Tires

[ccolwell]

Interesting comparison test of crossply tires (tyres) in Bike (a British mag) this month. Avon Road Riders and Dunlop GT501's first, Michelin Pilot Activ and Bridgestone BT-45's second. Continental Conti Go third. Pirelli Sport Demons handled great initially, but began to go off after 80 miles. Metzler Lazertecs not at all good because of lack of stability (now they tell me).

[keelerb]

My own experience with Lasertecs is very much to the contrary....

[DennisDarrow]

What was the test bed bike?.............Does cross ply mean like radial or what............Thanks

[108625]

I mounted a set of the Dunlop GT 501 "Arrowmax" on my bike last year. I'm very happy with them, in both handling and ride. I can't comment on longevity yet as I only have about 2,000 miles on them (this is not my only bike), but they're still in great shape so far. The Dunlop 120 rear is also a smidge narrower than the Metzlers, it gives a bit more clearance by the driveshaft tube and brake drums when to get the wheel on and off.
I don't have anything good to say about Metzlers, I've tried Lasertecs, Meltronics and the Marathons everyone swore by, they sure wear fast for tires that don't grip very well.

[dduelin]

I genuinely enjoy riding Bike magazine and it is my favorite. It is expensive but every issue is full of interesting writers and bike stuff. I enjoy the tire tests but if they did this one like most I've read I wonder how applicable it is to an airhead rider like me. I haven't seen this issue yet - did they do a series timed laps at Brundlethorp or other track or did they chose a loop of A & B roads for a more subjective report of handling on real roads? I still look forward to reading it though. I almost went with RoadRiders last time and still might next time.

[ccolwell]

What was the test bed bike?.............Does cross ply mean like radial or what............Thanks

Suzuki GS500, bias ply, non-radial

[ccolwell]

I genuinely enjoy riding Bike magazine and it is my favorite. It is expensive but every issue is full of interesting writers and bike stuff. I enjoy the tire tests but if they did this one like most I've read I wonder how applicable it is to an airhead rider like me. I haven't seen this issue yet - did they do a series timed laps at Brundlethorp or other track or did they chose a loop of A & B roads for a more subjective report of handling on real roads? I still look forward to reading it though. I almost went with RoadRiders last time and still might next time.

Brundlethorp, 8 laps timed sessions, then 80 miles "but not at the same pace"

[ccolwell]

My own experience with Lasertecs is very much to the contrary....

Me too, but then, that's all I ever used on airheads...

[keelerb]

I have Lasertecs on three bikes currently: 84 BMW R100RT (as to which they are basically the equivalent of OEM), 2007 (Hinckley, obviously) Triumph Bonneville (these ARE the OEMs) and (wait for it...) 2006 Harley Softail Deuce.

I love these tires. None of them has enough miles for me to comment on mileage (the triumph has the most, but only 4K, and the tires look basically new). Grip, wet weather grip, handling, stability - all excellent. That's why I put 'em on the BMW and Deuce.

I find it hard to believe those Pirellis aren't better than that rating would indicate, also. But no actual experience with that exact tire model.

BT-45s, have 'em on my Norton Commando, and they were recommended for that application by one of the current Norton gurus (and he is, IMHO), Matt Rambow of Colorado Norton Works. They are fantastic in that application. Wouldna thought it of Bridgestones, but I'm probably dating myself...they've come WAY up in recent years...good on 'em!

FWIW/YMMV. - BrianK

[keelerb]

BTW, on my Beemer, with the painted dot on the tires aligned to the valve stem on the wheel (tube, I should say), on snowflakes, the Lasertecs were perfectly balanced - both front and rear - NO wheel weights required. And I balance them myself to my own fairly anal standards....

[GregFeeler]

Interesting comparison test of crossply tires (tyres) in Bike (a British mag) this month. Avon Road Riders and Dunlop GT501's first, Michelin Pilot Activ and Bridgestone BT-45's second. Continental Conti Go third. Pirelli Sport Demons handled great initially, but began to go off after 80 miles. Metzler Lazertecs not at all good because of lack of stability (now they tell me).

Do you have a link for their web site where I could sign up for a subscription?

I have a set of Dunlop Roadriders ready to put on my R75/5 so don't know how I'll like them, but I did just install a set of the BT45's on one of my K75s and after a couple of hundred miles they are a very impressive tires. I like them much better than either the Metzelers or Michelin Mac50's I've used before on that bike.

[keelerb]

For a "sport" bike like an R/75, I would think those BT-45s would be pretty good. Must say, as a kinda "old school" guy, I was aghast when they were recommended for my Norton, but they've been pretty impressive.

I've been thinking what happens when they (the Norton tires) wear out - do I go with Pirellis (always my first choice) if available in sizes I need, or replace the Battleaxes? Not an easy choice! (I find it amazing to hear myself saying that - Pirellis vs Bridgestones NOT an easy choice?!?!) Bridgestone has certainly come up in the world!

Having said which, I can remember when THE tire was the Dunlop K81. And I wouldn't run a Dunlop for love or money these days (although I'm told there are some good ones, my recent Dunlop experience has been SO bad as to lead me to swear them off... for now....)

Ride safe, all. - BrianK

[ccolwell]

Do you have a link for their web site where I could sign up for a subscription?

I have a set of Dunlop Roadriders ready to put on my R75/5 so don't know how I'll like them, but I did just install a set of the BT45's on one of my K75s and after a couple of hundred miles they are a very impressive tires. I like them much better than either the Metzelers or Michelin Mac50's I've used before on that bike.

http://www.bikemagazine.co.uk/

[ccolwell]

I find it hard to believe those Pirellis aren't better than that rating would indicate, also. But no actual experience with that exact tire model.


I'm a Pirelli guy myself; I use Diablos on all my modern bikes (I count the Hawk as modern). Bike said they were the best to start, but quickly showed signs of wear and the handling deteriorated. My S3 came with Metzler Sportec M3's which are more than just fine. I'll switch to Pirellis when the time comes, but I don't expect much change. Pirelli owns Metzler and I would expect tires built for similar markets to be similar in performance.

That said, I think I'll try Avons next time.

[ducatipaso]

I've been moderately pleased with the lasertecs.
I flog the R80 cafethingy pretty hard.
Next set will be something stickier, as tire life is of no concern to me.

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