Best tires for the NW?

Discussion in 'USA - Pacific Northwest' started by FF Yac, Aug 4, 2014.

  1. FF Yac

    FF Yac New Member

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    I just bought a 2006 VFR800 and am looking for advice on the best brand/type of tires for up here in the NW. Ive been looking at the Pilot Road 4's, but wanted some advice. Also, would there be any advantage to putting on a 190 vs a 180? Any issues? Thanks for the help.
     
  2. Pliskin

    Pliskin New Member

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    Welcome aboard. Just an FYI, there's a "new members" section on here to introduce yourself and post a pitcher of your bike. We're simple here, and like pictures.

    Now we'll cut you some slack about asking for tires - but if you use the search function towards the top right, you'll find that tires and oil are two of the most widely discussed topics, and ultimately, it comes down to personal preference. But that being said, there are many people who swear by the Michelin PR2 and 3, with the 3 being better in the wet than the 2. As for the 4? Beats me...

    Sizing of tires - Honda engineers spent a lot of time designing what would work best. Switching to a 190 will definitely affect your turn in. Have members done the swap? Sure. But most of them were looking for a little extra contact patch at the track or on some super twisty roads. I guess if you're one helluva rider and need some extra contact in the rain, go for it. Otherwise, I'd lean heavily towards saying no need to change size.
     
  3. OOTV

    OOTV Insider

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    Pretty much what Pliskin said, but to add to the 190 question, a fellow VFR rider had one the shop accidentally installed on his VFR750 and he had loads of tread on either side of his tire and it wasn't until he saw my and OCLandspeeder's tires did he notice that his was in fact a 190. After going back to a 180, he said he could totally tell a difference in how it handled in the turns, he felt the 180 was much better for his riding style, of course YMMV. BTW, the PR 3 and 4 are supposed to have better wet weather performance than the PR2 and somewhere on the forum is a post regarding a review of the PR4.
     
  4. daver314

    daver314 New Member

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    I don't have any experience with the PR4, as the shop here wasn't stocking them this past spring when I got my PR3's. I believe the PR3 is fairly popular around here. I have been very happy with them. Very sticky, with great turn-in (180). I noticed a huge difference switcHing from the Dunlops to the PR3. I was never very confident on the old ones. That being said, I haven't had them out much in the rain. They seem pretty stable transitioning from wet to dry and are great under breaking (although I do have abs). I used to run bridgestones on my cbr, but they didn't really stand out to me. They slid around a bit more under power, which was fun as long as it wasn't wet out. If you can't tell, I'm a big fan of my PR3's. I don't think you'll be disappointed if you go that rout. There's a few video reviews on YouTube you can look at, and some better reviews on here and other forums.

    Hope this helps!

    ~ Dave
     
  5. bitterpil

    bitterpil New Member

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    Tires, oil, blinker fluid. It's all the same..

    Issue is your riding style, road conditions (primary), etc. Etc. Tire type, compound , construction and profile are more important than size so I'd stick to 180 over 190.

    Time commuting vs twisties. Btw...everyone's aggressive(spirited) riding is different.
    What are th roads like (concrete, smooth or rough asphalt, chips and spray(whatever it's called)) etc.

    Do you ride in the rain?

    Depending on answers above and if you want best grip or best mileage (no magic bullet here without giving up performance in the middle to some degree)

    If you are really looking for the best for you. Think about the questions above and do some research and pick what your gut tells you to get. Otherwise, you are listening to what everyone else here shares and when boiled down that ain't much.

    I used to share shit loads about tires until I realized best I can do is make suggestions for research based on info provided.
     
    Last edited: Aug 4, 2014
  6. Arnzinator

    Arnzinator New Member

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    If you must switch to a 190 consider a 190/55 over a 190/50. This should give you similar turn in to a 180/55.

    Personally I'd stay with the stock tire size as others have suggested.
     
  7. DfnsMn69

    DfnsMn69 New Member

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    Welcome to the NutHouse... What part of the NW are you in... I'm running PR4s on my 03 and will never swap over to another tire. For our road conditions and weather they are the gripiest tire I've ridden. I ride all year long as long as the roads arent white but YMMV
     
  8. FF Yac

    FF Yac New Member

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    Wow! I appreciate all of the info.

    Pliskin- I will get into the new member section today and introduce myself properly. My apologies. LOL

    OOTV/daver314/bitterpil/Arnzinator- Thanks for the input. I was leaning toward staying with the stock tire size mainly because Honda engineered the bike the way it is and I definitely don't want to mess with that. I do ride in wet conditions. I will use it as a daily commuter, but also want to be able to run it up the Gorge and take the twisties when I can. I am thouroughly impressed with this bike. It is all stock and I don't have any immediate plans to change anything right away, but I am sure I will come across some ideas on here. :eagerness:

    DfnsMn69- I live in SW Portland. So we ride in the same climate. I will need the traction in fall/winter/spring when its not dry around here.

    Again I appreciate all of the info, and I will get more familiar with the site. And thanks for not grilling the newbie too bad. I think this is definitely the place for me. :chaingun:
     
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