the big topic: tires

[Arkitek]

Well during my awesome Memorial day ride i noticed The center threads are starting to show on the rear tire so i guess i should start looking for a replacement. My front tire is still good so i don't need a front.

I have the Pirelli Diablo Corsa III set on my bike right and i found this tire on motorcycle-superstore. I'd rather get something else but i think i should keep both tires a pirelli diablo brand. My next set i will get something different. Is this tire similar enough to Corsa III's? I'm interested to hear some opinions.

http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/1/28/394/6226/ITEM/Pirelli-Diablo-Rear-Tire.aspx

 

[soadnathan]

Kudos to Lefox (+1 rep), bookmarking this thread.

 

[Arkitek]

I was just doing a little more searching and the Diablo Rosso tire is a newer model and is only like $15 more.
http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/1/28/394/12403/ITEM/Pirelli-Diablo-Rosso-Rear-Tire.aspx

Anyone run these? If so what do you think? I liked the performance and feel of my Corsa III but they are no longer in production.

 

[Johnbaum13]

I have the Pirelli Diablo Rosso Corsas on my xb9r, and while I may not be the most aggressive rider, I have never felt the least bit of slip in a corner, enabling me to feel confident pushing my limits. However, I don't know how many miles the tires had on them when I bought the bike, but in the 2K I've put on them with the mostly straight roads around here, I have seen the flat spot in the middle grow considerably, enough that I'm starting to wonder how much more life I'm gonna get out of them.

What about some feedback on running a wider tire in the rear? How big will fit, and how does it affect the ride, handling and grip? What are pros and cons?

 

[08levin]

Went out to ride to work today and had a flat rear tire! It still has the stock Diablo T tires. Only 4000 miles on the bike. They both seemed to have plenty of life left in them. I'll probably try to find the same one to replace it, but if there is something better that would be compatible with the existing front tire, I'd be up for that.

This will be my first tire change, so I don't have a reference point to compare...

 

[rockerphotographer]

Just picked up my Michelin pilot power 2ct's today! Can't wait to put them on and tear them up! I had the stocker front and cheapo fullbore rear. I'll post more excitement after a few hundred miles

 

[Stevenc150]

Don't push too hard until you've gotten the mold release agent scrubbed off, it's like riding on glass until you do.

 

[cheezits]

im at work atm so forgive me if i am asking an already asked question. im looking for a new tire that is going to yield above average mileage. im still on second set perelli corsa that came with the bike and they did not make it much more then 5.5k each. my back tire is totaly balled in the middle. i really like to yank and bank in the corners but these days i have to settle for the 55 mpg the bike gives for my daily comute. if anyone has an idea i would be be more then happy to take a look.

 

[ASH]

What air pressure does everyone run in their xb's tires ?????

 

[Blue xb12]

34 front, 36 rear

 

[liquid51]

Earlier today I had some Michelin Pilot 2CTs installed on my SS , i've read a bunch of good reviews and thought i'd give them a try, besides, got a hell of a deal at $230.00 for a set.

That IS a hell of a deal Walls! I paid $250 for mine and had to pay install on top of that. But, that's what I get for wanting to use every last bit of tread on the old tires (literally).I pushed my Continentals (on the bike when I bought it 6 weeks ago) a little too far. When I saw steel, I went straight to the shop .

I was planning on going with a set of Pirelli Angels at the recommendation of a buddy (been riding for 20+ years and has ran pretty much everything out there). But, I must say I'm very pleased with the PP2CTs. I have about 300 miles on them and loving every second of it. Gobs of corning traction. They deliver a lot of confidence in the twisties

I do have a couple questions though. A guy that parks in my deck at work rides an '09 XB12S. He saw the weights on the wheel and mentioned that, when running Pirellis, they don't need to be balanced. Obviously, that's a load of crap. One way or another, they HAVE to be in balance. But is there anything to what he said? Are tolerances on our wheels and tolerances on Pirelli tires so tight that they can be mounted without balancing (provided you align them correctly when mounting)?

My other question is simply how many miles you guys are seeing on the PP2CTs. I don't run at the track at all. Just your normal spirited riding, like most of you here I'm sure

 

[Dingo]

still have the original Pirelli Diablo DOT 2906 on my 07 XB12R... Buell was not used for Years and y bought it with 1600km...now 4000km... Tires are still good and have a good grip when warm.. i will go for the Dunlop Q2 because of better price. Pirellis are very expensive here!!

 

[idbuellxb9]

LeFox,
awesome thread man. i see it's a little old. is there anything you would change from the original post on this thread? has your opinion changed on any of the tires you reviewed?

 

[skinner]

this thread is old but seems to be popping back up so ill throw out my two cents. never had any luck with dunlaps on anything when it comes to handling. good mileage tire but not a performer for me. pirelli on the other hand is a great performer which is what its about for me,however i just had a set of michelin power ones installed and will see how they do.

 

[Tachometer]

I just changed to Dunlop Roadsmart II from Metzeler M5 (rear) and original Pirelli Scorpion Sync (front) combo. Personally I don't like mixing different tire types together but the previous owner had made that choice. That combo did not worked very well - multipurpose front tire and superbike rear tire. Some mixed sets can work if you choose softer front tire and harder rear one.

Anyway, the handling is now way better and more logical. I think Roadsmart II's are good choice for STT. They should have a quite good mileage too.

Any other experiences with Roadsmart II? I have to ride more with those ones before final judgement.

 

[noobueller]

Le Fox, when you reviewed the Pirelli Diablo's, were you running Diabo T specs or just regular diablos? I just bought an 09 xb12scg and it needs a rear tire. i like stickin the the factory spec (owner's manual specifies diablo T spec), but the T specs are harder to find and more expensive. from what research i've done, it seems the T spec use a lighter carcass and are "OEM for Buell", but I can't see that meaning much for a rear tire. curious...any thoughts?

Greg

 

[Route0766]

I prefer Michelin Pilot 2CTs 180/55RZ17 120/70RZ17. I installed last week when my Battlax BT023 died. I love Michelins, I got them in Amazon:

Item Subtotal: $232.65
Shipping & Handling: $7.98
Total Before Tax: $240.63
Shipment Total: $240.63
Paid by Visa: $240.63

 

[DrogeN Omen]

so whats the conclusion?

looks like none of the tires are great for wet and dry riding...

track days dont count in my opinion cause they ar maybe a once a year maybe twice a year visit.

so i want to know what the best all rounder is for a 2007 Buell XB12SS Long.

i have had these and all were pretty crap in terms of milage, wet and dry riding.

- Diablo Rosso Corsa - lasted 5000km - scary in wet
- Diablo Rosso II - lasted 8000km - ok all rounder, expected more out of milage
- Pirelli Angel ST - lasted 11000km - scary in wet or dry, but best milage
- Conti Sport Attack 2 - 3000km - awesome in dry, ok in wet
- Conti Road Attack 2 - 9000km - ok in dry, okish in wet

i am currently on the Michelin Pilot Road 3's and they have been pretty good in Dry, awesome in wet and still look new after 8000km.

havent tried
- Dunlop
- Bridgstone
- Metzeler
- Avon

 

[konarider94]

There is no conclusion. People prefer different tires.

I like the Dunlop sportmax q2 and get about 5k miles

Michelin has a new tire out. The pilot power 3. Looks intriguing.

 

[stensg]

Has anyone tried full bore tires?