Tyre poll

[Gromit]

Shock horror!Tyre wears out!
Keep an eye on your tyres and replace before things like that happen.
They dont last forever you know!
gus

Seriously - think the problem with the Roadtecs, as has been hinted at, is that because they have no tread whatsoever in the centre (about a 2" wide strip of such in fact) that it's a bit difficult to judge the tyre's wear in the same way it would with a 'centre-treaded' tyre. Folk are merrily riding along enjoying their Z6's superb manners, when they'll stop, look at the rear hoop and have an 'oops' moment.

Still bloody good tyres though.

I also hear that Avon have been re-vamping their Azaro ST's - reckoned to be a big improvement on the older ones.

[Rob B]

Has anyone got a comment on the B'Stone 014 or 12s compared with the 010s? The 010s have been my fave for a while but peeps on another board have said B'stones latest flavours are much less nice.

TIA,

Rob

[PBBoxer]

Gromit,
I ran an X11 with Azaro SP front and St rear last year. The tyres were excellent, I took the bike to the TT and gave it much grief. There's a thought, Sp / St.

[Gromit]

Gromit,
I ran an X11 with Azaro SP front and St rear last year. The tyres were excellent, I took the bike to the TT and gave it much grief. There's a thought, Sp / St.

PB - I've been lurking on the Blackbird forum for a while, where they really rate the Avons. Must admit I was a huge fan of the old Azaro II on my first 11S - a great tyre which I actually liked easily as much as the 010. Only problem was the wet grip...or lack of

Seems that Avon have very recently changed the compound on the latest Azaro's and to great effect.

[PBBoxer]

I'm going to try a pair Gromit. Nobody else seems to run them on here, so it'll be worth a report anyway.
Will let you know how they go.
PB

[Gromit]

I'm going to try a pair Gromit. Nobody else seems to run them on here, so it'll be worth a report anyway.
Will let you know how they go.
PB

That'd be really handy to know - look forward to seeing how they fare.

Avons have come in for a lot of flack over the last few years, and not all of it unjustified it has to be said. However, tyres do seem to encourage the 'flavour of the month' brigade and I'd be really pleased if Avon got back as a viable choice.

Just remember when the word 'Bridgestone' brought bikers out in a cold sweat...

Mag Hopeless anyone???

[PBBoxer]

I had Azaro Sp3 on the TRX and they were excellent, has to be said, but then again I has Sps on it up until I sold it and they were at least as good.
Of course this is good, because they're quite cheap hehe

[RiceBurner]

I might be trying the latest Avons on my Rockster when the Conti's wear out.

My current "Best Tyres" would be M1/Z6 combo.

[Delpel]

Riceburner,

What Conti's did you have and what were they like. I am reading good reports about the Conti Road Attacks.

[RiceBurner]

Riceburner,

What Conti's did you have and what were they like. I am reading good reports about the Conti Road Attacks.

Don't bother.

I just replaced my Road Attacks before Easter (Wednesday).

I was about to do a 1500/2000 mile weekend and considered that although they weren't dead, they wouldn't last long enough, the fitter agreed; (Mike from "The Rubber Ranch" - highly recommended btw ) the rear especially.

I got home and looked at the mileage between when I fitted the Conti's and when I took them off (note they had approx 1000 miles left) : 3,707.!! That's WINTER riding too!!! I was getting 5000 - 5,500 in Summer/Autumn from Z6's!

I thought they were supposed to be a HIGH mileage tyre - NOT a high WEAR tyre!!! IIRC they're advertised as having a deeper tread (7mm versus the regular 6mm??)

That apart - they're a good tyre - grip and feedback is good and wet weather performance is good too. On a par with Z6 Roadtecs I'd say - although they wear a bit oddly, (they square off).

Although Roadtecs are more expensive - I'll choose them over the Conti's from now on.

Will probably try the Latest Avons next.

[bmwonder]

Have just come back from having 014s fitted. I can't tell you what they were like as they are covered in an extra think layer of silicone release agent so are slippy as hell. Will report back later. The pilot roads that were taken off looked really good still and I would recommend them as a great high mileage tyre (except for the three punctures they suffered).

[Gromit]

Have just come back from having 014s fitted. I can't tell you what they were like as they are covered in an extra think layer of silicone release agent so are slippy as hell. Will report back later. The pilot roads that were taken off looked really good still and I would recommend them as a great high mileage tyre (except for the three punctures they suffered).

Any more info on how you're doing with the 014s??

My front Diablo's got no more than 1000 miles in it (if that) so I'm after getting a new pair of hoops later this week but can't decide. Would like to try the new Vipers but even Micheldever are selling out really quickly - must be a good sign though

[Archie]

Richard

As I hinted to you before, I thought 014s (4000m old and bald) could be better suited to the bike. I found them a bit twitchy, like the tyre was too sharply profiled for the bike. The tyre was ideal for a bike that fell on its ear, like a GSXR, but the S doesn't really do that, so it made it a bit twitchy. It was also prone to letting go at the front in the damp/wet.

Well, a copmbination of jacking the back up and increasing the front pressure to 35-36 psi has transformed it, as recommended by BGF I believe.

So now I would say yes, go for them. Why not try mine if you like, either with baldies, or the new set I'll be getting.

Cheers

Alan

[bmwonder]

My opinion of the 014s after the track day. They are really really good. I thought that they were a bit twitchy at first too, but I honestly think that they were just not up to temperature. Once they had some real heat in them they were absolutely great. Not at all twitchy. I was running 33 front and 36rear when cold. I experimented a bit either side as well but found that this was the best for me. Warm pressures were 4-5psi higher. They are great for hard riding. Trouble is in my normal everyday stuff I'm not getting them warm enough. I think that 020's or Pilot Roads are better everyday road tyres unless you are regularly spanking it. Hope that helps?

[Gromit]

Thanks guys - this must be fate, as I'd just spent the afternoon setting my sag (ooer) and polishing my downpipes so thought I'd check my tyres for tread depth. Nice shiny object, like the edge of a metal staple, in the rear tyre. I pull it out....sssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssss...

2 holes 5 mm apart cause by a fuggin' great big metal 'clip' thingy. Won't be repairable. Micheldever have a pair of 014's put aside for me tomorrow.