going to need a new set of tires soon, and I would like input from all you SV (or any motorcycle) riders.

Currently running Metzelers,
F: ME Z4 (120/60-17)
R: Sportech M-1 (160/60-17)

Here's the deal. The rear tire has about 2500 miles, about 1700 are interstate. It's pretty much worn a flat across the profile of the tire to the point where im at the wear bars in the center and little wear on the sides - and yes I know I've not been riding it hard, in fact I never went riding this summer. sux. anyway. the front tire has worn about normal and I generally dont have any complaints about it.

Anyone got any suggestions or favorite tire? I'd like to try something different than the Z4/Sportech's. I'm pretty sure that interstate riding will be predominant. ugh. As well I'm not really that knowledgeable of motorcycle tires/brands. thanks.

9/13/2007 7:49:29 PM

pilots.

dunflops in the summer.

9/13/2007 8:07:45 PM

model specific? I'm interested in something semi-sporty


what about Pirelli's? I might can get a discount from a friend

[Edited on September 13, 2007 at 8:14 PM. Reason : -]

9/13/2007 8:12:47 PM

track take offs on teh cheap

9/13/2007 8:26:56 PM

I'm running pirelli diablo stradas... sport touring tires. Good grip, nice elliptical angle for cornering, and long life

9/13/2007 8:27:17 PM

^thats what I'm wanting to hear... you work at cycle gear, right?

[Edited on September 13, 2007 at 8:44 PM. Reason : I need to head down there one day and check it out]

9/13/2007 8:40:14 PM

Yes I do, and I usually work Monday-Friday. I know that we have a pair of 120/60 and 160/60 both diablo stradas and diablo streets in stock. I can also put them on your rims for you $20 each.

BTW I expect to get between 8 and 10k out of the stradas as a pair

[Edited on September 13, 2007 at 9:20 PM. Reason : mileage]

9/13/2007 9:19:44 PM

Hanya & Squirt would definitely know more than I would since they've had experience with multiple tire types on their SVs. I've spoken to Hanya about them at length, as well as many other people. I personally hate the tires I have on my SV atm (1 Metzeler, 1 no name rear...), but they have tread left, so I'm planning to ride on them until I need/can afford new ones.

Anyway, Squirt's SV came with Metzelers on it, then she switched to Pilots, and now she has Diablos I believe. Not sure how she feels about them, she had just put on the Diablos a few weeks before her SV was disabled yesterday.

Hanya had Metzelers and hated them with a passion. She says she noticed a significant change when she changed her tires. I'm 99% positive she's had pilots on her SV, too... I can't remember.

Have you looked on SV Rider? There might be some more opinions there.

^ HEY JoHANNA!!!!

[Edited on September 13, 2007 at 9:25 PM. Reason : grrr... spaces]

9/13/2007 9:22:58 PM

grip>>>tread life any day on a motorcycle tire unless you aer trying to ride around the world in record time or some shit like that. one sliding front tire during a panic front wheel lock up or abrupt throtttle blip in the corner and your plastics gonna cost you a lot more than the money you'll save on longer-lasting tires.

[Edited on September 13, 2007 at 9:29 PM. Reason : this lil sv cult is gettin outta hand ]

9/13/2007 9:28:33 PM

^what up girly

Yeah the stock tires from the 2001 SVs (MEZ4s) were crap.. and I can't say I have heard too many good things about the Z6... although I did get 10k out of the MEZ4 - they were still the worst tires anyone could ever learn to ride a sportbike on.

I haven't had pilot powers, but I hear good things about them, they just have a shorter life than a sport touring (ST) tire. So if there is gonna be interstate I would strongly recommend a ST tire. Goodness knows how many 500 mile weekends my bike has seen since I have had it - no complaints as to any less grip (especially in wet conditions) or lean angle with the stradas.

9/13/2007 9:30:45 PM

long life makes your money go farther and it's not like you get worse grip... you just can't ride the bike like you are on a track at 120 mph....

[Edited on September 13, 2007 at 9:33 PM. Reason : .]

9/13/2007 9:32:33 PM

pilots or diablos and you cant go wrong. You will never out ride either of those tires. I have a set of 2ct powers if anyone needs them, only got one track day. I got some power race also if yall niggers got the balls for them

9/13/2007 9:32:53 PM

^what's the size.



I tried a search for a comparison for tire compound of the Sportech M1 to the others mentioned, but found no info for it. If anyone knows it would be cool.

I'm on SV rider (same handle) but havent logged in since june-ish.


JoHannah, you working tomorrow, if so when? I want to come by and have a chat/look around. I might be sold on those diablos.

9/13/2007 9:48:05 PM

I'll be there from 10-5 and you can just look for the girl with the curly hair, it'd be nice to meet you.

^I almost guarantee his rear is going to be 2 or 3 sizes too big for your rear rim, so don't bother

oh yeah and good call on spelling my name correctly I am impressed

[Edited on September 13, 2007 at 9:58 PM. Reason : .]

9/13/2007 9:56:07 PM

well, ncsukat did mention your name.. sooo hahha - and I do recognize you from seeing you around campus. I'll try to make it down there around 10:30.

9/13/2007 10:12:55 PM

I have the pilot power 2-Ct's on my 600rr and they are exceptional. I have about 2000 miles on them now and they look great. Probably on pace to get around 5k.

9/14/2007 1:27:42 PM

wheels are down at Cycle Gear, getting a set of Pirelli Diablo Strata's mounted.


Thanks JoHannah

9/14/2007 2:14:00 PM

Johannah is the best she'll hook u up. make sure when ur there u buy stuff from her so she gets hooked up!

9/14/2007 2:42:36 PM

I put metzler Z6 on my katana they are dual compound for decent milage, really nice tire, liked it alot.

run pilotpower 2ct on my 600rr got about 6k out of teh last rear.

That 2ct that i got from cyclegear me isnt made right its like lopsided. If i bring it in will you guys fix it?

[Edited on September 14, 2007 at 4:24 PM. Reason : dd]

9/14/2007 4:22:31 PM

Yeah the little bit i had my diablos, I was very impressed with those. I felt safer and more stable on my diablos... it might just been because i was use to the baldness of my pilots. I felt more comfortable taking tight turns with my diablos than with my pilot powers... thats me.. but from what i hear a lot of people actually like their pilot powers... Go with the pilots and see how you like them.. They are a good tire (the guy that had the bike before me put pilots on to track it) so you aren't going to a bad tire thats for sure!

:-( I miss my baby!

9/14/2007 5:28:54 PM

^ total it yet? We need to start making our own tree here of parts witht eh amount of wrecks lately.

9/14/2007 5:45:22 PM

We do not fix tires. If you mount it on a rim that will help the shape even out like it is supposed to be. The only way it could be misshapen is if you stored it diagonally or with something on top of it.

9/14/2007 5:54:12 PM

tires/wheels re-installed and looking good. maple board and paint can motorcycle stand ftw

9/14/2007 6:01:08 PM

^haha nice 1500 post too

9/14/2007 6:02:41 PM

or even better than the ghetto maple board/paint can stand, was having your roomate holding the motherfucker up while you removed and replaced the wheels, and dropped washers, and put caliper brackets on backwards, and all that good stuff

9/14/2007 6:27:51 PM

haha. sadly yes. rear axle bolt was installed a total of 3 times.

9/14/2007 6:29:07 PM

hahaha gg did you put the Rear brake holder on backwords? That is a common thing to do with the SV I know for my own fuck ups hahaha

9/14/2007 6:41:13 PM

haha indeed. that was after i noticed I left the first fucking washer out, which required a complete removal of the axle bolt

9/14/2007 6:53:21 PM

hahahaha at least you got it togather with new boots on it

9/14/2007 7:05:54 PM

I've got pilot powers now on my r6 and they are awesome. I'll probably get about 5-6k out of them.
I had dunlop 208s on there before and they sucked balls. Dunlop qualifiers are supposed to be pretty nice though.

9/16/2007 1:39:24 PM