Sport Touring tire?

[Halflin]

Thought I would try this post under this forum.

I have a 2001 Bandit 1200 and by next spring I'll need to get a new rear tire. I am looking for a tire that will give me the max mileage since I'm NOT a corner junky. Since I won't be pushing the lean angle of anything I get, value is the word of the day.

I currently have a Conti Road Attack front and rear that came on the bike when I got it about a week ago.

Please SHARE! Smile

Thanks,
Half

[Fast Eddy B]

You might be able to find something rated for hi mileage, but I wouldn't go for it just considering wet weather and emergency stopping capabilities that we all need.

The sport-tourer models that I have heard/used most of are Bridgestone BT-020 (and 021's).

They aren't cheap, but they don't cost anything from 25-35% less than a sports tire, and have increased wear capabilities.

Good luck.

edit: I overestimated the cost savings of a Sport-tourer tire over a sports tire. It looks to be more like 10-25%. Also, if you don't feel you need a radial tire (on a Bandit 1200?) Bridgestone makes a cross-ply BT45 SPORTS MILAGE CROSSPLY.

[gsJack]

Thought I would try this post under this forum.

I have a 2001 Bandit 1200 and by next spring I'll need to get a new rear tire. I am looking for a tire that will give me the max mileage since I'm NOT a corner junky. Since I won't be pushing the lean angle of anything I get, value is the word of the day.

I currently have a Conti Road Attack front and rear that came on the bike when I got it about a week ago.

Please SHARE! Smile

Thanks,
Half

Since you have till next spring to think about it, here's a thread from another forum you might want to read:

http://www.sport-touring.net/forums/ind ... 130.0.html

Sport touring radial tires like the Metzeler Z6 and Pirelli Stradas are good milage tires for a bike like yours. A friend of mine got 14k miles from a OEM set of Pilot Roads on his SV1000 but he's quite a conservative rider. Your milage may vary.

You won't find bias tires like the BT45 to fit your B12, they don't come in your wide rear 180/55/17 size. We're getting more of the sport touring radials in dual compound tires like the BT021 to replace the BT020 and the new Pilot Road is just coming out with dual compounds, harder rubber in the middle with softer rubber on the sides for milage and handling.

It will be hard to beat the ME880 tires for long life on the sport touring type bikes though and they are quite suitable for many persons needs like in the thread I linked above.

[Skier]

My buddy had about 20,000 miles out of a set of Dunlop D205 SportMaxes. Actually, I think that was 20k on the front, he probably went through a rear on that big BMW.

[dr_bar]

I have never had a problem with Avons, check out this tire, it may or may not fit your needs...

Storm-ST

[Halflin]

Nice info guys. I appreciate all of your input. I will look into all of these.

It's funny I posted this last night because when I was out riding earlier in the evening I felt like I was fighting the bike in the corners, I just thought I was tired and didn't think anything else about it. Got it out this afternoon for a quick ride and the back tire looked funny. After closer inspection I had a damn nail in it.. BAH! I plugged it and threw some soap on it and it's not leaking but I'll check it in the morning.

Lata,
Half

[Ninja Geoff]

+1 on the BT-020's! OEM on the 650R. Great all around traction.

[liablemtl]

Michelin Pilot Roads make a good sport touring tire. I've been running Michelin Pilots (road and power) on both my FZ1 and my old FJ1200. I've gotten good mileage out of them. At lot of guys I talk to recommend the Pilot Road on the rear and the Power on the front. That's my current set up and I'm happy with it.

[Seetrout]

My bike came with Pilot Road's stock. I got 8k miles and the front was shot, but the rear still had a couple thou left in it. Rear was squared off pretty well.

Replaced those with a set of the Continental Road Attack. At just over 4K they seem to be wearing very well, have better overall grip than the Michelins, and has shown no tendency to square off at all.

I would highly recommend the Conti's for both wear and grip in a sport touring tire, but keep in mind this is the total extent of my experience with MC tires.