Tire Recommendation - Max Stick

[Zapper]

So I need to replace the MT60s on the SMC and I want something that is pure street.

I was going to go with some Pilot Powers since I really like them, but I am starting to think that maybe something even stickier would be better...

I do a lot of city and twisty riding and my main concern is lots of traction. I don't really care about tire life. If the rears last 1-2K miles I'll be happy. I do ride around the city when its damp or raining, so a full slick is out... I was leaning towards a race tire simply because I can get a soft front and a slightly harder rear...

Any ideas...
FZ

[SennaSixty8]

I think MichaelN mentioned these:

AVON Pro Extreme RAINs....for the front, Distanzia's for the rear.

[Zapper]

Are these stickier than the a Pilot Power? The Distanzias seem like more of milage tire. And the Avon Rain looks a lot like the Mt60 in terms of performance and tread pattern.

My main concern is twofold...

1. The MT60, and I bet most offroad rain race tires transmit more tire "noise" into the bike than a smoother road tire would... This seems to be the case as KTM people comment how much smoother things are once the MT60s are gone.

2. Also I find it hard to believe that a treaded tire will have more grip and a soft road tire. Look at the tread on a pilot power compared to the avon rain... but again... I have no idea here its all a guess...

The biggest concern I have with a race tire or any other high speed tire, is that fact that it might never come up to temprature around town... which would be bad.

Frankly I just don't know...

FZ

[Mick-e]

Maxxis baby all the way.
I'm going to try the distanzias on my next round of tires.
I have Conitnental Contiforce right now, and they are not that sticky.
I had two sets of Maxxis Gold speeds before the Conti's and I loved them dearly.
You can get the front in Ultra Soft, Soft, and Meduim, and the rear in Soft, Meduim, and Hard.
Med, and Hard, are DOT legal,
I ran the Med, Hard combo, and loved them dearly.
I'm experimenting with other tires to get some more life out of them.

http://www.maxxis.com/products/motorcycle/product_detail.asp?id=256

http://www.maxxis.com/products/motorcycle/find_dealer_results.asp?action=submit

[SennaSixty8]

Zapper,

I don't have first hand knowledge of either the Avons or Maxxis, but you might wanna PM michaeln or meet up with Mick-E to compare notes.

I've currently got sportec M-1s on my Duke2, and they work fine...looks like the rear is toast after about 2500 miles.

[michaeln]

I've talked Distanzias to death on SuperMoto Junkie. I have just updated the tire page on my Street SuperMoto site too with some more info about the ProExtreme Rain and Distanzias.

[siambxr]

I have the Maxxis Goldspeeds for the smaller and lighter SM450r. The Distanzia's are awesome but just wanted to see what the Maxxis has to offer. So far the Goldspeeds get 2 thumbs up.. :nerd

[Mick-e]

Originally posted by michaeln
I've talked Distanzias to death on SuperMoto Junkie. I have just updated the tire page on my Street SuperMoto site too with some more info about the ProExtreme Rain and Distanzias.

You need a link to your site in your signature.

[RichieB]

http://home.comcast.net/~michaelnel/

[michaeln]

Oops! Fixed in the .signature.

Thanks Rich!

[Zapper]

Anyone try Pilot Powers on a Motard or do I get to be the guinea pig? I loved them on the 748...

German magazine Motorrad tested various SM tyres and the Pilot Power was ranked 1st for dry conditions and 2nd for wet.

Too bad my german sucks...

Link - http://www.motorradonline.de/static/specials/ReifenSpezial/Reifentest2004/supermoto/reifen_04_moto_01.html

[SennaSixty8]

dunno much Deustche, but isn't there a online translator somewhere....babel fish is it?

[Zapper]

Ok this test is really interesting... very comprehensive, it lists most of the tires we talked about here. Check out the results...

It kind of confirms my suspicion that the MT60, Avon, Maxxis tires, which all have some off road riding capabilities, compromise grip on pavement... All the top ranked tires are on Road only... Interesting that the MT60s got a top 3 wet rrating though...

The top half of the chart is dry testing, and the bottom half is wet.

http://www.motorradonline.de/static/specials/ReifenSpezial/Reifentest2004/supermoto/Gesamtwertung.html

[supertireguy]

Michelin Pilot Power information from the marketing department.

http://two-wheels.michelin.com/2w/front/affich.jsp?codeRubrique=2092004103725&codePage=2092004103725_07092004135921&lang=EN

And they come in 160/60/17 sizes for you motard nuts.

[michaeln]

Originally posted by supertireguy
And they come in 160/60/17 sizes for you motard nuts.

...which is too big for almost everyone who is using a 4.25" rear wheel (which probably covers the majority of street 'tarders). A 160 will usually give a pinched profile on a 4.25" rim. 150/60 will have a better profile, larger contact patch, and turn in easier.

[supertireguy]

Oops, the Powers also come in 150/60/17.

[Mick-e]

Originally posted by michaeln
A 160 will usually give a pinched profile on a 4.25" rim. 150/60 will have a better profile, larger contact patch, and turn in easier.

Just a thought. Race spec tires like the Super Corsa, and Pilot Power, have very triangulated profiles. So when on a race track you have max contact patch a severe lean angles. Motards don't really take advantage of that so hypotheticaly speaking would it be better to oversize a supersport tire for the very reason of flatting out the profile, and perhaps increasing contact?
Or am I totalling talking out my ass.
:confused

[michaeln]

Dunno.

I ran a 160/60 SuperCorsa on the rear of my KTM SuperMoto with a corresponding 120/70 SC in the front, and the handling was hideous.

It would turn in easily, but wanted to keep falling until it hit that triangulated flat surface, so you'd have to countersteer the damn thing back up all the way through the corner.

I put on a Diablo Corsa front and Diablo rear (150 Diablo) which both had a much rounder cross-sectional profile and it absolutely transformed the handling, it became smooth, stable, and progressive.

I don't think those triangulated profile tires are a good match for the "push the bike under you" SM style. If you ride an SM like a roadracer, they're probably OK.

[Zapper]

Originally posted by michaeln
...which is too big for almost everyone who is using a 4.25" rear wheel (which probably covers the majority of street 'tarders). A 160 will usually give a pinched profile on a 4.25" rim. 150/60 will have a better profile, larger contact patch, and turn in easier.

Good thing I run a 5" rear rim!!! :p

I for one think that SM bikes get MORE lean angle than sport bikes. In sport bikes, the rider is leaning way over to keep the bike as upright as possible around the corner. In SM, the rider is more upright, while the bike is leaned WAY over. My guess is a tire that has a large and stable contact patch while leaned over would be as good on a Sport bike as on a Super Moto...

I'll let you know how the Powers work out!!

[michaeln]

Originally posted by Zapper
My guess is a tire that has a large and stable contact patch while leaned over would be as good on a Sport bike as on a Super Moto...


My guess is that if there was any validity to your theory, SuperMoto racers would be using triangular shaped slicks.

They're not.

[Ssketchy RC]

Well if you need Maxxis motard race tires you should PM me I can get a pretty good deal on them.

[Zapper]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by michaeln
My guess is that if there was any validity to your theory, SuperMoto racers would be using triangular shaped slicks.
They're not. [/QUOTE

True, but they are using 16.5" rims which have a much taller side wall, which in effect gives the tire more contact patch while leaned over... much like a triangular shaped 17" would. In fact the whole point of the 16.5" rim used in almost all high level moto racing is to increased stability when leaned over.

I do see your point regarding the tip in nature of the triangular shaped tire. In my experience with the Powers, the bike leans over quickly but doesn't fall over or give the impression that it is going to lean "too far". It's all very natural and nice feeling.

I'm no expert... I liked the Powers on my Duc, so I'm going to try them on the KTM... good or bad I'll let you guys know...

[michaeln]

Originally posted by Zapper
True, but they are using 16.5" rims which have a much taller side wall

Not in the rear.

Anyway, I hope you enjoy your new tires.

[Zapper]

Originally posted by michaeln
Not in the rear.

Anyway, I hope you enjoy your new tires.

Right... but my point is still valid... 16.5 front is used for better stability while cornering, due to its increase contact patch... same logic as the triangluar profile powers.

I'm not trying to start anything here... I just have seen several people talking about the Avon's and the Maxxis, and I have to weigh that against my own experience and a published test regarding said tires saying that they are not better than other availible ones...

It might come down to riding style, bike, etc... there will never be 1 perfect tire for all people on all bikes...

[SennaSixty8]

You guys need to STFU and go RIDE:laughing


Love,

SennaSixty8:twofinger

[Zapper]

Originally posted by SennaSixty8
You guys need to STFU and go RIDE:laughing
Love,
SennaSixty8:twofinger


:laughing :laughing

and for the record I did go ride today... all the way from SOMA to downtown... 10 whole blocks! :twofinger