Not exactly a meet and greet topic but I want replies from Aussies given our tyre selection is so much different to our international brethren...

Anyway, the commute is killing the centre of my dual sports and I want to go back to pure road tyres. The dual sports were a styling exercise only... had enough of that!

I'm contemplating three at the moment... Michelin Pilot Activ, Pirelli Sport Demon, and Bridgestone BT45.

I'm trying to get something good in the wet and dry as I commute every day but that can also handle some fun on the weekends, usually get out about once a month. I'm not a knee scraper by any means but I do like the twisties.

I'm thinking a dual compound is the best bet which means in my list only the Pilot Activs work but would love to hear some other opinions... this will be my first real pure road tyre purchase since 1998 so I'm way out of touch...

Well I just put these on my bike and they seem to go alright, plenty of grip for me but still a commuter tyre.

DEMONS!!!  GHOGH!

I got Demons, and they work awesome. The ex has a set of Demons on her Hyosung GT650s after I explained the difference between rubber compound and that balsa wood they make those f%$king BT-45s out of. Much better ride.

Dual compounds aren't really worth it I don't think. If you were running around on a litre bike, scraping knees and being a loon, then maybe...

I think you can get pirelli diablo rossos now too for the smaller sizes

Quote from: slipperymongoose on June 04, 2013, 01:51:29 AM
I think you can get pirelli diablo rossos now too for the smaller sizes

Indeed you can, I saw a set at the stealership today when I was taking bikes for test rides

Sport Demons it is... feedback from here and the Kat forum almost 90% in favour of them... works for me!

Diablo's only come in 17" rim sizes going by the Pirelli website.. looks a little odd but that's all that's showing up.

I need 18" front and rear.

Called Tyres 4 Bikes this morning, should be getting them fitted Friday 

You'll love them!!

Except for one guy who loves his Bridgy BT45's they all reckon the same... can't wait!

The ride on Sunday completely destroyed my front tyre... hoping noone looks too close at it before Friday... and more showers this week yet too 

I've seen matchbox cars that can stick to the road better than a bike with a set of BT45's. They're little more than a sheet of wood with a thin film of what could be described as condom latex stretched over the top.

Quote from: peteGS on June 04, 2013, 04:56:03 AM
Sport Demons it is... feedback from here and the Kat forum almost 90% in favour of them... works for me!

Diablo's only come in 17" rim sizes going by the Pirelli website.. looks a little odd but that's all that's showing up.

I need 18" front and rear.

Called Tyres 4 Bikes this morning, should be getting them fitted Friday 

what bike do you have with 18" front and rear ? that's an odd size

That would be my 1982 Suzuki GS450E... the E and S both came with 18" front and rear 

And yeah, makes buying tyres fun these days... try getting matched dual sports for them! Glad I'm not doing that again...

I'm telling ya Pete, go for the dual disc / 19" front end.....

Spoke wheels front and rear, 35mm forks, etc.. Basically fit whatever tires you want.

I would say the wear on the factory BT45s I got with my bike has been acceptable for commuting, but they are a little skittish in the wet.  I did look at the BT90s after some "moments" in the rain, but have been told by one of the guys at work here they are probably too soft to justify use on the road.

I will probably switch to a different manufacturer when they are due for replacing - probably Pirelli again.

Be interested to know what sort of break in period you get for the Pirellis.

Pete,

You will get less distance on the Sport Demons than the BT45s - BUT - you will get better grip and handling.

Since putting on Sport Demons I have only stuck with them. Love 'em!

I've kept track of mileage, if you're interested. Let me know and I'll dig it up for you.

Rich, the 19" upgrade with spokes is in my "hmmmm" file... as in hmmm... I'd like to do that someday! Also in that file are clip ons, rear sets, and a single seat conversion... but all those things would interfere with the Kat fund so will have to wait

Kiwi: I will endeavour to keep the thread up to date once I get the tyres...

Mister: Just went and checked the odometer and when put tyres on etc... I've done about 17000km's since the rebuild which is when the dual sports went on. First rear lasted 10500km's but a few thousand of those I was riding like a kitty cat after being off the bike for nearly 10 years. I've got about 6500km's on this rear tyre and it's almost as shagged as the first one was. The front is in a similar state of wear now too. Would love to know what mileage you're getting out of the Demons...

The front is wearing fairly evenly in the centre and on the sides, but the rear is completely shagged in the centre with heaps of tread left on the sides...

Done...





$318 including replacing the front tube as it wasn't looking too flash apparently.

100/90-18 front, date code 2612.

110/90-18 rear, date code 1712.

Went home via Jinker Track, up and back Bunya Rd, then Mailmans Track/Bygotts Rd to scrub them in, feeling pretty damn good so far!

I'll have to get out in the next few weeks for a proper run...

Ok, Pete, here is my tyre history - bought my GS new...

Rear tyre changed to Sport Demon at 23,000 - together with sprockets and chain.
Front at 29,300

Rear tyre replaced at 40,130 with a 140 instead of 130 as that's all they had. So I got 17,130 out of the 1st rear Sport Demon.

Current odo is 61,783 so I have 21,653 on the current rear and it looks like it still has good life in it still. The front has 32,483 on it and it still has many miles left in it. Still on that chain I changed back then so have 38,783 on the current chain and sprockets.

Ok that's pretty awesome... so you got heaps more out of your first rear than I did out of the Scorpion Trail front... sounds damn good to me 

Have to see how these ones go, gotta tell ya' I was pretty frustrated with a detroyed rear after 6500km's... my 450 isn't exactly a powerhouse! (32hp to be exact  )

Quote from: peteGS on June 04, 2013, 01:04:09 PM
That would be my 1982 Suzuki GS450E... the E and S both came with 18" front and rear 

And yeah, makes buying tyres fun these days... try getting matched dual sports for them! Glad I'm not doing that again...

cool bike ! have you tried (yes, I'm claiming awesome tireness again) the goldenboys yet ? they come in 17, 18, 19, 20, and #21 sizes, wear very well on low torque bikes, and provide a very nice profile for street riding.