Tires for Buell xb12s

[ancusan]

Hey everybody, I've got 10K on my Buell xb12 and it's time for another set of rubber. I have Dunlop d208s right now but I'm not too crazy about them, especially in the wet. My first set was also Dunlops. What are some of the other tires you guys are running. I'm looking for mostly dry/hard riding, but I also want decent wet track.

 

[HOVERJOCKI]

Hi
I've just got an XB12 over the last couple of weeks and my mates at work who ride alot are big Michelin Pilot Power fans. From what they have told me and what i have found from others who ride them is that they stick like glue and worth the money.
Thats all i have.
Justin

 

[ancusan]

Has anybody else had problems with the Dunlop rear getting "squirrely" in the corners when you crack the throttle??

 

[HOVERJOCKI]

Ancusan.
Glad you brought that up as i was starting to think it was just me. I am getting the same problem, even a slide if i lean over too much or at least that's how it feels when i bring in power...wasn't sure if it was the lack of experience or just too fast in the corner but i always thought i should carve in to the corner when the tires heat up.
Tried adjusting suspension and reducing tire pressuer to 30 psi as well.
I want to get those those Michelin Pilots but the bike has only done 2000 miles amd my wife gives me the eye when i mention ripping the exhaust off and upgrading.
Anyone else out there having the same problem ( with the tires, not wives )???
Justin

 

[ancusan]

Hoverjocki, I try to feather the clutch to control that low end "kick" when I crack the throttle. I think I have pretty good experience on the Buell, but it can be a little unnerving. That's why I think (hope) better tires will make a big difference. By the way, you mentioned sliding and that's exactly what happened to me at the ERC course last week. Not such a great surface, some painted lines, some sand and a light rain. I was taking a right 90 degree corner at about 15 MPH, the rear slid to the outside, I counter steered and the next thing I was sailing off the bike diagonally to the left about 10-15 feet. I was told it was a "mini-high side". Just some bumps and bruises and about $100 in broken parts. All in all not too bad, but now I have even less confidence in that rubber!!

 

[HOVERJOCKI]

Right there with you mate.
I'm not too keen about going in to corners right now unless they are long and fast.
Just got my owners manual and started reading through it....from what i have heard the suspension might be the key at the moment but i was also told that Harley are looking in to going to Michelin tires for all their newer bikes coming out...not for sure but a rumor.
Also, looking at different websites for the buell it looks like Buell changed from Dunlop to Pirelli in 06 from hearing what people were saying about the Dunlops..again not sure may be a rumor.
Anyway, going to revamp the suspension when i get a chance and go back to factory settings and play around with it to see what happens then if no joy still i will fork out for the Michelin Pilot Powers.
Jusin

 

[Xb9sX]

I have Pirelli Scorpion Sync tires on my bike and they are top notch, and have my recommendation!

 

[Leathercash]

The shoes I am currently running on are Pirelli Diablo's. I'll have to change them soon though,after only 3000 miles they are showing significant wear-down due to riding hard in corners.But god do they ride nice. HOOVERJOCKI and ancusan, I'm not sure i understand much about the rear getting "squirrely". Its funny though, when in the straights going over 120mph, my front tire get twitchy,it's weird and unsettling.

 

[MrOrange]

I ended up in Alcoa TN on a odd job and just happened to bring my XB9s along with me--by no accident. For just 20 min or so to the east is the Dragon’s Tail by Deals Gap. I had the time of my life spending about 4 days total going up and down the dragon on a set of Dunlop Qualifiers. I have herd the stink about how people did not like the tires, however I had no troubles with them. Well under heavy breaking in a corner when releasing the front break and cracking the throttle to dig into the corner I did notice a bit of a front wheel slide. I just chock it up to weight transfer and learned to live with it. Weird... Never had any noticeable rear end problems though... I thought that I was getting pretty aggressive with the bike but I guess I really have to scrape the pegs hard to get the Dunlop’s to slip.

 

[flyboy]

I have pirelle diablos on my 07 12xbs and love them so much as soon as they show wear I will go back with the same,no wonder buell switched to them.

 

[mrdozer2you]

Its funny though, when in the straights going over 120mph, my front tire get twitchy,it's weird and unsettling.

Mine too. I ride the XB12SS and I think its due to the front end being so light, that and no front fairings. Has anyone noticed that especially on these bikes when you are on a straight and pin the throttle, the ass end drops alot. The weight transfer seems to pick the front end suspension up a bit, that combined with wind ( on our nakeds ) makes the front end "twitchy". I dont think that the best stabilizer in the world can fix this, it can help, but it won't go away. The Buell wasn't designed for high end speed, the light front end and piss poor aerodynamics make for lousy high speed stability. If it were made to go fast it would look like a Hyabusa.

 

[congersCG]

Any one have any feelings about the Pirelli Scorpion Sync vs. the Diablo? I have just hit 38 hundred miles on my Scg in 2 months. New bike and my tire is gone! I came back from ridinng yesterday and the wear was unbelievable. I ride alot of rough roads and dont want to lose sticking to the road for a longer lasting tire, any advice?

 

[congersCG]

I have pirelle diablos on my 07 12xbs and love them so much as soon as they show wear I will go back with the same,no wonder buell switched to them.

Think Im going to go with your feelings, why switch if it works.

 

[TripleTrouble]

I had two sets of Pilot Powers on my Speed Triple. Great tires, got very good mileage out of them to. Rode those right down to the edge. Prolly replace the 208's with them when they're shagged.

Chris

 

[congersCG]

Come to find out Harley doesn't stock the Pirelli Diablo's they told me that they are instructed to use the Scorpion, well guess I'll see how I feel about these tires tommorow. Not to exspencive 174. for the tire.

If any one out there would like Insurance quotes on thier bikes (or anything else for that matter) let me know. I write for (Farmers) Foremost, and they have a great motorcycle policy. www.farmersagent.com/jconger

 

[Sawyer]

Im on pirelli scorpion sync tyres on my city x and they have'nt given me any problems, but im still tempted to try the pirelli diablos. Im due a change of tyres next week, i'll let you know if it's a good switch

 

[congersCG]

200. bones out the door at HD of ukiah for a new scorpion sync, balance and mounted. Look at my old Diablo, this wear is after 3800 miles no crazy burn-outs or nothing, just hard riding.[mad]

Im hoping to get a hell of alot more miles out of the scorpion.

 

[angel]

By the look of your tires we ride about the same. I see the rubber piling up on the side of yor tire on the back portion of the tread which means you're getting on throttle hard leaned over.That's whats fun in the Buell. Low end torque!!! But you have to resist getting on the gas from a dead standstill.With all the torque we have we can spin the tires for days.Do it in the twisties.

 

[ctrucky]

i am no tire engineer, but it looks to me like these tires dont see many curvy roads. i live in Maryville, TN 20 minutes(or so) from the dragon, and if you have not been on it yet, you are missing out on some good curves. also, maybe the are pressure in these tires might be a little high??? just a thought. come and ride the dragon, they even have hotels at the end of it, and a restaraunt and gas station too. you wont even need to leave the dragon until your are ready to go home. just be careful, and ride to your limits, not somelses, we are always hearing of wrecks, and deaths from it.

 

[partmanpartbike64]

clearly a usa rider in the uk are tyres get even wear right across the tyres we have some real twisted roads here also think youre presures need adjusting