Seeking New Tires Suggestions

[Acemon]

I bought a '98 M2 two years ago and absolutely love it. I've owned and ridden a lot of bikes over the years but the M2 is the most fun of them all.

It's time to replace the tires and it seems there are a lot to choose from. It came with Michelin 120/70 and 180/55, which have worked fine but are there better options?

Most of my riding is around town with some occasional runs up into the Rocky Mountains, but I'd like to do a "relaxed" track day or two this summer.

At the moment I'm looking at a set of Continental Motions (on Amazon) and the price is certainly right but I'm looking for some opinions, or suggestions for other brands.

Thanks.



(ps - If any of you are car fans and like the Datsun 240z series, come see my restoration at http://Ace240z.com )

 

[Tbone]

Michelin Road 6.........

 

[Cooter]

This guy is right ^^^^^

 

[Acemon]

Great tires no doubt but $450 for a pair +tax & mounting is unfortunately a little out of my range.

 

[Cooter]

They'll last three times longer than those cheap Conti's. And be better the whole time. Up to you:up:

 

[Tbone]

As you stated, there are a lot of options, i.e. Q2's, Battle Ax's, Raven's, Motions, Pirelli Angels, Metzler, etc............. but you asked "...... are there better options".
The answer in my opinion is NO! In all aspects of economy and performance. Listen to Cooter ↑↑↑

 

[Acemon]

Make no mistake - I greatly appreciate the advice and I agree about the mileage, but it's a tough economy and there's only so much I can afford. I looked at a lot of reviews for the Michelin 6 and not everybody was happy with them, but opinions are subjective.

These guys weren't too thrilled with the Michelins, but their bikes are certainly lighter than my M2: http://www.r1200gs.info/threads/michelin-road-6-never-again.55276/page-3

At the same time, here's what some other Buell riders have said about the Continentals: https://www.badweatherbikers.com/buell/messages/3842/215289.html?1501727827

I make no claims to being an expert, which is why I came here. If they turn out to be crap, I have no one to blame but myself. Regardless of what happens with my possibly bad choice, I'll keep this conversation in mind and come back in the fall and let you guys know what I've experienced.

 

[Cooter]

Continental employs over 200,000 people and, on average, sells over 4,000,000 motorcycle tires annually. Someone must like them.

Huh? Massive companies don't make some crap products

All I'm saying is going the cheap option because you 'can't afford it' is a terrible way to make decisions. Look at the WHOLE picture, not just the purchase price. If you are really asking if there are some super cheap/amazing traction and long lasting tires out there, the answer is no.

If you are Mr. 1K-sunny-only-miles-per-year-my-tires-will-age-out-before-the middle-goes-flat, then anything cheap, black and round(-ish) will do and you should get whatevers on sale.

But if you enjoy riding enough to need good tires.... then buying some good tires does save you money, simply by lasting longer, and ya know what ya really can't afford? Body damage to yourself or the bike.

Pirelli Angels suck too (and I'm sponsored by Pirelli:anonymous.

You asked.....:black_eyed: Hahaha Good luck buddy, I hope you find what you're looking for:eagerness:

 

[Acemon]

I totally agree with you but I'm not that sunny-day-only guy. I've ridden when it rained. I rode when it was snowing because I was stuck. I've endured hail and Niagara-force rain. I'm not a Sunday bar-hopper like a lot of Harley guys and sportbike riders I know. You're obviously not one, either, (big plus to you) but if you had to choose between riding or not riding because it wasn't the "ideal" tire, what would you do?

I'll take the bargain tire for this year and be a little cautious and hopefully I can afford a better pair next spring. When that Road 6 is showing cords (like a serious rider would see), would you stay at home, or ride a worn-out carcass, or buy something you can afford and go out and have some fun? I'm looking at the Contis because of the bargain price, but is there something at that price level that "might" be better? That's my question.

If nothing else, I ride an M2 because it's the most fun bike I've ever ridden. That has to count for something, right?

 

[DozerBoy]

is there something at that price level that "might" be better?

Personally, I don't think it's worthwhile to spend time fretting over whether another tire is minutely better; all of the tires in your price range are going to be of similar quality (so long as you're buying from a reputable brand). The only way to know is to try.

I would go ahead and pull the trigger on the Conti's. Like you mentioned, it's better to have new tires than no tires.

Buy 'em. Ride 'em. If they're good, then awesome. If they suck, put up with 'em until they're shot and try something else. That's my MO.


Cooter - What don't you like about the Angels? (I may or may not have just put a set on last season.)

 

[Cooter]

Yup! Love me an M-2! Started in Stuart FL, through Canada, to Spokane WA, on a gorgeous yellow one. 6 speed conversion and XB suspension, what a truly epic bike and great ride. Some stories to tell, and others will be kept close to my chest. Saw the total eclipse that year in Idaho!

DoserBoy gets it. Pick whats right for you. Need 'round and black' for cruising? Cool! Lots of riders get by with the minimum, and most MC tires today are perfectly fine for that job. But that wasn't your question.

I'm just saying that picking anything 'because it's cheaper' will bite you. Like if you come across the most epic road you've ever seen and decide to grind off the bottoms of your saddle bags off... will the $40 bucks you 'saved' on a hard tire be etched on your gravestone?

 

[Cooter]

What don't you like about the Angels?

They're still Pirellis, and as such, they do communicate well before their limits of traction. Not the Dunlop amazing stick stick stick WHOAAA! (See the race thread). Ok Ok a fine street tire, but I alway wondered how a tire that didn't have track day stickiness also didn't last many miles? Instead of one or the other, they are sort of the worst of both? Sticky-ish and mileage-ish? Fine for the street, but play easy in the rain with that Buell torque:eagerness:

 

[Cooter]

If nothing else, I ride an M2 because it's the most fun bike I've ever ridden. That has to count for something, right?

Heck yes it does!:eagerness: And you don't need a full on TD tire for a relaxed track day, but if its a Conti, it better be a warm day....

Been looking for pics, but my sisterangel had a super sweet 260 Fairlady. I never got used to getting in the wrong side:stupid: Got burned to the ground after a ****ty pilot crashed his plane near their house and the ensuing forest fire took everything

 

[Barrett]

Shinkos wildly popular here in Amishland. Most of us gotta go thru a bridge somewhere along the way to get to town and the Shinkos real smooth and true going over the wooden planks. They're real nice.

 

[DozerBoy]

Instead of one or the other, they are sort of the worst of both? Sticky-ish and mileage-ish? Fine for the street, but play easy in the rain with that Buell torque:eagerness:

Good to know. I know I'll likely never even come close to finding the limit of traction on the street. I guess I'll take my own advice and just see how they play out for me.

Shinkos wildly popular here in Amishland. Most of us gotta go thru a bridge somewhere along the way to get to town and the Shinkos real smooth and true going over the wooden planks. They're real nice.

I didn't know that Shinko made buggy tires! What's the spec on those? 50/10R40?

 

[Cooter]

I heard they're the new Tesla tire?

Never tried them personally but hearsay says they're pretty good. OP, give them a shot and let us know?

 

[Tbone]

Yep, been side ways on some ravens before, will not do that again. My personal opinion acemon, I would wait, because you like to have fun when you ride, and if that is the same meaning of fun I have.......it is a little contradictory to your statement ".....and be a little cautious."

 

[motoguy]

I enjoy taking my Uly down gravel roads on occasion. It doesn't see any "real" off roading (I have a DRZ for that), but I like the option of running off the paved trail. I had planned on going with the Road 6 but read several instances of people getting flats when gravel roads came up. As such I think I'm currently leaning toward the Dunlop Mutant. It seems to get glowing reports for road use, and "better than I expected" reports from off-road use. The biggest complaint I've come across so far is potential lack of durability. I remember one summer I burned though 2 pairs of "high zoot" (at the time) road tires on my VFR, within 3500 miles. I wasn't happy about that, but I WAS riding it pretty aggressively and they never let me down. 20+ years later I don't think I'll have that problem. Hell, batteries and tires in my garage have a higher chance of needing replacement due to age...

 

[ztied]

I usually did buy the conti`s, becuase they were cheap, but seems they don`t hardly get any milage to them anymore. Me I am cheap, and I don`t get too agressive while riding, and have 3 kids(buells) to have to buy tires for. I also do kenda, and shinko. You can usually get them cheaper if you buy them as a front and rear set.