Touring tire for VFR

Discussion in 'Mechanics Garage' started by jcm, Oct 29, 2003.

  1. jcm

    jcm New Member

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    What do people recommend for a VFR rear tire that is more touring than sport? I have had a Dunlop 204, the OEM tire. I liked it just fine. I'm not an aggressive rider. It squared off about 5500 miles and went through the wear bars at 6500. I'm at 7200 miles and ready for new rubber. I ride about 8000 miles/year and would like to get more than 7000 miles out of a tire, if that's possible. Thoughts? Also, what experiences have you had having mail order tires installed by your local dealer? Do they have an attitude about it? Thanks, Jeff McQueen
     
  2. mankaw

    mankaw New Member

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    My '03 had Metzler MeZ4's on it from the factory. They were ok. They started loosing their grip around 5k though. I just (today) put a set of Dunlop 208s on, the Metzlers had 5800 on them when I took them off. I can see already that the 208s have a quicker turn in. As long as I get 3500-4000 miles I'll be satisfied. I think if I had chosen a more touring type tire, I would have went with the Dunlop 220s. They seem to be a common choice for VFRs, especially on the British VFR sites.
    My dealer has no problem with mounting tires bought somewhere else, even before I bought a bike from them. I'm in and out of there a lot and they know me by name. I know the non-dealer speed shops around here don't want to mount tires unless you buy from them so you might ask before you order a set.
     
  3. Guest

    Guest Guest

    JCM, I tried the Dunlop 220's and the rear tire went away at about 4k,in fact I don't even remember seeing any wear bars! same thing with a fellow rider with a R1100rt BMW, the best tire combo I've used is Bridgestone 010 front 020 rear!
     
  4. Tourmeister

    Tourmeister New Member

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    Howdy,

    It is unlikely you will see the mileage from any of the current sport/touring tires that you got from the D204. The D204 is quite hard and has very little comparative grip. If you get more than 5K miles out of any of the newer rear sport/touring tires, you must be riding exceptionally easy on them.

    I've used the D205's, BT 020's and Pilot Roads. The D205's were great but have been superceeded by the D220, of which I am not planning to try anytime soon. The 020 went away at less than 4K for me. The Pilot Roads seem the best so far and are lasting between 5 and 6K miles. They have excellent grip, wet or dry. I've never tried rear Pirelli's or Avons but have heard of some people that like them quite a bit.

    Adios,
     
  5. jcm

    jcm New Member

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    Dear Scott: Thanks for your tire info. I'm going to try the pilot roads. While I have you - any opinions about an electric vest and a good set up with the wiring connections. Thanks, Jeff McQueen
     
  6. Tourmeister

    Tourmeister New Member

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    For lack of any real good reason, other than I just have been too lazy to get around to looking into it, I have never messed with electrics beyond heated grips. Those were nice but only really effective down to about 40-45 F. I have toyed with the idea of a Widder or Gerbing electric vest but as of yet have not formed any opinions regarding which is better suited to my needs. So I just get cold for now ;D
     
  7. keny

    keny New Member

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    For those that need a tire that give miles more than grip. How about Metzelers ME880Marathon? ??? Its awable in steel radials, 120/70R17 front and 170/60R17 rear in v speed index. The rear is standard size to 90-97 750 and 10 smaller  :-/than 98 and newer vfr`s, But I read somewhere of one using a 170 on a 800 vfr whit no problem. ;D
     
  8. TKWelch

    TKWelch New Member

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    I would have to agree with the ME880's being too touring oriented and not enough grip. I have ME880's on my Kawasaki ZN700 and they are great but they dont have much grip in the turns. I have a set of MEZ4's on my VFR right now but if I were to get a new set I would order them 1 or 2 sizes bigger than stock because I find myself on the very edge of the tire often with more lean left on the bike. A friend of mine has Metzler M1s on his Yamaha YZF and he loves them. Has anyone tried the Avon AV45/AV46 ST ??
     
  9. Clark

    Clark New Member

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    This is a response to the question about electric vests. Powerlet makes a great wiring set-up that gives you a BMW style socket. It fits in the steering head. Allows me to charge the battery or run my electric jacket. The Gerbring jackets are considered very good. About tires, I have the stock Metzlers and am looking forward to changing to the new Michelin sport tire, bet the mileage will be about the same.
     
  10. Old_Codger

    Old_Codger New Member

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    Hey!

    I've been reading about the Metzler RoadTec Z6's  on that other VFR site.  Looking for something geared more toward the touring,  sport touring, end of things.  I  like to go fast but probably a little less agressive than most in the corners.  We get some rain here in Oregon so I need a tire that is good in the wet.  Anyone have experience with these new Metzler's? I'm just now replacing the stock 204's at 5500 miles.

    Old_Codger
     
  11. Guest

    Guest Guest

    Old Codger,

    I am in your situation, thinking about new tires very soon an am unsure which ones to get. I had the Dunlop 220s on my last bike and liked them very much, but man did that rear tire begin to wear fast (that or I just did a lot of riding in a short time).

    I am thinking the Michelin or Metzler, but in reading this post they all seem to indicate approx the same life (4-6,000 miles)

    Hmmmmm.
     
  12. Rumblefish

    Rumblefish New Member

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  13. Lone_Texas_Ranger

    Lone_Texas_Ranger New Member

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    What else can you do when it's raining in Texas on a Sunday?
    Although feel and handling are subjective and much depends on riding style, I feel I should share my experiences even though I ride reasonable hard in the twisties and as such my experiences may be on the lower part of the tyre life expectancy curve.

    Here is my put' on tyres (tires) after 20K miles in 18 months on the 02VFR.
    020 Bridgestone Fr 6.5K R 3.5K Ok but front cupped badly and had to counter steer last 1K to hold line.
    Michelin Pilot Road Rear 3.3K Good tyre, but 1.5K in Arkansas is hard on the boots!
    Dunlop D220 - Fr 7K good trye when pressure upped to 38psi wore evenly. R however only 1951 miles to the threads - Arkansas again, a killer. A buddy went through in 1.5K on a CBR XX on same trip Would not recommend in hot climates.
    Metzler M6 Roadtec - R 3.6K but had tread left approx 3-500 miles. Traction on par with the Michelins more pointy so felt better when cranked over in long curves.
    Avon AV45 (Fr) AV46 (R) - Front just about expired at 9K, rear 5.5K the best yet, included an 8 day 2.8K 'rip' through mountains and National Parks of Wyoming, Montana and Idaho in the summer of 04.
    Avon AV46 (R) still fitted but likely to get only 4K ish - Texas heat and speeds take their toll.

    I have a set of sticky Avons, AV49 (Fr) AV50 (R) to try out in the Spring for an Arkansas ride , I don't expect to get 2K from the rear but it will be interesting to see if the traction/handling is inspiring.

    So for the 'touring types' I would recommend the Avon AV46 as a rear, and my preference for a front would be the D220 as it has finer and more grooves and feels confident in the wet.
    I also suggest 38psi in the front tyre and 36psi in the Rear for one up riding, and only the 42psi for 2 up and fully loaded. It rides/handles better and I have found tyre wear rate is reduced and evened out.

    There you have it - just another opinion based on experience.
     
  14. viferdude

    viferdude New Member

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    ;)Thx to my friends & this forum I decided to buy a Avon Azaro AV46 based on other ppl experience. My stock Dunlop lasted 7000km (4375 mi) before burning a flat spot in the center. Unimpressed. >:( A friend with a Blackbird XX got 12000km (7500 mi) on his Avon rear.
     
  15. Predalex

    Predalex New Member

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    Dunlop has done a bad thing replacing the 205's with the 220's I have gone over 7k miles with my 205's.

    When i start losing grip I will seek out the discontinued 205's as they just last and last and last.

    I live in Washington State, USA and was told the 220's have better rain grip, but damn when people say they get 4.5-6k miles outta them tires only, I still will search for 205's as they grip pretty good in the rain and damn they seem to last forever.

    -Alex
     
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