before I change my tyres

[bigdom86]

going to change my old crappy BT021s to new PR5s this weekend, before I change them what difference does difference size tyre make? I am very new to riding big bikes, currently running a 02 cbr6 on my london commute, current tyres are

front 120/70
rear 180/55

cheers
dom

[MarJay]

[Kentol750]

Correct sizes for f4i model, going from a sports tyre to a sport/touring will feel different. How much are road5 compared to road 4? Heard a lot of praise for road 4.
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Some bikes.

[bigdom86]

good to know the sizes I quoted are the correct sizes for the f4i, I am not at all interested on racing around London so would rather just stick with what is recommended the reason for the change is my rear gets quite slippy in the wet and many have mentioned the 021s as being crap.

I would go for PR4s but getting a local shop to supply and fit as prefer to support local business and they only have the PR5s now, I believe the PR4s are now discontinued?

[Kentol750]

021 doesn't compare to a pr5 for grip for all year round. T30 would be closer.
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Some bikes.

[bigdom86]

[MarJay]

[natefz6]

I am pretty sure I had the BT021 then then moved on to the BT023 on my fz6. I found both to be pretty lacking, I mean they were fine but did not instill confidence with quite a few instances of loss of traction. After asking for suggestions on here I went with the PR4's and the difference was night and day as far as grip goes, in the wet and dry.

My front is coming to the end of its legal life but still holds well, by this point with the 023 I had a 50pence piece profile which made cornering somewhat less enjoyable.

I did look at the 5's but I was replacing both tyres at the same time and was on a bit of a budget at the time.
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"no I didn't steal it that's just the way I ride"

[Kentol750]

As MarJay says, pr4 and 5 seem to be universally liked. I've used the bt023, t30 and pr4s, all been fine. If 5s are a step beyond 4s then would be my choice. I also found 023 tyre squared off quite harshly. For me, the price is immaterial if the tyre gives more confidence.
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Some bikes.

[Pete.]

I've just gone from PR4 to road 5's. I thought I'd find it hard to be impressed with the Road 5 after using the PR4 for a couple of years and when the guy who fitted them said that they claimed that a half-worn road 5 would out-perform a new PR4 I was sceptical.

After riding on the Road5's for a few weeks in all weathers I can only conclude that they are fecking awesome. Definitely a step-up from the PR4, and a mile up from a BT021.
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a.k.a 'Geri'

132.9mph off and walked away. Gear is good, gear is good, gear is very very good

[chickenstrip]

[stinkwheel]

They only just started making PR4s in some sizes recently so I doubt they have been discontinued.

I fuly intend to fit 5s when they do them in my size. For now the PR4 had been a revolution, especially in the wet. I have two mates on 5's now and they back up the hypoe that they out-perform the 4s.
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“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

[Kentol750]

It's a little annoying when 021s are compared to road tyres. They weren't put on 'sports' bikes to be a commuting tyre. Compare them to sporty Pirellis or Metzelers and they do ok. They've also been superceded by other tyres now. I wouldn't have enjoyed riding my zx7r or fireblade on long life commuting tyres as much as I did on rennsports, but I didn't moan that I had to ride carefully in wet conditions.
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Some bikes.

[chickenstrip]

[bacon]

[Kentol750]

Zx7r came around in 199something....putting decent tyres on it now would obviously make a difference. When I had mine, 1500 miles from a rear on a sports bike was fine. Riding down to the carcass in the middle was for idiots.

What they call tyres and how they perform is why we all come on here.... I'm not advocating any tyres.... usage and rider make huge differences. Imho Avon are shit, they make inflatable boats designed to slip over water, and that's how I find their bike tyres!
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Some bikes.

[bacon]

[bigdom86]

got the PR5s on the CBR now, difference is night and day to the BT021s, feel like I am stuck to the road and ride is much smoother (obviously still taking it a bit easy for the first hundred or so) but big big difference, will wait on some rain now and see how they are

[G]

Remember that any time going from worn tyres that are likely well off shape to new tyres that are nice and round, a lot of 'feel' will seem a lot better from the new tyres.

You can only really tell if you are actually "stuck to the road" if you're regularly losing traction - which generally isn't great . But appreciate tyres can feel not so good.

[waffles]

[kramdra]

[Mr Hammers]

Totally agree with everything said so far about the R5's. Had them for around 2000 miles now and they're still as great as when they went on. They must have worn of course, but they still look pretty new and no hint of squaring off. Oi bloody loves 'em, oi does.
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A Guide To Powerbands

[bigdom86]

[ocatoro]

for the road, I've been enjoying the avon storm 3d xm (extra mileage) sport touring tyre on the blackbird.

very surefooted in all weathers, and I got them for an absolute steal
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Current - None but shed project H100 (first bike )
Past - ER5, '93 ZZR600, '92 CB400 SF, ZZR600 (again), yellow Monster 620, Blackbird - black Monster 620ie - '96 ZZR600

[Hong Kong Phooey]