Tyre options for the SX

[Kwacky]

Tyre prices from Addison Tyres for a pair fitted to loose wheels:-

Angel ST - 182
M5 - 200
Rosso 2 - 205
Z8 - 219
K3 - 225 (for winter? I don't think so)
Angel GT - 239
PR4 - 247

I might go with the STs at that price. It's winter riding anyway so I'll need some new tyres come spring. I wonder what the K3s would be like on the z1000sx?

[Frankie]

I have gone PR4 for the winter months / into spring and see how they go, via Tyreleader, £187.68 F&R. As I was not bothered how long they took to arrive I ordered before I left for Spain, both are on route already which surprised me, they can take a couple of weeks.

[Blade]

Yeah tyreleader have sent me my last 2 sets at by far the cheapest price even after paying for fitting. Happy to recommend them and never had any problems.

[duke63]

Even allowing for pairing to be fitted that is a top deal, Frankie. My PR4s on the Multi will need changing come springtime. They have done about 6000 miles so far and I reckon there is at least another 500-1000 miles left in them. They have squared off a little from all the Euro motorway miles.

[Frankie]

Well I have just had two deliveries in the space of an hour, front tyre first then the rear ha ha ha....

[Kwacky]

There's good feedback on the Z8 so I've asked for a fitted price on those.

[Cav]

If in your shoes I would get Michelin PR3 or PR4.

That said, the Racetec K3s are actually really good in the wet. So are supercorsas! Very predictable as long as you stay on the treaded part of the tyre

[Rossgo]

Kwacky those STs sound like a good deal. Never used them myself so if you do go for them let us know how you get on. Personally would be very happy with the PR3/4, had the 3s and were fab, seriously fab, used everyday in every weather and didn't miss a beat so guess the 4s can only ever get better!

[Kwacky]

I'm ignoring all of you and going for the Z8s

[Rossgo]

[SMILING FACE WITH OPEN MOUTH AND TIGHTLY-CLOSED EYES] let us know how you get on mate

[Blade]

What swung your decision Kwacky ?

[Kwacky]

Chatting with a few people on the SX forum. One guy smashes through his tyres at an alarming rate - average rear is 2,000 miles. In his opinion the Z8 is the best winter tyre he's had on the SX and his favourite overall sports touring tyre. He's tried 8 types of tyres so far. His overall favourite is the M7rr. It sounds like he looks for the same things from a tyre as I do and several of them have all really enjoyed the Z8s on the SX.

One poster went from the Angel GT to the Z8 and he says they're a much better tyre. His username is Blade so I'll trust him

Another recurring comment seems to be that the Metz are more consistent as the tread drops off, whereas other tyres start to become a bit more unpredictable.

The PR4 also gets great reviews but I like my Metz so I'm going to give these a go.

[Cav]

I would say that's a fair enough reason to get those tyres..

I both love and hate buying something new and untested - love it because it's new and hate it because I don't know if I'm going to like it.

It's the same with brakes, tyres and trackdays. Obviously there's an easy answer for trackdays - do them all !!

[Blade]

Sounds like a well informed and good choice

Word of advice though never trust any idiot who calls himself Blade

[Kwacky]

Tyres aren't cheap but with winter coming up I would sooner spend the money on a new set and have fresh rubber down when the roads are at their worst.

[Cav]

I did exactly that on my car yesterday. Fitted some Uniroyal Rainsport 3s. These things grip better in the wet than my previous tyres did in the dry !!

What tyres do you use in the summer months Kwacky?

[Kwacky]

On the SX I had S20 evos.

On the zx6r I'm using M7rr

[Cav]

Have you used BT016s? How do they compare with the S20s?

I literally hate the BT016s which is why I never use Bridgestone now. I've had so many near-highsides on those tyres because they grip OK and then all of a sudden they run out of grip and catapult you skywards.

Not used the M7RRs either but I see they're a popular choice

[Kwacky]

I can't stand the BT016s. I had a massive road crash on those when I lost the front. I never liked them before the off. I was going to change them the weekend after my crash. Sadly there wasn't a bike left to put tyres on.

The S20s are good. Predictable with a decent amount of feedback. They mop up the bumps without being too soft in the carcass. Good levels of grip on the road.

M7rr is the best road tyre I've used. Grip levels in the dry and wet are stunning. You can really break hard when it's raining. I've used them on the track but I'm not that quick but I had no complaints from them. The back slid a bit but I may have had the tyre pressure up a bit too high.

[Cav]

Crashing isn't particularly great is it? Any injuries to you or was it just to your bank balance and confidence?

I know a few people on the ZX6R UK page who use the S20 Evos on track and they like them but I lost all confidence in Bridgestone to try them. I nearly lowsided a 2012 GSXR 1000 with S20s actually - saved it with my knee - they may not have been the EVOs though.

Have you tried Dunlop Sportsmarts? I haven't use the Sportsmart 2s but the original was my favourite road tyre. I prefer it to Supercorsa SC1/2 and Racetec K3s. The feedback is unreal and so is the grip. I didn't like them in the wet though as they feel skittish but in the dry I fell in love with them