New Tyres - Worth it?

[jdwhittaker]

Im pretty new to biking, got my license in August after doing my CBT in May and learning one lesson at a time. Never ridden before, so i have no experience with this...

Ive seen so much on the internet, particularly on review videos about how tyres play a huge part in how the bike handles. Ive got a Z650 which ive ridden 1100 miles on the stock tyre. From what ive seen on reviews of the bike the standard tyres that come with this model are crap (Dunlop Sportmax).

How much difference would it make if i said spent £200 on set of high quality hoops like Bridgestone S22's?

If its of any help i ride my bike for the sheer pleasure of it and tend to seek out twisty roads rather than using it as a commuting machine. Im also keen on the idea of doing a track day this year.

[mentalboy]

You like riding it hard, have done 1100 miles on the stock tyres and still don't know whether you like them?
Go with what you feel comfortable with, if you have no budget restrictions then sure, do it now otherwise wait a little until they need replacing - which with today's rubber is probably only a couple of thousand miles more, I used to get 3-4k out of a set. Surprised that a couple of hundred quid can still get you a decent set of rubber!
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Make mine a Corona.

[jdwhittaker]

I suppose its not so much i dont know if i like them its that i have nothing to compare against. Then reading/seeing stuff that says different/better tyres can make your ride feel more sporty etc makes me wonder if its worth getting new rubber for the type of riding i enjoy.

It seems tyres play alot bigger part on a bike than a car. I could run my car on budget tyres of fancy pirellis and i probably wouldnt notice any difference. That doesn't seem to be the consensus im seeing about bike tyres.

[kgm]

[Ste]

If you bought it second hand, how many miles does the bike have on it in total?

Stock tyres fitted are Dunlop Sportmax?

[Nobby the Bastard]

[jdwhittaker]

[stinkwheel]

Yes, tyres make all the difference. Single most important this regarding your bikes handling.

I have nothing but good things to say about pilot road 4 and 5s. All out the best performing all-round tyres I've had wet/dry hot or cold and they last for ages too.

I wonder if going for all-out road/track tyres is strictly necessary on a Z650? You're not going to overwhelm the grip. I never tried S22s though. I had a sportmax once and it gripped very well.. right up until I took it out late season on cold, wet roads and started spinning up the rear coming out of corners.. I think it's still sat in the corner of the shed with a fair bit of tread left on it.

I'd say at your stage, a good all-round road tyre will probably instill more confidence than a hypersports one (and you don't have a hypersports bike). They will be more capable than you are, even on a trackday.

The question I'd ask with any full-on sports tyre is how much heat you need to get into it for it top start gripping properly. Some of them can be a total liability until they are warmed up and if it's a hypersports tyre designed for a bike putting out 150bhp+, is yours going to get it up there? I don't know because I've never used that particular tyre, just an open question.
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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]

You don't actually say what is crap about the tyres, just that other people don't like them. (Ridden a couple of z650s with them and they were fine.)
What is your issue with the tyres? 1100miles can be less than a month of fun in the summer for a lot of us. As above, s22 is a very sporty tyre, you may be better off talking to the dealer about what people fit after original tyre wears out.
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Some bikes.

[garth]

Any modern road biased tyre (pilot roads etc) will be better than you.

I've used PR3s (the ones with the funny sipes on the front) on a trackday and they were surprisingly good for mileage biased tyres. You certainly would never ever push that hard on the road.
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You ain't a has been if you never was

[jdwhittaker]

[Kentol750]

90% of people on here who ride regularly in most weather regard the Michelin pr4 as one of the best tyres out there. Wife has them on her bike, and likes them. When she had an er6n, she ran Pirelli angel st or gt. We've both used Bridgestone bt023 and t30s and never had an issue with them either.
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Some bikes.

[t121anf]

IMO, I wouldn’t change them, can’t imagine at this time of year they will get the required heat.

What about setting the suspension? (no idea how adjustable your bike is), that may help.

I’d stop looking at internet opinion and get out for a ride, build your confidence.

[Shaft]

As others have said, you need to determine what, if anything, you don't like about your tyres, before you start forking out to change them.

When I started riding it was easy, Jap bikes came with Jap tyres, which were just about OK when it was warm and dry, as soon as it rained or the temps dropped, it was like riding on ice.

These days, most bikes come with half decent rubber and you can live with it until they're worn out - unless your tyres are giving you scary moments, stick with them.
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Things get better with age; I'm close to being magnificent........
20 RE Interceptor, 83 Z1100A3, 83 GS650 Katana
WooHoo, I'm a Man Point Millionaire! https://www.bikechatforums.com/viewtopic.php?t=234035

[mentalboy]

[1198]

I wouldn’t be in a rush to change to s22’s at this time of year personally. Aren’t they meant for fast summer road use? While I totally get your desire to try different tyres I think in the current temperatures any advantages will be small if they exist at all.

[Tdibs]

Just use them until they are worn out, will give you a good benchmark for how they feel new and worn, longevity, what you want out of a different set etc.
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Previous : 09 Vanvan 125| 02' Sv650s || Current: 1999 Xj600n | 1992 DR650 RSE | 2005 Fazer 1000

[Robby]

If you're happy with the tyres on there, stick with them.

The usual criticism aimed at tyres is that they have no grip, no wet grip, or no feel. No feel is the worst for me, because it makes me ride like a pussy.

In time you will develop unjustified hatred for one or two tyres brands, based on a bad experience you had 20 years ago. Until you get to that point, just enjoy riding with whatever tyres you have.

[jdwhittaker]

[MarJay]

When the ones you have are worn, replace them. Otherwise you're not quite at the level of noticing the difference between two types of tyre yet. Else you're just throwing money away.

It's natural to want to improve the machine when you first get it, even though the rider is the weak link for all intents and purposes. Tyres are a good shout, and I would probably start there, but only once the tyres I have are worn out, and only once I have the experience to benefit from the marginal extra grip you'll find from going from decent tyres to very good tyres.
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British beauty: Triumph Street Triple R; Loony stroker: KR1S; Track fun: GSXR750 L1; Commuter Missile: GSX-S1000F
Remember kids, bikes aren't like lego. You can't easily take a part from one bike and then fit it to another.

[ThatDippyTwat]

[MarJay]

Something it's worth stamping into your consciousness right now is that everyones experience of motorcycling is unique. I like Pirellis, and I have recently been a convert to Continentals. I don't like Bridgestones. However, there are plenty of people who swear by Bridgestones. Does my opinion negate their experience? No of course not.

I don't like Harleys. Robby swears by them.

I like lids with drop down sun visors. Some people hate them.

You need to use the equipment, bike, tyres, suspension, setup, engine, chain, helmet that YOU get on with, not anyone else. Don't read stuff and then assume it's true.

There are caveats to that, in that some experienced reviewers will be able to tell you if one tyre gives them more feel over another but even then it doesn't necessarily match with everyones experience. Some people will obstinately ride a machine with tyres that are completely unsuitable, and therefore will often put forward an opinion which is really only good for them and no one else. So with that in mind, you need to remain open minded and try not to be subject to personal bias when reviewing or recommending motorcycling things.

I suppose the key thing is to go back to the old BCF saying I live by: "Bloke on the internet has supplanted bloke down the pub as repository of all dodgy information"

It's also all about context. Person A might recommend a H2R as the best bike for person B who only does trackdays, has been riding for 15 years and wants to scare himself silly on an unlimited budget, but that absolutely does not mean person C who has just passed their test should then go out and buy a supercharged missile to commute on!
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British beauty: Triumph Street Triple R; Loony stroker: KR1S; Track fun: GSXR750 L1; Commuter Missile: GSX-S1000F
Remember kids, bikes aren't like lego. You can't easily take a part from one bike and then fit it to another.

[stinkwheel]

Put it this way. My wife recently got her first sportsbike, a CBR600f. I immediately fitted a set of PR5s. One of the first things I did after I got it running right.
____________________
“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.

[garth]