deathpulse
Pro
Posts: 1688
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posted March 29, 2004 12:44 PM
Best tires for this season?
OK guys - its time to change my stock tire  - I have 6,400 miles on it, and the steel belts are starting to come through!!! I'm thinking about going to a 190 in the rear, as I understand there may be some handling benefits to this.. but what brand/size does everyone recommend? I do medium speed runs (up to 160) and twisty work... occasional wheelies too .
  
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deathpulse
Pro
Posts: 1688
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posted March 29, 2004 03:44 PM
anyone? I know nothing about tires, so I'm looking for type, size and whatever else I need to tell the tire dealer thanks again guys.
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Hells Dark Lord
Needs a life
living life, and loving it.
Posts: 7981
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posted March 29, 2004 04:39 PM
its all about preference DP.....I have run Pirelli Dragona, Metzler M-1's, Michelin Pilot HPX's, and the OEM D208's on my ZX12R....The only one I personally wont run again is the Pilot Sport HPX's...I just didnt liek the feel they gave me.....My current tire of choice is the Metzler M-1, I am running one on my 02 right now in a 190. I do like the 190 but I think I need to raise the rear ride heigth just a bit. It works well the way it is, and handles good, but its just not what I want it to be yet. I am thinking about trying a set of BT012SS on it......if ya like twisties, stay away from hard Sport Touring tires and stick with Supersport tires....Do a search for tire threads and check out all that has been discussed before, there are a lot of threads discussing tires.....
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When in doubt, lean farther and go faster....
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Back9
Parking Attendant
Posts: 3
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posted April 01, 2004 06:07 AM
What do you think about going to a 120/65 in the front?
Wouldn't that eliminate the need to raise the rear?
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castor
Novice Class
Posts: 71
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posted April 01, 2004 12:43 PM
Just ordered a set of BT014's....the replacement for the 010's
Superbike Mag says they are awesome.
Dont buy the Pilot Sport HPX's....I did and am regretting it.....
C
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pdb1964
Zone Head
Posts: 536
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posted April 01, 2004 01:15 PM
I have the HPX's as well and I don't know what it is about them but I just have as much confidence in the corners with them as I did with the stock tires
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Pauly
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busakillerzx12r
Expert Class
Posts: 234
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posted April 01, 2004 02:46 PM
I have the pilot sport's on mine and i personally like them...
deathpulse......you got 6,400 miles out of you tires....I have 6,200 mile on my bike and i'm on my 3rd rear tire....whats your secret...
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BusakillerZX12R
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deathpulse
Pro
Posts: 1688
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posted April 01, 2004 02:54 PM
Ride untill the steel belts are showing !! If I get a 190 for the rear, should I ask the shop to raise the rear height/lower the front? How much?
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Hells Dark Lord
Needs a life
living life, and loving it.
Posts: 7981
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posted April 01, 2004 03:09 PM
DP, if you go to the 190 on the rear ride it and see how it feels to you. If you are a serious twistie guy then you may want to raise the rear just a bit. on the highway my bike feels great with the 190. When I get into serious twisties it feels slow and heavy in turns. My twistie/track bike is a 03 ZX6RR and when I go from one to the other it makes the 12 feel really lazy. I am going to install an adjustable link in the rear to raise it up...
Back, I just can see lowering the bike in any way. Going to the 190 in the rear was a necessary trade off to get the narrower tire profile, but I would rather raise the rear back up with links than lower the front. If I could find an affordable 190/55 I would use it, but the only one I have found so far is the Pirelli Supercorsa's, and they arent cheap.....JMO....
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When in doubt, lean farther and go faster....
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deathpulse
Pro
Posts: 1688
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posted April 01, 2004 03:27 PM
COOL - thanks for the info HDL. I am a fairly serious corner carver (working toward my Keith Code graduation!!) - but I have no technical knowledge of suspension/tires  . How do you raise the rear? Is it something I can ask my shop to do (like - are "adjustable links" kinda standard things?). I really appreciate the help!!
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Hells Dark Lord
Needs a life
living life, and loving it.
Posts: 7981
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posted April 01, 2004 03:42 PM
you can use shims on the shock, or the adjustable link. I like the link because it allows you to change the ride heigth until find out where it works for you. The shims are a fixed heigth and are a pain in the ass when you have to add or subrtact them until ya get it right......DP keep in mind these are just my opinions, there are guys far more knowledgeabe than I on this subject...like K bryant, Vince Hill, or anyone of a number of others...
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When in doubt, lean farther and go faster....
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