THE Tire Thread

[xjstrom]

I have a BTO21 on my Wee. I have about 6k on it and it's about 60% used. Much better than the stock tire all around. I do not off road and seldom hit gravel. I found it to be better mannered on the lousy MI roads that I drive on. I do about 24 miles of slab daily and it's plenty stable there. In the wet, which isn't often I like it better, it seems to have better stability in cornering than the OE when it's wet. I think that unless the ME880 is significantly lower priced I'll stick with another BTO21 when this one dies. I think that when the front dies I'll go to a BTO20

[snooze]

The missus had a pair of Tourances on her 650 GS and did not like them at all. She put on a pair of Mefos recently. They're loose on wet pavement but passable on dry pavement, and they are a whole higher life form off the pavement. Granted, she's a mud creature at heart, and I love her for it.

I acquired this bike with a front Distanzia and a rear Anakee. Not happy with the Distanzia, but the Anakee has impressed me more than print reviews would predict. In that big dual-sport tire review that got mentioned earlier, the entire test was on pavement. Anakees didn't keep up on dry pavement at all, but honestly... we're not on race bikes here. When do we really worry about our traction from day to day? Dirty pavement, wet pavement, gravel. I will need new shoes on the Wee by end of Summer.

I'm curious about people who've taken Tourances or CTAs off the asphalt. The last time I rode a FS road with another Strom on Tourances, they didn't have my traction by a long shot. I'm probably looking at a new set of Anakees for my birthday.

[roborider]

The Anakee 2's get my vote - Michelin just released these, and I have only 500 miles on mine, but I also had Anakee's before and wore them out.

Good traction in the rain and the curves at speed and I like the handling a lot. Unfortunately, I can't comment very well on mileage since they were already on the bike when I got it last year, but they lasted through 6,000 miles of my riding no problem. I'll know more about Anakee 2's after a couple of months.

The new Anakee 2's won out in mileage tests over several tires, including the Tourances.

http://www.superbike.co.uk/products/...ws_253125.html

http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com...ront-Tire.aspx

http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com...Rear-Tire.aspx

Originally Posted by roosed

Okay, I've "invested" a ton of time digging through all the related threads I could find but, like everyone else, my question has a little different twist...kind of like my mind!

I've recently acquired an 07 DL1K that is about ready for new skins and I'm torn. My riding will be 99%+ pavement, mostly commuting with as many 2 up weekenders thrown in as mother and the budget will allow. I desire the best wet traction tire that will last 10K miles without totally flat spotting right off the bat. I've researched Metz, Mich, Pirelli, Brdgstn, Conti...Since it rains often and in very patchy fashion here in Memphis and these folks absolutely can NOT drive in the rain I want the best defense I can get that won't wear out right away.

The ME880s sound like a good choice for tread life but I'm concerned about the bias getting good grip and to get into radials they have to be 10mm OS front and 20mm OS for rears which screws up the contact patch. The BT-021 rear sounds like a fine option but they don't seem to offer a properly sized front to match. Will a Battlewing front matched with a BT-021 rear behave properly. I've heard "NEVER mix tires" and then also just the opposite. I wish I could find a DOT chart listing treadlife, dry traction & wet traction, etc. like I found when researching tires for my wifes cage. Here's what I've been considering.

http://www.tiresunlimited.com/ALL%20...pion_trail.htm

http://www.tiresunlimited.com/ALL%20...oad_attack.htm

http://www.tiresunlimited.com/ALL%20...ail_attack.htm

http://www.tiresunlimited.com/ALL%20...ler_me_880.htm

http://www.tiresunlimited.com/ALL%20...Z6_Roadtec.htm

http://www.tiresunlimited.com/ALL%20...r_tourance.htm

http://www.tiresunlimited.com/ALL%20...attle_wing.htm

http://www.tiresunlimited.com/ALL%20...tlax_bt021.htm

Any "CONSTRUCTIVE" input would be greatly appreciated!

[NC HillBilly]

I'm out of town and got the urge to go ahead and order a set of tires for my 09 V-Strom 1K. Quick question. Are the stock Trail Wings H or V rated ? I think I'm gonna try a set of Anakee 2's.......Mark

[XLonDL650]

Originally Posted by NC HillBilly

I'm out of town and got the urge to go ahead and order a set of tires for my 09 V-Strom 1K. Quick question. Are the stock Trail Wings H or V rated ? I think I'm gonna try a set of Anakee 2's.......Mark

TW101 front – ‘H’ rated – 130 mph
TW152 rear – ‘V’ rated - 149 mpg

Source: Bridgstone off/road dual-sport M/C tires

[roborider]

Originally Posted by XLonDL650

TW101 front – ‘H’ rated – 130 mph
TW152 rear – ‘V’ rated - 149 mpg

Source: Bridgstone off/road dual-sport M/C tires

From what I understand, and I'm not an expert, the "H" rated tires will wear a little longer, since they're not as soft as the "V" rated one. The "V" rating isn't really needed for the V-Strom - we Strom riders, even the Vee-ones, aren't traveling over 130 MPH, and would rather, I believe, have a tire that lasts a bit longer.

At least that was my thinking when I went with the "H" rated Anakee 2's.

I'm also not an "extreme angle" rider and don't scrape pegs - if you're a peg-scraper, you might want to consider V-rated tires, even Z's, and live with shorter tire-span.

However, after taking a motorcycle course at the local race track, I've learned that angle and peg-scraping do not necessarily mean optimal speed! But that's a different topic...

[Subicon]

I am looking for some higher performance street tires for my Wee. I want something with excellent dry and wet grip because I will be riding it in all types of weather (sold my car). Handling, feel and grip are the main things I want. Can someone suggest the right tires?

[BryanD]

Originally Posted by Subicon

I am looking for some higher performance street tires for my Wee. I want something with excellent dry and wet grip because I will be riding it in all types of weather (sold my car). Handling, feel and grip are the main things I want. Can someone suggest the right tires?

I'm using the Metzeler Z6 sport touring tires. They come in the right sizes and are really good for all of the properties you mention. I haven't used up a set yet, so I can't comment on "lifespan" but it should be reasonably good and you didn't mention it as a priority.

[Fourvalve]

I'd be interested in the wear you get out the Z6s!

[Subicon]

Originally Posted by BryanD

I'm using the Metzeler Z6 sport touring tires. They come in the right sizes and are really good for all of the properties you mention. I haven't used up a set yet, so I can't comment on "lifespan" but it should be reasonably good and you didn't mention it as a priority.

Thanks for the recommendation. I will do some research on them and see how they stack up to others. I didn't mention mileage, because I prefer higher grip and handling over it.