the next lane.