Good tyres for a 748 ?
Discussion
Right, my 748 SPS needs new tyres. What are good tyre options for these ? I want to stick to the original 180/55 and 120/60 combination, rather than go to 120/70. I've seen Dunlop Qualifiers at a good price on ebay. What about Pirellis - Evo Corsa any good, or should I go for Diablo Corsa? My local Duke dealer reckons people have different preferences and so can't recommend one over the other. They also reckon that what is billed as Diablo Corsa on ebay may be Evo Corsa, and he can get them for £150 a pair as opposed to £210 for Diablo Corsa. I thought the Evo Corsa is from the Dragon range?
Also fitting - dealer reckons 1 hour labour if I bring the bike in - £60
Crazy money to fit a pair of tyres. I'm looking to take just the wheels - anyone had tyres fitted by a "normal" fitter ?
Finally - I should say that, to my embarrassment, my bike has only 3150 miles from new (1998) and so I'm still on the original Dragons. I expect most modern sports tyres would be better than those? I don't claim to be a knee-down jockey, but I can and do ride quickly and want good grip/handling over longevity.
Also fitting - dealer reckons 1 hour labour if I bring the bike in - £60
Crazy money to fit a pair of tyres. I'm looking to take just the wheels - anyone had tyres fitted by a "normal" fitter ? Finally - I should say that, to my embarrassment, my bike has only 3150 miles from new (1998) and so I'm still on the original Dragons. I expect most modern sports tyres would be better than those? I don't claim to be a knee-down jockey, but I can and do ride quickly and want good grip/handling over longevity.
If you can get them in your sizes you really should try Michelin Pilot Power 2CT's. A fantastic tyre. Depending on where you are you should get the Michelins fitted for about £225 - £230. Do not go to a bike dealer for tyres as they will fleece you for tyres & fitting.
As your current tyres are approx 9 years old they definately need changing. If you only ride in the summer maybe you could try the Pirelli Super Corsa (road version not track versions) as these are very good as well.
As your current tyres are approx 9 years old they definately need changing. If you only ride in the summer maybe you could try the Pirelli Super Corsa (road version not track versions) as these are very good as well.
Edited by Andy Oh on Tuesday 20th February 14:59
yellowvette said:
Right, my 748 SPS needs new tyres. What are good tyre options for these ? I want to stick to the original 180/55 and 120/60 combination, rather than go to 120/70. I've seen Dunlop Qualifiers at a good price on ebay. What about Pirellis - Evo Corsa any good, or should I go for Diablo Corsa? My local Duke dealer reckons people have different preferences and so can't recommend one over the other. They also reckon that what is billed as Diablo Corsa on ebay may be Evo Corsa, and he can get them for £150 a pair as opposed to £210 for Diablo Corsa. I thought the Evo Corsa is from the Dragon range?
Also fitting - dealer reckons 1 hour labour if I bring the bike in - £60 Crazy money to fit a pair of tyres. I'm looking to take just the wheels - anyone had tyres fitted by a "normal" fitter ?
Finally - I should say that, to my embarrassment, my bike has only 3150 miles from new (1998) and so I'm still on the original Dragons. I expect most modern sports tyres would be better than those? I don't claim to be a knee-down jockey, but I can and do ride quickly and want good grip/handling over longevity.
Also fitting - dealer reckons 1 hour labour if I bring the bike in - £60
Crazy money to fit a pair of tyres. I'm looking to take just the wheels - anyone had tyres fitted by a "normal" fitter ? Finally - I should say that, to my embarrassment, my bike has only 3150 miles from new (1998) and so I'm still on the original Dragons. I expect most modern sports tyres would be better than those? I don't claim to be a knee-down jockey, but I can and do ride quickly and want good grip/handling over longevity.
If you want good handling, go for the 120/70 rather than the /60 profile, as it'll help the bike turn quicker and make it easier to hold a line. When you talk about getting some 'dunlop qualifiers' fitted, do you mean race qaulifiers? If so, I can't think of a single more unsuitable tyre to use on the road (legality aside). Do you want a road legal trackday tyre, or a sticky-ish road tyre? Dragon corsas and evo corsas are different IIRC, check out the pirelli website for a look?
Let us know what type of riding you intend to do with these tyres?
where are you based?
currently deciding between Pirelli Diablo Corsa III and Michelin Pilot Power 2CT for my Honda SP-1. Think I will go with the Pirelli's as the softer compound comes in to play at only 15 degrees of lean, which seems to be earlier than the Michelin. The Diablos also have a nice profile, which makes precise (fairly precise in my case) riding quite easy.
shane
currently deciding between Pirelli Diablo Corsa III and Michelin Pilot Power 2CT for my Honda SP-1. Think I will go with the Pirelli's as the softer compound comes in to play at only 15 degrees of lean, which seems to be earlier than the Michelin. The Diablos also have a nice profile, which makes precise (fairly precise in my case) riding quite easy.
shane
Shane,
I'm based in Somerset, near Burnham-on-Sea.
Fergus,
Qualifiers are the road version - heres the link: Dunlop Qualifiers
I ride in fine, dry weather only (done plenty of winter stuff in my younger days - don't enjoy it TBH). I want good grip more than longevity, but don't kid myself that I need race quality tyres. I'll have to rethink the move to 120/70 though.
Andy,
haven't seen the Michelins - are these similar? If not - are they any good? Michelin Pilots
Good advice fellas, keep it coming.
I'm based in Somerset, near Burnham-on-Sea.
Fergus,
Qualifiers are the road version - heres the link: Dunlop Qualifiers
I ride in fine, dry weather only (done plenty of winter stuff in my younger days - don't enjoy it TBH). I want good grip more than longevity, but don't kid myself that I need race quality tyres. I'll have to rethink the move to 120/70 though.
Andy,
haven't seen the Michelins - are these similar? If not - are they any good? Michelin Pilots
Good advice fellas, keep it coming.
Edited by yellowvette on Tuesday 20th February 15:57
yellowvette said:
Andy,
haven't seen the Michelins - are these similar? If not - are they any good? Michelin Pilots
Good advice fellas, keep it coming.
These are not the Pilot Power 2CT's they are the Pilot Sports. As I said earlier I'm not sure Michelin do the 2CT in a 120 60 17 and judging by their website it looks like they don't www.michelin.co.uk/uk/front/affich.jsp?codeRubrique=66
Is there an advantage of having a 60 profile front compared to a 70 profile
I was always a Pirelli man until the 2CT came out last April and I'm now on my third front and fourth rear...they really are very good in dry and especially in the wet.
kawasicki said:
where are you based?
currently deciding between Pirelli Diablo Corsa III and Michelin Pilot Power 2CT for my Honda SP-1. Think I will go with the Pirelli's as the softer compound comes in to play at only 15 degrees of lean, which seems to be earlier than the Michelin. The Diablos also have a nice profile, which makes precise (fairly precise in my case) riding quite easy.
shane
currently deciding between Pirelli Diablo Corsa III and Michelin Pilot Power 2CT for my Honda SP-1. Think I will go with the Pirelli's as the softer compound comes in to play at only 15 degrees of lean, which seems to be earlier than the Michelin. The Diablos also have a nice profile, which makes precise (fairly precise in my case) riding quite easy.
shane
I would seriously consider the 2CT over the Diablo Corsa III. I was at the tyre shop I use this morning and they said they have had mixed reports on the DC III but all positive onthe 2CT.
I had the option of going for the DC III on the last change of tyres (same price for both) and I stuck with the 2CT's and I'm putting another set of 2CT's on in a months time.
Give them a go you won't be disappointed.
Andy,
OK, I'm with you now. Yes, they do a 120/60 and they're on ebay too : Michelin Pilots
Not bothered about wet performance TBH, but they sound interesting. Is this ebay price good in your experience? As for size, I just intended to stick with the factory sizing really. The press all said the 748 was a bit more flickable than the 9** and that was largely down to tyre sizes, so I thought I'd stay with them. Fergus has cast doubts in my mind though, and the variety is greater with a 120/70 as far as I can see.
OK, I'm with you now. Yes, they do a 120/60 and they're on ebay too : Michelin Pilots
Not bothered about wet performance TBH, but they sound interesting. Is this ebay price good in your experience? As for size, I just intended to stick with the factory sizing really. The press all said the 748 was a bit more flickable than the 9** and that was largely down to tyre sizes, so I thought I'd stay with them. Fergus has cast doubts in my mind though, and the variety is greater with a 120/70 as far as I can see.
yellowvette said:
Andy,
OK, I'm with you now. Yes, they do a 120/60 and they're on ebay too : Michelin Pilots
Not bothered about wet performance TBH, but they sound interesting. Is this ebay price good in your experience? As for size, I just intended to stick with the factory sizing really. The press all said the 748 was a bit more flickable than the 9** and that was largely down to tyre sizes, so I thought I'd stay with them. Fergus has cast doubts in my mind though, and the variety is greater with a 120/70 as far as I can see.
OK, I'm with you now. Yes, they do a 120/60 and they're on ebay too : Michelin Pilots
Not bothered about wet performance TBH, but they sound interesting. Is this ebay price good in your experience? As for size, I just intended to stick with the factory sizing really. The press all said the 748 was a bit more flickable than the 9** and that was largely down to tyre sizes, so I thought I'd stay with them. Fergus has cast doubts in my mind though, and the variety is greater with a 120/70 as far as I can see.
These are 2CT's Michelin Pilot Power 2CT
The link you provided was for Michelin Pilot Road 2 not the Michelin Pilot Power 2CT.
Andy Oh said:
kawasicki said:
where are you based?
currently deciding between Pirelli Diablo Corsa III and Michelin Pilot Power 2CT for my Honda SP-1. Think I will go with the Pirelli's as the softer compound comes in to play at only 15 degrees of lean, which seems to be earlier than the Michelin. The Diablos also have a nice profile, which makes precise (fairly precise in my case) riding quite easy.
shane
currently deciding between Pirelli Diablo Corsa III and Michelin Pilot Power 2CT for my Honda SP-1. Think I will go with the Pirelli's as the softer compound comes in to play at only 15 degrees of lean, which seems to be earlier than the Michelin. The Diablos also have a nice profile, which makes precise (fairly precise in my case) riding quite easy.
shane
I would seriously consider the 2CT over the Diablo Corsa III. I was at the tyre shop I use this morning and they said they have had mixed reports on the DC III but all positive onthe 2CT.
I had the option of going for the DC III on the last change of tyres (same price for both) and I stuck with the 2CT's and I'm putting another set of 2CT's on in a months time.
Give them a go you won't be disappointed.
thanks for that advice.
what makes the 2CTs so good? Grip, handling?
I was really impressed with the Diablo (normal version) that I had on my zxr400, so I thought I would stick with Pirelli.
Andy Oh said:
yellowvette said:
Andy,
OK, I'm with you now. Yes, they do a 120/60 and they're on ebay too : Michelin Pilots
Not bothered about wet performance TBH, but they sound interesting. Is this ebay price good in your experience? As for size, I just intended to stick with the factory sizing really. The press all said the 748 was a bit more flickable than the 9** and that was largely down to tyre sizes, so I thought I'd stay with them. Fergus has cast doubts in my mind though, and the variety is greater with a 120/70 as far as I can see.
OK, I'm with you now. Yes, they do a 120/60 and they're on ebay too : Michelin Pilots
Not bothered about wet performance TBH, but they sound interesting. Is this ebay price good in your experience? As for size, I just intended to stick with the factory sizing really. The press all said the 748 was a bit more flickable than the 9** and that was largely down to tyre sizes, so I thought I'd stay with them. Fergus has cast doubts in my mind though, and the variety is greater with a 120/70 as far as I can see.
These are 2CT's Michelin Pilot Power 2CT
The link you provided was for Michelin Pilot Road 2 not the Michelin Pilot Power 2CT.
Andy - Ahh, I'm definately with you now. I just saw the first tyre on the link you gave and saw the Road Pilot 2 - my error.
Thanks for the link. Is that a good price do you think?
Edited by yellowvette on Tuesday 20th February 17:11
yellowvette said:
Andy Oh said:
yellowvette said:
Andy,
OK, I'm with you now. Yes, they do a 120/60 and they're on ebay too : Michelin Pilots
Not bothered about wet performance TBH, but they sound interesting. Is this ebay price good in your experience? As for size, I just intended to stick with the factory sizing really. The press all said the 748 was a bit more flickable than the 9** and that was largely down to tyre sizes, so I thought I'd stay with them. Fergus has cast doubts in my mind though, and the variety is greater with a 120/70 as far as I can see.
OK, I'm with you now. Yes, they do a 120/60 and they're on ebay too : Michelin Pilots
Not bothered about wet performance TBH, but they sound interesting. Is this ebay price good in your experience? As for size, I just intended to stick with the factory sizing really. The press all said the 748 was a bit more flickable than the 9** and that was largely down to tyre sizes, so I thought I'd stay with them. Fergus has cast doubts in my mind though, and the variety is greater with a 120/70 as far as I can see.
These are 2CT's Michelin Pilot Power 2CT
The link you provided was for Michelin Pilot Road 2 not the Michelin Pilot Power 2CT.
Andy - Ahh, I'm definately with you now. I just saw the first tyre on the link you gave and saw the Road Pilot 2 - my error.
Thanks for the link. Is that a good price do you think?
The Ebay price is very good as long as you can get the tyres fitted for around £25 - £30.
Remember I don't think Michelin do the Pilot Power 2CT in a 60 profile so it might be worth considering changing to a 70 profile.
Have a look at the pics on the Silverstone trackday thread. I am running 2CTs on the blade and they are absolutely superb at all lean angles in any conditions. So much grip!!
I put a new rear on the bike on the Friday before the trackday and scrubbed it in during the Sighting Laps and 1st Session then it was good to go. The best bit is that they reach temperature so quickly and offer bags of grip.
I ran Diablo Corsas before the 2CTs as that is what the bike was supplied with. I will be honest when saying the 2CTs offer more feel and feedback. Especially when cranked right over.
As for wear, the front still looks new and is the original 2CT that I have used throughout last years rideouts, down to the Pyrenees, and now one track day!! I have covered over 5000 miles on it.
The rear needed replacement as it had flat spotted from wheelieing too much, that lasted 4.5k, which is still good from a fast road/track biased tyre trying to keep 152rwhp in check!
I will not use any other tyre now.
Hope this helps.
I put a new rear on the bike on the Friday before the trackday and scrubbed it in during the Sighting Laps and 1st Session then it was good to go. The best bit is that they reach temperature so quickly and offer bags of grip.
I ran Diablo Corsas before the 2CTs as that is what the bike was supplied with. I will be honest when saying the 2CTs offer more feel and feedback. Especially when cranked right over.
As for wear, the front still looks new and is the original 2CT that I have used throughout last years rideouts, down to the Pyrenees, and now one track day!! I have covered over 5000 miles on it.
The rear needed replacement as it had flat spotted from wheelieing too much, that lasted 4.5k, which is still good from a fast road/track biased tyre trying to keep 152rwhp in check!
I will not use any other tyre now.
Hope this helps.
kawasicki said:
Andy Oh said:
kawasicki said:
where are you based?
currently deciding between Pirelli Diablo Corsa III and Michelin Pilot Power 2CT for my Honda SP-1. Think I will go with the Pirelli's as the softer compound comes in to play at only 15 degrees of lean, which seems to be earlier than the Michelin. The Diablos also have a nice profile, which makes precise (fairly precise in my case) riding quite easy.
shane
currently deciding between Pirelli Diablo Corsa III and Michelin Pilot Power 2CT for my Honda SP-1. Think I will go with the Pirelli's as the softer compound comes in to play at only 15 degrees of lean, which seems to be earlier than the Michelin. The Diablos also have a nice profile, which makes precise (fairly precise in my case) riding quite easy.
shane
I would seriously consider the 2CT over the Diablo Corsa III. I was at the tyre shop I use this morning and they said they have had mixed reports on the DC III but all positive on the 2CT.
I had the option of going for the DC III on the last change of tyres (same price for both) and I stuck with the 2CT's and I'm putting another set of 2CT's on in a months time.
Give them a go you won't be disappointed.
thanks for that advice.
what makes the 2CTs so good? Grip, handling?
I was really impressed with the Diablo (normal version) that I had on my zxr400, so I thought I would stick with Pirelli.
I too was very impressed with Pirellis, I used to use Diablo Corsa's for a few years (about 3 sets a year, so twelve sets) but the 2CT's inspire so much more confidence especially in front end grip and rear end grip more so than the Diablo Corsa's in all types of conditions. I wouldn't go back to Pirellis unless they come out with something that's better than the 2CT, which they haven't managed to do as yet.
Edited to add I have now done almost 14,000 miles on 2CT's, two fronts and three rears, the wear rate is superb and I echo what Veetwin has said I wouldn't use any other tyre on my 2005 R1.
Edited by Andy Oh on Tuesday 20th February 17:44
veetwin said:
Have a look at the pics on the Silverstone trackday thread. I am running 2CTs on the blade and they are absolutely superb at all lean angles in any conditions. So much grip!!
I put a new rear on the bike on the Friday before the trackday and scrubbed it in during the Sighting Laps and 1st Session then it was good to go. The best bit is that they reach temperature so quickly and offer bags of grip.
I ran Diablo Corsas before the 2CTs as that is what the bike was supplied with. I will be honest when saying the 2CTs offer more feel and feedback. Especially when cranked right over.
As for wear, the front still looks new and is the original 2CT that I have used throughout last years rideouts, down to the Pyrenees, and now one track day!! I have covered over 5000 miles on it.
The rear needed replacement as it had flat spotted from wheelieing too much, that lasted 4.5k, which is still good from a fast road/track biased tyre trying to keep 152rwhp in check!
I will not use any other tyre now.
Hope this helps.
I put a new rear on the bike on the Friday before the trackday and scrubbed it in during the Sighting Laps and 1st Session then it was good to go. The best bit is that they reach temperature so quickly and offer bags of grip.
I ran Diablo Corsas before the 2CTs as that is what the bike was supplied with. I will be honest when saying the 2CTs offer more feel and feedback. Especially when cranked right over.
As for wear, the front still looks new and is the original 2CT that I have used throughout last years rideouts, down to the Pyrenees, and now one track day!! I have covered over 5000 miles on it.
The rear needed replacement as it had flat spotted from wheelieing too much, that lasted 4.5k, which is still good from a fast road/track biased tyre trying to keep 152rwhp in check!
I will not use any other tyre now.
Hope this helps.
VeeTwin and Andy Oh,
I really appreciate your advice....I have now changed my mind and will order the 2Cts instead!
Thanks a lot!
shane
kawasicki said:
veetwin said:
Have a look at the pics on the Silverstone trackday thread. I am running 2CTs on the blade and they are absolutely superb at all lean angles in any conditions. So much grip!!
I put a new rear on the bike on the Friday before the trackday and scrubbed it in during the Sighting Laps and 1st Session then it was good to go. The best bit is that they reach temperature so quickly and offer bags of grip.
I ran Diablo Corsas before the 2CTs as that is what the bike was supplied with. I will be honest when saying the 2CTs offer more feel and feedback. Especially when cranked right over.
As for wear, the front still looks new and is the original 2CT that I have used throughout last years rideouts, down to the Pyrenees, and now one track day!! I have covered over 5000 miles on it.
The rear needed replacement as it had flat spotted from wheelieing too much, that lasted 4.5k, which is still good from a fast road/track biased tyre trying to keep 152rwhp in check!
I will not use any other tyre now.
Hope this helps.
I put a new rear on the bike on the Friday before the trackday and scrubbed it in during the Sighting Laps and 1st Session then it was good to go. The best bit is that they reach temperature so quickly and offer bags of grip.
I ran Diablo Corsas before the 2CTs as that is what the bike was supplied with. I will be honest when saying the 2CTs offer more feel and feedback. Especially when cranked right over.
As for wear, the front still looks new and is the original 2CT that I have used throughout last years rideouts, down to the Pyrenees, and now one track day!! I have covered over 5000 miles on it.
The rear needed replacement as it had flat spotted from wheelieing too much, that lasted 4.5k, which is still good from a fast road/track biased tyre trying to keep 152rwhp in check!
I will not use any other tyre now.
Hope this helps.
VeeTwin and Andy Oh,
I really appreciate your advice....I have now changed my mind and will order the 2Cts instead!
Thanks a lot!
shane
Shane let us know what you think of the 2CT's once fitted and scrubbed in.
Andy.
yeah, no bother, my rating is probably not the most critical/trustworthy. I have had a few small slides, so i do want good grip, and I like to position the bike accurately, so precise steering is important to me. In the big scheme of things though I'm a long way from a skilled rider and using all of the tyre potential.
A 120/60 has a rounder flatter profile. More suited to the road and stability/neutrality at small angles of lean.
A 120/70 is taller and pointier and has a much more oblique angle at the shoulder. This leads to a MUCH better feeling of confidence at high lean.
Learned when converting my Thundercat to a trackbike - on the 120/60 I could feel it running off the edge and it's not nice at all. If you do do the switch, MAKE SURE you slide the forks up through the yokes 12mm to compensate for the extra ride height you have gained at the front in the tyre profile. Also make sure the tyre will not foul the rad/oil cooler at full bump - though as the 748 shares architecture with the 916/996 I would think this is unlikely.
DO NOT take bike wheels to a car tyre type place to get them to fit. A bike bead-breaker is a specific shape with a cutout behind the wheel to allow for the brake disk. If you use a car type one the pressure can go through the disc if the oppo is careless and bend it. A car place is also unlikely to have the appropriate spindle to balance a bike wheel.
A 120/70 is taller and pointier and has a much more oblique angle at the shoulder. This leads to a MUCH better feeling of confidence at high lean.
Learned when converting my Thundercat to a trackbike - on the 120/60 I could feel it running off the edge and it's not nice at all. If you do do the switch, MAKE SURE you slide the forks up through the yokes 12mm to compensate for the extra ride height you have gained at the front in the tyre profile. Also make sure the tyre will not foul the rad/oil cooler at full bump - though as the 748 shares architecture with the 916/996 I would think this is unlikely.
DO NOT take bike wheels to a car tyre type place to get them to fit. A bike bead-breaker is a specific shape with a cutout behind the wheel to allow for the brake disk. If you use a car type one the pressure can go through the disc if the oppo is careless and bend it. A car place is also unlikely to have the appropriate spindle to balance a bike wheel.
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