17" rear tire choice

[racerman_27410]

LOL i dont have no problem with turn in.... i fixed that issue with ride height
...... just another reason to own a Penske or other aftermarket shock that provides that feature.


KOokaloo!

[the fan]

Frank,

If I can get the YZF back in one piece in time you will love the new look. i installed a fox shock, shorter dogbines, and a 5.5" GSXR rear wheel since last you saw it... and extra 30mm of ride height does indeed cure the 180 turn in blues.

[Griffon]

Hey guys!

I had Continental Road Attacks last year in the 120/70-17 and 160/60-18 sizes (1988 FZR1000 wheels).  The rear was changed at approx 15000 kms (9500 miles) and the front one still had some life in it.  Very good sport-touring tire, excellent in the rain.  In fact I did a lot of riding under rainy conditions, this may have helped me in getting that much milleage from these tires.  When the rear was close to the end of it's life it was a bit slippery on the edge but nothing too scary.  If you're not pushing it to the edge and trying to scrape your pegs in every corner you drive into, you will like these tires.

TeeCee, are you sure about the side compound of the PR2, i.e.the same as the Pilot Power?  I need a set in the days to come and I still hesitate between the PR2 and the new BT-16 (it is available in the 160/60-18 size... yessss!!).  The set of Bridgestone is approx 25% cheaper than the Michelins.  BT-16 will wear faster than the PR2 but with the difference in cost I guess it's worth it.  I also like Frank's idea of a front PP combined with a rear PR2.  I don't know what to do...

I actually ride Dunlop Roadsmarts... Awesome grip for a ST tire (rode the Dragon with these tires) but the front wears out way before the rear, and with some strange wear pattern (a 1 inch wide step in the middle of the tire... no, the front is NOT a dual compound!).  Dealer says eveything is OK, but I've seen a lot of similar stories on the net about this tire.  In some cases Dunlop even replaced the tires at their expense.  Apparently this could be a case of belt separation...  Definitely, no more Roadsmarts for me...

Cheers!

Richard

[racerman_27410]

i'm still on my first set of pilot road 2 tires.... testing was put on hold due to engine maladys  but they survived all last summer and a road trip to Indy for the motoGP - 2880miles and they still look very good.

[Marsh White]

I actually ride Dunlop Roadsmarts... Awesome grip for a ST tire (rode the Dragon with these tires) but the front wears out way before the rear, and with some strange wear pattern (a 1 inch wide step in the middle of the tire... no, the front is NOT a dual compound!).  Dealer says everything is OK, but I've seen a lot of similar stories on the net about this tire.  In some cases Dunlop even replaced the tires at their expense.  Apparently this could be a case of belt separation...  Definitely, no more Roadsmarts for me...

Really?  Damn...I just ordered 2 sets of Dunlop Roadsmarts today...I've heard only positive things about them so far...hmmm.  Klavdy and I both came to the same conclusion that we would give them a try.

I'm a BIG fan of the Avon AV 45/46.  Went through several sets of those.  That front tire had a bad wear pattern too.  Would cup a bit...but it didn't bother me.

Then the Pirelli Diablo Strada...took longer to warm up...but the traction was on par with the Avons after warmup.  But I had a blowout on the rear with a decent amount of tread left...just a thin spot on the inside that tore.  So no more of those.

Then the Avon AV55/56.  Much better wear pattern on the front than the AV45...no more cupping...but the rear tire was WAY wider than the AV46...like over 1/4 inch.  Big problem for me cuz I run a VERY tight chain clearance with my 180/55-17 rear.  I had to take a sanding block to the side and shave the damn thing down....chain shaved it down even more.

So that brings me to try the Dunlop Roadsmarts....I'll mount them up next week and see.  I hope the rear 180 is the same width as the AV46.   I guess my ideal combo with what I've tested so far would be the AV55 front and AV46 rear...but I have not been able to find any more of the AV46 left anywhere.

[Pat Conlon]

Hey Frank, what's wrong with Brutus?

i'm still on my first set of pilot road 2 tires.... testing was put on hold due to engine maladys  but they survived all last summer and a road trip to Indy for the motoGP - 2880miles and they still look very good.

[racerman_27410]

Hey Frank, what's wrong with Brutus?

nothing now (i hope)  we had a problem with it blowing oil out (like the Exxon valdese) and Andy /Ken have had Brutus over in Tennessee since last september         and i just got it back last week.....new pistons .. some custom rings and they want me to run the stock carbs  so i am..... at least until the rings are seated.

its been quite the ordeal..... but then so have lots of things so i guess im just getting used to it.


KOokaloo!

Frank

[Griffon]

Marsh,

Just like you, I have also read a lot of positive reviews on this tire.  Doesn't mean you're gonna have the same issue with yours, it could have been just a bad batch, I don't know.  Here's the link if you want to read more about it...  http://www.vfrdiscussion.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=42528&st=0 

You're going to like the grip of this tire.  If it wasn't for this problem I had I would definitely buy a second set.

I'm curious...  If you get a chance, please let us know how things are going with the Roadsmarts after a few thousand miles.

Thanks.        Richard

[RichBaker]

Hey Frank, what's wrong with Brutus?

nothing now (i hope)  we had a problem with it blowing oil out (like the Exxon valdese) and Andy /Ken have had Brutus over in Tennessee since last september         and i just got it back last week.....new pistons .. some custom rings and they want me to run the stock carbs  so i am..... at least until the rings are seated.

its been quite the ordeal..... but then so have lots of things so i guess im just getting used to it.


KOokaloo!

Frank

Why the stock carbs? Were the others fuel-washing the cylinder walls?

[racerman_27410]

Rich,

they dont know...... i was getting about 38mpg after i rejetted the Keihins.... BUT they were really fat at the beginning of Brutus's life... which could have washed the cylinder walls during the critical break-in period.

anyhoo i am gonna run the stocker carbs for a bit.... and see what happens.

KOokaloo!

Frank

[scapello]

I can get Dunlop D220's in town for $75 each. New never mounted. Thoughts?

[Harvy]

Dan, my observation of the D220 is that it is not as good wear or grip wise as the earlier D205.......that's mainly why I now use Michelin. Of course with tyres, opinions will vary........I guess at that price its a case of "suck it and see for yourself".

Cheers
Harvy

[Dan Filetti]

That's nearly half the price I paid for my 2CT's Sports.  I doubt they'll wear more than 2X as fast, sounds like a stonkin deal to me -that is if you're not getting raped for installation....

Dan

[scapello]

Mounting and balancing for $25 per wheel at a different place though.

Here is the link, they are about 10 minutes drive from where I am.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/DUNLOP-D220-170-60-17-170-60-17-Rear-Tire-NEW_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ35601QQihZ020QQitemZ300315053420QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW#ht_606wt_1595

Set with a 120/60 front
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/DUNLOP-D220-170-60-17-D220-120-60-17-Tire-Set-NEW_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp1638Q2em118Q2el1247QQcategoryZ35601QQihZ020QQitemZ300298214402QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWD1V#ht_626wt_1595