Don't ask any of us about tires... it will only make your head spin!!!

Think about your priorities and the kind of riding you do. My greatest needs are for high mileage (to get out to the mountain roads) and cornering traction.

My 2 cents on tires I've used:
Pilot Powers work great & have a lot of grip; mileage ok for a full-on sport tire, but I can't afford 3 sets a year.

Diablo Supersports work fine, but wear is not so great.

BT-021 are dual compound sport-touring tires and rear lasted me 8K miles (a lot longer than most).After wearing out the rear Pirelli I put on back in January, I have another BT-021 I'm putting on the back this week.

 

I usaully stay in the far left of the turn lane when make right turns unless a car is there waiting to turn then I go far right so i can make more room between me and the car. As far as a left turn goes I am always in the inside left side of the turn but I have never felt a slip on the left turn aways the right.

For everyone else I am not going to the race track to the bike I just bought the bike to cruise with my finance and we take many trips so I guess I would need more of a milage tire but I do want good performance tire as well.

 

I just spooned on some Powers Sunday after thoroughly wearing out my rear Qualifier. Prior to the 1000RR fork swap I even had a Qualifier front tire on there too! It was replaced with a half-worn, 4 year old Diablo Corsa. Needless to say, the new fork/Pilot Power combo is truly phenomenal, at least compared to what was on there.

 

anyone have anything good to say about the Metzler Sportec M-3s?...

 

I have been very happy with my Powers as you will be. They're cooler to warm up than you might think and easy to slip when cold. But once they warm I don't think there is a better tire. I can come in from a modestly aggressive ride and the gravel sticks to tire as I drive through the lot on the way to the shop. If you thought you were good with a Dunlop be ready for the ride of your life!

 

The M3s have a LOT of tread depth. Be prepared to get a shitload of mileage out of them. I spoke with a guy who has them on his 05 600RR and he really likes them. He's not quite as fast as I am but he can ride pretty good.

 

I like the round shape of the M3s. I noticed a huge difference in ease of turn in and transitions as compared to the flatter shape of the Bridgestone Battleax tires that were on the bike before I mounted the M3s.

 

So after riding the hawk for a year the turns just feel too slippery I believe My tires are junk since they are the stockers and they are five years old I am going to pick up a pair of Pilot Powers for my front and rear for $308 shipped is this a good deal and I know some of you folks might want to share your input on the PP's.

 

My input... if you are doing some or a lot of highway... consider the PP 2CT's... It's a bit harder than normal PP's on the center rubber and a bit softer on the edges... I do a lot of twisties and then some commuting in between, which makes the superslabs inevitable in some cases... the 2CT's has held up a bit better than the normal PP's... I get more miles and more fun in the corners... And the price is not that different...

 

Cool those are exactly what I am getting th 2CT's for 308 shipped does that sound decent in price? Also what does 2CT stand for?

 

Two Compound Tread. I did PP2CT front and Road2 rear; very pleased. seems to be wearing good too

 

Well... considering that's about what I'd pay for a rear I'd take it... But then again I'm in Sweden... The land of stupid taxes...

 

I did both PP2CT because it was a package sale...so what advantage does the two compand thread? So for all the questions I just like to get educated you know.

 

Read my post above... harder center for wear.... softer edges for grip... The Pilot Road 2 is the same in principal but more aimed at fast touring, lots of miles... I'm actually considering slapping a rear one on later...

 

Ha ha! I like to mix-and-match too. Grippier front & longer wearing for rear.

I'm a pretty aggressive rider & if you've got decent throttle management you shopuld never have a rear grip problem on todays sport touring tires (on the street).

 

Yeah I have a 2003 Sh with the stock tires I think I have pushed them long enough.

 

Reaper and I both have them. So far they have been great. Mine got some track time and felt great, the mileage I'm getting out of them seems to be pretty good for sport tires, and they are usually fairly cheap. If you want even better mileage try a Z6 Roadtec rear with M3 front.

$308 isn't bad for PP 2CT's. Is that mounted and balanced too?

 

I will give those a whirl next round but no that is the price for them just shipped to my place I plan on mounting and balancing them my self I have a habor freight manual tire changer.

Can anyone tell me how to use this to balance the tires?

https://www.superhawkforum.com/forum...alancing+tires

 

Well I think I can help you with the tire balancer since that is the one Reaper and I share sitting in my garage. I'll reply in the balancer's thread.

 

So a little up date after 8000 miles later IT WAS definitley the tires my chicken strips are almost gone on my newer PPT 2 Counts and I have enough confidence to push the bike within my limits. Those old tires were the problem and now it is solved thanks for all you help again.

I have been hitting the twisties out here lately with the others at avg of 60 mph I am pretty happy with them

 

+1 mine would do this if I goosed it coming out of a gas station. crap stock tires. get some PP 2ct. and it'll never happen. best tires I ever had.

 

If you're a new rider and not hitting the canyons hard yet, you'd benefit from dual compounds.

It'll also keep you from having that ugly flat spot in the middle. I think probably 85% of riders would be better off with dual compounds down here in twisty san diego. And that percentage would be even higher in a flat place like Illinois.

 

just a little addition, I put the 2ct's on just before my track day summer 07. they lasted the rest of the season, through last season and I did my track day last year on them again. they are still on my bike and have plenty of meat left. the only reason I am getting a new set before my track day this year is because they have seen alot of heat cycles and I don't want to burn them out around trackday time or during. and yes I ride almost every day in addition to track days.