Tyres?

[vinnyb]

Hi Darssi, they're the sportsmax D209. They just got me back 70 miles and kept me shiny side up on my new baby   I think I'll probably keep 'em on for a few hundred miles and see how I feel after that, they seemed ok today.

[ben17484]

Ok - very very new to motorbikes (passed test last week) and even newer to my Fazer. Have Bridgestone Battleaxe T30s on my bike but have a puncture on the front. I find the bike handles quite skittish over lines in the road when overtaking etc and have been advised it might be because of my tyres being more 'v' shaped than 'u' shaped. Does this make sense for these tyres? What's a more 'u' shaped tyre that I could replace it with? Sorry for possible a really stupid question

[JoeyMcEssex]

just put Michelin Pilot Road 3F 4R combination on my Fazer, after set of worn Bridgestones, and they have transformed the handling.

Seems a few others have noticed the strange V shape wear pattern on T30s.

[Frosties]

just put Michelin Pilot Road 3F 4R combination on my Fazer, after set of worn Bridgestones, and they have transformed the handling.

Seems a few others have noticed the strange V shape wear pattern on T30s.

PR3 + PR4 is a great combo.


The Bridgestone \_/ shape tyre is very typical of all Bridgestones Ive had 21's 23's etc.

Ok - very very new to motorbikes (passed test last week) and even newer to my Fazer. Have Bridgestone Battleaxe T30s on my bike but have a puncture on the front. I find the bike handles quite skittish over lines in the road when overtaking etc and have been advised it might be because of my tyres being more 'v' shaped than 'u' shaped. Does this make sense for these tyres? What's a more 'u' shaped tyre that I could replace it with? Sorry for possible a really stupid question

Not a stupid question Ben - if it's all new then we all start somewhere. All tyres start as a 'u' shape but for some reason Bridgestones seem more susceptible than others. When the tyre turns this shape then yup it will be very skittish over white lines and reluctant to turn into a bend. Only solution is replacement. What to replace with (manufacturer and model of tyre) is a very subjective matter based on the typical journey (commute or fun), dry weather riding only or 365 days etc and how the rider rides......aggressive or just from A to B. Factor in some unannounced financial constraints and the tyre choice moves again. All depends on above Ben.

[vinnyb]

Sorry Darrsi, I spelt your name wrong earlier :rolleyes

[matt7chunk]

i have T30's on my 600 and they feel great once well warmed up up but i agree they do wear in a strange way , Maybe have a harder compound centre???? or just spend too much time leaned over  :b

[ben17484]

Cheers guys. Appreciate the info. I'm looking for a general commuter tyre at the moment and will build up to a more fun tyre when I've got used to riding a bit more. I can feel the V shape in the trye and it's bloody scary for a newbie wobbling over white lines! I'm heading to get the tryes changed tomorrow and hopefully that'll gives so what would your advice be for a rookie rider commuter tyre?

[ben17484]

Just to add to that - I would like a 365 day a year tyre but would imagine I'll do a whole lot more miles over the next 8 or so months than over the winter month's, so would choose a great summer trye that can be used a bit in the winter over a pretty good all rounder if that makes sense?

[Frosties]

Hiya Ben, in that case my advice and Joey (experienced rider) + others would recommend the Michelin PR3 Front and back as a matched pair. An improvement on this would be a Michelin PR3 Front and a Michelin PR4 rear (dual compound = harder centre section for lifespan). Online tyre suppliers will have them with you by say Tuesday if bought tomorrow so worth checking price at Tyreleader (other sites available - but Joey did the research for the combo pack). Ask your local supplier/fitter their price for the tyres and fitting as separate prices then use Joey's Tyrleader price as leverage  [/size]
[/size]Post back how you get on fella.[size=78%]

Tyreleader-- just bought PR3 Front and PR4 rear for £178 delivered

[ben17484]

Cheers Frosties. That's the combo I'm seeing fairly regularly mentioned as a good pair. I'll take a look at the site and get some ordered.

[Frosties]

Good luck Ben - don't forget if you do get some tyres fitted tomorrow to scrub the tyres in. Typically this is done via heat so go for a 25 mile ride. Take it easy when leaving the tyre place and add heat by half acceleration and moderate braking. After that you can add some weaving (totally legal) and then gradually increase your lean angle through the bends + increase the acceleration and braking. I can scrub tyres within 5 miles but I'm allowing for a new rider - no offence intended, just safety in mind.

[ben17484]

Very good point - I wouldn't have thought of that! I'll come back the long way from the trye place. Thanks again.

[unfazed]

I run the PR3 front and PR4 rear also and find it an excellent allrounder  :thumbup Good grip and long lasting, which for me that means about 4 to 5000 miles

Vinny B, don't go wasting money taking off the qualifiers, they are sports tyres in the same league as the Dunlop Sportsmarts and a very very good tyre. They are a little softer than the RoadSmart or Michelins PR3/PR4 and won't last as long, don't go mad on them for the first few 100 miles as they take a while to bed in and then have fun 
I have run Qualifiers and was very happy with them, but they wore out in less than 3000 miles, I suppose riding the crap out of it probably didn't help  :lol

[unfazed]

Vinny B
Forgot to add, the qualifiers run a slightly higher pressure than standard
2.5 bar (36Psi) front and 2.8bar (40Psi) rear

[vinnyb]

Thanks for that unfazed, I'll check the pressures to see what they're running at. How are they in the wet? I try not to make a habit of riding in the rain but sometimes... well we are in England aren't we? 

[ben17484]

Just got back from getting the tryes fitted and have PR3 front a d PR4 back. Still in the scrubbing in phase, but wow what a difference! Like night and day. The fitter did say there was some squaring off which would cause the wobble over lines and during slow cornering on my old T30s. Think I'm going to love these new tyres!

[Frosties]

Just got back from getting the tryes fitted and have PR3 front a d PR4 back. Still in the scrubbing in phase, but wow what a difference! Like night and day. The fitter did say there was some squaring off which would cause the wobble over lines and during slow cornering on my old T30s. Think I'm going to love these new tyres!

Nice one Ben....and you kept it shiny side up  :lol . Hope you secured a good deal for this great tyre combo and used the online price to batter them. Now you're into the "WHAT PRESSURE" phase  . Your fitter should have set the front to 36psi and the rear to 40psi which is what most of us run with.....naturally these vary from rider to rider and again are subjective to you, your weight, riding style etc but is a good starting point. Keep us informed fella  :thumbup .


There's also loads of info on here regarding "WHICH BRAKE PADS", "ARE BRAIDED BRAKE HOSES ANY GOOD", "SUSPENSION ADJUSTMENT" etc....happy reading, 'cos all the answers you need are available on this great site.

[unfazed]

I run my PR3 front at 33 and found the 36 psi is a bit hard for the front.
Michelin recommend standard pressures for the PR3 and PR4

Fitted a new PR4 rear today, centre more worn than sides for a change due to winter and town riding, just need to balance it now and refit the wheel.

[unfazed]

Thanks for that unfazed, I'll check the pressures to see what they're running at. How are they in the wet? I try not to make a habit of riding in the rain but sometimes... well we are in England aren't we? 

Never had an issues with them in the wet, but they are slower to heat up compared to PRs, once hot they were great, I have Sportec M7RR on the 1000 at present and they are the same slower than the PRs to heat up but great when warmed up.

[vinnyb]

Thanks unfazed. I'll keep 'em on then. It looks like the Pilot Roads are the tyre of choice on the 600. I had the Roadsmarts on the R1150R to replace the BT021s I had fitted before. I loved the Roadsmarts but they were on a heavier bike than the Fazer. Plenty of time to decide now though