South West Bikers | Motorcycle Forum

Hi all. I ride a vfr 800 and had a new bt020 fitted late last year,i run the same make on the front. Since then through winter all my riding has been pretty much 'upright',which means the rear tyre has started to square off. Im thinking of taking it off and keep it for next winter. So i want to get another put on soon but im not sure what tyre to get.
Im no speed freak and i dont get my knee down,and most of my riding is commuting apart from the odd trip out on warmer days off,and summer rides with the mrs on pillion.
Im looking for a tyre that is good in all weather and maybe suitable to my riding style,maybe hard wearing?
Also can i run 2 different types of tyres front and rear?
Any thoughts appreciated.
Jon.

i've got a pireli diablo stradas om my gsxr done 3000 miles so far, still look brand new a stick like shit to a blanket.
or try dunlop roadsmarts. both do mega miles.

If you have Bridgestones on there,why not try the 023 on the back.Seem to get good reports.Michilen Pilot Road 2's on mine. Managed 7.5k on the back tyre.( Compared to 3.5k on the Conti's and Pilot 2ct.)

I have heard its better to stick to the same make front and rear, if a different model, something to do with compounds and tread etc. but i could be wrong. Otherwise if you want a decent tyre at a decent price I'v got Maxxis on my GSXR ( the supermaxx touring one as opposed to the sport one) and so far a decent tyre through winter and has prety good lean angles. a fair bit cheaper than all the other usual names too. Not sure of the milage though as the bike came with the first set and a year later i 'm only a few hundred miles into the replacement rear.

Bridgestone BT021 are good hard wearing tyres that are good in all types of weather.

For something sportier I suggest the BT016 or Pirelli's

Funky wrote:Bridgestone BT021 are good hard wearing tyres that are good in all types of weather.

Do this, the 021 is the 020 replacement. I ran a 021 on the front of my VFR800 a couple of years ago with a 020 on the rear.

Might be worth doing the pair at the same time as the 020 is probably going to be 3-4 years old by now (check the week/year date on the sidewall).

Don't forget that front tyres wear differentley look for a step between the valleys of tread as this can seriousley affect handeling.

graham22 wrote:

Funky wrote:Bridgestone BT021 are good hard wearing tyres that are good in all types of weather.

Do this, the 021 is the 020 replacement. I ran a 021 on the front of my VFR800 a couple of years ago with a 020 on the rear.

Might be worth doing the pair at the same time as the 020 is probably going to be 3-4 years old by now (check the week/year date on the sidewall).

Personally,I'd go for the BT023 which is the replacement for the BT021 and should be a superior tyre in both grip and mileage.

Thankyou for the opinions guys.
Ive looked at prices of all you've mentioned,and for the price of the majority of them i can get a pair of maxxis touring tyres,so i think i may go down that road.
I know tyres are a real personal issue and people have their favourites,but for me,at the moment,its gonna have to come down to the cost. At the end of the day i suppose it'll be trial and error to see what my faves will be!
Thanks all and ride safe.
Jon

If you're going the cheaper route,you may want to look at Michelin Pilot Roads. My mate had them on his FZ1 and had nearly 8000 miles from the rear with a good mix of riding over 2 years.M an P have some deals on at the mo http://www.mandp.co.uk/productinfo/9019 ... s/Michelin

Oooh now you've made it harder for me to make a decision.
Is there gonna be much between the 2 makes with my riding style,or is it a case of suck it and see??

i would take the pilots anyday

billinom8s wrote:i would take the pilots anyday

For an extra £20 and if they're the better tyre then i might go for 'em!
Thats going on the basis the more you pay,the better they are!!

i put a pair of BT 023's front and rear on the SV for £220 wouldnt change them for the world had roadsmarts before and the difference is unreal 2 completely different worlds! They took a pounding all through the winter down the middle and on the side walls and they were still super sticky even in the wet!

Doubt il ever put anything else on my bikes in the future unless i take a summer and a winter tyre...

BT023 here too, had the BT021 and they were good but the 023's are AWESOME
Good miles, great grip in all weathers