front tire question

[cuervo brazil]

Hi, Well, it´s time to change the stock front tire (Bridgestone)... and as you know in 97 model its still that 16´ front rim.

So I have two brand options here :

Michelin : pilot sport 130/70ZR16 or

Pirelli Dragon Evo MTR21 130/70ZR16
Pirelli Dragon Evo Corsa MTR21 130/70ZR16

and I don´t like Bridgestone a lot :o

back wheel has a Michelin Macadam X100

wich one is the best having in count the rear tire?
I am not a circuit junkie, so I ride on the roads around and some times (just a few times) in circuit...

The Honda dealer its taking a long time to get the Michelin, because they have to import it ( :mad: ) and this is what I don´t understand. It´s supposed they sould have al least a few tires in stock... but what a hell, their service is good and i leave the bike and they put the tire balanced and ready , other shops I have to bring them the wheel alone...

Any comments ?
Thanks in advance...

Take care

[Calkidd]

I have been through two sets of Pilots, one set of AVON's AV45/46 and currently on my set of Pirelli Dragons.

Out of all three I like the Dragons the best for their handling. Longevity has yet to be determined.

The AVON's are very close second. This tire has a very deep tread and will last a little longer than the tires mentioned. The grip is close to that of the Dragons but I feel more confident with the Dragon.

This is contributed with the profile the Dragon has to offer. The Dragon has a more radical profile than that of the AVON. The AVON has more of a smooth radius from sidewall to sidewall. This is more so with the AV45/46 due to it being a ST (sport touring) tire.

However, the AV49/50 might be similar to the Dragons.

[Blademan]

Hey BK,

Is your buddy still going to be willing to give a deal on AVONs for us boys here from the site?

[no-mercy racing]

under the circumstances you have listet i would go for the pirelli dragon evo mtr21,the corsa is more track oriented.the michelin pilot sport (wich is a very good and longlasting tire,depending on how you drive :D )would match better to the macadam,wich is actually a touring tire,not a sportbike tire!!!!however,i dont like avon tires at all..its a personal thing :mad: ...no grip,even when warm :o !!so its up to you!!if you can get the michelin get it!!if not,go for the pirelli dragon evo mtr21!it dont like bridgestone either!

[Calkidd]

Oh yeah that was another thing about the AVON's...they take a long time to warm up.

I know with the set I had, after a year or so even with ample tread, they got hard and had little to no grip left in them.

[Blademan]

That was one question I always had when reading the tire comparo's. When they say heat up time . . . I mean how long are we talking? Are you hittin' the curves within 5 miles or like you really gotta scrub them in first and then again if you take it easy for a bit?

[BazMate]

Yeah, I'm due for a new front tyre too, Probably try to find the Pirellis this time. I also don't like the Bridgstones much.
Let me know also if there's a good deal going, although it'd have to include postage to Oz.

Incidently, what pressure do you guys run in the front?
I was always particular about having 36psi front 42psi rear but I've since upped the front to 38psi and it feels a lot nicer in the bends.

Baz

[Calkidd]

38/42 is what I run.

[cuervo brazil]

Hey, thanks a lot for the comments.
I run 36 front.
Well, I think I ´ll go with the Pirelli, let you know.
The Macadam wasn´t a choice, but a need.
I brougth the bike to Brasil from Argentina (1250 kms) and at the middle of the trip, the rear Bridgestone was dead, so as soon as I got to my home I went to Michelin´s shop and the only tire I found was that Macadam.
I ´ll try to get that Pirelli front and change for a Pirelli rear as soon as my Maca dies. :cool:

Tks and take care!

[Big Kahuna]

The Avon 45/46 is the best tire I've ridden on, hands down. I did not experience any of what Calkidd speaks of regarding warm up time or slippage. Come to think of it, I don't remember the tire ever slipping out from under me.

I'm currently running the BT-014, it's a pretty good tire but do does slip a lot more than the Avon's. Haven't tried the Parelli's as they don't make a 16" front, so I'm going back to the Avon's this summer.

As for deals on Avon's, I don't have the hookup anymore. Let me check around and see what I can dig up. I got an email the other day from a site that will offer a 5% discount to out SBR visitors, but I'm going to try to get it up to at least 10%.

Oh, and they last a real long time, over 8,500+ for me. Even when run for months while over inflated due to a bad tire pressure gauge. :(