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Try Sport Touring Tires.

20K views 166 replies 30 participants last post by  kellen 
#1 ·
#4 ·
I'm running the Continental ROAD attacks and they suck on grip, great mileage but as far as grip two thumbs down. They were on the bike new from the dealer bike had 4200 miles and now just over 11k and the tires still have deep trade left but they just don't heat good for fast turns. I have had a few scary drifts almost lost it but just power slide a few feet. Next I'm going with the continental RACE attacks, or just fork out the loot for some power 2ct's.
 
#6 ·
Been running Shinko Ravens and routinely seeing 7k out of the rear double that from the front.

I will be getting the Pilot Road 2's next. a friend of mine has them and @ 8500 miles the tires were just starting to flat spot. I have seen the set go for under $300 at 303 Cycle with free shipping!
 
#8 ·
A local bike shop is running Christmas specials on the conti race and the plot 2ct's. $299 front/rear mounted. But I'm not sure which ones to go with the conti race or the 2ct's. I think the conti race would get the best mailage of the two, and still have really good grip.

These mileage sport tires you guys are talking about, how good do they grip compare to the plots or something in the range? I ride my bike everyday but I ride really hard on the weekends and need something that will grip but will last too.
 
#16 ·
probably not.

If I had a dedicated trackbike I would use sport tires. For the street, running sport tires is dumb. I can continue to say this until I'm blue in the face and it wont make a bit of difference in that person who is set in his mind that they can out perform an ST tire in the street.

If you can, then you need to be at the track.
 
#19 ·
I agree they would be fine for at least 95% of street riders, I dont think they would work so well for a more competitive track rider ( but if you at that level probably you have spare rims so you can run the DOT race tires for your track days ).

I would love to see some pics from a hot day on a intermediate/fast track day.
 
#27 · (Edited)
I agree they would be fine for at least 95% of street riders, I dont think they would work so well for a more competitive track rider ( but if you at that level probably you have spare rims so you can run the DOT race tires for your track days ).
Like the Pirelli rep said in my e-mail; that 5% of riders would be perfectly fine on the shittiest of tires, because at that point, it's not what tires you have. Seriously man, next time you have a spare $250 bucks, pick a set up, beat the shit out of them, and come back here with something bad to say about them. These are the most confidence inspiring tires from mile one and on, and I think you'll hear the same from anybody who has used them.

I would really like opinions from others who ride hard on the street, just to make sure I'm not ending up with magic tires over here. If I had the cash and a suit, I'd be at the track all the time, on Stradas.
 
#20 ·
I've been using Michelin Pilot Road CT2s for the last year. Almost as good as a sports tyre when they're pushed, and noticeably better grip under normal road use when they don't get so hot. As normal road use is where you're most likely going to need an emergency swerve or emergency braking, that's where I like maximum grip.

Rob
 
#21 ·
I've been using Michelin Pilot Road CT2s for the last year. Almost as good as a sports tyre when they're pushed, and noticeably better grip under normal road use when they don't get so hot. As normal road use is where you're most likely going to need an emergency swerve or emergency braking, that's where I like maximum grip.

Rob

How many miles have you been on the Pilot Road CT's? Was thinking of getting these next. Been running Dunlop Qualifier's for the past few sets cause I get such a good price for them ($200 a set). But only getting 4-5000 miles out of them. And the last 1000 they really need to be changed. Need to get something that is going to last. South Carolina doesnt have any good twistes so commuting and the occasional track day is the only thing that I need. But I am getting a spare set of rims for the track.
 
#22 ·
About to spoon on a set of Avon storms next tire change. After riding my buddy's RZ1 with stradas im a full ST tire convert now. Ive never ridden on a tire that gripped that well cold.
 
#25 ·
Can't remember what the stock tyres were - Bridgestone somethings. They were the first tyres I've ever had where the rear outlasted the front. The first tyre I've had where the front was on the edge before the rear as well.

The 2CTs are a lot more confidence inspiring.

I've got about 7K miles on them so far and they seem good for at least another three or four. With the rear taken to the edge there's about 6 or 7 mm of unworn tyre on the front.

Remember that my bike is a working bike used in traffic and on highways, so I'll get better mileage than the Sunday afternoon on the twisties rider. Also, on the road, I like to keep a safety margin in case I have to swerve for something unexpected, so once they're scrubbed in I don't normally ride right to the edge of the tyre.

Rob
 
#28 ·
you know what I got asked want I wanted for Christmas today and I think I'm going to go with these strada's. I checked them out all day yesterday after post here about my road conti. And after having those sport touring tires I always said I would never get another. But after hearing you guys and reading every where on the net yesterday, I think I'm going to try them. I mean shit I'll save $100 from the Plot Powers and have the chance to get a better deal. So I think its worth a shot. But I probably wont be able to make any judgment on them until after this winter, as I am pulling it apart now.

Do you have any pics you can post of what they look like now? I'm just curious to see what they look like after 14k. And where would you guys send me for the best deal?
 
#29 · (Edited)
Get them from swmototires.com.

I've not bought one tire from anywhere else since finding them. Excellent service, quick responses (even though a little reading on their site gets you any info you need), and super quick shipping.


These pics were at 12k. They were safe till about 14k, and at 15k, the carcass started showing, so I'd recommend pulling them off at 14k, lol. I pushed them to see what they'd do, but at 15k, they came off.

Also, FYI, I run my tires at 34/36 (F/R). Not some out of this world PSI. These tires do not like being under 32psi in my experience, and when I went to Colorado on them, I bumped them up to 38/40 with zero issues. I think I'm at about 8k on the current set, but I'm not sure.







 
#30 ·
Only reason my current bike has sport tires on it is because I bought it that way.

I'll never buy anything stickier than ST tires for the street, no reason to.

I know i've mentioned it before, but I got 9k miles out of a set of continental road attacks and I had them worn to the edges on both tires. I plan on trying the stradas when I need a new set.
 
#31 ·
^ thats what I have and they seem to get good mileage only 8k in the rear but thats with a few pop up wheelies and a few drunk night brun outs, but the front has lost left but they have NO GRIP!
 
#52 ·
Before you start blaming the tire, you need to check if you're running the right pressure. Also check how old your tires are. You said they were new on the bike when you bouhgt it. What's the date stamp on the side wall? I've put almost 2k on my Road Attacks now and they are still going strong. They do need higher PSI than the factory suggested settings in my manual.

There is a lot more to high performance riding than touching your knee to the ground.
Truf!
 
#38 ·
At high lean angle while accelerating/braking there will be a performance difference. Turn in speeds also.

They are fine for most riders for street riding for sure. It all depends on what type of riding you do and your budget.
 
#42 · (Edited)
i agree and alot of it is a head game as well, and your head is a big part of how you ride...

at the tail end of my street riding i didnt put that many miles on, when i did go out it was a "spirited" pace and i personally wanted the most grip that i could get. did i need it? probably not, but it was there...lol most of the time i was running with a buddy that used avon ST's and we were usually running about the same pace.

if i was geared more toward longer rides and could keep my right hand in check when the twisty parts came i would have ridden ST tires. Was nice to not have to switch tires for trackdays too...


edit - as always - smoove is the key... a fast guy with a bunch of miles under his belt and good technique will run faster on a ST tire than somebody thats lacking some skills running a sport tire.
 
#43 ·
I just don't wont whats in your sig to happen to me aging. Happen one time on a nice new paved road, I powered hard half way in the turn and she slid out a good ways but not to that extreme. But scared the crap out of me.
 
#41 ·
I'm going to give these a try, even after all the others say they wont hold or go with the pilots, but I think these will hold the road for my style even tho I do get pretty nasty on the street I don't think I will ever take my bike to the track. I just hope they bit harder then my conti road attacks. Can you correct me if I'm wrong but these tires do not top like the pilots they are more smooth and round from side wall to top tread. Aging I wonder about getting the Angel ST for just a few more $
 
#49 ·
Since ****** is here he can comment on the tires I run on my DR.

They are Chen Shins $60 a set. Yes, they cost me 60 bucks for the set.

Go ahead and ask him if they grip.

Matter of fact, ask Kurosaki that was riding in front of him in his CBR if they grip.

Yes, they are different characteristics of bikes but the bottom line is that you use what you have and adapt to the ride.
 
#60 ·
Since ****** is here he can comment on the tires I run on my DR.

They are Chen Shins $60 a set. Yes, they cost me 60 bucks for the set.

Go ahead and ask him if they grip.

Matter of fact, ask Kurosaki that was riding in front of him in his CBR if they grip.

Yes, they are different characteristics of bikes but the bottom line is that you use what you have and adapt to the ride.
this bike is the most confidense-inspiring, ON-RAILS feeling motherfucker i've ever ridden.
and i've got a few ama-level track bikes builds ( rides/tunes) under my blet.

i've ridden EVERYthing.. part of my job.
i have never ridden something that confident.
 
#51 ·
well, i'm on the short side so i cant unless i am completely off the seat. I'm talking about what would be a most peoples position hanging off going around bends at 65mph or better. I'm not trying to be a ass just trying to get a good idea of lean angles at higher speeds and how the STs grip.
 
#55 ·
i guess one thing to keep in mind whould be that even full on sport tires differ from 1 to 2 degrees on the amount of lean angle available based on tire construction. A ST in general does not have as much lean angle available do to the fact the tires is not as rounded. Perhaps I am just skeptical because I haven't tried them?
 
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