[KawaFotKi]

I've spoken a couple times with an otherwise happy 2002 Blindingly Red ZX6R owner, whose only reservation is that he feels the bike cannot be controlled in the wet. "Absolutely NOooo traction!" He stated that he'd tried to start off in 2nd gear, as you can do with a standard-transmission car in slippery conditions, but that didn't work out. Soo.. I'm very interested in what members here have to say about their experiences. Although I failed to see what tires were on HIS bike (duh...), I'd ask that you please tell us what tire you are referring to if you post a reply. I'd strongly consider "upgrading" from my Kawasaki 2002 EX500R next year BUT: I've had to ride in drizzle and in hard rain several times. Miserable, a bit scary, but I certainly did NOT feel that I had "absolutely no traction". I was very careful, and made it through. Doubtless, the skinny tires on the 500R have an advantage in wet conditions if only because they press down more in what contact spot there is (same experience with bicycle skinny tires, which get adequate grip in the rain if one is reasonably careful.) Man, would I love to be persuaded that the 6R is a "great rain bike". Yeah, sure...

"Abandon All Sloth, Ye Who Enter Here!"

 

[localbar]

I got caught in the rain a few times,

The stock D207's sucked in the rain, I didn't push the bike at all. I had no problems with traction on the BT010's, they are great rain tires. I didn't feel any loss of traction with them

 

[KawaFotKi]

Golly, there's hope, eh?

"Abandon All Sloth, Ye Who Enter Here!"

 

[mfzx6r]

I've still got the stock 207's and they seemed OK in the rain.
I've ridden them in some pretty heavy downpours and they were fine.
I went for a track day at Phillip Island and it pissed down then too
and they never even looked like letting go. The rear is now just about rooted though and I'm going to try the new 208
It might be all about tyre pressure.
I run them front and back at 35psi-36psi
And at the track day 33psi




Edited by - mfzx6r on 09/09/2002 21:18:58

 

[Grunt_99]

I was always extra careful in the rain (smooth) and never had any problems - but I went slow. But at the track school day #2 it rained in the early AM. I was amazed at the traction that was available in the wet, on my street OEM tires. Track school rocks!

On another note...since that track school, my front end has not felt the same (but it's not damaged, it's tire condition and/or air pressure). At the school, we ran 30 psi front & rear. But I hadn't checked lately, so i don't know what the pressure was before that. BTW, 30/30 worked great at the track.

After the school, I increased the air pressure according to the manual. 36 front 42 rear. Well the front end is too tank-slapper happy now. On flat roads it's great, but any bumps at all, and hang on! "Let me see you wiggle it...". So I'm back to 30psi in the front, never had a change to run it hard yet though. But I seemed a tad better last weekend (appx 33psi), than the previous (36psi). I also have a steering damper on the way so hopefulyl that will do fix things right up.

I'm wondering if I just fooked my front tire, I ripped it up pretty good, and it's got 5000k's on it now - all kinds of tread left, but maybe I just cooked it somehow?!?



Edited by - Grunt_99 on 09/09/2002 22:29:19

 

[KawaFotKi]

Say, Grunt 99, what was the maker of your tires, please?

"Abandon All Sloth, Ye Who Enter Here!"

 

[Grunt_99]

oops! They're Dunlop 207's. The ones that came on the bike (oem). I prefer Bridgestones (010's) but ya gotta take what comes on them right! I hated the 207's at first, but I got used to them. Still, I'll be going to 010's when they're toast.




Edited by - Grunt_99 on 09/11/2002 09:41:36

 

[aqon2welz]

My stock 207's seem to do fine.



It's days like this I wish I still did drugs!

 

[aqon2welz]

Just watch out for the dam painted lines and cross walk stripes, almost lost my arse on those several times.


It's days like this I wish I still did drugs!

 

[KawaFotKi]

agon2welz, I read of another guy's cross-walk-stripes slide/crash when he wrote of it on another site. He happens to live in my town, so I knew exactly where he was talking about. Since then, I watch all the plastic and paint road markings with utmost care, trying to ride between them or to "plot a course" so I'm crossing perpendicular to them, straight up as I can manage. I'll go around the block rather than corner over a rain-wet steel road repair plate...

"Abandon All Sloth, Ye Who Enter Here!"

 

[Grunt_99]

quote:
My stock 207's seem to do fine.

Yeah, I already had it in my mind that I disliked the 207's from riding an F4 that had 'em. So I wasn't thrilled to see 'em on my new 02 6R when I bought it. I found them a lot different than the 010's I had previously on my 99 6R.

But I got used to them, they turn different, and don't hold a line like the 010's do. I felt really confidant on the 010's, and the 207's didn't do that for me, at least at first. I ran the 207's on the track and they never got squirrley or anything. Only spun em twice - exiting a tight corner in the wet, and once was a mistake, downshifted too hot for the lower gear.

All things being equal, I prefer the 010's, but that's a personal thing. I have changed my mind, I no longer hate 207's. And with 010's being better in the rain (supposidly), cheaper, grippier, and longer lasting, it's hard not to go with them IMO.

 

[aqon2welz]

quote: All things being equal, I prefer the 010's, but that's a personal thing. I have changed my mind, I no longer hate 207's. And with 010's being better in the rain (supposidly), cheaper, grippier, and longer lasting, it's hard not to go with them IMO.

Could not agree more, however I have no personal experience with the 010's. I hear/read a ton of good talk about them, so when replacement time comes that's what I'm going to go with.

My only problem is I've been riding mostly dirt for 25 years and just getting used to the street performce bikes. Mainly raod enduro's for commuting before.

Thanks for the info <img src=icon_smile_cool.gif border=0 align=middle>

It's days like this I wish I still did drugs!

 

[aqon2welz]

quote:trying to ride between them or to "plot a course" so I'm crossing perpendicular to them, straight up as I can manage.

I do the samething, I'm even at the piont that i catch myself doing it in good weather too. Can't hurt I guess.

Oh, it's not a big deal but it's aq not ag <img src=icon_smile_tongue.gif border=0 align=middle>


It's days like this I wish I still did drugs!

Edited by - aqon2welz on 09/12/2002 00:45:09

 

[KawaFotKi]

Sorry. Of course! aq on 2 welz. And since we made mention of wet cornering, it could be: aqua on two wheels, no? The guy who alerted me to the plastic road markings, after crashing and breaking off part of his brake pedal, wrote that he went back to see how in the heck he'd fallen. Found some antifreeze or other slippery stuff had made the plastic crosswalk extra slippery.

"Abandon All Sloth, Ye Who Enter Here!"

 

[aqon2welz]

quote:Sorry. Of course! aq on 2 welz.

No worries mate!

quote:Found some antifreeze or other slippery stuff

Next time it starts to rain after a couple weeks dry spell look at the street and you'll notice a rainbow effect going on. It's all that wounderful oil/anitfreeze/gas/grease/ect... left on the raod from all the cagers. Neat looking effect it leaves but be careful, it's slipperier than dog snot.

It's days like this I wish I still did drugs!

Edited by - aqon2welz on 09/13/2002 09:10:15

Edited by - aqon2welz on 09/13/2002 09:10:48

 

[KawaFotKi]

"Next time it starts to rain after a couple weeks dry spell look at the street and you'll notice a rainbow effect going on."
My my... what a lovely rainbow effect... and so CLOSE!! How the sparks and shards of plastic dance so prettily across my visor... if only I could enjoy it without all this thunderously loud crashing, scraping, tearing NOISE!!!



"Abandon All Sloth, Ye Who Enter Here!"

 

[totalbrody]

I've put 3 track days, a few rides in the rain, and about 4000 miles on my D207's and the tires have been good. They held up well at the track, wet traction was fine, and they still look pretty good. I think i'm going with a softer tire next time tho, like the Pilot H2 or Rennsports or 208gp's. Less street, more track!

 

[KawaFotKi]

Thanks to everyone who has given their ideas about the tires... it's encouraging!

"Abandon All Sloth, Ye Who Enter Here!"