Best street tires on sport bikes?

R1_Demon · 06-25-2010, 04:04 PM

Hey all,

Well, here is a little background in on my question. I last owned a bike in 2006. At that time, Pilot Powers were the rage and were really good street tires for the sportbikes. Nice and sticky, yet not super expensive and held up fairly well (mileage wise).

My question is...does that still hold true (Pilot Powers being the choice of tire) or what are people using today as their main choice of tires for sportbikes? I'm not talking about race tires for the track. I'm sure Diablo Supercorsas and such would be much better, but I don't need race type tires. Just some good tires that are good for occasional trackday use; just as the Pilot Powers were.

Also, where is the best place to buy the tires and get them mounted/balanced around here?

Any info would be appreciated. Kinda sucks being out of the game this long...

Thanks!
Mat

VEGASRIDER · 06-25-2010, 04:09 PM

They have upgraded the Pilot Powers to a dual compound. Harder in the center and softer around the edge. They are called Pilot Powers 2CT's.

You can still get the regular Pilot Powers.

I'm on my 2nd set of the 2CT's. I got 17,000 on my first set until I picked up a nail on my rear tire. I have about 14,000 on my current set.

R1_Demon · 06-25-2010, 04:21 PM

VegasRider...thanks a bunch for the info.

Wow, 14k on the tires? Damn, that's good!!! I remember my regular Pilot Powers I used to get about 5k out of them and that was about it.

I also forgot to put in my original post...where's the best place to get the tires as well and approximately how much are they now? I know I used to be able to get the regular Pilot Powers for about $200-$230 a set or so (mounted/balanced off the bike)

VEGASRIDER · 06-25-2010, 05:00 PM

Being that my bike is my only ride, I'm kind of limited on where I can purchase my tires.

Cycle Gear, in which I can apply my instructor's discount is not an option for me since I have to remove my wheels on my bike for them to install and balance.

The last two times, I have taken my bike down to Racer's Edge on west Procyon ST. between DI & Spring Mtn, just of the I-15 near the center of the strip. They have always given me great prices and service. I've had them replace my front springs on my forks, steering head bearings, chain and sprocket.

I often have students taking the BRC ask me where they can get their bike serviced besides taking it to the dealership and I always refer them to Racer's Edge.

SiD · 06-25-2010, 05:11 PM

Pilot power road 2 are good also . If you order them off the internet they should be alittle cheaper . Do a search on tires in the advance search

R1_Demon · 06-25-2010, 05:25 PM

Vegas - Thanks...Does Dale still work at Racer's Edge? I did a photo shoot there a looonnng time ago, but I do remember Dale was very cool. That was one of the places I was going to check. I generally used to take the tires/rims off and take them in because it's usually cheaper, but if they can do it on the bike for about the same price, then I'd just have them do it.

Jeremie - I'll have to check on that...I've never ordered tires on the internet before. Not that I mind, but that's why I was wondering what type/brand before I went into that type of avenue. Plus, then I'd still have to still find a shop around here to mount & balance them.

vegasbiker · 06-25-2010, 06:07 PM

Pilot Road 2 are the best of both worlds they have a hard center and Pilot Power sides I have 8000 on mine and they are hardley showing wear. Dale still owns Racers Edge went by today and saw him.

The KY · 06-25-2010, 07:59 PM

Depends on what kind of riding you do. I personally like the Michelin tires. But they rang from the pilot roads to power races. I've heard good things about the power pures. My next track set will be the power ones.

K7GIXXER1000 · 06-25-2010, 08:40 PM

On 2ct's thats crazy 14k miles???? i got 5500 out of my battle ax bt016's the stock gixxer tires...i got reg pilot powers on now expecting 5k out of them, the pilot power 2ct has the center compound the same as the reg pilot power....pretty awesome if thats actual mileage of 14k.

VEGASRIDER · 06-25-2010, 08:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by K7GIXXER1000

On 2ct's thats crazy 14k miles???? i got 5500 out of my battle ax bt016's the stock gixxer tires...i got reg pilot powers on now expecting 5k out of them, the pilot power 2ct has the center compound the same as the reg pilot power....pretty awesome if thats actual mileage of 14k.

I have an extensive write up on those tires on the FZ6-forum including pictures.

The key is tire pressure and I don't ride two up, keeping the weight down to about 170 with gear.

I don't do burnouts, but again I also accelerate quickly, but not to a point that my front end comes up. I take spirited rides to Palamor Mountain & Angeles Crest Hwy and other roads in Southern California about 3-5 times a year.

R1_Demon · 06-25-2010, 09:05 PM

Good info...I might have to check out the 2CT's..the tire prices have definitely gone up since I bought them last.

But I guess you get what you pay for though. LOL

I appreciate the info.

vegaseric · 06-25-2010, 10:03 PM

Check out the Power Pures. They're a dual compound trackday/canyon tire with a much lighter carcass than any of competitors. This is the updated version of the 2CT and they work quite well on my 600.

Michelin Power Pure

R1_Demon · 06-25-2010, 10:37 PM

Eric...might check into those, but I'm sure they are expensive as heck. :(

That's the only problem. Looking at the 2CT's, those alone are $310 on Racers Edge's site and that doesn't even count the $50 for them to put them on/off. :( Ouch...

Got2Go · 06-25-2010, 11:48 PM

Have a look here:
Tire sales - Michelin 2CT's and others

R1_Demon · 06-26-2010, 01:21 PM

Got2Go...you are my hero. For that price, I'll find a way to take my rims off & take them down to Cycle Tech to get them mounted. :-)

BTW..as an update, they are now $226 shipped to Vegas (residential) for the CT2's 120/70 & 180/55, but that's still a hell of a price. So, you think that is $250 out the door to have them shipped to Vegas and have Cycle Tech mount/balance them. Pretty darn good.

Thanks a ton for the info. I truly appreciate it!!!