Tyre recommendation - more stability please
Discussion
Hello,
I have a ZX7R which I love. However since it's current tyres went on it's been rather too keen to fall in to turns and tramlines badly. The tyres I have now are Pirelli Diablo Corsa III. I'd rather have something more stable, like the tyres I had before that, if I could remember what they were.
I ride all year, mostly on b-roads, and never use the last 5mm on either side of the back tyre (because I'm not a real man). I have cars for sliding around in, I want my bike to feel reassuring rather than scary.
I don't care who makes the tyres, I don't care what they cost, I just want stability. And grip, and all the other conflicting things people want when they ask this sort of open ended question on the internet because they don't have a clue.
I've tried using the manufacturers web sites as a guide, but they all claim that all of their tyre ranges provide ultimate grip without compromise which is excellent marketing but also utterly useless for customers trying to select a tyre.
So advice please.
I have a ZX7R which I love. However since it's current tyres went on it's been rather too keen to fall in to turns and tramlines badly. The tyres I have now are Pirelli Diablo Corsa III. I'd rather have something more stable, like the tyres I had before that, if I could remember what they were.
I ride all year, mostly on b-roads, and never use the last 5mm on either side of the back tyre (because I'm not a real man). I have cars for sliding around in, I want my bike to feel reassuring rather than scary.
I don't care who makes the tyres, I don't care what they cost, I just want stability. And grip, and all the other conflicting things people want when they ask this sort of open ended question on the internet because they don't have a clue.
I've tried using the manufacturers web sites as a guide, but they all claim that all of their tyre ranges provide ultimate grip without compromise which is excellent marketing but also utterly useless for customers trying to select a tyre.
So advice please.
Hi, I had a similar experience a few years ago when I used to commute.(only16mile each way)
I had a new bike rushed out to buy the latest sticky tyres out and they pretty much warmed up by the time I got to work.
I don't recall the exact name of tyre I replaced them with but it was a Continental road touring tyre !! It was night and day difference and far improved my confidence in the bike and riding in general. A large roundabout only 1 mile from my house and the tyres felt they were already at optimum temperature and worked brilliantly.
You may also find the profile of your front tyre may effect turn in etc(not sure if its different to what your used to)
Hope this helps...
I had a new bike rushed out to buy the latest sticky tyres out and they pretty much warmed up by the time I got to work.
I don't recall the exact name of tyre I replaced them with but it was a Continental road touring tyre !! It was night and day difference and far improved my confidence in the bike and riding in general. A large roundabout only 1 mile from my house and the tyres felt they were already at optimum temperature and worked brilliantly.
You may also find the profile of your front tyre may effect turn in etc(not sure if its different to what your used to)
Hope this helps...
Mr OCD said:
Stability comes from profile ... So you want a more rounded profile which a sport touring tyre will provide.
Although if the bike is that unstable you should be looking at your suspension and geometry.
I've had the bike ten years and the stability issue arrived with the new tyres. Its not dangerous, just confidence sapping.Although if the bike is that unstable you should be looking at your suspension and geometry.
My best mate can ride knee down all day and has quite a fleet of track bikes, and he loves my bike, raves about how good the front end is. It's just not suited to how I ride because I'm a bimbling nancy.
Captain Muppet said:
I can't remember anything about them at all. I can't even remember who made them. I'm good at car tyres, but rubbish at bikes.
A touring tyre of some kind is probably the answer. I had a chat today with a chap who recommended Michelin Pilot Road 2s.
PR2's are old hat now but should be ok for going slow on, I'd just get used to the ones you have, they are a good tyre.A touring tyre of some kind is probably the answer. I had a chat today with a chap who recommended Michelin Pilot Road 2s.
Jazoli said:
Captain Muppet said:
I can't remember anything about them at all. I can't even remember who made them. I'm good at car tyres, but rubbish at bikes.
A touring tyre of some kind is probably the answer. I had a chat today with a chap who recommended Michelin Pilot Road 2s.
PR2's are old hat now but should be ok for going slow on, I'd just get used to the ones you have, they are a good tyre.A touring tyre of some kind is probably the answer. I had a chat today with a chap who recommended Michelin Pilot Road 2s.
I used to have Michelin pilot roads and I thought they were good tyres, warmed up nicely, good confidence in all weathers with half decent feedback. I've heard great things about the pilot road 3's aswell and I can only imagine they have got better.
Recently I tried a Dunlop roadsmart 2 after reading a few reviews (apparently they are slightly worse wet grip than the pr3's but much better dry grip) and was very impressed in wet grip, dry grip, stability and confidence - inspiring(ness). So I went and bought a second set last month as I cannot really see how they can be bettered! They are quite pricey but they are worth the money IMO.
Recently I tried a Dunlop roadsmart 2 after reading a few reviews (apparently they are slightly worse wet grip than the pr3's but much better dry grip) and was very impressed in wet grip, dry grip, stability and confidence - inspiring(ness). So I went and bought a second set last month as I cannot really see how they can be bettered! They are quite pricey but they are worth the money IMO.
Metzeler M7rr
http://www.metzeler.com/site/com/products/tyres-ca...
Done nearly 400 miles on mine since they were fitted a week ago and totally confident on them.
http://www.metzeler.com/site/com/products/tyres-ca...
Done nearly 400 miles on mine since they were fitted a week ago and totally confident on them.
I had a ZX7R for many years which I eventually restored too. With the quality of that front end, I wouldn't be looking at tyres as the root cause of your issue.
Assuming head bearings, swing arm bearings and wheel bearings are fine, check someone hasn't been at the ride height adjuster. 6mm of thread showing is the most you want. I wound mine to nearly 10mm initially as I like it to drop in and it was a nightmare. 6mm at the shock equates to a lot more at the rear wheel. As standard with the ride height adjuster on zero mm thread showing they are relatively slow steering.
If you want stable sports tyres though, I'd look a the Michelin Pilot Power 3. It has a near sports touring profile and tends to be very stable on the bikes I've run it on.
If on a budget, the Maxxi Supermaxx tyres are not bad - look great and are a stable profile too.
Assuming head bearings, swing arm bearings and wheel bearings are fine, check someone hasn't been at the ride height adjuster. 6mm of thread showing is the most you want. I wound mine to nearly 10mm initially as I like it to drop in and it was a nightmare. 6mm at the shock equates to a lot more at the rear wheel. As standard with the ride height adjuster on zero mm thread showing they are relatively slow steering.
If you want stable sports tyres though, I'd look a the Michelin Pilot Power 3. It has a near sports touring profile and tends to be very stable on the bikes I've run it on.
If on a budget, the Maxxi Supermaxx tyres are not bad - look great and are a stable profile too.
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