Seeking New Tires Suggestions

[steve92106]

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...

Dunlop Sportmax worked well for my Uly XT but I was mostly riding back country pavement. Dual compound for a bit better mileage but I never got much more than 3,000 mi on the front.

 

[BuellXB9r_2003]

IMHO Road 6s are a super tire - best wet weather "stickum" and they really wear well (if the twisties are few and far between in your parts, the GT compound version on the rear is even a better choice). Gotta watch the inflation pressures (esp the fronts) as if they're run even a touch soft, they cup immediately. Especially if you have a trail braking cornering style.

I get the expense concern - but as m/c tires have a road contact patch equal to a deck of cards, that contact patch should be the best one can afford. IMHO, tires are last thing to cheap out on.

Now lets talk about engine oil selection preferences and get a real donnybrook goin'!