Replacement tires for Rockster

[grwrockster]

Tyre life is really going to depend on how you ride, and the surfaces you ride on. For some reason, I find that riding on the continent puts less wear on the tyres than riding on UK roads - I have no idea why. I've just done 2000 or so miles (mostly abroad) and the new tyres fitted before going still look virtually unworn, except for some feathering on the rear tyre's edge tread (this is typical I've found, and I think a result of the fun to be had using the bike's torque to drive the bike out of apexes).

Previously I've run Avon Azaro's (which I liked but felt a little slow to change direction), and recently sets of Pilot Road II's (a bit better for grip than the Azaro's and and last as well or a tiny bit better, but still perhaps a touch slow to change direction). I get about 5000-ish out of a Road II rear, and maybe 6000-ish from a Road II front. Which leads me to my current choice of tyres.....

I just ran through varied terrain, roads and temps over 2000 miles in UK, France, Italy & Switzerland on a combo of Pilot Road II rear, and a Pilot Power (more sporty) front in std sizes (120 section front, 180 rear). The idea was to slightly speed up the change of direction without drastic surgery, as the Pilot Power front has a sharper profile than the Pilot Road II front.

The plan was to ride a lot of twisty minor roads as well as Cols and Gorges, in addition to the unavoidable motorway drone from my base in W Wales to the Ferry Ports. As my style of riding tends to be enthusiastic in corners, and maintain momentum rather than hammer between corners on the gas and then hammer the brakes, then I have to say that the combination of the Pilot Power & Pilot Road II suits me.

[steelerman88]

Hands down, the Michelin Pilot Power 2CT
Dual-compound tire ....intermediate compound in the center of the tread for durability, and a softer compound on the shoulders for excellent cornering grip and traction.
Outfitted my bike with these for a cross-country trip so I can attest to its durability and I have never experienced cornering like this!
Best value in tires without a doubt. Read the reviews for yourself...very highly rated by everyone that has purchased them:

http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/1/ ... -Tire.aspx

http://images.motorcycle-superstore.com ... wer_rr.jpg

[manlio]

I put on 11,000 miles, including a few racetrack ones, on my first set of Michelin Plot Road II.
I find they have solid grip in the rain, and I was on the racetrack yesterday, leaning all the way with complete confidence in the tires.

[riceburner]

Hands down, the Michelin Pilot Power 2CT
Dual-compound tire ....intermediate compound in the center of the tread for durability, and a softer compound on the shoulders for excellent cornering grip and traction.
Outfitted my bike with these for a cross-country trip so I can attest to its durability and I have never experienced cornering like this!
Best value in tires without a doubt. Read the reviews for yourself...very highly rated by everyone that has purchased them:

http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/1/ ... -Tire.aspx

Thing is, tyres are just soooooo subjective.
Everyone has their preferences and their own foibles in what they want, and so much of the "feel" argument is purely psychological that what one person likes another may hate. I seriously dislike Bridgestones on big bikes - always have, and can't see it changing, but I used to absolutely love the BT45 for commuting, and the BT96 for my ZXR400. but then those tyres were aimed at a smaller envelope of power ranges/weights than the big bike tyres have to provide for.

I'm on a pair of Michelin Power 2CTs now, and so far, whilst I'm not unimpressed, I'm not impressed either....

[jobooth321]

I was on my way home to Colorado from California and had to make a stop when I noticed the steel threads showing on my rear tire. Didn't have much of a choice and ended up with some Dunlop Road Smarts. Let's hope they last! I'll toss a review in after some time on them.

[Lion_Lady]

Hi,

Just bought a 2004 Rockster that came complete with worn out tires. The bike has 8,000 miles and the Bridgestone BattleAx tires need replacement. These are the same tires I had on my Ducati 900SS and would like to try something different.

Hopefully something that will last a bit longer than 6-7 K.

Any thoughts? Thanks,

Jay

SO, what did you decide on?

P

[yuhajan]

Unless you are an out and out canyon runner the Pilot Road 2 are the best compromise for performance and durability.

Just ordered a pair of these for Friday. Will let you know what I think.

Any updates regarding this riceburner? Need to visit rubber shop soon. Pilot road still lead in almost reviews. Anyone with Battlax BT023?

[kneedown]

I always used Metzs, M1's and M3's;but i am going to try the new Conti Road Attack 2's.

Now slippery mold release,no scary break in time,good to go from day one,lean as much as you like.

Test are in all the Mags. this month.

mike

[riceburner]

Unless you are an out and out canyon runner the Pilot Road 2 are the best compromise for performance and durability.

Just ordered a pair of these for Friday. Will let you know what I think.

Any updates regarding this riceburner? Need to visit rubber shop soon. Pilot road still lead in almost reviews. Anyone with Battlax BT023?

hmm - no real update as yet - my mileage has diminished by 90% recently, and haven't ridden at all for about 3 weeks!

my current "gut feeling" is that they're ok, but a little distant - not a huge amount of feedback.

[reidmct]

If you can wait a couple more weeks, Michelin is about to release the new Pilot Road 3, including sizes that fit our Rocksters. It's a very interesting-looking tire. See it here: http://www.compacc.com/Michelin-Pilot-R ... pound-Tire

[Rog(UK) - Yorkshire Dales]

I'm very happy with the Pilot Road 2. They seem to be wearing well.

The last set I had on were Continental Road Attacs which gripped well but I only got 4000 MILES from them

The previous set were Metzler Z6. I couldn't fault them because the grip was good and I got a decent mileage from them. I changed simply because my brain couldn't accept the lack of a central groove (in the tyre, that is; not my brain, but having said that there probably is a very large groove in my brain - have I had my walk yet?).

I like the utube video of Colin Edwards testing the Pilot Power 2ct on his race bike - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=alYYU4mTc-g Enjoy!!!
Happy New Year to you all and ride safely,

Rog

[yuhajan]

Done my Bt020 @ 11000 miles. All in 3 mth only due to daily commuting & weekend long ride huh... ... new is bt023 instead of Pilot Road 2 & lets see how far it can go.

[grwrockster]

I'm in the market for a new pair of tyres, as the rear is totally knackered after just under 5000 miles, and the front is down on the wear bars. And half that mileage was on a solo touring trip on the continent where I wasn't beating the tyres up!

I don't seem to get close to the mileages that many claim to get, so...... am I using the wrong tyres, or am I simply using them harder? I will admit I don't hang about, and don't have any 'chicken strip' on the rear tyre, but I try to be smooth rather than uber-aggressive (although will own up to the odd wheelie) and regulary check the tyre pressures. I do wonder how on earth people get more than double the mileage (i.e. 10,000+) out of a rear (or front) tyre - are these people careful commuters who aren't using the performance of the bike or the tyres to eke out such mileages; or is it road surfaces in different countries maybe; is it me; or something else? Getting over 100% more life is a huge difference - given the fact that the Rockster isn't THAT heavy or all that powerful I'd have thought the difference shouldn't be so vast?

All I've run on my Rockster have been the Bridgestone BT010's it had on when I got the bike, and since then the Michelin Pilot Road II's (except the last set, when I stuck a Pilot Power front on with the Road II rear to quicken up the steering a bit). I also ran the Road II's on my XJR1300 (with upgraded front suspension), and before them I used Avon Azaro's. In over 8.5 years over both these bikes I've never got more than 5000 out of a rear tyre, although the fronts would last perhaps 30% longer (except in the case of the above mentioned Pilot Power front).

Btw I'd agree with Riceburner that the feel of my bike on Michelins lacks a little feedback from the front - but I'd always put that down to the Telelever front end, as this is the only bike I've had with non-conventional telescopic forks - but after RB's comment perhaps it's the tyres? I've stuck with PRII's cos I get a good deal on them and I could figured I could do a lot worse.

So.... any ideas on a tyre set that could at least match the mileage I'm getting with the Michelins (I'd like more mileage of course, but may have to accept I won't get that unless I ride a lot more sedately) while giving good feel, grip and confidence?

[riceburner]

I think I'm going to go back to Pirellis after these Michelins are worn out. Hopefully I can find some Diablo Stradas, I think they're my favourites for the Rockster.

[spoon]

I have run Metz, Z6 for the last couple of years. I get 10,000 to 11,000 front and rear. I ride solo with camping gear only ocasonially. In the US, Southwest it does get hot in the summer, but winter usually sees the tires like concrete. I have been pleased with the Metz. but have been finding myself in dirt a little more and needed something with grippy's in the back. I just replaced the rear with a Dunlop 616. I can't tell any difference in the ride or grip, can still drag a peg without the rear kicking out, so they must be OK. No clue on what the mileage will be.

[grwrockster]

I decided to take a bit of a punt after reading some reviews and bought a pair of Maxxis 6029's and fitted them myself (last week and 800-odd miles ago). Figured they were worth a go after positive reports from people who'd actually used them, and M&P Accessories had a deal on at £139 for the pair. The fact that they are Taiwanese means many dismiss them as rubbish without direct experience (mind you the 'French' Michelins were actually made in Spain) - I thought I'd find out for myself what they are like.

So far I have to say that I like the feel of them, and have had no grip issues. I have more confidence and feel off the front tyre than I recall ever having with the Michelin Pilot Road II, or the Pilot Power Front that I ran last time (it's hard to be 100% when you're coming off a knackered set onto fresh rubber, but I think these tyres feel better). I was also always on the edge of the rear PRII as well - I'm doing at least the same lean angle on the Maxxis and there is a few mm left on the rear 6029.

Too soon to comment on wear, plus I've not been taking it easy on them as I am happier with the feel off the front, so I might be harder on these than the Mich. Whatever, given the cost saving, even if the Maxxis lasted 25% LESS the cost would even out the same, so I'm not too worried at this point. Not ridden them in the wet yet, but so far I have to say I'm pretty happy with them.

BTW - The 6029's are now superseded by the new Maxxis Diamond tyre, but there are still some around. If the Diamond is (as claimed) 15% better than the 6029, then it could be a good tyre on the Rockster.

G.

[razz]

hey there havnt posted for a while but follow religiously. i have got pilot road 3' on the rockster after running pilot pures. i think the 3' are a heavier tyre than the pilot pures, as initial turn in feels a bit slower. havnt tried them in the wet yet so cant give any feed back. hope they last as well as the pilot road 1 and 2'. only have about 8ooks on them at the moment

[Jpainter187]

I like my Dunlop Road Smart T2's. Have put about 4k miles on them so far and can't even see any wear so far. But the amount of use you get out of your tire also depends on the kind of riding you do.

[rantee]

Checking back in on tires. I replaced my Continental Road Attack "C" with Michelin Pilot Power 2CT on the front and Pilot Road 2CT on the rear. I like the ride and feel and so far they are wearing better than the Conti's.

[grwrockster]

I've had Maxxis 6029's on for about 1500 miles now. I have much more confidence in the front than with the Michelins - the feel makes it nicer and more intuitive to ride, I feel much more at home with the turn-in and cranked over mid-corner. All of which is good news.

The bad news.... well, while the front looks fine so far, the rear seems to be wearing fast, with evidence of it squaring off and tread depth dispappearing rapidly. I didn't measure tread depth befoe, and haven't now either, but experience suggests that it's at least half-worn already.

I can't moan at the price I paid, but it does mean that my search for the tyre best suited to my feeling and wear continues.

Given that I like the way the tyres feel and grip, then I'm tempted to give the Maxxis Diamond's a go - they are the new replacement for the 6029 and meant to be very good indeed for grip, although I can't find any reports on longevity compared with more well-known brands (anyone?).

Web research suggests the current Metzeler Interact Roadtec Z8 could be a worth a try, but I have zero experience with the brand, let alone the model of tyre or the previous Z6. Anyone have any input or thoughts on the Metz?