Tyres (A little Rusty)

[vt6]

Hi All,

Just after a quick bit of advice if I may. I've been away from bikes for a couple of years for one reason or another, I've now bought a zx6 for this summer. My query - When I last rode I was using Pirelli Diablo's and found them awesome, what's the current thoughts on decent rubber, do diablo's still hold their own or have newer versions come about?

Cheers

[Mikey3]

Diablo's I think are still respectable tyres, I personally use bridgestone battlax's and I think they're brilliant. I run a 021 on the back and the softer 016 on the front and I never have any issues.
How do you ride generally, how often and in what conditions? Because these factors will be very important to your decisions.

Mike
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'Motorcycling is about what you do; not about what you own, or how much you spend on it'

[vt6]

Riding will generally be a spirited sunday / evening blast when required and work and back a few days a week. Don't think I'll venture to a track day on a road bike again for fear of binning.

[Wafer_Thin_Ham]

Pirelli Diablo Rosso's or whatever they're called now are still decent. Might be worth looking at Dunlop qualifier II's or Dunlop Sport Smarts. I have Sport Smarts on my 954 and find them excellent.
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[Paulington]

I just had a set of Diablo Rosso Corsas fitted to the GSX-R and I find they have a huge amount of grip, far more than you can really use on the road.

However, due to their varied-compound construction they can last a while, even if used for some commuting.

Personally? I'd look at a Pilot Power/Pilot Power 2CT as they are slightly harder I believe, harder wearing, better for commuting in all weather and still allow you enough grip to have a weekend blast.

Cheers!
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[MarJay]

I hate Bridgestones and love Pirelli Diablos. However, Diablos are discontinued now, and I'm not as in love with the Diablo Rosso Corsa that is on the front of my Street Triple now. Its still way better than the Bridgestones I had on my 'Blade, or the Dunlop D207s that came on my Buells.

However, all the bike mag reviews say the Dunlop Sportsmart is a totally awesome road tyre. They are quite expensive, but they are meant to be good. I've not ridden on them, but the Qualifiers that came on my Street seemed to grip well and give good feel.

G doesn't really like the Bridgestones too much, and he also hates Michelins, so maybe that tells you something... maybe it doesn't. Also bear in mind that Mezeler are the same as Pirelli, they are one and the same company. Often the tyres are equivalent across both Mezeler and Pirelli ranges, just with different tread patterns.
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[vt6]

Cheers lads,

Big Ham - How's tricks - You still trackdaying / racing?

Marjay - I agree on the dunlop 207's, i went from them on my cbr a few year back to diablos and found a huge difference. I did try the supercorsas on track for a while and found them equally as impressive.

[Irezumi aka Reuben]

I had Michelin Pilot Road 2's on my old J1 ZX6R and they never let go. Loads of grip for braking and I never managed to get the rear to spin once warm, it would always lift the front even when leant over slightly.

No point in very sticky road tyres imo when you wont get anywhere near the performance. Unless youre extremely good ala G
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[Wafer_Thin_Ham]

[Wafer_Thin_Ham]

[vt6]

Yea I know that one mate defo, I've toyed with a few days this year but settled for buying a road bike so I bought a zx-6 after 2 years away from riding altogether. Took her out for the first play last night and it's still got the grin factor . I don't remember my cbr too well but this just feels silly quick, constantly backing off to keep within legal limits.

Awesome!

[Sako]

i always liked the 2CT'S, although from reading recent reviews i will be trying the PR3's next time round.

[UnspeedySam]

I second the sport touring tyre recommendation. If you're not doing trackdays I really don't see the point in Pilot Powers/Diablos/Qualifiers. I have a big heavy lump of a ZZR and even when going for it on the weekend, I have never felt my BT023s slip (except on gravel/crap surfaces).They are a whole lot more confidence inspiring than the Qualifiers that came on the bike...which slipped all the bloody time unless thoroughly warmed up.

The BT023s are great imo, my mate has the Michelin Pilot Road 3s and they last forever and feel much the same to me...but they are a little more expensive. Can't speak for the Dunlop Roadsmart II.
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[G]

[P.]

Corsa III, I only had one slip, that was heavy throttle (read inexperience) on a cold tyre.

Was a good tyre all round though, I felt planted with it.

Still rate the Pirelli Angel ST and BT014, although life of the latter is minimal!