Kawasaki ER6-F: Tyre suggestions please

[Fat Angry Scotsman]

The bike is being delivered back to me tomorrow and I am fixing it myself apart from putting the new chain and sprockets on it (I don’t want to get riveting the chain wrong) and the tyres (which I’ll have delivered to the garage).

I’m hoping you guys can tell me the best tyres to get for my budget which is £200 - £240 for both tyres?

I will be riding this bike in all weather conditions except for winter, I’ve kept the little Zontes to be my winter hack so the ER6-F will go into hibernation from December to February getting stored in a garage.
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PRESENT: 2018 BMW S1000XR SE Sport.
PAST: 2009 Kawasaki ER-6F. 2021 Zontes ZT-125U.

[to v or not to v]

Michelin Pilots have a very good reputation for wet weather performance.
they are what i went for after asking around,
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current bike Yamaha Thunderace.
its old and fat, but its a damned good ride. the bikes not bad either.

[Old Git Racing]

I was going to suggest road pilot 5's but you wont get them for that money, might get a deal on some RP4's but why scimp for a few quid when its the bit that keeps you on the road?

OGR
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2022 Tiger Sport 660 2019 Street Twin 2003 K3 gixxer 1000 1998 Srad 600 track hack

[ThunderGuts]

You might do; I got Pilot 5s on the VFR earlier this year for about £240 fitted (Demon Tweeks). There was an offer on at the time though (free fitting I think). ER6 probably takes skinnier boots so might be a bit cheaper.

Appreciate budget is always a factor, but honestly, miss the next takeaway / pub night / whatever and throw the £40 extra at the tyres - they're the most critical component on the bike. It's not just the "actual" safety they provide, it's the confidence they inspire which in turn directly affects how much you enjoy riding. Sure, dry warm roads you might have high confidence even on cheaper tyres, but throw in damp patches and cooler autumn temps and you'll be getting more wary. Good rubber will inspire confidence and mean you can enjoy riding more, whatever the weather (and let's face it, Scotland is hardly famed for wall to wall sunshine ).
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TG.

[Fat Angry Scotsman]

I googled Pilot 5 and all that I am really finding is "Pilot Road 5" that's the ones right?

If that's the ones they come in around the budget, maybe only over it by a tenner which is fine.
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PRESENT: 2018 BMW S1000XR SE Sport.
PAST: 2009 Kawasaki ER-6F. 2021 Zontes ZT-125U.

[ThunderGuts]

Yep those are the ones. I think they changed the name slightly, Road 5 are the tyres though.

Mine on tour in late spring this year.

https://www.bikechatforums.com/files/brecons2small.jpg
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TG.

[Fat Angry Scotsman]

Thanks all, I will go with these ones since they're so recommended on here.
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PRESENT: 2018 BMW S1000XR SE Sport.
PAST: 2009 Kawasaki ER-6F. 2021 Zontes ZT-125U.

[ThunderGuts]

Best tyre I've ever used. Mine have done about 1500 miles now and appear to not be showing any wear at all either (there's still a slight groove around the centre band which I imagine will be first to disappear once they start squaring off). Night and day compared to the Pirellis I had on before.
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TG.

[Fat Angry Scotsman]

[BRUN]

not sure on bike tyres, but for a car ive always found Michelin to be the best, by some margin, so Im sure they probably make some of the best bike tyres too

[ThunderGuts]

How long is a piece of string? Lots of factors. Bike tyres rarely "wear out" in the way car tyres do as wear isn't even across their entire surface. Usually they get replaced because the rider doesn't like the way they feel rather than the fact they're on the wear bars. On that, I get about 3-4k miles out of mine. I only ride for fun and actively avoid straight roads - if you're commuting up and down motorways regularly that can contribute to squaring off more quickly. Soft tyre compounds will wear faster, hard acceleration and braking (which generally happens when the bike is bolt upright) will also contribute. Road 5s are dual compound, so a tougher central portion then softer shoulders - in theory tolerate the straight bits better.

Don't overthink it though.

[Fat Angry Scotsman]

[Prawny]

[Fat Angry Scotsman]

[Prawny]

[xX-Alex-Xx]

I don't use anything except Pilots now. Usually Pilot Power but I'll probably go Road next.
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DILLIGAF

[stinkwheel]

I'll join in the road 5 love-in. Especially with regard to wet grip, with the exception of some silly supermoto tyres I once used, they have the best wet grip I've ever experienced. The PR4s are great too although the front has a tendancy to feather/cup as it wears. They reckon a 2/3 worn 5 is as grippy as a brand new 4.

My rear is nearly spanked but I took it on a 350 mile motorway run at the weekend, it was just off the wear bars (well, on the wear bars if I'm being honest) when I left. Looked no different when I got home.

The only valid criticism I've heard is they seem a tad more prone to punctures than some other tyres.
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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.

[WULFSTAN]

Mitas touring force half the price of road 5s and just as good.
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Your backside is better enough for you to run again, if need be – bristle up the courage of the cornered rat, put on a bold front, and to hell with them. Bluff my boy – bluff, shift and lie for the sake of your neck and the honour of Old England

[Kentol750]

Road 5s are amazing. 4s were good.. Mrs K has them on her bike... 5s next. The equivalent bridgstones are great too, but I'm running them on my v strom and unless I was on a sports bike doing hard riding I wouldn't go elsewhere.
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Some bikes.

[Old Git Racing]

Road 5's have the added entertainment factor of 3 lines on them. If you cant get to the 1st line you dont need 5's and should have bought some cheap shit. 2nd line is acceptable for an old duffer who gives it a bit. 3rd line is getting serious and good, 3rd line to the edge is better! Check out you're 5's

OGR
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2022 Tiger Sport 660 2019 Street Twin 2003 K3 gixxer 1000 1998 Srad 600 track hack

[xX-Alex-Xx]

[ThunderGuts]

[Fat Angry Scotsman]