Tyres again

My front tyre has about 3k miles left in it, and the rear tyre about
3.5k at most, so if I'm to move from the 014s then the next change is
probably the time to do it.

Andy speaks highly of the Michelin Pilot Power 2CT. The tyre Michelin
themselves recommend for the big sports tourers is the Pilot Sport
HPX. Andy - any views on that? Lozzo? Anyone else? I fancy Michelins
as I've had good experineces of them over the years.

 

I liked the 2CTs that were on the thou when I got it. But, as you say,
the only tyre Michelin recommend for the ZZR1400 is the Pilot Sport HPX.
If it weren't for that I'd recommend the Pilot Road 2.

Sod it, I'll still recommend the Pilot Road 2.

Pilot Road 2.

 

I'd go with what they recommend.

 

Which makes perfect sense. It's just that both the Pilot Power 2CT and
the Pilot Road 2 are dual compound, which strikes me as almost a
no-brainer.

 

Except I'm guessing they may end up being too soft for the amount of
tourque the big litre+ bikes put out, and last no time at all.

 

The 2CT will be a lot softer all over - it's a fast road/trackday
superbike tyre, not a touring tyre. A ZZR would probably lunch it in no
time.

The PR2 will be a bit harder in the middle than the HPX, & similar on
the sides. So on the surface it would be a good choice, but there must
be a reason why Michelin specifically state the HPX is the only one
they recommend. Maybe the profile of the PR2 doesn't suit the ZZR, or
the carcass is designed for lighter/less powerful bikes. But the
clincher for me would be possible insurance grief should something
nasty happen. You'd effectively be fitting a tyre that the manufacturer
specifically says you shouldn't use, & an insurance assessor might jump
all over that.

 

I'd be content if they lasted as long as 010s or 014s, which are dual
compound.

 

<googles>

The 1400 Kawasaki produces 100 ftlbs of torque at 6500 rpm. The Voxan
produces 66 at the same rpm. I only got 4000 miles out of the Pilot
Power 2CTs on a lardy 100 BHP restricted tourer, so you may have a
point. That said, I do ride it like an old woman, except in the few
hill climbs they did and the four track days when progress is
marginally more spirited. They did keep a reasonable profile though,
but probably not ideal for long distance high speed touring.

PF en France

 

I was a bit careless with my wording. The Michelin site actually says
"The Pilot Sport HPX is designed specifically for high-speed,
highpowered bikes like the CBR1100XX, ZX12R and Hayabusa, where it
excels in stability and mileage." So I don't think that precludes
alternatives, although I take your point.

 

As SD said the other day, the Conti Road Attacks are pretty
http://www.conti-bike.co.uk/default.asp?spid=3

 

"the HPX version of the Pilot Sport is ideally suited to extreme
machines like the Suzuki Hayabusa* and B-King*, Honda CBR 1100XX*,
Kawasaki ZX-12R* and ZZR1400*.

*Michelin Pilot Sport HPX is the only Michelin tyre recommended for
these bikes"

http://www.michelin.co.uk/michelinuk/en/new-
moto/advantages/20090202120837.html

 

The Pilot Power might be a bit of overkill for two up touring but I
really like Michelins and if they're suggesting the Pilot Sports HPX
then I'd go for it.

 

As per ogden's post, they're a bit more specific than that.

 

The Road 2 is going to last longer, poss a bit cheaper, you won't overwhelm
its grip potential. How is straight line stability? they make steering
lighter and faster it seems to me which on the wrong bike will push it into
a slight high speed weave.

 

Ah - thank you! The Michelin site I was on
(http://two-wheels.michelin.com) was not as specific.

 

You're right.

 

The bike is very stable. And in view of the "Michelin Pilot Sport HPX
is the only Michelin tyre recommended for these bikes" I think I'll
take Krusty's point and not risk insurance problems.

 

They look ok, actually, but I'd pretty much decided Michelin already.
It was more a question of which one.

 

Michelin Pilot Road 2s are a 2CT compound sports/touring tyre, with
sticky-icky sides and harder centre section, much the same as the old
BT020 was. I've used them on the Daytona 955i and got 8K miles from a
rear treating it in my usual ham-fisted manner. I think WUN has them on
his GTR and Ogden is very happy to be using them on his GSXR1000 IIRC

 

Indeed. TBH I didn't like the 020s, whereas I did like the 010s and
014s. I think I'll go with Michelin's recommendation for now. If
they're not grippy enough then I'll know the next time, and if they
wear quickly then I'll replace them sooner.