Let's talk tyres...

[StuB]

Biker's Nemesis said:

StuB said:

Are the K2 M7 RR's likely to be OK for a Euro trip (Mugello MotoGP) then? I've a new set and was wondering about a swap for a touring tyre just in case.

As you say, I rate them for the ride/feel.

You not fancying your chances on a half worn race tech Stu baby?

Lesson learned

[RemyMartin81D]

I've just got my bike back out of winter hibernation at the weekend and it's sitting on Bridgestone S21s. Bare in mind I haven't ridden a bike in anger since around October I found them massively awe and confidence inspiring.

Good tyre IMO. Can be had for a good price too.

[Ho Lee Kau]

Last year in German MOTORRAD magazine test of allround supersport tyres the first place was shared by M7RR and Michelin Pilot Power 3.

The scoring was the following (M7RR / PP3):

Race track: 94 / 80
Open road: 93 / 93
Open road after 4000km: 90 /91
In wet: 86 / 92
Wear: 84 / 91

So PP3 has better wear and better wet performance, and since I use my CBR600F mostly for commuting with the occasional mountain run to get the chicken strips off and round off the wear, I plan to try Pilot Power 3 next.

Anyone has experience with PP3 already?

[SAS Tom]

Ho Lee Kau said:

Last year in German MOTORRAD magazine test of allround supersport tyres the first place was shared by M7RR and Michelin Pilot Power 3.

The scoring was the following (M7RR / PP3):

Race track: 94 / 80
Open road: 93 / 93
Open road after 4000km: 90 /91
In wet: 86 / 92
Wear: 84 / 91

So PP3 has better wear and better wet performance, and since I use my CBR600F mostly for commuting with the occasional mountain run to get the chicken strips off and round off the wear, I plan to try Pilot Power 3 next.

Anyone has experience with PP3 already?

I'm not a massive fan of the PP3. I found it wasn't as grippy as the M7RR in the wet, it spun up a lot on a track day and I don't like the profile of michelins. I don't think they turn in nearly as well as a metzeler. The Metzelers lasted about 2k miles more too.

[3DP]

Ho Lee Kau said:

Last year in German MOTORRAD magazine test of allround supersport tyres the first place was shared by M7RR and Michelin Pilot Power 3.

The scoring was the following (M7RR / PP3):

Race track: 94 / 80
Open road: 93 / 93
Open road after 4000km: 90 /91
In wet: 86 / 92
Wear: 84 / 91

So PP3 has better wear and better wet performance, and since I use my CBR600F mostly for commuting with the occasional mountain run to get the chicken strips off and round off the wear, I plan to try Pilot Power 3 next.

Anyone has experience with PP3 already?

I had the PP3s on 2 bikes when they came out (GSXR750, CBR600RR) and did a 2000 mile Alps tour on the CBR600RR on them. I got about 3000 miles out of the rear on the 600 IIRC. My main issue was feel in the dry and warm, they just felt like they were on marble at road pressures. Great from cold though and in the wet. Personally I've found the M7RRs better everywhere and much more confidence inspiring on the dry. I was running Diablo Rosso Corsas on a Ducati 996S at the same time and much preferred DRCs for summer use.

Personally, I found PR4s better feeling than PP3s and even if they don't grip quite as much, I'd rather take the extra mileage and feel of a PR4 on a bike than use a PP3 given the choice now.

[Bordtea]

Have just ordered a pair of Metzeler M7RR to be fit next week. Will update you as to how I get on!

[StuB]

3DP said:

StuB said:

Are the K2 M7 RR's likely to be OK for a Euro trip (Mugello MotoGP) then? I've a new set and was wondering about a swap for a touring tyre just in case.

As you say, I rate them for the ride/feel.

I got 2200 miles on the Blade, riding like a dhead in Spain and Portugal - in fact the sides went bald before the middle which is a first for me road riding, but M7RRs have shallower tread on tread on the edges of the tyre than in the middle.

For comparison on rears, I got 1100 miles out of a Diablo Rosso Corsa, 1000 miles out of a Qualifier 2 and 3000 miles out of a PR3. All road riding only and avoiding m-ways.

If that's any help to you - I believe you are an accomplished racer, but I understand that doesn't always translate into someone who WANTS to ride fast/committed on the road!.... or you might be Joey Dunlop!

I would say riding in a mixed ability group with m-ways chucked in, it's easy to get 4000 miles on a rear M7RR. Even my Speed Triple, based on tread depth measurements is looking like it will get 3000 miles out of the rear M7RR and that spends most of its time being squirted about on quiet B roads and has done a 4 session track evening.

Thanks for the info. I checked the rear tyre & I opted for K3 rear, so should be good.