Tire help

[blue05twin]

Search NooB!!   

Ok with that out of the way I have a few questions about tires. 

What I'm looking for in a tire, a tire that has great grip in any condition, dry, wet whatever.  But also has a decent life span.  Bikes mostly commuter but does make trips to the mountains every once in  awhile.   Not really worried about the price, more about traction and life of tire.

I read about the attack tire and it sounds great, but then alpha said he really wanted pilot powers.  So whats the better tire?  I can't make up my mind about the pilot powers, sport demons and attack's. 

GsJack question your running two different tires on your bike is that because you had life left in your front so you just changed the rear.  Or did you do that on purpose? 

And lastly what size tire would you go with for a 4.5" rim?

[Alphamazing]

My Pilot Powers stick like glue. No questions about it. I'm retty careful when it's raining though, but they have yet to slip on me at all in the wet.

On a 4.5" rim, I'd stick with a 150 to avoid any clearance issues.

You can get a set for $229 shipped from Motorcycle Superstore with a coupon.

[pantablo]

And lastly what size tire would you go with for a 4.5" rim?

powers are superior to the attacks, by a long shot. stick to 150's.

[Jarrett]

How or where can I get a coupon?

[Alphamazing]

How or where can I get a coupon?

I googled "Motorcycle Superstore "promotional code""

http://www.google.com/search?client=firefox-a&rls=org.mozilla%3Aen-US%3Aofficial_s&hl=en&q=motorcycle+superstore+%22promotional+code%22&btnG=Google+Search

First thing that came up was this:
http://www.dealtaker.com/MotorcycleSuperstore-coupon-code-a1527-c.html

$10 off orders over $200
Coupon Code: 443496

[Jarrett]

Thanks.  I'll place an order soon.

[gsJack]

My Pilot Powers stick like glue. No questions about it. I'm retty careful when it's raining though, but they have yet to slip on me at all in the wet.

On a 4.5" rim, I'd stick with a 150 to avoid any clearance issues.

You can get a set for $229 shipped from Motorcycle Superstore with a coupon.

How or where can I get a coupon?

You can get the Powers from Southwest with the 150/60 rear for $232 including shipping  without a coupon.

http://swmototires.com/

[gsJack]

     ........................GsJack question your running two different tires on your bike is that because you had life left in your front so you just changed the rear.  Or did you do that on purpose? 

And lastly what size tire would you go with for a 4.5" rim?

I agree on size, go with the 150/60 (Power) or 150/70 (RoadAttack) on a 4.5" rim for the GS.

And yes, I did it on purpose while using up a left over front tire at the same time.      When I bought a pair of Lasertecs to try out, it was my intention to go to a bias Lasertec front with a radial sport touring rear next.  I was thinking back to the Z2 rear with the Lasertec front when the new Road Attack came along, my local supplier had it so I tried it and am so glad I did.  The Lasertec/Z2 combo is a Metzeler recommended fitment on the new Bonnies.  I've always got the best tire life from the bias front and the sport touring radial rears and the Metzeler Laser tread pattern is the only one of many I've tried that wears down evenly for me.

[blue05twin]

Thanks guys, getting the powers in the 150 size. 

[gsJack]

And lastly what size tire would you go with for a 4.5" rim?

powers are superior to the attacks, by a long shot. stick to 150's.

This is a poll?  OK, I vote for the Road Attack not to be confused with Conti's newer Sport Attack.   

blue05twin's described tire usage just screams out Road Attack to me, the Powers are not commuters.

What I'm looking for in a tire, a tire that has great grip in any condition, dry, wet whatever. But also has a decent life span. Bikes mostly commuter but does make trips to the mountains every once in awhile. Not really worried about the price, more about traction and life of tire.

I too am always interested in tire life as well as performance.  

Maybe we could qualify my vote to Powers for the track and Road Attack for the street.  

Over 2k miles and we're getting into the messy road season here in NE Ohio and the Conti hasn't budged a bit from it's intended path thru the corners.  Even spent a couple hours chasing a friend on a Busa.    Think maybe it's about time I put another K491 rear on and started riding lika a senior citizen again.

[Alphamazing]

My Pilot Powers stick like glue. No questions about it. I'm retty careful when it's raining though, but they have yet to slip on me at all in the wet.

On a 4.5" rim, I'd stick with a 150 to avoid any clearance issues.

You can get a set for $229 shipped from Motorcycle Superstore with a coupon.

How or where can I get a coupon?

You can get the Powers from Southwest with the 150/60 rear for $232 including shipping  without a coupon.

http://swmototires.com/

They have a dealer here in Dallas, so they charge tax for Texas residents. For me, motorcycle-superstore.com was cheaper because of a $5 off coupon I had, as well as the free shipping and no taxes.

Options!

[blue05twin]

Ok I know nothing about tire sizes for bikes, but I have another question
quote from GSJack

I agree on size, go with the 150/60 (Power) or 150/70 (RoadAttack) on a 4.5" rim for the GS. 

Just wondering does the 60 or 70 make a big difference?  I'm just tring to learn more about tires.

The front stock tire is 110/70 17 so just use the same sizes tire or get a bigger one?

Can only find the road attack in the 120/60 or 120/70.  Which one or would I have to go with another brand front tire?

On the powers rear would be 150/60 but what front would be better?  the 110/70 same as stock or 120/60 sense they are both 60's?  or the 120/70.

I know alot of questions but I'm trying to really learn about tire stuff

[D-Day]

Ok I know nothing about tire sizes for bikes, but I have another question
quote from GSJack

I agree on size, go with the 150/60 (Power) or 150/70 (RoadAttack) on a 4.5" rim for the GS. 

Just wondering does the 60 or 70 make a big difference?  I'm just tring to learn more about tires.

The front stock tire is 110/70 17 so just use the same sizes tire or get a bigger one?

Can only find the road attack in the 120/60 or 120/70.  Which one or would I have to go with another brand front tire?

On the powers rear would be 150/60 but what front would be better?  the 110/70 same as stock or 120/60 sense they are both 60's?  or the 120/70.

I know alot of questions but I'm trying to really learn about tire stuff

120/70 will turn in faster than a 120/60 in the same tire.

That is all I can tell you, other than given a choice, I always use a 70 series front over a 60 series, even on my track bikes.

[gsJack]

Ok I know nothing about tire sizes for bikes, but I have another question
quote from GSJack

I agree on size, go with the 150/60 (Power) or 150/70 (RoadAttack) on a 4.5" rim for the GS. 

Just wondering does the 60 or 70 make a big difference?  I'm just tring to learn more about tires.

The front stock tire is 110/70 17 so just use the same sizes tire or get a bigger one?

Can only find the road attack in the 120/60 or 120/70.  Which one or would I have to go with another brand front tire?

On the powers rear would be 150/60 but what front would be better?  the 110/70 same as stock or 120/60 sense they are both 60's?  or the 120/70.

I know alot of questions but I'm trying to really learn about tire stuff

120/70 will turn in faster than a 120/60 in the same tire.

That is all I can tell you, other than given a choice, I always use a 70 series front over a 60 series, even on my track bikes.

The Canyon Chasers review helped me to decide to go ahead with the radial Road Attack rear with the bias Lasertec front rather than the old Z2 I'd previously used.  Their comment regarding the front size is interesting:

"I installed the lower profile 120/60 front tire, which I think was a mistake. The lower profile front feels a bit skittish, but the OEM sized 120/70 front on Kris Z1000 exhibits none of those traits. My advice would be to get the taller 120/70 front tire."

When restoring my wrecked 97 GS500 in 03, I put an available 110/70 BT010 supersport front on with an Avon AV36 rear and found the bike to be a bit twitchy with this combo partuicularly at slower speeds.

My plan B if the Lasertec/Road Attack combo didn't work out was to then change the front to a 120/70 Road Attack; the combo did work out even better than anticipated for my usage and I'll be "sticking" with this combo till something better comes along.  There are new surprises every year in the fast changing tire market.

http://canyonchasers.net/reviews/accessories/road-attack.php

[gsJack]

Also to blue05twin regarding the 150/60 or 150/70 rear size, the tire makers make this choice for us.  The supersport tires like the Powers come in the 150/60 size and the sport touring radials like the Road Attacks come in the 150/70 size.

[scratch]

I may try the Continental Avenues as my next choice!  (depending on what price I get from my local supplier, otherwise I'll try the Pirellis, but may go back to the Avons just to try them with a 110/80 profile front)

Did someone want me to add a poll?  What are the selections?