Touring tyres?

[Jono]

Next year intend to do a 3,500 mile trip and will fit some new rubber before I go, question is what rubber. Not done that sort of mileage before so any suggestions / experiences gratefully received. :bow:

 

[ianrobbo1]

shit stirrer

 

[Jono]

Never heard of 'em, do you get good mileage from them??? :}

 

[Dark Angel]

Try the Michelin "Road", Jono. They're a good, practical touring tyre, especially if you're travelling two-up and fully-loaded.

On our last trip we encountered every type of road surface and every type of weather and the Michelins behaved superbly. Plus - 5,000 miles from a rear is pretty good going - at least, as far as I'm concerned! :-:

DA :beer:

 

[Jono]

Cheers DA, are they the Pilot Roads? Just been on their site. :bow:

 

[Dark Angel]

...Them's the ones...

180/55 ZR17 Michelin Pilot "Road" -

Ride safe, Jono. :-:

DA :beer:

 

[roXXo]

Apart from the original BT57 Battlax fitted OE, I have used 020s and have been well satisfied. Anywhere between 4500 and 6500 miles from the rear.

 

[Dark Angel]

...Yeah but, No but...Yeah but...

Apart from the original BT57 Battlax fitted OE, I have used 020s and have been well satisfied. Anywhere between 4500 and 6500 miles from the rear.

I was happy with 020's; I used to use Bridgestone in winter and Michelin in summer. For normal road use the soft Pilot Sport quite obviously felt grippier and more predictable than the Bridestones, and for trackdays they just felt a whole lot better - to me, that is. Forget the Pilot Sports for touring or extended roadwork, though (enter the Pilot "Road"!). :}

Again (and remember, these are just my personal opinions) the Pilot Road gives better feel and feedback than the 020's, but the wear-rate for the Michelin is what I think makes it a superior product. My (May 2004) 'Bird has done just over 37,000 miles now, nearly all of them on Michelins. I learned on my first Blackbird that Dunlops are duff, on my second that Bridgestones are brill ...

...and on the latest one that Michelin are the MAX :yo:

...At least, for the time being, anyway! :}

Whatever you choose...Ride safe! :beer:

DA

 

[Oldbull]

are the pilot road Bird specific as well D.A ?:dunno:

 

[Dark Angel]

...Oh-hhhh YEAH..(Heh-heh)!

...You'd need to consult with the "Wise Ones" on here...but I think the days of specific tyres for the Blackbird might be receding into the distance as technology overcomes the design-requirements of yesteryear. Don't forget; as a concept, the Blackbird (beautiful as it is) is the better part of ten years old! A lot has happened in the time since its inception - but not a great deal has been done that is better than this most excellent (almost venerable) machine.

DA :-:

 

[Jaws]

The 020 would make a good choice but in 3500 miles will start to square off quite badly.. The Avon ST45 and ST46 combo will give you decent grip levels and absolutely no squaring off at all .. In fact mine just started to go at about the 8000 mile mark but at 8500 I still managed a track day on them !

I eventually took them off purely cos I wanted to try the Vipers out.

 

[Rods]

i have to agree with jaws on this. i have done a couple of long continental trips this year... both on avon azaros. they wore much better than the 020's i had on my previous bike.

 

[Bubba]

I have got a pair of Pirelli Diablo Strada's fitted to mine. 4k in and still look as good as new. Regular commutes to norwich and Huntingdon, (100 and 160 miles per day), plenty of feedback and blinding grip. ?190 fitted too!

 

[Nige J]

Avon Azaro's for me too - They work really well on the 'bird.

They seem to last forever, without too much of a penalty in the grip department

k1ap

 

[Jono]

Do they do 'Bird specific in the azaro's? :bow:

 

[Geoff James]

Do they do 'Bird specific in the azaro's?

Yep, you want the "B" Load Rating Spec (on the sidewall). Far superior to the ordinary Azaro as the front tyre doesn't "triangle off" due to sidewall flex. I've had both and the B Spec is far better. I think mine will beed replacing after about 10000 km of NZ roads which are predominantly coarse chip. Great for grip, but they ddo chew the tyres a bit quicker.

Geoff

 

[Cruser]

I think mine will beed replacing after about 10000 km of NZ roads which are predominantly coarse chip. Great for grip, but they ddo chew the tyres a bit quicker.

Geoff

Your tyres would last a helluva lot longer if you'd just let those sportsbike riders get away w;;v

What on earth would the wife say if she knew [all] what you got up to %$fan

 

[Cruser]

Ooh yeah, meant to say that I'd recommend the Avon ST's for (fast) touring too - much less squaring off than the 020's :beer:

 

[Stuey]

I think mine will beed replacing after about 10000 km of NZ roads which are predominantly coarse chip. Great for grip, but they ddo chew the tyres a bit quicker.

I think road surfaces do make an awful lot of difference as far as tyre life goes. I have never had more than 4300 miles out of a rear Avon.

Stu

 

[Dark Angel]

I think road surfaces do make an awful lot of difference as far as tyre life goes. I have never had more than 4300 miles out of a rear Avon.Stu

...the Michelin "Road"... a good, practical touring tyre, especially if you're travelling two-up and fully-loaded .

On our last trip we encountered every type of road surface and every type of weather and the Michelins behaved superbly - 5,000 miles from a rear is pretty good going...

...After 5,000 miles there was very little "squaring-off" on the Michelins. About 30% of my mileage is spent touring, two-up - with the odd track day chucked in for good measure... So, there!! :neenaw: :}

Jamesy....shouldn't you be at work, my lad? :k

DA :beer: