Yet another tire advice thread

[vicenzajay]

Okay - so there are a million tire threads - sorry for adding another one.

I'm looking for advice specific to my situation/location. Here is SW Virginia we have some very nice, curvy back roads. However, quite often the driveways connecting to those roads are often dirt, sand, and gravel - and occasionally a bit of that winds up on the road. My recent accident was a result of this...small bit of fine sand flowing out on the road caused the spill while remaining completely unobservable and, in my case, unavoidable as a result.

I'm trying to pick tires that might mitigate this type of environment. I like to ride aggressively, but within my limits. I wear ATTGAT, and I have no issues getting myself off the bike and my knees down while remaining in control, yet I'm not out to "terrorize the countryside". I hope that makes sense.

Anyway, the bike had Pilot Powers on them. Some have recommended Q3's as one of the best sets out there; however, perhaps for my environment I need something more like the Pilot Roads?

Looking for any help/advice....thanks.

 

[GregoXB]

No tire will save you from debris on the road.

 

[mrlogix]

^^ what he said. Sand on the road is like tiny ball bearings

 

[vicenzajay]

Got it (from personal experience)...just wondering whether this type of environment warrants a particular "type" of tire more than another.

 

[mrlogix]

tire compounds can be puncture resistant, abrasion/wear, etc., etc., but not sand or small pea gravel etc.

 

[vicenzajay]

Okay - I'll stick with the Q3s....thought that maybe a more "road" designated tire might have given others better experiences in this type of environment.

Thanks

 

[BambamXB12r]

All your going to get is better traction when you are upright. I just put these on my Ulysses for the fire road riding I do and couldn't be more pleased. continental TKC 70 rear and Pirelli MT 60 front. When on paved roads I get pretty low with these tires and have no issues. They also hook up in the dirt/gravel driveways. However just as they said, sand or gravel in a turn is a motorcyclists kryptonite.

 

[Chicknstripn]

GregoXB is right. No tire will save your bacon when it comes to road debris you can't see at speed.
Your best bet is to just buy tires that you have confidence in. Then when you do go out and enjoy yourself on your Buell try to do a "sighting" ride before you decide to get loose and have a good time. At least then you'll know what to expect. I know that doesn't sound like a lot of fun but crashing isn't fun either.

 

[vicenzajay]

No worries on the "sighting ride". This was a sighting ride...new rider in the group. We were going all of 25 mph when my front wheel "went". Don't know how to be more conservative than that.

Oh well....

 

[Chicknstripn]

That sucks.
It's like I always say; there are two kinds of riders, those that have been down and those that are about to go down. I'm always ready to be one or the other. There's only so much you can control.